Interview to..... DayJob Orchestra

Interview by Roberto Guarnieri

First question, why a name so particular for a 5 pieces act?

"We played some improv jazz at a top-40 club between songs, and someone yelled out:"Don't quit your day job!!" We thought that was pretty funny, and the name was introduced.We tossed around a whole bunch of names at the beginning, like "Sex With The Insane" and "Attack Hedge", but in the end, we wanted a name that would be funny at first, but would sound more normal after you said it a few times.Also, I have to say that we're not officially a five-piece act.When we play live, it's Chris Robertson, Pete Swann & myself. Locally, the band could be a three, four or a five piece, but, if you see us in Italy, it will be the three of us."

Second question, four years for recording the cd,why?

"We had so many songs and ideas, that the structure of the CD kept changing, and besides,we had no deadline...I really wanted to be patient; it isn't every day you release a debut! Also, after some of the final material started to take shape, some songsstarted to drop from the CD, and we ended up with our favourates."

Since from " Madness " and " Deal With It ", i've noticed great influences from jazz and funky.

"The funk is mostly from T'J Armstrong and Steve Marinucci's influence; it seems when we play together, we usually end up being funky...there are a lot of unconcious influences that we all have, and sometimes it just takes the right player to bring that out in a person.The jazz influence is mostly from myself, Chris Robertson and Pete Swann."

Is there a little bit of Frank Zappa in your idea of music?

"Yes, but not on purpose...we all have that love of music, and the love of all things strange,and Zappa had the mind & musicians to pull anything off. I really respect that and his methods of capturing magical moments. So I wouldn't be surprised if that comes out on the CD."

Usually jazz-metal has not a great audience, what is your opinion?

"True...if you can call us "Jazz Metal"...there's not a lot of people who can understand it (or understand it enough) to really enjoy it. It's like a shared joke about music that's told to an audience; only the musicians will laugh. But that's OK, because we're playing for musicians and frankly, a big audience is not our priority.We just like to play."

You are based in Canada, what do you think about Rush and their latest cd?

"We're all huge RUSH fans, and being musicians in Toronto helps, too! The new CD sounds great, and despite Neil's tragic loss, they're full of renewed vigour.I'm looking forward to seeing them. I've worked with Terry Brown, and I've heard some great stories about RUSH in the studio.Neil Peart was my Idol as a child, and showed me how a drummer could be so much more than just a time-keeper."

Do you know the guitarist Mike Campese?

"I've heard some of his playing; he's a tastefull, smooth fluid player.I'd love to jam with that guy."

I've heard other bands from Canada, like Spaced Out and Hamadryad, is this a signal for a reborn of pro-jazz in you country?

"I hope so!"

Would you tell me how do you have build " Playing With Myself "?

"I worked out the structure loosely, then recorded one complete drum track, (to a click) and then listened to the first track as I recorded the second track.The thing ended up over six minutes! I removed a vocal percussion section called "Rutabega Robatussin" from it (I put it on the website for those who care: www3.sympatico.ca/djo) and got rid of redundencies.It's influenced by the famous Phil Collins/Chester Thompson solo from Genisis live."

Would you describe me Peter Swann, one of the best guitar-talent of the year?

"He rocks every year! His main influences are Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Joe Satch, Nuno, Tony, Steve Morse,John McLauglin, but he's extremely trained musically. He's a big jazz lover, but I think he's happiest when he's shredding."

What do you think about Liquid Tension Experiment?

"Funny you should ask! My friend just gave me a cassette of them; it's in my car right now.It's the kind of music that you can just let play over and over & it keeps getting better.Great driving music...very impressive!"

Do you have had some offers for touring the world with other bands?

"Just North America so far, but we're hoping to come to Europe."