Crazy Town's drummer, James Bradley Jr., commonly known as JBJ - is more than just one of today's hottest percussionists. His drumming credits range from Chuck Mangione to the Beastie Boys, after starting his career at age 4.

Publicity Whore had a chance to sit down and see just what makes JBJ one of the best drummers around and what's next for his hit band Crazy Town.

 

PUBLICITY WHORE:  So what's the deal with Crazy Town? I know you've jammed with many great musicians in the past, is this your primary focus?

JBJ:  Yes, Crazy Town is my 1st musical family. We're been together over 3 yrs. The big focus right now is on the next record.

PW: How will the next album be different?

JBJ:  There's gonna be more singing on it. I plan on having a bigger role with that. On the first album the song's were already written so I didn't have a chance to do too much writing. This album is gonna be different.

PW:  How do you respond to critics who say Crazy Town is a flash in the pan and just won't last?

JBJ:  That's absurd. They obviously do not know anything about our history. I bring in the old school but am very current too. Combined with the rest of the guys we're always gonna have fresh stuff. If you put on "The Gift of Game" all the songs are different. We're a musical band and love all types of music. We incorporate it into our songs, that's how you get staying power.

PW:  What was it like playing with Chuck Mangione?

JBJ:  "Uncle Chucky". Well I'm definitely a part of his history and he's a part of my life and career. It was a great experience. I was the next to last drummer out of 30 to try out and didn't think I had gotten the gig. He called me two weeks later and told me he was sending me copies of all his albums. Thought it was just his way of being polite. Then he called me and asked if I was ready to play. We had our first gig @ Stoneybrook college in NY. I played with Chuck from Jan 1977 until April 1981. My first album with him went to the top of the charts, we were as big as many of the rock touring bands at that time. "Feels So Good" went double Platinum and the song was nominated for Song of the Year. It was #2 on the charts - just behind Saturday Night Fever.

JBJ is sponsored by TAMA

PW:  Is it true you've been playing drums and performing since age 4?

JBJ:  Yes. My parents were musicians & a husband-wife duo. I was always playing in my crib. Would beat on pots, pans, whatever. Then when I was 4 my parents were asked to play a show for Muhammad Ali. During one of the breaks I kicked out a drum solo and everyone came running in to see and it was like "Wow, this kid can play!" There was a producer there from Paramount Pictures and he called my dad the next week and offered a 26 week contract.

PW:  You had success at a very young age. What was it like being 17 yrs old and having a song at the top of the charts?

JBJ:  I just took it in stride. My parents were always telling me about keeping my ego in check and made sure I was down to earth. I grew up on the road quite a bit.

PW:  What do you do with your free time?

JBJ:  Sports mostly. Always felt like I should be on a 'two minute drill' show. Kind of like a sports historian, especially basketball. I read all the sports mags and all the basketball yearbooks. Always root for the underdog. I grew up near the Inglewood Forum so I saw many of the greats play, there are so many teams nowadays. Big fan of the perimeter shooting teams. Video games are cool too, NBA 2K2 without a doubt the best.

PW:  Do you think music is due for a change, or will today's style last a while?

JBJ:   It's always gonna evolve, however people want to label it like 'Rap-Rock' today. Who knows, they say it changes every 15 yrs.

PW:  What are your thoughts on Napster and file sharing online?

JBJ:  People should be able to download some cuts off an album. That's what the record companies are basically doing when they hear a demo. I guess it's good and bad, helps the upcoming artist. The songwriters should get paid though, lots of sweat and tears goes into it.

PW:  How would you describe Crazy Town for someone who has not heard it?

JBJ:  A Hip-Hop Metal Edge with a Punk-Funk feel. We have lots of punk energy in our music.

PW:  Any nicknames?

HR:  Several. In highschool I was 'teenie-weenie' because I was kind of short. Chuck Mangione called me 'Jail Bait' because I was so young and the girls all looked 15 on the road. The Wooge is what the band calls me today.

PW:  What was it like playing with the Beastie Boys?

JBJ:  I was in Mary's Danish at the time and our bass player was Mike D's brother-in-law. They were on Capitol and I got a copy of Paul's Boutique and loved the samples and how they made the drums sound. I wound up doing percussion and drumming on Check Your Head.

PW:  Rumor has it you're getting married soon? What's that all about?

JBJ:   I'm getting married it's true, she's coming here in April from Sweden.

PW:  Name your 3 favorite places to play shows?

HR:  New York, Berlin & Australia

PW:  So What's your favorite Entertainment Magazine?

JBJ:   That's easy. Publicity Whore baby!

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