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Interview: PJ Farley

How did the tour go? Did you guys get a good response from everyone? Any particular show that stands out in your mind?

The tour was fun, made a lot of friends and got great responses every nite ( I think ;) ). New York stands out for me because my friends got a chance to finally see this band called Ra that I have been talking about for so long!! lol

What have you been up to when you are not busy recording Ra's next cd? Are you guys recording "Black Sun" at Spiral Studios or somewhere else? Who's producing this one?

I am pimpin as usual when I'm home just gigging and working on tunes. We are recording in a house that we rented in Ft.Wayne in and Sahaj will be back behind the board again.

How would you describe the new material? Harder edge like "From One" or mainstream like "Duality". Or are you guys going to invent something totally new?

It will have a more prominent ethnic feel with more balls and an equally textured sound.

Let's talk about your contributions to Ra. It seems that you can walk the fine line between playing the root notes and/or mirroring Ben's guitar parts and flying off on your own wild journey with such expertise and zest... bringing perfect balance to each of the songs. Is your playing going to get more complicated in the future or do you find yourself leaning toward going "back to basics"? What do you find works the best playing with Ra?

I just play for what the song calls for, I always believe that less is more. Anyone can play a lot of notes really fast but it takes patience and taste to sit back and choose your spots. After all, I want a great song not a great bass part. (if that makes sense?)

Describe the process you take to write your bass lines. What comes first and how do you go about taking the direction you ultimately choose to take with each song? What about your solo stuff?

Actually they write themselves often, and a lot of times sahaj will give me a demo of a song which will have a ruff idea on the demo, from there I will make any adjustments and add my own feel and a tad bit o flava. When I write my own songs, bass is the last thing I write. I write everything on guitar or with a beat in mind.

Exactly how long have you been mixed up with the guys at Spector? Correct me if I am wrong, but you never played a Spector bass when you were with Trixter, so how did you come to play Spector basses exclusively? Why aren't you following the crowd and playing ESP's like the other two?

I've been playing spector forever and just became part of the "family" over the past few years, I just love the way they feel and sound. They also sit perfectly when you put them on which is a must.

What models of Spector basses do you own? Is P.J. Rubal going to hook you up with any new basses soon? Are we going to see any new basses go on the road aside from your classic black and white ones? Do you use those to record?

I own a euro 4 and 5 string as well as an american 4 string that I used with trixter. I'm in no hurry to get more because I kinda grow fond of one and I stick with it. I used my white 4 string on a few songs on duality as well as the black 5 string on "taken" . I used an esp for the rest of "duality". Sahaj owns an old yamaha that was used on "from one" which I used on "don't turn away" and I might throw that in the mix on this record as well.

On Rafans, we've had extensive discussions about the gear that each member of Ra takes on the road... are you still playing the same set up as always or have you changed things up a bit lately?

I am using exactly what was there the day I joined the band, an ampeg svt 2 and a mesa cab. What can I say... it works.

As any self-loving Farley aficionado knows, you started your music journey playing drums. What caused you to change to bass?

My first band needed a bass player and there were a few drummers around so I was up for the challenge.

What bassists have influenced you the most? Do you ever sit and listen to bass soloists (i.e. - Jaco Pastorius, Victor Wooten, John Paul Jones) at all? If so, who do you dig?

Love Jaco and Stanley Clarke. JPJ is amazing. As far as who influenced me?, I would say those guys plus flea, also, gene had a way with "wind ups" that stuck with me and I do them all the time!

Duff McKagan once claimed he never bothered to sit and practice his bass at all.. He felt playing night after night was practice enough... Do you make a habit of practicing? If so, how often?

I actually feel the same way, I would(as would many) benefit from practice but there so many things that I don't want to do with bass that its easy to get caught up in practicing and learning things that don't help you actually benefit a song. I don't believe in bass solos or stuff like that, I like melody and feel and you cant practice that.

Let's talk about the solo stuff... how's it coming along? Getting anything more recorded? How much longer do we have to wait for a full cd?!?! Where have you been recording all of these gems... Mojo Vegas?

I did record everything at mojo, I have demo'd a bunch of things but haven't put it down in presentable fashion, and I don't like things to be heard if they aren't up to snuff (sonically I am talkin about). Btw, I appreciate everyones kind words on my songs on my "myspace". Thank you guys.

Your solo stuff is somewhat of a stark contrast to the type of music you play with Ra - what's up with that? Are you channeling your adult contemporary / soft rock side or will we be seeing any edgy-er stuff come from you soon?

The only thing I want to write, when it comes to my songs, is something that sounds natural and timeless. I feel that a lot of harder rock bands come off sounding like they are trying too hard and it isnt very good, so I don't bother with what genre it fits. I guess my instinct is to write other than what else I have done before (to a degree) its always rock n roll.

How have your solo shows been going? Getting good crowds? Care to fill us in on what we'd see if we could attend one of your shows?

Solo shows are just me , a guitar, a mic and an ipod playing covers. Its just work, I'm not playing any of my music.

We all know that you also play in other bands when you are at home. Tells us a little more about them. A few of them are cover bands... I've always wondered this... how do you choose the songs you're going to perform and how do you personally tackle learning those songs? Are you *that* good that you can just listen to the song and play it or do you search out printed music/tabs?

I have finally been able to narrow my band list down to 2 or 3. Ra, solo, and another coverband. Whether I have to learn lyrics, guitar parts, or bass parts it has always come very east to me. I'm self taught so I learned to pick up things in order to play them. I do sometimes just listen to a song on the way to a gig and just go play it. Song structure is a very basic thing and once you have that, and the key of the song, it all false in to place.

Of all the bands you have toured with over the years... which one was your favorite?

Favorite band or favorite tour? Band = kiss for obvious reasons, Warrant because we got along great and it was a real long tour. Arenas don't hurt either! I do love playing with Sevendust a lot.

So.. When Ra's not touring or recording or when Sahaj isn't dragging you from one radio interview to the next... what do you do in your limited spare time? Read any good books lately? Lay around watching Oprah marathons?

I fear spare time don't you know?

Speaking of reading... you once claimed that you where kicked out of RIF for poor reading skills. Ever get that matter cleared up? (lol)

He He

In a cage match between Mean Gene Oakerland and Jeff Probst.. who'd kick the most ass? Are you still a fan of wrestling?

Mean gene is the only one I know.

Who's your favorite Star Wars character? Which do you prefer: the older SW movies or the newer ones? Did you dig the remastered versions of the first three movies with the added scenes or do you think greatness was best left alone?

Love the old ones, I'm gonna say bobafet. I got a few of the new ones.

For all the tourists: what's the best place in NJ to grab a bite to eat?

Jersey shore, anywhere.

What are you going to get Sahaj as a housewarming gift for his new place in IN!?!

Feetsie pajamas.

Do you eat all the cereal first or are you the kind of person to dig out the prize first?

C'mon who waits for the prize?

If you could be any kind of Chicken McNugget sauce, what kind would you be and why?

Spicy I guess

Say you have a lawnmower, a 400 lb. gorilla and a jar of peanut butter... what are you gonna do with them?

Garage sale!

I've heard your quite a funny guy - every given any thought to doing stand-up?

Yes!!

Are you a member of the Dane Train? If so - can you execute the Su-Fi? (Bonus points if you prove it by sending in a picture for us to include!!!!!)

I like him, maybe a tad overrated but funny.

If you were a contestant on any game show... what show would you like to be on?

The price is right!

We all know you've been a big rock star for most of your life... traveling to every corner of the world and back... any place you missed that you'd like to hit before you die?

Europe! Got to get to europe.

What kind of job do you want to have when you grow up?

A subway sandwich artist.

Last but not least... fill in the blank:

Gene Simmons is the king because

He's gene fuckin $immon$!

Steve Brown is my hero because

He can sell the pope a rubber

If I had a million dollars, I'd

Not sweat the business of music and just enjoy making it.

My dog is the coolest because he can

Turn me into mush.

I love cheese... my favorite kind is

Kraft singles baby

If I could be any superhero, I'd be

Fuckin superman

... because

Big time saver that guy.

The best thing about being a rock star is

Using it as a crutch

My fans are the best because

They may not care that they will never get back the 7 minutes it took them to read this interview! Love ya!! :)

Picture credits: Metal Edge Magazine, 2SnapsUp.com, PJFARLEY.com, ZanderMover, myspace.com/pjfarley, 40ftringo.com

A very very big THANK YOU goes out to P.J. for agreeing to take the time to answer all these questions and being a great sport about it all!!!