Interview with Joey Ryan & the Inks

(Joey Ryan and the Inks by Jon Behm)

Up and coming local favorites Joey Ryan and the Inks are playing a whole slew of Twin Cities’ shows in the next few weeks, from the Turf Club to the 7th Street Entry. Knowing very little about the new group, Jon Behm decided to interrogate them in one of the Culture Bully dungeon’s “meeting” rooms. Those were all booked up through Spring though so he had to settle for just asking some regular questions.

Jon Behm: You guys seemed to me to appear out of nowhere with a really great set at the Crony Christmas at the Entry last December—where did you come from? Have you been here all along and I am just losing touch?

Joey Ryan: We’ve been here all along, just incognito.

JB:What’s your story?

JR: All of us have either played together in other groups or known of each other through our past musical dealings. (The Exchange, the Alarmists, Consolation Champ, Patrick Ewing & the Verticals, and many more.) Fortunately, circumstances led us to a point where it would be stupid to not be playing together as we are now. So for the last six or seven months we’ve been having a go of it.

To make a long story short, one minute we were getting our parking validated at Choo Choo Bob’s and the next thing you know, we were on stage at 7th St. In the pouring rain. It was very strange.

JB: Your MySpace says you are signed to a major label, have you guys signed with someone already?

JR: We are either fibbers or do not pay enough attention to our MySpace page. In either case, we have not signed with anyone.

JB: As far as the songwriting goes, is that a collaborative effort? Does everyone sit in a circle throwing stuff out there?

JR: Joey writes all the songs. He shows them to the Inks. The Inks tell Joey what parts are not very good. We all fix those parts and sometimes Paul Winston adds bits and pieces as well. And then we play them.

JB: Could you describe your sound in the form of a haiku?

JR: melodies plenty
add some keys and tambourine
pizza is our fave

(photo via MySpace)

JB: What’s the big plan for the future? Recording? Touring? Getting in and out of rehab with a VH1 “Behind the Music?” option?

JR: We are currently at work on our first record, which we hope to release this year. From there, we’ll see what happens. We like playing shows a lot, so touring would be great. As for our “Behind the Music” episode, we’re compiling anecdotes for it: Flowers has already tried a one-month rehab, which failed miserably. I’m sure we’ll all follow suit at some point.

JB: What do you guys do in the Cities when you aren’t playing music?

JR: When we aren’t playing music, we like to get out and watch our friends play music. We all go to shows whenever we can. We like to listen to vinyl records and talk about how much better it sounds than we do. Outside of music, we all follow sports, especially Minnesota teams, and a few of us still play them recreationally as well. We also like video games and wine.

JB: Where in the Twin Cities is the best place to get a hamburger? (Unless you are vegetarians or something, then substitute the vegetarian option of your choice.)

JR: We all picked our own: McDonalds on County Rd. E in White Bear Lake (Joey), Juicy Lucy at the Nook in St. Paul (Matt), also the Juicy Lucy, but from the 5-8 Club (Chris), Annie’s (Ryan), and any burger off Joey’s Grill (Paul).

JB: Present company excluded, who is the most talented band in the Cities right now?

JR: We all picked our own: Fort Wilson Riot (Joey), the Deaths (Paul), Victory Ship (Matt), A Night in the Box (Chris), and Yer Cronies (Ryan).

MySpace

Also: Yer Cronies, A Night in the Box, the Floorbirds & Joey Ryan and the Inks @ the Entry