Interview: Joe Bochar

Joe Bochar: The Muppets. When I was 5, I had this LP from the Muppets, and the underscoring scared the loaf out of me. I had night terrors for years because of the music. It was really dark. Then I got KISS "Alive 2" when I was 7 years old, and that's what did it. I wanted to play the guitar.

Later on, I listened to Black Sabbath, Boston and Alice Cooper, as well as John Williams, The Beatles, Harry Belafonte, and Elvis...then a bunch of '80s stuff. That's what I cut my guitar "teeth" on: Scorpions, Van Halen, Judas Priest, Vai. When I was about 21, I discovered Danny Elfman and his scores. That was a major turning point.

I don't really listen to guitar anymore, although I do have an Achilles heel for real heavy bands like Fear Factory, Kilgore, Full Devil Jacket, PM5K and Static X. I still dig Elfman and Williams scores, Rossini overtures, and the Muppets. I like Ice-T, Cube, Snoop, Dixie Chicks, ABBA and Bumblefoot. It's all good.

Joe Bochar: Right now it's my basic bastardized Strat parts guitar, into a Morley wah, into a Marshall JMP-1/9200 power amp, then into a 1x12 cab. I use an old Fender Princeton Reverb with a Boss Turbo Overdrive box for rhythm tracks. I've been playing with Fernandes guitars for a bit now, and really like them. They make a quality instrument. Pickups are DiMarzio's (Evolutions, Virtual Vintage Blues, Fast Track 2); strings are GHS; cases by TKL. I like the Whammy 2 pedal for certain things.

As for effects, I really don't like them on my guitar. I record completely dry, and I'll spice it a bit in the mix. Rhythms are always dry in the mix.. makes it tight.

Joe Bochar: I just want to keep pushing the envelope of creativity. If people like it, I'm happy. If not, oh well, that's cool, too.

Joe Bochar: Most recent? I remixed "Raw Sausage Finger" (from "Orange"). There are 4 versions on the disc. The mix from "Orange" (and the backwards track), the Phly Mix, and the Sonic Decimator Mix. Phly was a demo for the Fernandes Sustainer guitar. Decimator was just an excuse to do a techno/industrial remix. The CD single has ROM content as well. It's mainly for promotions right now. If there's a demand, I'll do a full pressing and sell them.

"Orange" was licensed to 2 MTV shows (The Real World & Undressed).

Right now I'm recording a new CD... well, it's probably going to be 2 discs: one mellow (or mellow-er than usual Joboj stuff), and another real heavy disc tuned down to Q. There's some other stuff too, but I don't want to jinx myself...

Joe Bochar: I usually stumble across something while in the car, or air guitaring around my apartment. I'll notate it into Cakewalk (sequencer) so I don't forget. Later on, I'll just noodle with it until I'm happy with the arrangement. Then I'll build layers over that.

I never write solos. Anything you hear is usually off the cuff. I have to relearn all my stuff after I mix it.

Joe Bochar: I always record my stuff at home. Less pressure, and more creative freedom. I've done work at other facilities, but it's usually not for my stuff.

Joe Bochar: I just did it. I never thought I'd be CEO of Virgin Independent, nor would I want to. I had material to release. No major or indie label wanted to hear about it, so I did it myself. And let's face it: guitar music is a tough sell, so most majors won't cut you any slack.

Joe Bochar: Advantage: creative freedom. Disadvantage: creative freedom.

Joe Bochar: Get you music in as many places as possible. You never know who's listening.