Singled Out: Jimmy at the Prom

08/06/2012
. Jimmy at the Prom's new song "Escape" caught our attention with their unique sound which seems to cross The Mars Volta with The Doors (you may very well hear something completely different!), when we found out a member of Alice Cooper's band produced the song it became even more interesting. So we reached out to see if we could get the story behind the track. Here is what they told us:

Jimmy at the Prom is a band formed by Matt Turner and Sean Williamson with the vision of bringing "prog" and "arena" rock a little closer together. Both players have run the gamut of side men to session players, and tour dogs for the better part of the last decade.

Now writing collectively, J@TP has released the single Escape. This track in particular revolves around the main riff in 3/4, brought to the table by Williamson, and arranged by both Williamson and Turner. Initially recorded at The Riverside Theater in Milwaukee WI, the song has now taken a different flow with the help of Chuck Garric, bassist of Alice Cooper and frontman of new project Beasto Blanco.

After the Riverside sessions, Turner reached out to Garric to produce the track that would be to released on vinyl. "I wanted to bring in Chuck because he's a rock solid player and has a great ear for what a song should be" says Turner.

"Escape is about detaching from the things that are bringing you down or drawing away from the positives in your life," adds Williamson, "whatever they may be...even yourself; and it's meant to go beyond the context of real life and into the story of "Jimmy" at the Prom that takes place within the artwork by Steven Bossler." A common feeling of an adolescent with a mowhawk trying to fit in, he's unwilling to conform to the hand society has dealt him. "Jimmy" is escaping from the tv in the cover art and conveying a strong message by doing so," adds Williamson.

This imagery is explored even further in the music video to "Made of Wax," a partially animated piece done by Dave Kiehl and edited by Bryan Mir of Blend Studios. "Jimmy" is as fictional as you want him to be. (Watch the video here)

Plans are in the works to get even more involved with Chuck both on the producer and touring level. "A full length album with Chuck's insight will be key in shaping and perfecting our sound," says Turner. "Playing with his band Beasto Blanco out on the road will help too," adds Williamson, as the bands plan on joining forces in the near future.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself right here!