Live
interview with Showbread: March 12, 2005
Featuring Josh Dies-lead vocals, Matt Davis-lead guitar and Patrick Porter-Bass
Showbread is an amazing band,
lyrically, musically and vocally. They have a style that is compared to no
one and a uniqueness that is 
trendy
and unshakable. This is originality at it's best. I had the chance
to sit down with some of the guys while they were on tour in Springfield, MO at
Billard's Blue Room. Sitting in a smoke filled bar I met up with three guys all
wearing cowboy hats. As we were being seated I noticed the other members
getting around to watch the show. I didn't know what I was getting into.
The second the mic was turned on they went into character. That character
was cowboys from the days of the wild wild west. They literally never
broke character at anytime during the 40 minutes we sat and talked. the
typing of this interview does not do justice to the absolute craziest and oddest
interview I have ever done. Please not, I tried spelling many words like
they were being spoke, the the cowboy accent was impossible to follow at time.
Laughter and rib shots were heard throughout in the background. Interesting
enough, through their chaotic playfulness were words full of encouragement and
truth beyond their years.
Dennis: Where did you come up with the name Showbread?
Josh: Well now let me go ahead and tell you how we done
did that. See, this was a long time ago on the prairie and I was thinking to
myself what am I gonna call this little thing with the banjos and all that. So
thinking about the tumbleweeds and the sunsets, I got goin' in my mind about was
I was gonna bring home to the little miss. And what I was bringing home was a
big old loaf of bread and it was sittin' there shinin' and I wanted to show it
to somebody. And I was sitting there with my horse named Cole and I showed 'em.
So, I showed it to her and showed them the bread.
Dennis:
Now that isn't write the story I heard but ok haha. I had heard that you were
kicked out of your church or asked to leave as you guys started playing hard
music. Is that true?
Matt: Yeah we started out as a praise band and all that.
People started not liking us so being at that church was like being a gator in a
toe trap, it just didn't make sense. We done moseyed on out and did our
own thing.
Josh: See the thing about the name is up in that there New Testament you have a
man by the name of Jesus. Jesus was roaming through with His cow folk and they
picked some food to eat there on the Sunday day Sabbath. No the Pharisee, they
were a bunch of tar naten tooties. They was like you cant do that Jesus and
Jesus said, "Didn't you ever hear the story about David and the
showbread?" Cause David ate that showbread right out the temple like a bear
in a tornado. He didn't think traditionalism is all it's cracked up to be
and it's like a tumbleweed goin' down a lonesome trail.
Dennis: Well, Tex, where did you come up with the
name “No Sir, Nihilism is Not Practical” for your debut album?
Josh: Now you see, I got to thinkin' about
theologies and philosophies. Nihilism is might right a bit like
Christianity cause it has the same governing properties. Now what I mean
like that and let me elaborate is that nihilist dont believe in anything
matters. They believe everything is alone down a lonely trail. And
see Christians believe nothin' matters either except for one thing and that one
thing leads to everything else. So see nihilism does make sense, it just
isn't practical and cant work out. And that's all. *spits on the ground*
Dennis: From the way this interview is going I am
honestly scared to even ask this haha. How has
the tour been going and give us your craziest tour story as of today?
Josh: Well we just came from a little place we were
born and raised in and that is Texas. Now, I'm gonna tell you, we weren't
actually born or raised in Texas but it is like a home to me. Just yesterday ,
me and my bro Patrick and my kin folk Matt here were out ridin' the trails on
our horses with a banded cougar and a wildcat. Now as we braved the open
range, not one, not two but three Tyrannosaurus Rexes coming down the way.
But we ain't scared a bit. SO I said to my bothers, "Let's rope 'em
up!" So I got my lasso a flyin' and their we was ridin' into the sunset
ridin' the T-Rex's and then I saw it with my own two eyes. Now one of 'em
is a glass eye but I got two of 'em. And then I saw not one, not two but
THRREEEE palm trees. Then we all ate salad.
Dennis: Your album is freaking amazing and is all over
the board. There is a hundred and
one 
ways to describe your musical style mixing
industrial, hard core, garage rock, punk and more.
I have heard you guys call it raw rock. What is your definition of raw
rock and who are some major musical influences for you guys right now?
Matt:
Come on pass on down that mic like the tobaccy. I play guitar, steel and
slide here in this there band. Me's influence is Johnny Cash.
Josh: You know the thing about raw rock. I mean it's like a cow is to a
steak. It's raw. I mean put some dancin' shoes and play Queen in the
background for one hour. You'ld get that cow beatin' on a keyboard.
Beatin' out a little synthesized beat. Be watching some Fuse and then
throw in some that there Nine Inch Nails videos and that would be raw rock.
Patrick: I play that there bass like that little
bunny in that Bambie movie. You know haven't you seen that there movie.
Dennis:
Yep, I have seen Bambie actually but that was along time ago. Who’s idea was
it to through the chainsaw in on the end of
“A Llama Eats a Giraffe (And Vice 
Versa)” and would really win a
fight between those 2 animals?
Josh: Well you see, a llama is a lot like a
giraffe, they both got the same neck thing coming up. A lot like a camel,
a lot like a horse, I mean both the same cause you can rope it, tie it, ride it
around and brand it. Basically, they had a whole library full of sounds and
stuff like that. We took this old drum machine from the '30 and you turn
this on and a drum beat came out. Hey, that was grandpappies birthday in
1930. Anyway, we heard that and thought that needs to be on the record.
The we saw the next track is a flick we call the evil dead trilogy so we needed
some chainsaw and somebody screamin' or something like that. So we found a sound
sample of a chainsaw and it didn't sound good enough. So we went and got
us a real chainsaw right before we were fixin' steaks to celebrate roping the
t-rexes. Now, the song "A Llama Eats a Giraffe," the llama is
nihilism and the giraffe is Christianity. So between the two I am rooting
for the giraffe. In fact I will step out and say the giraffe will smoke
everybody so long live the giraffe and praise Jesus.
Dennis:
That is a great explanation for that song. Let me just admit, I had a hard time
with translating meaning from some of your lyrics.
I have read that your content is as diverse as the members of the band.
So tell us about your 3 favorite tracks and explain them to us briefly.
Josh: Well, hhhmmmm, ooohhhh, I'm gonna say
lyrically hhhmmmmm.
Dennis: Ok, how about two songs? *hear laughter in
the background*
Josh: I'm thinking the songs that may mean the most
to me...aahhhh uuuhhh. I like the words to that there "A Llama Eats a
Giraffe" song. I like the way the song came out so I will tip my hat to it.
If I may toot my own horn with a little bit of tootin'. I like the lyrics
to "A Missing Wife." I wrote that there song as a little old love
letta I wrote to the wife I ain't got and probably never will. Anybody
else got anything? Darn tootin'!
Dennis: Going on with lyrical content, many artist like
yourselves choose very offensive language and negativity to make their point.
How do you think lyrical content affects listeners?
Josh: Well you know the
thing about negativity is like a storm blowing on the prairie. You want your
crops to grow up good, you want them to grow up strong. A storm can choke those
crops and a drought could dry them out. What I like to think is that today
our crops can be strong enough whether a storm or drought is coming. You see
kids, you gotta be smart and decide what to think for yourself. You gotta
be strong enough with your own opinions and beliefs that when you hear someone
else you dont go runnin that way. Make up your mind, be yourself and stay
in school.
Dennis:
This is the weirdest interview I have ever done but these are some great
answers. Legalism is such a distraction within the Christian culture.
Those types may be shocked to know we are sitting here in a bar/pool hall
talking about Jesus and we are having fun. What is your response to those
that have fallen to legalism or are facing it as they read this?
Patrick: I think that a lot of who we are is due to
the legalism that we experienced. But we see a lot of people get turned away by
that type of thing. So many people miss what old JC is doing for us and
miss the whole point of love. I say those people ain't no goooooood.
Dennis: Many teens have gone through this same
dilemma or felt ostracized and then turn away from Jesus, what would your words
of encouragement be for those feeling that?
Josh: Let me just go on ahead and tell you this
now. The church is you and those around you that believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ. The church is the body of Christ and that's us! You dont gotta go
through those big doors to find Jesus because He is in you and those around you
when you are lookin'. Now sometimes those get a little flippity floppity and you
gotta make sure you keep ridin' that horse. Stay on that happy trail but
sometimes it is a sad trail. Keep on keepin on. It's about the
personal relationship with JC. Like you and your own lady or you in your
horse, don't worry and that's a personal relationship. Dont worry about
what's around you when people say, "Hey, why did you write your name on
that horse with a magic marker, what the heck is wrong with you?" And I
just say, "Hey, that is between me and my horse!" It's the same way
because it is between you and Jesus. Amen!
Dennis: If you could choose any band past or
present to tour with, who would it be and why?
Josh: Well, goin' on back to someone I mentioned
earlier. I would love to ride and rope with Johnny Cash on the main
streets of the US. There is a lot we could learn from the man in black.
But, if ain't gonna get on up outta his grave and he probably ain't, I will just
talk to him when I get on upstairs and jam out with the man in black. I'll
be leavin' my padres someday. Probably no sooner than he'ld get out of his grave
we'ld be ready so look for it in your dreams.
Patrick: The other day I had a dream about a cow
named Bessie. And this cow was swingin' one sweet tune. So if there is one
person I could tour with it would have to be Bessie cause her sounds are just
like, "Mmmmooooo hhhhhoooo hhhhoooo." Good look typing that out!
Dennis: Well, we are here at your second to last
show of the tour here in Springfield, MO. What are your plans after the
tour?
Josh:
Well, you see, there comes a time in every cowboy's life when the road calls you
home. So, you gotta get on that horse and head west. Yes, hheeeaaddd
wweeessttt. I'm gonna go ahead and say it, I'll be ridin' that t-rex I roped the
other day. I have since named Bosco and me and Bosco are gonna hit the open
streets and head west. Where lady love is calling my name and the tunes
keep singin' all night long. Yeaahhh. Snap into a slim jim!
Patrick: Yeah, we gotta chase that sunset. As soon
as Josh falls asleep, well, I am eating Bosco and I have the appetite the size
of Texas itself and only a tyrannosaurus can fill it.
Josh:The day he east Bosco is the day I rope a
squid.
Patrick: You have been saying that for 26 years!
That's how they got pappy!
Josh: I'm gonna rope me a squid. I'm gonna
rope the biggest squid this side of the Rio Grande. You goin' down squid!
My pappies blood will be avenged! You have the blood of my pappy on your
tentacles! I won't rest until I get your big squid beak on my walls! My veins
pump full of blood of hatred for you squid! I hate you with everything!
Dennis: Well guys I cant say enough about this interview...it was interesting!