Hard rockers Joetown have just released their debut album titled "Pills and Ammo." The album was released by Joetown frontman Joe Delaney's own Joetown Records. Hailing from Wallingford, Connecticut, Joetown has a reputation as one of the most exciting live acts on the East Coast. The band's explosive live show has allowed them to earn a cult-like following across the country, while frontman Joe Delaney's accomplishments as a songwriter/producer have turned him into a “rawk” entrepreneur of the highest order. His grinding work ethic has seen him performing/recording with groups such as Kings of Reality and American Trash with Steve Broderick (Trans-Siberian Orchestra), producing both albums for critically acclaimed aggressive hard rockers Gargantua Soul, while holding a prestigious position with Bugera Guitar Amplifiers that provide thundering amps to everyone from King's X to hip-hop act N.E.R.D. With the release of "Pills and Ammo," Joetown is set to unleash a tidal wave of high-performance rock that has been missing since the '90s. The album's unapologetic rock n' roll takes shifts through a variety of styles effortlessly, invoking comparisons to group like Guns N' Roses and Alice In Chains, yet appealing to fans of rock legend Ted Nugent.
Joetown will be giving away a NEW BUGERA 6260 amplifier October 31st! All you have to do is “click” on the Joetown banner featured on the AAM home page at www.ALLACCESSMAGAZINE.COM and join the Joetown Online team. No strings and nothing to buy.
What’s that, you’ve never heard of Joetown! Well, it’s time you did, as Joetown will be coming to YOUR town soon…
AAM (Debra Stocker): Congrats to you Joe, on your new CD “Pills and Ammo.” It definitely “rocks” up there among my favs! But why the long wait? I mean, you are in fact “the real deal.” What finally inspired you to get moving?
Joetown’s Joe Delaney (JD): Well… I finished what was supposed to be my first real record in 2000, “Rock ’n’ Roll Man,” which I’m really proud of. But it got sidetracked by my last project, American Trash (with Steve Broderick from Trans-Siberian Orchestra), which started to take off and occupied my time and resources from 2000-2005. When that train finally derailed, I found myself without a legitimate address and an entire studio full of gear in storage. Had to totally restart my entire life. So I bunkered down, found a place, built a new studio, built a new band, wrote a new pile of tunes… “Pills and Ammo” was recorded, mixed, mastered and done in 2½ years. Not bad considering all the time at Home Depot.
AAM: When you finally decided to release ‘Pills and Ammo,” did you first go searching for a record company, or all along had you decided it would be a self-released album?
JD: I never had any plans of working with a traditional record company. They are obsolete in my opinion. With that said, what I would like to create is a business partnership with an entity that has forward-looking ideas and plans on how to market music in this new paradigm. The old way is over… way over.
AAM: There is no doubt about it, the music biz has changed over the years. But, good or bad, it does offer us a lot of interesting ways to help get our music to the masses. What are some of the newer ways you have found that help build a fan base, besides the #1 answer MySpace?
JD: Grassroots is the big one… gotta meet people in person and interest them in your music… sow the seeds of success one fan at a time.
AAM: What plans have you made for distribution or marketing? I ask you these questions, Joe, because our readers are mostly musicians themselves and are ALWAYS asking us for advice, especially what to do with their new release.
JD: For distribution, I’m all about CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon, and other direct channels. If I can get enough traction with the record then I would ultimately like to place CDs at Best Buy and Walmart direct from Joetown Inc. Marketing-wise, I hired Chipster PR to get the word out and I’ve been doing coop marketing with Bugera, the amp company I’m involved with. I’m looking at coop tie-ins with corporate entities such as liquor, clothing, lifestyle etc.
AAM: Your MySpace page speaks of a world tour! Where are you planning to tour, and will the members listed on your new CD, Keefer/bass, Kerry Gollarney/guitar, C-Bone/drums, be making the journey with you?
JD: I’m looking at solid opportunities for some heavy travel for 2009 to Europe, Scandinavia, Asia… I love my band. They are the best guys in the world. But I do what needs to be done and utilize different players as needed. C-Bone basically retired from live shows and was replaced by Mat Reale, who has fired everyone up in a big way since his debut at Rocklahoma 2008. I like playing with different players as long as there is a connection and good vibe. On “Pills and Ammo,” Opus from Dead by Wednesday plays on a track. On “Rock ’n’ Roll Man” there is a stellar performance by Stet Howland (Blackfoot, Lita Ford, MVP, W.A.S.P.) and Mike Duda (W.A.S.P., Hookers ’n’ Blow). All I need a solid rhythm section and I’m good to go. I have a Chuck Berry attitude: “What songs are we gonna play tonight? JOETOWN songs, dammit!”
AAM: Do you regret hibernating in the studio for years BEFORE releasing your debut CD? Or maybe in some strange or twisted way it was just meant to be this way?
JD: YES. I regret it. Hindsight is 20/20. I would have done things a bit differently. Still, I’m very proud of what I have done in the studio over the years. Fans are amazed when they start to dig deeper and find such an extensive catalog from a “new” artist.
AAM: What would you say are the ups and downs of being a musician?
JD: MONEY and ART are diametrically opposed. That is the down and the up. Rarely is synergy found between the two.
AAM: What is your goal as a musician, and where do you see yourself in, say, 10 years?
JD: If I can write just one melody, a simple string of notes uniquely phrased, or one lyric that is remembered and invokes emotion for a time long after I’m gone… that’s my goal.
AAM: Any advice for our young readers thinking about starting a music career?
JD: WOW… not so sure I can recommend a music career to anyone. If you feel that you MUST do it and life would seem meaningless if you didn’t, then give it a try. A life filled with regret is no life at all.
Again, AAM congratulates you on a spectacular release, “Pills and Ammo,” which is one CD AAM highly recommends YOU add to your collection today! In closing, Joe, is there anything else you would like to say?
JD: Thank you! And support LIVE music wherever you are.
For more information, visit: www.joetown.com, www.myspace.com/joetown (note URL change), and www.bugera-amps.com. These amps rock!
