INTERVIEW WITH JAHRED OF (HED)P.E.

After parting ways with their two previous record labels (JIVE, KOCH), the members of (HED)P.E. have returned with Back to Base X, an aggressive collection of songs that prove just how resilient this band is, and how diverse their influences are. We fired off a few questions to frontman Jahred to get his thoughts on the band's new music, the state of record biz, and a few other unrelated topics...and this is how it came back...

FoundryMusicRob: The average consumer usually doesn’t have the kind of knowledge about the way the music industry works. It’s been 12 years since you started the band, how drastically has the industry changed in that amount of time?

Jahred: I am in no position to speak about the so-called industry; however, I can speak about how technology has changed. To sum it up, we have all gone from the cassette, to the CD, to the IPod. 10 years ago, recording your album required so much tape, that you literally had to move it with a U-Haul. Now, you can carry your entire album in a backpack.

FoundryMusicRob: Tell me about this concept of “Sophia.” I understand it’s a metaphor, but can you delve deeper into where it came from and what you are trying to point out with it?

Jahred: Sophia is another word for wisdom. The song is simply a love song, written for truth and wisdom. Besides that, I'd rather the listener tell me what I'm trying to point out.

FoundryMusicRob: On your newsletter/update page on the Suburban Noize Records website, you talk about the difference between 'Magic' and 'Magick'. You mention that symbols on the dollar bill led you down that path and that the world is run by witches. Well, it’s been 2 months since you wrote that and I was wondering if you could finally clarify what you mean.

Jahred: I don't wish to "clarify" what I said. I was trying to stimulate my fans to search out these things for themselves. Make up their own minds.

FoundryMusicRob: Your former labels didn’t do a great job marketing you guys. I know a lot of bands would rather stay relatively unknown rather than “sell out” to suits, but you have to admit, it’s partially up to “the suits” to help you spread the word. How do you feel Suburban Noize has been doing with this task?

Jahred: Sadly, I am just a lowly "artist", and I just don't feel qualified to answer many of these "industry" type questions.

FoundryMusicRob: As I sit here watching the video for “Represent” I can’t help but wonder who came up with the idea to use the old Batman style “Bam” “Pow” “Crash” screen graphics. I think it was a great idea and very old school, who decided to put that in?

Jahred: The animation was something the director and myself came up with. But, the final product was definitely something that surprised the both of us.

FoundryMusicRob: I’ve never seen you guys live; I was at one of your shows but had to leave early unfortunately (my back crapped out). Mindless Self Indulgence was direct support that night and they seemed like a hard act to follow. I can tell you guys must put on a hell of an energetic show, how did you follow up a guy who pees on stage and drinks it?

Jahred: Apples and oranges.

FoundryMusicRob: You guys are out on tour with label mates The KOTTONMOUTH KINGS right now. Are there any other bands on your label that you’d tour with if the schedules would permit it?

Jahred: Any and all of ‘em. It’s all in the family.

FoundryMusicRob: How often do you get kids come up to you after a show and give you a demo of their own band and ask you to give it to someone at the label?

Jahred: Once in a while.

FoundryMusicRob: You guys blend a lot of different musical styles together and I’ve always wondered, in a band like yours, is there one person for each particular style, or does each individual mesh everything as well. Like, is there one guy that’s the band’s “Rock Dude” and one that’s your “Hip-Hop Dude?”

Jahred: No. There is no "hip-hop dude" or "rock-dude". We are all responsible for the blend of styles, cuz we are all influenced by all types of music.

FoundryMusicRob: Being on the road with a bus full of guys must get pretty boring when you’re out for a few months. If we were to peek through your porno collection, what kinds of titles would we find?

Jahred: This band is not into porno. We are into South Park, Streetball, and Bruce Lee. I never understood guys watching porno together. Creepy. (I completely agree, creepy indeed. –FMR)

FoundryMusicRob: You have a track on the new album called “Beware Do We Go.” Well, this is the end of the interview, so beware do we go from here? Back to sleep? To the mall? What do you do when you aren’t working?

Jahred: We go to www.hedshop.com, then we go take a bong hit, then we go have sex with our girlfriends, then we go on-line again to www.prisonplanet.com, then I go write some rhymes, then I go play some guitar, then I go run, then I go push some weights, then I go read some books on Kabbalah or the Freemasons. There is always something to do in this beautiful country of ours.

Visit (HED)P.E. on the web: HEDROCKS.com

...or you can check out their MySpace Page
...you can also check out our review of Back To Base X