Pearls Mahone & The OneEyed Jacks: Honky-Tonkin' Their Way to the Top!

As an artist, I bump into different characters along the way. Doing artwork for websites, bands or the everyday art lover, has given me the opportunity to meet some very interesting and down right amazing people. Pearls Mahone & The OneEyed Jacks are no exception! When I first heard the sounds of Pearls Mahone & The OneEyed Jacks, I was hooked. Not only is Pearls one of the nicest gals you'd ever want to talk to, but she's also got a set of vocal chords that will tear the house down!

Everyone and their mom should know about this red headed momma and her OneEyed Jacks! So it's my pleasure to bring the fans, and the rest of the world, an exclusive AC online interview with Pearls Mahone & The OneEyed Jacks!

For all of the readers who haven't heard of you and your music, tell us about who all of you are, where you're all from, and how all of you came to be Pearls Mahone & The OneEyed Jacks.

Pearls: Well I'm Pearls. I'm originally from the SOUTH SIDE of Chicago, now live with my fiancé James in Highland, IN. I've wanted to front a Rockabilly/50's/Hot Rod sounding band for a long time, it just took me awhile to find the right components. I was obviously going to have James in the band, Killjoy joined up, Derek saw my postings on myspace, Buster saw my ads on craigslist and got in touch and we ended up sticking!

Derek: I'm from Homewood, IL. I actually knew Pearls a little bit way back in high school. I saw her myspace posting and contacted her because I've been looking for people who wanted to start a band like this for a while.

Killjoy: We're hot rodders, drifters, and a beauty queen and currently we're all around NW IN/South Chicago region. James and I have known each other for about a decade. James met Pearls; they're fixin' to get hitched. Buster was a drifter playing local open mics and with his other music projects. And Derek was Pearl's friend from the past. We started playing covers at first, saw that we could get along and vibe well, and now I can't go without seeing the band for a week!

Buster: I grew up in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). I spent 8 years playin banjo and guitar on the streets all over Canada and the United States. During the past 4 yrs. I've been in NW Indiana playin in different bands: a blues band, a country band and an old-time string-band. I was lookin for venues to play on craigslist when I saw Pearls' ad. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to dust off the ol' lap steel.

I absolutely love the mixture of musical styles in your songs. You have a very unique sound that combines country, rockabilly & many other musical styles. How would you describe the style of music you play to those who haven't heard it?

Pearls: I'd say we are non-traditional rockabilly, and I don't think we are neo-rockabilly. I like to draw on old-timey music, bluegrass gospel, traditional country, and early rockabilly for vocals and lyrical style, so we have this heavy hillbilly and crooning connection. The guys bring in their own influences: punk rock, psychobilly, neo-rockabilly, bluegrass, traditional country, outlaw country, alt-country and the product is Pearls Mahone & The OneEyed Jacks!

Derek: I think that sums it up.

James: Traditional country meets rockabilly.

Killjoy: Well, I come from a punk background; I've been one since I was a kid. And living in Indiana, country comes naturally. So it seems like I've created this cowpunk sound for our band!

Buster: Uh yea, just come out and hear us for yerselves. Ya won't be disappointed.

What types of instruments do each of you play, and how long have you been playing them?

James: I play the stand up bass in the band, but I have played electric bass for 15 years. I dabble on the drums and guitar a bit too.

Derek: I've been playing guitar for 14 years...Wow, I can't believe I've been playing that long! You would think I'd be better at it.

Killjoy: I play drums in the band. I've been playing for about 5 years on and off. I also play the bass for about 12 years now, and I'll pick up a guitar now and then.

Buster: I play guitar, mandolin, harmonica, banjo, lap steel, piano and a few woodwinds (half-assed), but in this lil' ensemble here, I pretty much just play the lap steel (so far).

Pearls, not only do you have a catchy name and unforgettable fiery presence, but you also have a voice that is just as beautifully unique. My questions to you are, how did you acquire the name "Pearls Mahone"? Also, how long have you been singing and what led you to become a singer?

Pearls: I acquired the nickname Pearls from a friend of mine Mr. Alex Jones. Jones is the frontman of the Chicago Psychobilly phenomenon: CURTAINS! (www.myspace.com/curtainsjunk) Anyway we were shootin' the shit on the phone and he was telling me how he liked how I always wore necklaces, and so he was going to call me "Pearls". I was in love with it from then on and continued to use it, thought it'd be great for the band! I've been singing since I was little, but started voice lessons in 7th grade and continue through my teenage and young adult years. Actually, I should probably take some still, never stop learning! I wanted to be a singer, because I was given this awesome gift. Maybe some day you'll hear me break into some jazz, or opera. I performed in church, cantoring and singing in the choir, school musicals, recitals, operas, and classical concerts. I majored in Vocal Performance in college----yup, I majored in SINGING in college! But I knew I was really meant for rock and roll! So here I am!

Who were your musical influences when all of you were growing up?

Pearls: From then & today: The Beatles, The Monkees, Madonna, U2, Green Day, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Hank Williams, The Carter Family, Pearl Jam, Bif Naked, Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Save Ferris, No Doubt, Nina Hagen, X, Elvis Presley, Wanda Jackson, Kitty Wells, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Little Richard, Merle Haggard, Hank 3, Stray Cats, Brian Setzer, The Misfits, Big Mama Thorton, Telegraph, I'm very eclectic!

James: Johnny Cash, Hank Sr. and Hank 3, Naked Raygun, Ramones, Rancid, Primus, Jaco, Minor Threat, Last Resort, Oxymoron, I can't forget Black Flag etc...

Derek: I'd say the Ramones were my biggest influence growing up. Jawbreaker, Slapstick, Naked Raygun, The Stray Cats, Dillinger Four, The Replacements, Screaching Weasel have all influenced me a one time or another. I've always loved old rock n' roll like Chuck Berry and Eddie Cochrane and alt-country stuff too. I played in punk rock bands up until this point but I've always interjected a little rockabilly into my guitar playing. Reverend Horton Heat mixed with Johnny Ramone would be a good way to describe my influences.

Killjoy: Drumming-wise---Rancid, streetpunk, hard driving beats from earlier punk. Minor Threat, Johnny Cash, Hank Sr. & III, NOFX, 311, Dropkick Murphys & anyone that sings about drinking.

Buster: Lefty frizzell, woody guthrie, the carter family, hank, the man in black, junior brown, thelonious monk, roland kirk, chuck berry,
BR549, bob wills & the texas playboys, jimi hendrix, charles mingus, bird, neil young, bob dylan, speedy west, doc watson, roy acuff ,bill monroe, flatts & scruggs, scotty moore, reverend horton heat, old crow, willie, merle and many many more...

Do you write your own songs?

Pearls: Yes we do, we have quite a few originals and have enough for our first full length album, but we never stop writing. We also like covering songs; maybe in other styles to give it a new flavor, nothing is ever regurgitated in our band.

James: Yes, when I feel something is good I try to write it down or play it and work it out.

Derek: I've always loved writing songs, creating something original is my favorite part about playing music.

Buster: Not really a huge writer, but I've written a handful of originals. Mainly songs about ramblin, lotsa instrumentals and a couple spaghetti western-type-tunes.

One of your songs, "Never Here", is a top favorite amongst fans. What inspired you to write it?

Pearls: Truckers and Trucker Wives. At the time, James was going to Memphis, TN to start trucking. I was lonesome, and I didn't want him to go. I wrote that song with that state of mind. It was my first original I ever sat down and wrote! It's simple, but it's beautiful I think in that melancholic, sad way.

How do people respond to your music?

Pearls: Depends on if we're talkin' live music or here online. People on myspace really love our stuff, have gotten nothing but good responses! We love you guys! Live audiences: If it's a country crowd, I think they are usually surprised. We played at a country bar the other night and I bet those honky tonkers didn't know what to expect with a bunch of young, tattooed punks coming in there. But we rocked that place out and gained a whole new fan base!

James: They dig it. They want to know when our next shows are coming up, when is the album coming out, etc. Everyone's been really supportive.

Derek: I think overall, the response has been pretty good. I'd like to think what we're doing is pretty original and I think we're still finding our style. The diversity of the crowds is definitely interesting.

Killjoy: We've had all positive responses lately. I'm surprised we're so well received.

Buster: Uh yea, what they said.

How has music influenced your lives?

Pearls: Honestly, I really don't know where I'd be without it. I'd probably be a Marine Biologist actually. I just love music; I have it around me as much as possible. I'm just so happy to be doing this band with these guys, I feel so fulfilled. And it's really great that people out there enjoy it.

James: Music has really opened my eyes. It is the truest form of self-expression and that's why I love it.

Derek: Playing music has been a huge part of my life. I stopped playing for a while and I missed it horribly. Playing with these guys (and gal) has been a lot of fun; I think we have pretty good musical chemistry. Although sometimes they don't take my constructive criticism well.

Killjoy: Music has influenced me, the way I act, and the way I view society. It puts me in a good mood. I don't think there's anything better than raising my glass in a bar listening to a good live band. I draw my drumming style from previous punk bands I've been in and the bands I've listened to growing up; I combine that with all the roots country and rockabilly that I've listened to recently and the end result is what you hear with The OneEyed Jacks.

Buster: For me, music and life are one and the same

A lot of your fans, unfortunately, don't have the luxury of seeing you guys live. Will there be a tour in the near/distant future?

Pearls: We have just found out that we will have a tour van in our possession very very soon! We are playing in Evansville in August, Peoria in June, we'd love to make some other stops on the way or keep going to another destination. We will go where you book us. For now, while we're still getting the album together, we'd like to tour the Midwest. East coast & West coast dates will probably happen late this year or next year, after we get our merch out there and sold! Buttons, stickers, magnets, & shirts available soon!

Killjoy: I sure as hell hope so. Work permitting. We're all hard-working blue collar people that love to play music. We're going to make time to see our fans.

Do you have a CD in the works? If so, when will it debut?

Pearls: Yes we are currently recording with good friend Mickey T. Craft, Guitarist in Chicago Psychobilly Wonders: The Massacres. Who also owns & operates Wicked Recording Studios in Chicago, IL. I hope to have the album completed, packaged, and ready to go by mid - summer! Keep your eyes peeled!

Where can fans find out more about your music and upcoming gigs?

Pearls: Our brand new dot com will be launching soon (www.pearlsmahone.com) so check back often; keep updated about shows and new music through our myspace (www.myspace.com/pearlsmahone)! Steal some banners and spread the word about our music!!!

Last but not least, is there anything additional you really want people to know about you?

Pearls: I'm really into tattoos & hearses! If you want a good billboard for your art, you might want to tattoo me for excellent exposure! Hearses: I want one of my own so if you have any good leads on decent hearses in the Midwest PLLLLLLEEEEEEEEAAAASEEE CONTACT ME!

James: I like working on hot rods in my free time, going to weekenders and car shows, and hanging out with my dog, Stella Bean and my beer Pabst.

Killjoy: I love anything with a motor and pre-64 made of metal. I love kustoms that hug the pavement. I love metal working. Buy me a beer next time you see me at the bar! Oh and Fuck the World.

Buster: No.

I would like to give a BIG thanks to Pearls Mahone & The OneEyed Jacks for taking the time to do this interview :)