Ten Questions with Jesse Smith

I first saw the Roustabouts when they opened up for the Hudson Falcons and The GC5 (along with The Doozers) at the Music Dimensions location on N. Western. That night I was blown away by all four bands, but mostly by the Roustabouts. Their music was high energy and they could play like nobodies business. Since that night, I’ve been a huge fan. When they finally released an album I was not only thrilled to have a Roustabouts CD but I was completely blown away with what I heard. The Roustabouts’ one and only album, The Only One, is by far my favorite album released by an Oklahoma based artist and one of my favorite records on all time.

Since that time Jesse has played in the bands Skyline Picture Show, The Condition, The Great Midwest, and currently he plays in The Flood. In my humble opinion, Jesse is the best drummer in Oklahoma (the next would be the guy who played drums in Mr. Crispy…I think he’s in The All-American Rejects now, but I could be wrong on that last part) and probably the best drummer in punk rock next to Bill Stevenson (ALL, Descendents, Only Crime). But better than all of that, Jesse is a super cool, nice, and humble guy.

Dave: What is the status of the Roustabouts reunion? How has it been playing with those guys again?

Jesse Smith: We just play shows on our own terms at the moment. Playing once or twice a year really makes it special when we do get together and play. We have way better turnouts at our shows too when we don’t play every other weekend. Playing with those guys is always amazing. It’s like we never stopped playing together. We all just click so well together. So I would say we’re on a permanent hiatus as apposed to broken up.

Dave: Speaking of the Roustabouts… Do you think that the band suffered from the stigma and/or label of being an oi/street punk band? Granted this label never fit (even when your music had a stronger oi/street punk influence and you did those great Sham 69 and Clash covers), but I think it was attached to the band more because of the bands that you played with then your own music. If fact, when listening to the Roustabouts music one can easily hear a variety of influences; this is especially evident in your album The Only One (which is my one of my favorite albums of all time and by far, my favorite release by an Oklahoma based band) which I see as a perfect mix between pop punk, oi/street punk, and post-hardcore, with a hint of emo (and by emo I mean the Fugazi / Hot Water Music type of emo).

Jesse: Yeah we got tagged as a street punk band quite a bit. We used it and it got us a lot of great shows and I think we had a universal sound that lots of different people from different genres could enjoy. We covered classic punk rock songs that went over very well with the street punk crowd as well. We released The Only One on Haunted Town Records which was primarily a street punk label and played with lots of other street punk bands so the label kinda stuck with us. After touring in support of the album we started writing new material that was a little more complicated musically. We used new chord structures and minor chords and even had some different time signatures. If you listed to the 3rd song “Find Your Own Way” on The Only One you can hear the beginning of this sound. A lot of people didn’t like these new things. I think that is a downfall of the “street punk” genre. Most of the people that listen to that style of music have a very narrow acceptance of music. Anything that is outside of their box is “emo” or just something that they want no part of. We tried reaching a new audience but the band was on it’s way to the end.

Dave: Over the years, the sound of the Roustabouts definitely evolved. How did the band and your music grow over the years? Was the change intentional or did it just happen?

Jesse: We were all still in high school when we started the band. So of course our music and style was going to change a bit. We were all very very young and still kids pretty much. I think the fact of us growing up personally had a lot to do with our songs and writing changing and maturing. I can remember having to sit outside so many clubs across the the U.S. on our first tours because I wasn’t old enough to be in the bar. We grew up and all started getting into different music. So it naturally made it’s way into our music.

Dave: After the Roustabouts broke up, you played in Skyline Picture Show. What happened with that band?

Jesse: We were around for a couple years. We were very heavily influenced by ’90s and grunge music. Our singer/guitarist Nick moved to Los Angeles so we were forced to call it quits. We only played a hand full of shows.

Dave: Currently you are playing in The Flood and you’ve recently also played in The Condition and The Great Midwest. What’s the history of those bands? Why did The Condition and The Great Midwest break up? Any plans for a CD with The Flood?

Jesse: I actually joined The Flood when their original guitarist left the band. Daniel who was in the Roustabouts with me plays guitar in The Flood and I’ve known all those guys for years so they asked me to join when they had a opening. It’s my first band playing guitar in but I love it. The Condition was formed right after the Roustabouts first split up. Pretty much same story as The Flood. I joined after their bassist left. We actually played several Roustabouts songs and re-wrote some of the final Roustabouts songs that never got finished. We haven’t played together in a while, kinda on a hiatus. I played drums in the very short lived The Great Midwest. I was in 3 bands at the time and decided that was too much and I left the band. They decided not to keep going without me I guess. The Flood just released a 5 song EP and 10″ vinyl! It is available at all of our shows.

Dave: Who have been your favorite bands to play with over the years? What have been your favorite places (cities and local venues) to play in?

Jesse: The Roustabouts always will be my favorite band to ever be in. We were together for eight years and it was basically my first band. I seen the whole U.S. and got to record and release and great album with those guys. I have so many great memories as a result of that band and will cherish that forever. The Flood would have to come second. I’m having a great time with those guys and it’s a totally new style of music for me. It’s a good excuse for me to play guitar more as well which was what originally got me into playing music. I think locally my favorite place to play now is VZDs. My all time favorite play in OKC in the old Green Door which is now The Conservatory. My favorite places we’ve ever played across the country would have to be Seattle, WA; Conway, AR; Rapid City, SD; San Diego, CA; Kansas City, MO & Wichita, KS. I can’t remember most of the names of the venues so I’ll just leave it at the cities.

Dave: How many different instruments do you play? Which is your favorite?

Jesse: I just play drums, guitar and bass. I’m lucky enough to be good enough at all of them that I can play in bands playing three different instruments, not all at once of course. I don’t think I favor any specific instrument. I think I’m the most talented at drums. I like playing the guitar though just because it’s easy just to pick one up and start playing. You can’t exactly pick up a drumset to play while you sit out on your front porch.

Dave: This is a High Fidelity inspired question. What are your Top 5 All Time Favorite bands/artists, albums, movies, books/authors, and TV shows?

Jesse: Top 5 Bands:
1. Foo Fighters
2. Nirvana
3. Hot Water Music
4. Dillinger Four
5. Social Distortion

Top 5 Albums:
1. Foo Fighters “The Colour And The Shape”
2. Nirvana “In Utero”
3. Foo Fighters “Self Titled”
4. Hot Water Music “A Flight And A Crash”
5. Nirvana “Nevermind”

Top 5 TV Shows:
1. Aqua Teen Hunger Force
2. Seinfeld
3. Metalocolypce
4. The Office
5. 30 Rock

Top 5 Movies:
1. Snatch
2. Fight Club
3. Billy Madison
4. Shaun Of The Dead
5. Office Space

Top 5 Books:
1. I
2. Don’t
3. Ever
4. Read
5. Books

Dave: What’s up next for you? Besides from playing music, what else do you do?

Jesse: I for sure want to keep playing music. I recently started jamming with some new guys. It’s pretty fast & heavy hardcore stuff. It’s me and a few guys that were in DestroyerDestroyer so you could only imagine. Hopefully all goes well and we start playing some shows sooner than later. I for sure want to keep playing music. I know people always say finding drummers is hard, but I think being a good drummer finding good musicians to compliment you is just as hard. As far as things besides music goes, I’m really into building and restoring vintage BMX bikes from the ’80s and ’90s. I’d like to open a BMX/skate shop or something of that nature in the future. Most of my bikes will soon be on display and for sale at No Regrets Tattoo in OKC’s Plaza District. I’m a huge basketball fan too and I also collect the original He-Man Masters Of The Universe action figures <-----Nerd....

Dave: Any final thoughts?

Jesse: Thanks Dave for all the support throughout the years.

I wish basketball season would hurry up.

Read more of Dave Brown’s interviews and thoughts on his political and culture blog, Oklahoma Lefty.