TUSK: James, you have spent years as part of Denver’s Hard Core music scene as the guitarist for Killing Kings, now you are the lead singer in All Set. How did All Set originate?
All Set got together shortly after Killing Kings had broken up. I was seriously contemplating giving up on playing in bands for a while after the bullshit with KK, But Nate and Mike, who also used to play in Killing Kings, wanted to keep playing . We hooked up with our pal, Coon, to play on the bass. We decided to try myself out on vocals. After some trial and error and a lot of PBR, we have found our groove....
TUSK: Now that you’re a singer, do you miss playing the guitar during shows?
Honestly, I am having a lot of fun on the vocals right now. I really do not miss lugging around a ton of guitar equipment all the time. There may be some songs in the future where Mike and I both play guitar and share the vocals, but for now Mike is exclusively the guitarist.
TUSK: What do you like best about being the singer in All Set?
I have a lifetime of frustrations and aggravation that I can vent through music with my brothers. I really enjoy playing with these guys. We’re all good friends.
I also enjoy feeling the energy that comes with being a vocalist. It’s a rush.
TUSK: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die...
TUSK: Who are the other members in the band?
Nathan on the drums, Mike on the guitar, and Sean on the bass. Other wise known as Nasty Nate, Blackie Chan, and Coon.
Coon is the Denver native, The rest of us are from Massachusetts
TUSK: Who writes the lyrics for All Set?
I write 90% of the lyrics. Mike usually writes his verses and back-ups.
We’ve all been know to chime in time to time. If someone has an idea we put it to use.
It’s a group effort.
TUSK: My favorite part of your shows is being part of the energy you all bring to your sets. Is it cathartic for you to get on stage and kill it like that?
Absolutely. Nothing cleanses the soul like preforming music. We love getting the crowd involved. Hardcore is a high energy genre of music. People come to shows to sing along, pit, stage dive, whatever. We feed off that energy and throw it back at them through the music.
TUSK: What was your first ever live show? How old were you and what to you remember most about it?
I remember when I was 14yrs old way back in ‘94, Green Day decided to play a free show outside in Boston. We all hopped on the train and went down to check it out. Once word got out that it was free, the place got jammed and got out of control. A small riot broke out and Green Day grabbed their instruments and ran off stage like scared little kids.
TUSK: What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Remember where you came from.
TUSK: What do you like most about Denver?
When I first landed here in CO, I was way blown away by the Mountains. I never get sick of looking at them even though I’m used to seeing them now. The people are cool too, and it seems like everyone is from somewhere else. This is my adoptive home town.
TUSK: What is your favorite artist/band?
I grew up on Underground bands like Sick Of It All, Madball, Biohazard. But I also like underground Hip Hop music as well.
TUSK: Favorite late night treat?
Late nite ice cream with the wifey.
You can’t beat it!
TUSK: Do you play any other instruments?
Yeah, I’ve played bass and guitar in other bands for years. The vocal thing is new for me. Maybe someday I’ll jump behind a drum kit and go full circle with instruments. I also have a Didgeridoo, drum machines, and a sampler.
TUSK: What is the strangest thing that has ever happened to you?
Once I was driving up I-25 and someone pulling a trailer broke an axel. Their tire came rolling right at me and I had to dodge it doing about 60mph. Not even 30 seconds later, a mattress flew out of the back of someone’s truck and came right at me. I still don’t know how I missed that one.
I took the hint, and got the hell off the highway.
TUSK: How can TUSK readers find out more about All Set?
http://www.myspace.com/allsetband
purevolume.com/AllSet29838
We’re also on Facebook and search for our video on YouTube!
Thanks TUSK! T
