Ben and Jay are two of the truest and most determined people
that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. They have had
to put up with broken vans, switching up three out of the
five band members in the middle of the tour, broken equipment,
almost stolen equipment, losing track of what day it is, and
the constant search for a decent shower. These guys just shrug
it off, and respond with, “fuck it, we are doing what
we love.” Once they take the stage it’s another
story. Their live show is straight up mayhem throughout the
entire set, regardless of whether the crowd is into it or
not. It doesn’t matter to them. Much respect goes out
to Ben, Jay, and the rest of Fairweather (whomever they might
be by now) for being such down to earth and dedicated people.
Let me just put it this way: if being in a band was like a
9 to 5 job, they would all be regional managers by now.
Ben-
plays guitar
Jay- sings
What type of shows are more fun to play, hardcore shows
or emo shows?
B-Fuckin hardcore shows!
J- Although emo shows force you to be fucking crazy.
B-You have to decide that you just don’t give a shit.
J- And push your bassist off stage.
B-We are all about pissin’ off complacent crowds. (Laughs)
B-Nothing sucks more then crowds that are just all, “….I
don’t care at all,” just fucking go home.
Do you think that you guys could beat up the Get Up Kids?
B-Yes.
J-I don’t know, I’ve heard that they are kind of
tough?
B- I don’t even know what the fuck these people look
like.
J-Not if they look like 25 Ta Life.
Would you guys play that big Lilith Fair tour if they
asked you?
B- In front of 14,000 people?
No, 14,000 butch lesbians.
Both- Ohhhh?
Yeah, you guys and say Ani DiFranco headlining.
B- Oh well in that case we would play over Ani, I mean Jay
you look kinda
like a lesbian. (Laughs)
If you guys could play with any band ever, what or who
would it be?
J- Lifetime… or Billy Joel.
B- Gorilla Biscuits.
Were is the best place to make out with girls on tour?
B- I don’t make out with girls on tour dude, talk to
Peter.
J- I made out with my girl friend in the van when we were
on tour.
Is Tu-Pac still alive?
B-Yeah, and he works at the “Cluck You Chicken”
in College Park. (Laughs)
J-Hey uhh, can you edit this so we sound cool?
No…Have you guys ever gotten into a fistfight with
each other?
B-Justin and I almost got into a fistfight once…
(Peter, Fairweather’s fill-in guitarist for the tour,
walks into the conversation)
P-Dude I just made out with that girl!!! (Laughs)
Everyone-what!?!?!
Where’s the best place to make out while you’re
on Tour?
P-Anywhere and everywhere, tonight it was by the van.
J-Peter’s our fill-in for the tour.
P-I’m the fill-in, I take care of all the making out
for the whole band.
J-I think that was the first non-girlfriend making out on
tour?
The seal has been broken.
J-Let’s open the flood gates. (Laughs)
What’s next for Fairweather?
B-Just touring a lot.
J-Then a punk as shit record.
B-Most bands get lighter, but on our next record we are going
to be heavy as shit.
Ben-
plays guitar