Justin Pearson "illegally going into the French Catacombs in Paris"

The first ever blog post for 11 Questions is from Justin Pearson of Retox, Dead Cross, The Locust, Planet B and Three One G. 

1.          Where are you from? 

San Diego, CA

2.          What do you think about chaos magic?

It’s an interesting topic for sure. I do cringe at the term “chaos," as it’s usually not really chaos. But I do think the word magic is a weird one as well. Where I do see relevant and theory with certain things that are labeled as magic, it’s not technically magic. So my answer would be, the term or name seems incorrect, and the ideas and theory of what chaos magic is most certainly is interesting. I’m a fan of science by the way. 

3.          When and why did you start playing music?

I started my first band the day after my fifteenth birthday, just after attending a Suicidal Tendencies show. 

4.          What was your first show?

First show I played was with Struggle in a garage in Ramona, CA when I was fifteen. First show I went to technically was Chaka Khan when I was seven. 

5.          How did you get into the genre(s)?

I’m not sure I relate to genres. However I was really into skateboarding, which led to the Thrasher Skate Rock compilations, as well as Misfits, Sex Pistols, etc. But before that, I was already into stuff like Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Yellow, and other bands in that sort of Devo realm. 

6.          Three biggest influences?

My mom is one for sure. I also draw a lot of influence from everything in life. Where I assume you want me to list off a few bands or albums, I think what is more interesting and possibly more important is what draws me to those bands. But over all, influence from social politics, geographical location, how we live our lives, and so on. Bands… off the top of my head, Drive Like Jehu, PIL, The Birthday Party. 

7.          How do you feel about the current state of the community or communities you’re apart of?

I’m not exactly sure what you are asking here. I assume you mean something like my musical community. But I honestly don’t know that I prescribe or belong to just one or even a couple obvious communities. And with that being said, even with something like a music community, things are constantly changing. The world is changing and that in turn affects everything in it. But the community that I find myself in, which is a mix of all sorts of things, I find to be progressive, humbling, intellectual, inspiring, etc. I think a lot of what it might come down to who do I associate with. If you look at a general community, its over all clientele might be a mix of good and bad, or positive and negative. I suppose I try to redefine that community and see it’s perimeters in my own way. 

8.          What are some of your favorite new bands?

Communal Graves are great. I’ve also discovered some cool artists that are not exactly new, but new to me, such as The Budos Band and MC Brinquedo. 

9.          What is an unforgettable memory you recall from being on tour?

There are quite a lot of them at this juncture. But off the top of my head, illegally going into the French Catacombs in Paris at night and getting lost underground for hours. Then eventually coming out through a manhole in the middle of a busy street after the sun came up completely covered in mud. Or playing to 3K people in England who hated The Locust and us having to be escorted out by local police. 

10.       Three Favorite places to eat in the US?

Sage in Los Angeles, The Chicago Diner in Chicago, and Mr. Naturals in Austin. 

11.        If you had to write your own eulogy, what would it be?

Ok, this is not going to get an answer from me. First off, I would rather not talk about myself in that sense, summing up my time, be it in life or just as a career. Also, if I die, I really don’t care how things pan out for my legacy. I’d be gone, so it wouldn’t matter to me.