Times of Grace – Jesse Leach

Times of Grace; A side-project with music written by Killswitch Engage’s guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz and former Killswitch Engage singer Jesse Leach. The harmonies were hummed by Adam D while he was in hospital back in 2007 with a back injury, and after writing an album with Jesse over the next couple of years, they released “The Hymn of a Broken Man” in January 2011, an extremely experimental album with its heavy and gorgeous sides. As Soundwave Festival in Australia gets nearer, Metal Obsession’s Patrick Emmett talked to Jesse about Adam D, their album, Soundwave and how much Jesse loves Australia.

Metal Obsession: Hey Jesse, how’s it going?

Jesse Leach: I’m good, how are you?

Metal Obsession: Yeah, I’m good, just midday on the east coast of Australia, pouring down rain while it’s summer.

Jesse: [laughs]. It’s probably better than the weather over here in New York man.

Metal Obsession: It probably is. [laughs]
To start this interview off, tell me an album or two that you’re most looking forward to this year.

Jesse: An album that I’m looking forward to this year, hmm… I’ll be honest with you man, a lot of modern music just doesn’t do it for me, so off the top of my head, I couldn’t even tell you. For better or for worse, I don’t know man; I’m not really into modern music.

Metal Obsession: Well is there any older bands that are releasing an album this year that you look forward to?

Jesse: I’d definitely dig the new Testament for sure, and I’d definitely dig Black Sabbath and all, y’know all those old metal bands that are still around coming back. But I’m sceptical man, I think it’s a matter of like, when it comes out I’ll check it out.

Metal Obsession: While listening to The Hymn of a Broken Man album, I noticed a range of different tunings in the songs. How come you didn’t stick to one tuning throughout the whole album?

Jesse: I think one of the reasons behind that is it had a lot to do with Adam (Dutkiewicz, guitarist), because he wrote the songs. But, I love that about it. I think that it’s great to play different tunings, different styles, and I think that’s why the record is the way it is, y’know. We’re both big fans of different styles of music, and chronically its fun for me to sing in different keys, so I can do different things with my voice.
I think initially, the tuning has a lot to do with Adam’s influence, but me, being the singer who also helped write the record, I had my say aswell, and the more diversity the better for me.

Metal Obsession: I know that Adam hummed most of the harmonies for the album while he was in hospital, but what did the other members of the band contribute? Was it you and Adam who wrote the whole album?

Jesse: Yeah, it was me and Adam who wrote the whole album. There was really no thought of how we were gonna put the record out, or touring, or any of that stuff, we never discussed that. Initially, it was just a matter of “Hey dude, I wrote a record and I would love for you to sing on it, let’s write a record together.” So that was number #1, no questions asked, we just wrote the record together and there was no discussion on what we were gonna do with it. We just knew that we wanted to write it.

It’s kinda cool to write a record that way y’know? There was no thought of what the record company would say, or fans expectations, or how we were gonna release a single. It was just a matter of writing the record, having fun and seeing what happens.

Metal Obsession: You left Killswitch Engage in the midst of suffering from depression and quoted “I’m done. Done with music, period.” Although you’ve been in a few bands after that, how did it feel having a former band mate from Killswitch (Adam D) come back to you, asking you to work with him on the Times of Grace project?

Jesse: It was great. I mean, Adam and I have remained friends over the past 9 years, we communicated various times, and I’ve got many funny, drunken phone calls from him while he was on tour, and we’d just talk about where Killswitch Engage is at. It was amazing to be friends with him over the years, so it wasn’t totally shocking because it is something we discussed; we wanted to make some kind of a record together. Initially we talked about doing a rock ‘n’ roll record, but that was years before the Times of Grace project.

But when I got that phone call from Adam, I thought it was just a routine phone call and I know that he’d been in the hospital for his back, so I thought it’d just be a phone call on how we’re doing, just being friends. And then out of nowhere, he’s like “Hey dude, I wrote a record and I want you to sing on it.” That kind of just blindsided me and hit me square in the face, it was like “Wow, yeah, of course, wow, what’s going on? What happened?” It was very unexpected at that moment, but once we talked about it I became completely excited about it.

I’m a huge fan of Adam, I think he’s such a talented musician and a great guy, so it’s always a pleasure to work with him.

Metal Obsession: Do you think Times of Grace will end up becoming a permanent band making more albums in the future, or is it just a side project that you and Adam are doing for a while?

Jesse: Well I think it’s definitely a side project to Killswitch, but I also think being it’s something that we’ve enjoyed so much; we’re definitely going to make more music in the future. As far as going out on tour and how big it’s going to be, I don’t know, but I know that no matter what we’re gonna stick together and make music, whether it’s Times of Grace or another project. It’s something we’ve both agreed that we work well together and no matter what, we make music together. There are a few bluesy, acoustic ideas clicking around between the two of us so, we’ll see what happens.

Metal Obsession: Is there a chance of you rejoining Killswitch Engage due to Howard leaving?

Jesse: I will give you my protective answer. I really feel a lot of respect for those guys, and the stuff that they’re going through, which a lot of people don’t know about. I’m gonna decline comments and just say, no matter what those guys do as Killswitch Engage, I am absolutely certain that their fans are going to be happy, and they’re gonna go on and write great music because I respect them fully.

At the moment, there’s really nothing I can say about this. They’re auditioning other people, they’re doing their thing, and I know they’re gonna make the right decision no matter what.

Metal Obsession: Let’s talk Soundwave. Soundwave Festival will be the first time Times of Grace will have played in Australia, and I think it’s personally your first time in Australia aswell. Are you excited?

Jesse: It will be my first time in Australia. I’m extremely excited! Number one to bring the music over there, to know that people actually care what I’m doing over there is incredible. Number two, ever since I was a little boy I’ve wanted to go to Australia. So it’s kind of like a double dream come true, it’s extremely exciting for me, and I’m looking forward to it for sure.

Metal Obsession: Soundwave has a huge line-up, but what bands are you psyched to be playing the festival with?

Jesse: I don’t know the whole line up, but off the top of my head, it’d have to be Machine Head, I’ve always been a big fan of those guys. Rob (Flynn, Machine Head guitarist/singer) are mutual fans of each other and I’ll definitely make time to check out those guys and talk to them throughout the tour.

Metal Obsession: Name 5 things in Australia that you want to check out before you leave the country.

Jesse: Ah man, if I had money and time, that’d be a whole different story [laughs]. I’ve always been a huge fan of the Great Barrier Reef, but that’s a long shot, I’m not gonna have time to do that. But yeah, I definitely want to go to the outback and the Aboriginal bible and something else that I can’t remember the name of right now. But there are many things that I want to see, that I know I won’t have time for, so many things I’ve looked at and thought “Wow, I’d really love to go check that out!” I’m more of a nature guy than I am an urban guy, so most of the things I’d like to go see is nature-orientated, and on my schedule for how far the shows are apart, I don’t think I’ll have time to check much stuff out.

I think I’ll just be meeting some people there, I have some friends from Australia and I adore them, and I think they’re great people. I’ll just be hanging out some people and checking out the culture man, and at the very least I’ll just be going to some local pubs.

Metal Obsession: What do you like to see most from an audience?

Jesse: Ah, for me, the number one thing that really gets to me is when people are singing along with me, more so than anything, more so than pitting or any of that stuff. When people sing the lyrics back to me, I see them singing and that means everything to me. To me, it’s the greatest thing. That’s why I still make music, to send a message, because I’ve got something to say and if people are paying attention, then that’s my gratification. That’s what makes me happy.

Metal Obsession: What’s the funniest or stupidest thing you’ve seen Adam do?

Jesse: [laughs hysterically]. That’s a loaded question; I’ve got a list of that stuff! He is probably one of the funniest people on the planet, for sure. I think for me it’s just a matter of his timing. Sometimes he’ll just say something at the right time, and it’ll make me lose my mind and be in tears crying. Most of the time, those moments is thankfully on the tour bus, but occasionally he says stuff on stage.

I couldn’t even pick out a moment man. There are literally thousands of times that he’s just had me in tears laughing. Not only is he a funny guy but he is also a great person. I think a lot of people only see one side of him, they only see the joker side of him, but he’s actually quite an intelligent, compassionate guy when you get him one on one, but without a doubt one of the funniest people I know.

Metal Obsession: So when he always made jokes about emo kids a couple of years ago on tour with Killswitch Engage, was that his joker side, or does he really hate them?

Jesse: No, no, it’s all a part of the stage show! I mean in reality, if you really dissect to the word ‘emo’, it means ‘emotion’, and isn’t every music emotional? So I feel like that term is sort of a joke, and Adam just likes to take the piss out of the phrase, because it’s kind of a joke phrase. Emotion runs through all music, and sort of that gothy image of emo is really a media thing. I think that the media is really taking it to another level, so for me when he makes fun of it, that’s kind of a punk rock thing.

And then if anyone takes offense to it, they should really look deeper and not define themselves based on the term, but based on who they are as an individual. If you feel like you’re an emo person, then fine, be who you are! Don’t be offended by somebody’s comments, Adam’s definitely a joker and he’s just joking. That’s all it is, its humour, and it’s to make people laugh. And if you can’t laugh at yourself, then that’s sad, y’know, life is too short. If anything, I can laugh at myself, and people make fun of me, it just depends on if you can take a joke.

He (Adam) just comes out with it, that’s his humour off the top of his head. But he doesn’t hate anybody; he’s a compassionate, loving guy. He’s just a joker, especially after he’s had a few drinks, he’s a stand up comedian.

Metal Obsession: If you got stuck on an island and you only had one bands discography to listen to, what band would that be?

Jesse: Oh my lord… Ohhh who would it be? That’s a tough question. Alright, well if I was alone that means I’d be lonely, so I wouldn’t want to listen to anything sad, I’d want to hear upbeat stuff. I’m gonna go ahead and say Bob Marley. Bob Marley’s discography for sure, I’m a huge fan of his, but a lot of the reasons why is because he keeps me positive. If I wasn’t alone and I had people with me to hang out and have a good time, it’d be something different, but Bob Marley is definitely my pick for if I’m alone.

Metal Obsession: So if you were stuck on an island with friends, what bands discography would you listen to then?

Jesse: If I wasn’t lonely, who would I listen to? Ahhh, probably The Clash. I absolutely adore The Clash, but to me it’s not the kind of thing I listen to when I’m alone, I like to play it loud at a party or something.

Metal Obsession: Where do you think metal will be in 20 years?

Jesse: A lot more diverse than the other generations. The new generations are getting smarter and smarter, and they’re creating music that’s more and more mind-blowing. I think they’re calling it djent or something. But the guys from Periphery and Meshuggah, they just push boundaries of metal. I think that that genre is going to form into some subgenre of REALLY heavy metal, but at times for me it’s a little too much. I think it all started with bands like Dillenger Escape Plan, bands like that have taken metal in a completely different direction.

I’m sure metal is gonna go that way, but I’m huge fan of simplicity metal aswell. So bands like Motorhead and Black Sabbath are still gonna have a role to play in the future. You see bands like Ghost and Red Fang which is kinda like a fun, stoner rock; their metal is only going to diversify and become a genre that is gonna blow people’s minds, which I think it already has become that way. I think metal is going to conform into this beast, and I think metal is going to be around, forever.

It’s one of those genres where there’s so many people doing it, and so many opinions on how it should be done, that it’s going to continue to involve and it’s always going to be a relevant genre.

Metal Obsession: Any famous last words before this interview ends?

Jesse: Yeah, definitely. Off the top of my head I would say, never be afraid of who you are, always speak your mind, and love. That’s kind of a controversial thing to say, but love is more powerful than hate. And when you’re putting yourself out there in the world, remember that love is a very powerful tool, and we as a community of musicians in metal, or hardcore, or punk or whatever will remember that love is going to be the tool that unite us and define us, as a genre and as people.

Metal Obsession: Thanks for that Jesse, it’s been an absolute pleasure talking to you, I’ll see you in Melbourne!

Jesse: Alright brother, cheers, thanks for the interview!

Check out Times of Grace at Soundwave Festival and sideshows!

SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL VENUES AND DATES FOR 2012

BRISBANE: 25TH FEBRUARY – SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL @ RNA SHOWGROUNDS / SOLD OUT

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=246313265416952

SYDNEY: 26TH FEBRUARY – SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL @ OLYMPIC PARK / SOLD OUT
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=233867790003182

MELBOURNE: 2ND MARCH – SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL @ MELB SHOWGROUNDS / SOLD OUT
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=243654682348739

ADELAIDE: 3RD MARCH – SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL @ BONYTHON PARK
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=279093168779036

PERTH: 5TH MARCH – SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL @ CLAREMONT SHOWGROUNDS
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=282403391778781