The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Interview w/ Elias Reidy

August 22, 2006, 12:53 AM

"We're barely getting started," says Elias Reidy of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. With their major label debut released a little over a month ago, RJA have already started making waves in modern music, selling over 17 thousand copies of their album and maintaining a frantic touring schedule. They're being included in numerous television shows and online features, the video for their first single 'Face Down' is in heavy rotation and their hold on radio is growing stronger every day. RJA also landed a spot on the coveted Madden 2007 soundtrack, a huge accomplishment for any band, especially one as new as they are. If this is 'barely getting started' I can only imagine where they will be a year from now.

I spoke with Elias Reidy, guitarist for Jumpsuit to discuss the success they've been having so far and see how it feels to be one of the most promising new bands out now.

Me: How is the touring going?

Elias: Great! We just finished up Warped Tour without any problems, and now we’re heading back out to hit all those towns again. It’s been crazy seeing all the kids in all the different states. Like Salt Lake City..that’s the furthest West we have ever been. We had a show at 11:30 in the morning, so we were expecting maybe 8 kids to show up. There were about 1200 there and they all knew all the words. We were totally blown away.

I still freak out when I hear you guys on the radio, but it’s like ALL THE TIME now, so I'm starting to get used to it. Is it still weird for you?

Yeah, haha, it’s really weird. It feels like a big joke or something. Like God is gonna show up any day now and say ‘just kidding!’ We’re on the charts with some pretty big bands, bands that we grew up listening to.

That’s gotta be strange.

It is, yeah. But it’s so great.

So how is the record doing?

I don’t really know what the numbers are. When you’re on the road, you’re kind of out of touch with what’s going on with that stuff. I know we sold 17k the first month, which is more than I ever could have dreamed of.

I see you guys on TV a lot these days. Do you like being on TV?

Eh, I think we need to get used to it. I mean we’re just now getting into the rhythm of playing shows every night and being a touring band, so like with anything else I think you have to get used to playing on TV. We could definitely get used to it, it’s great exposure and it’s a lot of fun, but for now, it’s just really weird.

You guys have been included in the soundtrack for the new Madden game! That’s a ****ing ginormous deal!

I know! It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Being on the soundtrack to a great game or a movie is like touching immortality. No matter what happens, we will always be a part of that game.

Have you played the game yet?

You know, someone told us we’re getting the game early. I think we were supposed to have it already, but we’re so busy even if we did have it, we wouldn’t have time to play it. Hopefully we can get it pretty soon though, I want to play it!

Maybe you could play a game against Cartel…they’re on it too!

Yeah, I heard that. That’s awesome! We did a little touring with them a while ago…really great guys.

Do you have any superstar friends yet?

Hahaha…no. Not really. Well, I guess the closest is Jared Leto from 30 Seconds To Mars. We love that band and love touring with them. I can’t wait to hit the road with them again.

Is that coming up soon?

I have no idea.

So what have the home shows been like since the record came out?

Exactly the same, actually. Ha, we just have to play at bigger clubs now. Before we got the deal or anything else, we had a ton of hometown support. People really got behind us and were into the band early on. Now that the album is out, it’s really no different. We love our hometown fans. We played our last big show there before the record on July 23 of ’05, and a little more than a year later, we’re playing our cd release show. It was all the same kids and some new ones. The crowd was huge and so responsive to what we were doing. It was amazing. I will never forget that as long as I live. We keep in touch with our fans and make sure they can communicate with us. I am not home very much anymore, but my friends say they’re hearing us everywhere down there, which is just so great. We’re proud of where we’re from.

How far ahead are you guys looking right now? Have you thought about the next single and what you want to do for videos and all of that, or are you just enjoying the moment?

You know, Face Down hasn’t really hit yet. We’re barely getting started. We’re gonna keep playing and following up our Warped Tour dates. What’s ahead is in the back of our minds, but we’re enjoying being on the road.

Well, I guess that’s really all I have for you. I was told we’re on a strict time schedule.

Awww, really?

Hahaha, is there something you wanted me to ask you?

Ask me what I ate today.

What did you eat today?

Um, a bag of white cheddar popcorn, a snickers, and Wendy’s French fries. Mmm…Road food.

Haha! Is Wendy’s going to start sponsoring your tour now cause you dropped the name?

Oh man, I don’t even really like Wendy’s.

You should pick some other brand of something then and just start dropping the name in all the interviews you do.

Yeah, I’ve considered being a walking billboard.

And that’s not really selling out, is it? I mean selling out is when you go sniffing around for endorsement deals. This is more like, dropping the names of products and companies you believe in and them rewarding you for being a loyal customer. What’s so wrong with that?

That’s a good plan. I think I’ll start doing it!

I have all the great ideas. haha So, you guys are going to be playing here in about 10 days. I am so excited! I haven’t seen you live before other than on television. I am guessing/hoping you’re better live? haha

Oh god. YES! We’re better live! It seems every time we have something big come up that we have to be on point for, something goes wrong. Like that Discover & Download thing, Ronnie was really sick and could hardly sing. Other times my voice has gone out or just something went wrong. I swear, if its not bad luck, it’s no luck.

Ha! Well I am even more excited to see you now! Everything is going super well, I am really proud of you guys. Be careful on the road and have fun…talk to you soon!

See ya AJ!

Check out The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus on Altsounds and be sure to listen to their debut release 'Don't You Fake It' on Altsounds.FM!