Michael: Why did you decide to change your name from Mercury Rising to Sugar Red Drive ?
Jim: We
needed something more original man. Mercury Rising was taken by about
3,000 other bands and it is a Bruce Willis movie. Sugar Red Drive, whether this is good or bad, always gets a reaction from people. Unlike anything they've heard before.
Michael: Is there a story behind either one of the names you two have had?
Jim: I guess you could say there's an idea behind Sugar Red Drive.
Sugar for the energy, Red for the passion/intensity, and Drive for the
ambition we share. We take our music very seriously, but we don't
really see ourselves in the same. There's no story however behind
Mercury Rising. It was just your run of the mill high school band name
haha.
Michael: What was it like having to switch members in 2007, do you guys still in touch with your original lead singer?
Jim:
We do still keep in touch with Johnny. No hard feelings. Having to
switch, although at first it seemed like it was all over, actually was
a blessing in disguise!
Michael: Why did you choose to have One More Time be your first single?
Jim: Well, that was actually a decision made by radio.
Michael:
I read that you guys have actually written songs in under an hour, have
you ever timed yourselves to see exactly how fast you can do it?
Jim: Hahaha
no, we've never stop watched ourselves to try and set a world record!
But "One More Time" was actually one of those songs. I pretty much had
all the music mapped out when we got up to the rehearsal studio. Archit
immediately thought of the lyrics on spot. It was epic.
Michael: What is the writing process like for Sugar Red Drive?
Jim: These
days we don't have many of those 1 hour songs anymore. The writing
process usually starts with a riff, and we build around that. Then
layer the lyrics on top. I tend to bring musical ideas; Archit brings
music and lyric ideas. Dave and PJ bring ideas of their own:
Approaches, lines and such.
Michael: Tripathi has lived in several different countries throughout his life, how has that influenced Sugar Red Drive since his acceptance into the band?
Jim:
He's a very cultured guy. I don't know if it’s had a very profound
effect on the band. He's more American than anything else to us: Maybe
because he has an American accent.
Michael:
Your album is supposed to come out in March. Can you give any details
about the track listening, who produced it, or even the title of it?
Jim: The new album is self titled for now. Its 11 tracks of pure stimulation, Produced by Pat Gasperini.
Michael: How did you get involved with South By South West?
Jim: I'm pretty sure our west coast radio guy had something to do with that.
Michael: Do you have any touring plans for after SXSW?
Jim: Hopefully coast to coast all summer long.
Michael: A lot of fans want to know what equipment there favorite band uses, care to share?
Jim:
Nope, they don't pay me to say that! Just kidding, of course. I find my
favorite sounds come out with a Gibson Les Paul: My favorite guitars
ever. Mesa/Boogie amps and Boss effects are a key part of the sound
also. I also really like Martin acoustics.
Michael: What is the one question you’ve always wanted to be asked, and what is the answer to that question?
Jim: I’m waiting for someone to ask me if Dave ever did ballet. The answer is yes. For 13 years.
Michael: Thanks again for talking to us. Have anything else to say to all of your fans?
Jim: I'd like to say thank you to all! Come out to the shows and request us on your local radio station! And no problem Michael.