Let’s start with a bit of background. How did the band come together, and what musical paths have the various members traveled to get where they are today?
Jesse: Jordan and I are actually neighbors. We’d been chatting on and off and occasionally getting together to jam, but it wasn’t until the COVID lockdown that we started playing more regularly. That started as just a way for us to get together and fend off boredom and play covers in the backyard with my daughter Mia on bass. I then started putting together more originals, and we decided to give it a shot as an original band. Our first gigs were over the summer of 2022, and we recorded four singles in Jan 2023. By spring 2023, we’d found our permanent lead guitarist, Jay, and we then recorded the EP Humor Me. Mia moved out of state later that summer, paving the way for Angus to step in on bass.
Angus: I played in original bands in Florida until moving to Austin 2006. I took time off from music after I had kids in 2008 and did not really get back to it until 2016ish. For the past few years, I have played mostly cover and tribute things to keep playing, singing, and performing because that is just what I do. I had been jamming off and on with Jordan for a few years, really enjoyed anytime we could – and then more recently had played with Jay and Jesse with some jam bands (Old Phukkers) and thought they were really good. Definitely liked the Frogmouth stuff so when they asked about me taking up the bass job I was very happy to do so. Then it turned out these were exactly the right people to write together exactly the kind of music I like the most, and to fire me up creatively.
Jay: I’ve been playing in bands since I was twelve. Bands all over Florida during college (FSU, Go Noles!), a few in Chicago, and eventually here in Austin. Before joining Frogmouth, I led my own band for eight years called Wild Tinderbox. The band amicably broke up in the summer of 2022. Afterwards, I did a few stints with other bands, had offers to join and all, as well as some small-time session work before Jesse and Jordan asked me to initially fill in for some shows they had booked. After the first show, the chemistry was pretty obvious, so I agreed to put Wild Tinderbox fully to rest and take up the mantle as Frogmouth’s lead guitarist permanently. Been with them since April 2023. The other guys in Wild Tinderbox, as well as bandmates from my old bands, are supportive of Frogmouth, too. Life’s funny that way, huh?
Jordan: I’ve played drums since I learned to air drum along to XTC & Melissa Ethridge tapes in the backseat of my Dad’s Bronco when I was about 5. I grew up in a very musical household, and drums have always been my greatest interest and passion. I played in original bands in my teens and 20s, playing hard rock, prog, indie, funk, blues, dub, and anything I could cut my teeth on.
I moved to Austin in 2016 and immediately fell into original, cover & tribute bands around town, which is how I met Angus. He and I have worked together in no less than five other bands over these past 8 years, which is why he was my first call when replacing Jesse’s daughter, Mia after she moved away. Jesse and I live three doors down from each other (and sadly found that name to be trademarked already, so we settled on the name Frogmouth). He heard me recording drums in my garage during COVID and invited me to jam on some covers with him and his daughter in their backyard, and everything spiraled from there into writing originals, forming a full-fledged band, and taking it to the level we’re at today.
Could you describe your sound in a few words? And do different band members bring different flavours to the sound, and if so, what are they?
Jay: I’ve always enjoyed the punk and metal side of rock music. I also went to school for music, so I was able to soak up so many different genres and music types to fit my particular style. We all love bands like Elvis Costello, The Replacements, and The Wipers and such. Lots of love for 90’s alt-rock.
Angus: I like both punk and metal as well as prog. Harmony is a big deal to me, so The Beatles, of course. I lean towards Chris Squier, Geddy Lee, John Entwistle in the bass sound/style I like, and singing harmony is a big deal to me. I love that.
Jordan: I am mostly influenced by hard rock drummers like Matt Cameron, Eric Kretz, Danny Carey, Jon Theodore, Tim Alexander, Jimmy Chamberlin, etc. But I also grew up listening to bands like Jellyfish, XTC, Toy Matinee & Crowded House. I love to bring dynamics, interesting rhythms that create a “push and pull” feel in the music, while also serving the song first and foremost.
Our sound is a bit difficult to describe because we are all pulling from our own influences that contain elements of rock subgenres, creating something with a unique flavor. There are elements of power pop combined with the 90s alternative grunge sound, with some punk rock/dub Clash style flavor interspersed here and there. All I know is that we love what we’re making, and it’s gotten quite a positive reaction from our audiences and listeners!
Are there any particular influences, either musical or from the wider world, that help guide the band’s sound?
Jesse: For me, I’ve always loved melodic power pop, punk, and any music with a strong narrative element, and a lot of that seeps into what I write.
Angus: We all have a lot of almost even contradictory influences, but we are all also pretty musically developed and have our own voices creatively. We have influences, but we also all have our own style, and we all contribute to the writing, so that sort of blends into a cool mix.
“Identity Thief” is your first full-length album. Is there anything you are trying to say about these songs, and how much do you think the music has changed since the release of Humour Me and those earlier singles?
Jay: The music has definitely changed in a great way. On the earlier material, it reflected more of Jesse’s personal songwriting and the earlier stages of the band. I joined just as the songs for Humor Me took shape. After that EP was completed, Angus came along and took over for Mia (original bassist and Jesse’s daughter), who brought a lot of influence to the band. So, Identity Thief represents a full metamorphosis from a solo idea to a full-fledged band where all four members are equally writing and collaborating.
Jesse: On the earlier recordings, I typically created a fairly fully formed demo, and we would polish that up as a band. As we gained more experience with these songs, I tried not to say too much about them and just bring bare-bones ideas and see where they went. It’s an interesting thing to see something you had in your head go through the lens of 3 other people and back through your perspective. These songs took on a life of their own, it felt more like we discovered them along the way, at least to me. I think I’m most proud of the variety of collaboration and ideas on these – from riffs and progressions to lyrics and arrangement, it’s very much a team effort.
What is the Austin scene like for rock bands, and how have you been received when you have played outside your hometown?
Jay: The scene here is very diverse but very supportive. On any given night, you can see anything from punk to alt-country, death metal, stoner rock, indie rock, hip-hop, blues, funk, and jazz, amongst other genres, and it’ll all be really solid. Another thing I enjoy about Austin’s scene is you can have bands of entirely different genres on the same bill and it’ll placate everyone’s tastes. Total win-win. Some of my favorite bands here in town are exact opposites in genre, from thrash metal to indie rock. We’ve so far been received really well from other bands we’ve played with, and the crowd responses have been highly positive. We’re beginning to take the band outside of Austin very soon. I think we’re onto something here.
Jordan: Austin is an amazing musical town! Most people here, like just about everywhere with a rich musical history, will tell you, “It’s not like it used to be…you missed it!” But I personally don’t subscribe to that myopic sentiment. This city has live music EVERY NIGHT, and people actually go out to see it… it’s part of the culture! There are bands forming mini-scenes here all the time, and the community is very inviting and warm (as long as you’re friendly enough and not burning bridges). We’ve gotten a ton of support from other musicians and every show we play we encounter more people telling us they love what we’re doing. It’s very reaffirming when you make original music that resonates with people.
What would you say you bring to the live performance that makes you stand out from the rest of the bands on the Austin rock scene?
Angus: One thing I hear and really like is that we obviously like playing together. The joy is part of the energy, and we have a lot of energy. It is wonderful to feel like the folks I play with make me better and more creative, and I think that goes for all of us. The band chemistry is all of us supporting and contributing together, everyone in the band has respect and appreciation for everyone else. That shows.
Jordan: Our music is energetic, fun, accessible and all of the players possess musical prowess and skill sets that aren’t just about flaunting our chops, but playing interesting music that holds the attention of musicians and non-musicians alike. Jesse, Jay & Angus “sell” the music well in a live setting and jump higher than most guys their age…so that’s something!
What is the long-term goal for the band? Are there any bands you would like to share stages with and any places that you want to play?
Jesse: I’d never fronted a band before this project, and when it started, my expectations were deliberately not high – I figured if we could play one gig of mostly original material, then that would be a success. To have it still going 2 years later and accomplish what we have – I’m really blown away. That said, I don’t like to take anything for granted and try to be grateful for every gig, song, and rehearsal we get to do. I’d like to record another full-length LP. I’d like to open for national touring acts when they come through town. I’d like to be able to keep writing, recording, and performing as long as I can.
Jordan: I think we’d fit really well into the opening slot for so many great acts that come through town; bands like Buzzcocks, Jack White or Arctic Monkeys. We have consistently been really tempered about our expectations of what we’re trying to accomplish here. Our goal right now is to build a solid regional following, get some great gigs and keep writing/recording/releasing music that we love to make. If, in that process, we end up traveling further than we anticipated or making it to a higher tier of income in doing this, that is going to be a wonderful byproduct of our effort, but we’re certainly taking it one step at a time. Ultimately, we are realists who try not to indulge in delusions of grandeur. Unless George Clooney wants us to play his birthday party, in which case we’re interested.
And broadly speaking, what does the future look like for you as a band and as individuals?
Jay: Keep writing new tunes. Keep learning new covers. Keep making albums. Never play the same set twice. As long as the other three are here, I’ve got a job to do.
Jordan: Making new music! All four of us are absolute music addicts, so unless something unexpected happens, our plans are to keep making music until we’re dead. And who knows, maybe even after we’re dead…
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