This is an interview done with BODYJAR via email. The questions are a bit choppy because of the limitations of an email interview, but it was insightful nonetheless.
TX: Please introduce yourselves and tell me a little about the history of the band.
BODYJAR: Cameron and Ben both on vocals and guitar, Ross on drums, Grant on bass.
The band has been going in one form or another since high school, about five years. We've done alot of tours over the years, all over the place, and we are just about to release our third record over here in feb.

TX: How did you guys come up with the name Bodyjar?
BJ: We had a picture of a guy squashed in a jar and we liked the picture. There is also a skate trick called a bodyjar. We're kind of stuck with it now.

TX: What label is the new record coming out on? What happened with Revelation Records?
BJ: We are still not sure who will put out our new one in the states. our first album "take a look inside" has just been put out in the states. It's pretty old. I dont know why Rev didn't put it out. I think they were going at one point, we really like the label. It was weird just having them license it and not touring much, it was hard to get shows when we wanted to come over, not being that well conected. We want to tour the states alot , but its alot easier for us to get a tour in say Canada or Japan, where we have been twice. I guess there are just a lot of bands to compete with or whatever, but Revelation Records are great. We couldnt believe such a legendary label was interested in putting our stuff out.

TX: How do you describe your sound for someone who hasn't heard you before?
BJ: I like to call it bodyjar, but melodic punk or hardcore is the tag we usually copp.

TX: How do you guys usually go about writing songs?
BJ: Usually its a collaboration between at least 2 of us. Someone has a riff and someone has another one. Then we might record it on the 8 track with no vocals, then me or whoever can take it home and really put some thought into the vocals. Either that or learn a Sabbath song backwards then fasten it up.

TX: Do you have any tour plans coming up?
BJ: We are doing the australian warped tour in january and heaps of other shows. We'll probably go to Japan, maybe Europe and the states if possible.

TX: What has been the best show you've played?
BJ: It was probably a show we played a while ago with ALL. They're a great band for us to play with. We also did a show at CBGBs last year that i wont forget with Faside, Sensefield, and Iceburn.

TX: What was the strangest thing that ever happened to you on stage?
BJ: Being naked whilst playing or being hit in the teeth with the mike or messing up my shorts.

TX: Who would you most like to play with?
BJ: We've been lucky enough to have played with most of our punk heroes. I would love to tour with Shades Apart or the Descendents or Wesley Willis.

TX: What sort of topics do you discuss in your song lyrics?
BJ: Anything that might be on the mind everyday. Relationship things, youth problems, the bullshit you see on mainstream media, racism (which is a big issue in australia now), violence. I guess we are not as direct as some bands, we are from a more personal point of view rather than a political one. We write songs about anything.

TX: What are your favorite albums or most influential artists?
BJ: Billy Joel - The Stranger, Jellyfish- Spilt Milk, Beatles - Revolver

TX: Where do you plan to be in the next few years?
BJ: Alive and well with any luck, but as a band i dont know. We might all be doing something different, but who knows.

TX: Thanks a lot for the interview and good luck with the new record.
BJ: Thanx for the interest tom.


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