Jade Lowery of BLISS

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Jade Lowery of BLISS - Interview! JADE LOWERY
Artist Of The Month - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!!

TheHMD.com's Sonny Thomas sits down and has a candid interview with Jade Lowery of BLISS, one of S.W. Ohio's best club bands. In the short time that the band has been around have played a very generous amount of shows and has a very respectable following. This interview was done on Jan. 22nd, 2006 and Jade gives us a brief history on himself and his band. He also gives some great advice for any young, or up-an-coming, musician wanting to get into the business today.

TheHMD: We're here with Jade Lowery of the local Dayton/Springfield Ohio area,kick ass rock band BLISS.

JADE LOWREY: We Are? Oh yeah, WE ARE!

TheHMD: Tell us a bit about how you got into music.

JADE LOWREY: I suppose it all started with the first time I heard "Detroit Rock City" by KISS way back around 1976. That was the record that changed my perception of what music could be.

TheHMD: Tell us the story about that.

JADE LOWREY: Well, I was 6 yrs old, and visiting with my Cousins in Pennsylvania. My cousin Steve, asked me if i wanted to play kiss. Ha ha... i thought he was a little funny if ya know what i mean.

TheHMD: Yeah! I would think so!

JADE LOWREY: Anyways, after he explained KISS was a rock band, we went inside, and he played Beth, and then Detroit Rock City for me on a little record player. Then we painted our faces like every other American kid from about 1975 to 1980. That whole encounter was what really drew me to want to be involved with music in some way.

TheHMD: Who are your other influences?

JADE LOWREY: As far as guitar playing goes, my main influences would be Ace Frehley, of course, Glenn Tipton, and KK Downing from Judas Priest, and Terrible Ted Nugent. I always like to say that "Stranglehold" has all the ingredients you'll ever need to be an acomplised rock guitar player.

TheHMD: When did you begin to learn to play the guitar?

JADE LOWREY: I got my first guitar when i was 12 or 13 for Christmas, and started taking lessons shortly thereafter.

TheHMD: Aren't you a big fan of blues as well?

JADE LOWREY: I'm a fan of SOME of the blues. I love Bo Diddley, and Muddy Waters. Of course without the blues, we'd have no rock n roll. So you gotta respect the music that started it all. Chuck Berry comes to mind.

TheHMD: When did you first join a band?

JADE LOWREY: Probably about 15 minutes after i got the first guitar! LOL

TheHMD: What was the outcome? Just as fast getting out of it or did it take off a bit?

JADE LOWREY: Honestly the first band that I remember being in was with some friends from School, Rob Burns, (who incedently has played in, and continues to play in Dayton area bands.) Shaun Pettit. Wow, its been a long time. But we were the typical teenage garage rock band... you know, we knew like 3 songs. I remember playing Judas Priest tunes LOL

TheHMD: How many bands have you played in?

JADE LOWREY: Only about two or three. The Teenage Garage Band, and then in my mid 20's a band called Snagglepuss... and that's about it. It's been BLISS all the way since then.Honestly BLISS is the first, and only band I've been in that ever played more than 1 or 2 shows live.

TheHMD: Some History on the band. Origins and where did the name come from?

JADE LOWREY: Well BLISS was born from a night out drinking with Tony Powell of Animal Grace fame. He introduced me to an ex student of his, Kathleen Ditty, she played bass, I played guitar, we started a band. It was that quick. We searched around for drummers, and after a while, another guitar player, since i was singing most of the time, we figured we needed a second guitarist. We Ended up with Dave Davis on drums, and a friend of mine Gordon Lane on Guitar... The name BLISS was actually Gordon's idea. He took our two favorite musical intrests His-Blues, Mine- KISS.... wha-la BLISS.

BLISS - LIVE!

TheHMD: How were you first recieved?

JADE LOWREY: Oh it was phenomenal! I remember our first show at the Orbit inn... Opening for a band called Fatal Chemystry. We did our soundcheck, and afterwards, the guy who booked the shows came up, and offered us 3 more gigs.

TheHMD: Fantastic! Then what did you do after that?

JADE LOWREY: We were soo high on ourselves after that. LOL... Then we realized we werent actually as good as we thought. LOL We were just playing in a bar that didnt get very high quality acts on a regular basis. But we pressed on... just getting as many gigs as we possibly could, we really gelled as a band over those next few months. It was a great experience to be in a band that was in demand around town.

TheHMD: So the realization kicked in and made you want more! What happened after that?

JADE LOWREY: Well... this is a long story, but basicly, we realized that to get to the next level we needed some improvements. We had some member changes, and we've ended up where we are now. Which if i do say so myself is a really strong musical lineup.

TheHMD: Who is in your current arsenal?

JADE LOWREY: We've got LA on bass, which now that i think about it, I can thank you for! You had his former band Billy Carri open for us at Coasters a few years back, If it werent for that, I would have never met LA Thanks Sonny!

TheHMD: You're quite welcome! That's what I do! Whom else did you recruit?

JADE LOWREY: Then of course, we have one of the best drummers in the area Mr Trent Crace, Formerly of Homeland. And of course Bliss wouldnt be BLISS without one of my closest friends, and one of the hottest guitarists I've ever met. Mr Brad Wheeler. As a matter of fact we have. We went into the studio near the end of 2003, to record some live covers for our promo pack, you know just to give out to local clubs, and instead ended up recording two original songs.

TheHMD: Which were?

JADE LOWREY: The now Infamous "Power to the Ground", and "Rocket". Both of which have to do with Cars. lol

TheHMD: "Power" did quite well on The H.M.D. list one year if I recall!

JADE LOWREY: Yes it did!! Thank you very much! As a matter of fact it still goes over very well at shows. There's nothing cooler than watching a crowd sing along to a song that you wrote.

Jade and fellow BLISS guitarist, Brad Wheeler

TheHMD: You've been playing with Brad Wheeler for a long time now. How do you both come up with songs? Seperately or collectively?

JADE LOWREY: A little of both. Usually one of us will come in with an idea, or a couple riffs strung together, and then the other will add something to it... a cool bridge, whatever, and then we polish it from there. Yes it does... Basicly the song is about Jumping in the car, blasting Ace Frehley thru the radio, and just driving... getting out of town, leaving your troubles behind.

TheHMD: In an Oldsmoblile no less!

JADE LOWREY: Yes... a 455 Rocket!! All the low octane types out there reading this will be like "What the hell is a 455 Rocket?" LOL

TheHMD: Are you currently working on your full length debut CD at all?

JADE LOWREY: Always. The truth of the matter is, that I've got enuff material right now to finish it.... It's just a matter of finding the time for the whole band to get together and get some studio time. Between our day jobs, and weekend gigging... there's just not a lot of spare time go get the recording done. But you WILL hear it.

TheHMD: Any particular place you'd like to record?

JADE LOWREY: Anywhere with Eddie Kramer? Is that a good answer? LOL.

TheHMD: Quite! Who are some of the bands you've shared the stage with?

JADE LOWREY: Animal Grace, 11th Voice, Automatic, Billy Carri, Red Earth and of course those goofballs in RATT POISON!! lol

TheHMD: Aren't they your alter egos?

JADE LOWREY: Shhhhhhhhh!!! That's confidential! LOL

TheHMD: After the shocking death of Dimebag Darrell, has it effected you professionally at all or does it really bother you? Some artists don't think twice about it simply because of their genre of music. Do you think it matters?

JADE LOWREY: I'm onstage, thats the last thing in the world im thinking of. Ususally, I'm plenty busy trying to remember my guitar parts!

BLISS playing TheHMD.com's "BASH '04 BUSH - Bands In Support Of Our President" in 2004

TheHMD: Who would you like to share the stage with? Any local or national acts in particular?

JADE LOWREY: Oh wow, good question. Honestly, as far as local bands are concerned, We've played with pretty much every band that I admire. Most notably Automatic, Animal Grace, and 11th Voice. As for nationals,... I'd love to do a show with Brian Setzer. That guy is just amazing. And of course playing on a huge KISS stage would be the ultimate dream come true.

TheHMD: What do you think the local music needs to do the most?

JADE LOWREY: Just do what makes you happy, and not worry about what anyone else says. People around here are very critical of the local music scene. When in fact, I think we've got one of the better music scenes in the state, if not the country!

TheHMD: What does your gear / arsenal consist of?

JADE LOWREY: An ever changing Array of Gibson Les Pauls, and my Mesa Boogie MK IV Half stack with Line 6 Effects.

TheHMD: Where are some of the venues that you play at mostly for people to catch you LIVE?

JADE LOWREY: You can see us on a regular basis at G.Z. Pete's, and the Savoy in Springfield, and Katz Lounge in Dayton.

TheHMD: Any band horror stories?

JADE LOWREY: Oh man..... Do you want the Good, the Bad, or the truely UGLY?

TheHMD: You tell us!

JADE LOWREY: Ok... well here's one that isnt too ugly, and had a happy ending. We're playing a show in Xenia, Brad and I have just gotten done with our "Dueling Guitarmageddon" solos in the middle of Heaven, and Hell. I go to take a step to my left, and trip on Brads foot controler... Les Paul in hand, I do a half turn in mid air, and fall off the stage, and land flat on my back lying on one of the subs in front of the stage!

TheHMD: Nice one!

JADE LOWREY: Amazing enuff the crowd seemed to think i did it on purpose!! So i just layed there on my back for a minute playing my guitar, and trying to figgure out how im gonna get back up, and on the stage, and not look like too much of a dumbass! lol Hey... the Les Paul wasnt broken.. so all was cool!

TheHMD: Yeah!! Didn't think you were into Townsend that much! lol

JADE LOWREY: I love the WHO!! lol

TheHMD: What would be your best advice as a recent veteran musician for today's young talent?

JADE LOWREY: Very simply, Do what makes you happy. Set realistic goals to acheieve whatever it is that makes you happy. Can i expand on that a bit?

TheHMD: Of course!

JADE LOWREY: One of the things that I see localy that i just dont understand is the bad attitude between some bands. Every person in this buisness is in it for thier own reasons, and no one elses. Some people are in it to feed their creative side, others are in it to quench their desire to entertain. Some do both. The point is, that neither side is more, or less valid than the other. It's all personal preference. Anyone getting into the music buisness, or the band business, or the entertainment buisness should follow their own path, and do whatever it is in this buisness that makes them happy. If someone calls you a sell out, or whatever, dont let it bother you. Some folks just arent happy unless they're trying to rain on someone elses parade.

TheHMD: What are your current fave local acts?

JADE LOWREY: Personally I like the strip club down the street... I'm kidding. Honestly, there's a new band out now called" the Mergs" They're doing some really groovy stuff. "Fly Away Minion" is another local band with a cool vibe. Of course I love Animal Grace. 'Livin Alone' is an amazingly good song.

TheHMD: Older / defunct acts you admired?

JADE LOWREY: Unfortunately my FAVORITE local band recently split up. AUTOMATIC.. that CD of theirs is one of the best disks I've ever heard PERIOD.

TheHMD: Any others you dug?

JADE LOWREY: Madewell comes to mind, Little Mad, Schoolboy Crush... awesomebands!

TheHMD: If you could be signed tomorrow, would you do it and what would be your expectations?

JADE LOWREY: I suppose it's every musicians dream to get signed. Unfortunately I personally know too many "Signed" acts that live in vans, and live off of Ramen Noodles. Not that theres anything wrong with that. But it's not for me. Unless I could get signed, and had a really good shot and getting a hit single, I probably wouldnt want to commit to signing a major lable deal.

TheHMD: Lastly, what are your thoughts about TheHMD.com? Any suggestions?

JADE LOWREY: Everyone in BLISS loves THE HMD. Your efforts are much appreciated. You're a true champion of the local independant musician! THANK YOU! As far assuggestions, a slightly sreamlined look to the site would be good, and also we need morenaked pictures of you! LMAO I take that back... then nobody would come to the site!! lol

TheHMD: gee thanx! lol

JADE LOWREY: You know I love ya!

TheHMD: Well, thanks for the coming onto TheHMD.com for an interview.

JADE LOWREY: Thank you very much for having me. It was very much appreciated!

Jade Lowery's Links:

www.BlissMyAss.com

BLISS on MySpace.com

Jade on MySpace.com

Email: contact@TheHMD.com