Sparta

Thrasher Magazine, Jan, 2003 by Steve Warde

DOWN IN THE DUNGEONOUS BOWELS OF SLIMS -- one of San Francisco's finer establishments--I caught a glimpse of life on the road, sitting under the draped and drying laundry of four band members. The band? Sparta. Yes, at one time they were part of a certain group called At The Drive In. Now over and done with, they've split off to continue in a new direction. Fresh off the Enlightenment Tour with Weezer and Dashboard Confessional, most bands would be taking a break--not Sparta. I caught up with Paul (guitar) and Matt (bass) to talk a little about life on the road...

How did touring with Weezer and Dashboard Confessional compare to playing the little shows?

It's two different things. We like the little shows 'cause they're a bit more intimate. In the big shows you don't have to move your own equipment. And you get catering everyday.

Now you're on tour as the headliner. How's the turn-out?

So far we're three shows into the tour and it's been great. A lot bigger turn-out than our first tour.

Is it mainly in North America?

All the US states, then we go to Japan. Then we'll be in Europe for about a month.

How do you like it over in Europe?

The kids have a different affinity for music there. In a month they could have four festivals going on with 100,000 people at the same time--you just can't do that in The States.

We would probably kill ourselves over here with shows like that.

Yeah, people would complain about the bathrooms or the water or the heat. People in Europe don't give a shit.

So Matt, you're the new guy on the block. Are you gellin' with everyone or are you ready to kick some ass?

I get along--I've known these guys for a long time. If I get tired of anyone I'll just move to a different part of the bus.

You had to pick up on the music right away?

When I first joined I had to learn 17 songs in about two days, then we went to Canada to record for two months.

Why Canada?

We couldn't decide if we should record in EI Paso or in LA, so we decided on a neutral place like Canada. And it's cheaper up there too.

Tell me about your record label, Restart. HOW do you keep it going while on the road?

We started that a few years ago but lately we've been having bad luck, mainly with the bands on the label breaking up. We still want to do something, but Restart was with me (Paul) and Jim. So we would like to start a new label that includes the whole band, so everyone feels apart of it.

Do you have any bands signed yet?

Tony our drummer has a side project called Nakia, so that might be the first. We'd also like to release some split seven inches with some of our friend's bands.

Like who?

Maybe Trail of Dead, Coldplay or Jimmy Eat World.

Matt, I heard you're the skater in the band.

Yeah. I've skated almost everyday until I was 25. I would skate in Houston at Southside skatepark.

Why'd you stop at 25?

I'm scared to get hurt. I carry my board with me on tour, so I'll skate sometimes. Our guitar tech skates. I was watching him set up these crazy rails off loading docks on the Weezer tour. We were yelling: "Dude, don't hurt yourself. You need to work and use your hands!"

What advice would you give to up and coming bands?

Tour. Record an album. Then get down to it and tour.

Sparta is: Mall Miller--bass; Paul Hinojas--guitar; Jim Ward--guitar, vocals, keys; Tony Hajjar--drums. Check www.spartamusic.com for the rest.