Dave: How's the gigging going? How do you select the setlist?
Todd: The shows have been really cool! It's fun to see things move from the rehearsals to the actual stage and see who picks up on it. We simply wanna make people have fun and that's what our shows are like. Nothing but fun. People are diggin' our stuff. We're still a fairly new band in a sense that we've gotta get our name out there.Things have only begun to happen for us. We've done a handful of shows here and there. The crowds have been very gracious and friendly. We're making new fans and friends every show. The shows have been the best! I couldn't ask for more at this point. Jaime usually makes up the setlist. He does it because he's the singer and it's really important that he's prepared for the next song when it comes up to play. He knows what he feels is a comfortable song to do and where it belongs in the set. When we play live, The Saint obviously runs the show. He's in direct contact with the audience. There's an importance in reading the crowd to keep 'em up and enjoying the show. Jaime does that well. Sometimes we all help and put in our suggestions for the setlist but for the most part, Jaime does it. We love all the songs so it doesn't matter to the rest of the band when and where a song
is played. We also do alot of really cool Black 'N Blue tunes as well. Not only are they great songs but we feel it's mandatory to play them. They are staples of what Jaime has done in the past and there's always gonna be Black 'N Blue fans in our audience. We aim to please everyone! We play "Wicked Bitch", "Without Love" and many others that you'll have to come to the show to see and hear. BNB fans will surely get what they want.
Dave: Didn't you recently open for Cheap Trick? How was that? I know Jaime is a big Zander fan. must've been cool for him.
Todd: Yes! We shared the stage with the legendary CHEAP TRICK! It was a couple of months back, March 2001, I believe. Two nights in a row, sold out, in Michigan. I gotta tell you that it was a dream come true for me and Jaime. As you know, Jaime thinks the world of Robin Zander and Cheap Trick is one of my all-time faves. Don't forget about Bun E.! The shows were stellar! Our sets were substantial and solid. The crowd liked us alot. My favorite part of the whole thing would be watching Cheap Trick's soundcheck. Just watching how talented and fluent Bun E. plays. If you see Cheap Trick live try to keep your eyes on what the man is doin' up there. It will change the way you look at drummers and the
importance of the instrument in a great band. They were really professional and laid back when we met them and talked. Jaime was genuinely put back a bit because he's a huge fan. He felt really good when Robin and Rick Nielson came up to him to say hi to him. It was really cool to see. I could tell it made him feel really good. It also reinforced Jaime's faith in OUR band and that we can hold our own while
supporting such a legendary band and influence in Jaime's life. He tells us all the time how proud he is to be playing in a band with us. A cool thing that happend to me was when we were coming off the stage from our set and Cheap Trick was coming onto the stage. We all crossed paths and Bun E.and Tom made it a point to stop and shake my hand to give me a compliment. Tom says "Wow! You guys are really good, huh?! Bun E. said "Nice show, Todd. You're a great drummer". I almost pissed myself.
Whether it's to play with Cheap Trick or to go see a Cheap Trick show, EVERY band needs to experience it. They ARE the best there is.
Dave: What kind of things are planned to coincide with the release?
Todd: Well, we plan to play a ton of live shows to support the album and show people what we've got. We're proud of this band and plan on showing the world how proud we are. Right now plans are being made to release the record, tour the states and go overseas to support it.
Dave: Just a followup. Tour plans being set for Overseas as well as the U.S. then.
Todd: Yes, tour plans are floating around. People wanna see what Jaime's been up to lately here in the states AND overseas. He's in huge demand right now. I can't predict the future but I would imagine we may go to Europe before we hit the U.S. We also are planning on Japan as well. We'll see. I'm looking forward to going overseas.
Dave: Who would you cite as your influences?
Todd: Clem Burke (Blondie), Pat Torpey (Mr.Big), Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick), Ginger Fish (Marilyn Manson), Steve Gorman (The Black Crowes), Adrian Young (No Doubt), Bruce Gary (The Knack), Mikkey Dee (Motorhead), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters/Nirvana), John Fedevich (Automatic Taxi Star/Halogen), Jon Farriss (Inxs), Jerry Gaskill (King's X) and many more! I'm influenced by alot of different drummers from different styles of music. I could go on but I'll spare you.
Dave: What is your take on the current rock scene in the U.S.? Do you Like or dislike it??
Todd: I don't believe there's much of a "Rock Scene" these days. The scene is created by MTV and whatever radio force feeds you and burns into your brain. It should be called the "Suicide Scene". All I hear these days is the same droning song over and over. I'll just say that when I turn on the radio or turn on my T.V., I want a song to pump me up and get me going! If you wanna sing about your sad, piss poor life, please hurry up and shoot yourself to make room for the musicians that wanna make people
happy. All those songs do is make everyone depressed and take up valuable space that could be filled with good time, uplifting, fun....REAL rock and roll! Get it outta here. I like my "Rock Scene" where I can put in a cd that will make me smie. I don't listen to the radio very much for the simple fact that I don't feel like driving myself off the side of a road because I'm balling my eyes out. You can say basically the same thing for that Rap stuff. I don't mind being creative. But at least make it so I can understand at least ONE word of your song. I wish these bands like Staind, Papa Roach and all the other flavors of the week would just go away! Enough depression already.
Dave: You know, I couldn't have said it better myself. Mtv pushes image and image isn't necessarily music. Anyway, I'll leave it with that. What kind of impact do you think the band will have in the overseas
market? Will you be searching for a label or just try to get distribution??
Todd: I'm still cooling off from the last question...... There's a big demand for Jaime in the overseas market. Black 'N Blue toured there to much success. We'll go overseas a hopefully make that same impression that Black 'N Blue made when they went. We have a ton of fun doing what we do and we'll make sure they will enjoy every minute that we're there. We look forward to seeing and playing for everybody. As far as searching for a label, we're in the works with a label here in the States called MELODIC MAYHEM. With them, distribution, touring and our well being is their main priority. The label is into our stuff and is helping us out in every way possible. Things are happening. Will we be searching for an overseas label? That's something that hasn't been discussed. I know that MELODIC MAYHEM will get our record in stores. That's what our next step is. The rest will come as time rolls on.
Dave: In closing, any last words you would like to share with the fans??
Todd: Hey everybody! Thanks for burning out your eyeballs reading this interview! Give them a rest for a little while and then go to www.JAIMESTJAMES.com for all the latest and up to date news and info on our spectacular and wonderful band, ST.JAMES! Also, don't forget to snag a listen to our self titled debut release coming in October. I promise you'll love it! We'll see you on the road! Take care!
Thanks a ton Dave! Your site shreds!
Dave: Thanks again Todd. Stay in touch!
Special thanks to Todd Shelly and the rest of the St. James guys for the photo's and the great music!
Photos provided by St. James.
Photot Credits: St. James, Michele Monet.
