Joe Walla, the guitarist and lead vocalist in The Joe Walla Band, has developed quite the following over Southern California with the band’s explosive sound. The Joe Walla Band is authentic rock 'n' roll featuring Joe Walla's unique voice, searing guitar work, and catchy songs.
Joe's amazing guitar work has garnered much critical praise and numerous awards. Most recently Joe was voted ALL ACCESS MAGAZINE'S "Best Rock Guitarist” for 2006, and in 2007 Joe won “Best Overall Songwriter”!
The Joe Walla band has toured Southern California from inlands to the South Coast of the Pacific and back, opening for such major acts as Y&T, Joe Lynn Turner, Robin McAuley, Mandy Lion's WWWIII, Gary Hoey, Molly Hatchet, Foghat, and many more. They just released their 4th CD, produced by Kris Traynor, titled "The Reverend J. Wicked III."
The writing is on the wall: The talent is here. So where would you find such a talent hanging out? AAM decided to look up Mr. Walla and see just where he was hangin’ his hat these days. Here is what he said….
AAM (Debra Stocker): Hi Joe. What’s the latest?
Joe Walla (JW): Howdy everyone, and thanks for taking the time to see what’s new in Wallaland!
I just got back from a trip around the great northwest states and stopped up in the Kennewick/Tri-cities area to say hello to my friends at the Eagle 106.5 Classic Rock, who have been playing Joe Walla songs since June. We now have 3 songs in rotation: “The Pusher,” “Get Down,” and “Fallen Kings.” I got into town and got the celebrity treatment as I stopped at my first place! Awesome people up there. My friend Monty Hutson set this up and we got a lot of people turned into fans, as we were in the newspaper, on television and on radio all in the first day. I had an interview with Mark Allen and Rockerfeller for an hour. They played 6 songs and I did “She Showed Up” live in the studio. Eagle 106.5 rocks. Tell everyone to tune in off our website and request us!
The summer was pretty busy. We did a thing at China Lake Naval Weapons Facility—Woodstock West! We headlined there. What a kick butt, hotter-than-hell place at 115 degrees before sundown. The people there treated us awesome as well! We did The Molly Hatchet show in June, played with Foghat, as well as played a lot still in the Great Mojave Desert. Kings of the Desert all over again!
We got offered deal With Spectra Records this summer! We passed on it, but they have some great names on their label. I am sure you will see them out there. Here’s the deal: As some of you know, we are a self-moving promo machine, but we are not kids anymore and I hear, “Well, you’re not getting younger and the deals will pass you by.” Bullsh**. I won’t make a deal that won’t make sense. I don’t have until I get to be old to make those dreaded stories young bands have time to tell! No way! But I know my work ethics are good. My faith in my stuff is good, and from all of you here behind me all the years, the confidence is high! I am gonna see the pot of gold soon, I know in my heart! So persevere, kids. Don’t take no sh** from no one! But don’t be cocky either.
All I can say is that L.A. is a nice place to act in, but music is outside the city! Road trips are looking good really soon—touring away from here to where people need the rock ‘n’ roll.
AAM: AAM has followed the talented JOE WALLA for several years now. But some of our readers, especially those overseas, may not know who Joe Walla really is. So let’s recap a little and start at the beginning a bit to bring ALL our readers up to speed. When did you first decide you wanted to play the guitar and why?
JW: Ohhhhh this will be a long answer! I’ve been playing all over since the late…um…? Got my first guitar at 2 years old. Sunglasses and a lil’ Jr. Guitar at Xmas. Not much has changed except for a ton of guitars I own now! I think I really started to play around 11, heard Paraniod by Black Sabbath and I was gone!
I got signed to Atlantic Records during the metal years in a Southern-style band called Velocity. Then there was Magog, a few others, and I owned an independent label as well. But where are they now? I got my own idea to play it my way and went solo! I have been lucky to have a good core of friends and players since I’ve stepped out on my own path. The Joe Walla Band as it is now has been 3 years coming this January, with Rich Calande on bass and George Nowicki on drums. We have a come a long way in a short time. Trust me, the time is now! The solo Joe has been going since ‘97 from acoustic coffeehouses and bars to The Dangerous Men days. What a ride it’s been! Roller coaster!
But ya know it’s all about guitars! I have been so crazy and so blessed with great companies who took a chance and endorsed me. Meyers Customs, Delaney Guitars, Peerless Guitars, Spalt Instruments, these are just a few great people (look below a few lines for more).
AAM: How has your music career grown in the years?
JW: It’s funny. Someone laughed and told me I was a “has-been” ’cause I was on a classic rock station! It’s really an oxymoron, but I am saying I have become the new classic sound. I am beyond honored to be played on a classic station, and that says something about what I play style-wise. And thank God for Guitar Hero/Rock Band...! Guess what’s back now? Classic guitars. Yeaaaa amen for the guitar solo!
As for my style, I have been all over the board musically forever. Metal has been my true inner feeling, but I guess what with the voice I have, bluesy rock ‘n’ roll is what works. Love it or hate it, you'll always know its me! Music for me is whatever hits me now. Funny you ask how have I changed/grown…I can’t answer, really! I have songs on all the CDs we’ve done, songs I wrote years ago, and they stand solid today. Just stay catchy, hook and riff rock. It’s not really a sure way, but it’s my style!
AAM: Tell us about your 4th release titled “The Reverend J. Wicked III.”
JW: This is funny too. This is supposed to be the #3 CD, but my shenanigans with 50 million projects for Kris Traynor, my producer, kept delaying release. I feel like Axl with the “Chinese Democracy” album! “I swear it’s coming!” You have an advance copy now, but guess what? It’s not final! We are talking about the CD cover and artwork. Two videos are being done as well, “Lonely Christmas” and “City of Angels,” FYI.
Here’s the way we stand: “Roll The Dice” #1 CD, “Back The F*#k Up” #2, “Walla Bing Bada Boom (Best of)” #3, “Reverend J. Wicked III” sampler (5 songs) #4, “Joe Walla Band LIVE BOOTLEG” (Ventura Theater with Molly Hatchet) #5, and now “The Reverend J. Wicked III” #6! Amazing
The cover is gonna be rocking. Can’t wait until America sees that. Remember Spinal Tap’s “Smell the Glove’s” original cover? MMM MMM! As for the tracks, I think you find me all over the board again. The hits in rotation on a few stations already are “Get Down,” “Fallen Kings,” and our cover of Steppenwolf’s classic “The Pusher.” I have a few tricks to pull out as well: “Nasty Girl” is a dirty lil’ rock song, and “Pushin” is a nice ballad. It’s up to all of you to tell me: Did it work? It’s my work but you are all the end critics, so I hope it makes the approval of AAM’s readers and our fans.
AAM: What are some of the things you like the best about your chosen career, and some of the worst?
JW: Top of the list are the fans, who give me what I need to keep on pushing my limits! People are so inspirational and never realize the effect they have on someone. [AAM Co-Owners] John [Green] and you [Debi] have been a big push to me! My first ever article was when John found me playing Paladino's solo between metal bands! He saw something ! Thanks, bro! I’m playin’ every place I can as long as they'll put up with me. If ya haven’t seen us in a while, it’s a 4- to 5-hour deal! I love to give the same energy every night to 20 or to 5000. I want to see people go, “WOW!” and go home saying, “That was a great time!” I love being able to play! My guys have given me a platform to just wail every time. They keep the glue on the wheels for me! I have extreme freedom to take it where I want.
As far as bad things on this pathway, mmm, greedy pay-to-play bar guys. They act like they do you a favor. Yes, in the beginning you have to prove you’re viable, but they just keep taking and using ya, promising ya what they can’t deliver! Trust me, it’s gotta be win, win – both sides! If a band brings in 100 people and they suck, what does that mean? Greed! We’ve all gotta have a worth and our time as musicians is worth something! And original bands are worth more these days! We are getting slaughtered by tributes. It’s old news, but I guess it’s saying the quality of new bands isn’t cutting it, and when someone can load a live jukebox in, people know the songs! Oooh boy! Bring back the days of the true Hollywood clubs like Starwood, the Country Club, etc. Those were the cool times!
That’s my pet peeve. Maybe that’s why I don’t get those calls either. I love to play here, but hey, we get $$$ outside of L.A. My time is worth more than 45 minutes to prove it. It takes longer for us to get to the gig than to play it! What’s the point? And here’s my last kick: It’s an INDUSTRY. Gig BS. When was that last show at, in the ‘80s? I know labels are looking for self-contained, all-around, money-making, self-promoting bands! I live on the phone and talk this up every day! So my advice to you new guys is to sell/package/promote yourself. No one is looking out for you but you! It’s not an easy road. Music is a labor of love and it’s all ebb ‘n’ flow. Today’s hot, tomorrow’s cold, and if you’re lucky you'll get a resurgence!
AAM: What’s your background and interest in the music biz?
JW: My background? I guess I’ve been a songwriter forever, guitarist second. Even though I wanted to be The Guitar God, I’ve taken one guitar lesson. Really! I know, it shows! But like I said, I’ve been on Atlantic records, I co-owned Joey T. Records, and I’ve done studio work when I could. I love being in music, period. This is my world. I am safe here! Now more than ever I have great people behind the scene and I am ever-so-thankful to them, all of them, who help me get to my destination! They believe. Now I’ve got that weight also on my shoulder to go, go, go! Thank you as well to all of you who listen and see us live!
AAM: What’s your ultimate goal?
JW: Rock in Rio! 1,000,000 people singing my stuff! To be a household name! Own a few more thousand guitars! You know I love them darn dealies. Maybe some hot supermodel girlfriend when I can…! Hey, it’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Shallow Joe here!
AAM: Any words for our readers thinking about a music career?
JW: Don’t do it! Leave it to us professionals! Lol! If you love music and wanna do it, don’t think you can’t! Get your ass off that couch, get your weapon of choice. You can learn off the Internet! Don’t let life pass you by one minute! Grab your dreams! You’re gonna be old one day, and believe me, it’s faster than you think!
Now for some shameless plugs. Highlights for 2007 started at the NAMM Show in January where we added new endorsements to our sound and support team. I thank Dave Mills of Mills Acoustics; Janine Kopping and Greg Sfarzo of Sfarzo Strings; Rico Mancini and Mark of Cool Music Inc.; Min, Jong Lee, and Brian of Peerless Guitars; Minarik Guitars; Mike Delaney of Delaney Guitars; Dave and Kim Goodhead of Greasy Groove Inc. I truly am honored to be a part of your families, God Bless Ya’s!
Okay. Really think about this in parting. New guys, old guys, yes, and gals too, put on a rock show. Don’t stand there looking at the guitar etc. Dress like you’re a big star. Live larger than life at your shows. Act confident. I didn’t! It took a long time to feel this. And by “act confident” I don’t mean to tell someone you’re the greatest mutha f**ker to ever lay down a riff! I tell you this ’cause if you can’t act confident, you’re gonna be boring. And you’ll make better videos if you’re confident too.
I know ya's may think, “Who is this moron telling me about music?” What I do know is that success is hard to keep, so treasure every freakin’ step you take! Be grateful to the people around you. Be accessible to people who like what you do. Be ALL ACCESS-ible! That’s all I’ve got to say about that! Dream big, be bigger!
