Wildstreet – III

By starrymag | August 30, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

Eric Jayk: We are NYC Rock ’n’ Roll. Aggressive, edgy, elegant and all rock!

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

Eric Jayk: Every band member has their own. A few of mine are: Michael Jackson, Prince, David Bowie, Guns ’n’ Roses, Alice in Chains.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Mother.”

 

Eric Jayk: “Mother” is a 7-minute psychological thriller that uses horror-influenced metaphor to paint a picture of the depths of the main character’s madness, which she insists is her mother’s doing. This is a must-hear for fans of Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and Avenged Sevenfold.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

Eric Jayk: Fans connect to the anger of the song and ecstasy of playing music.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

Eric Jayk: The video shows EXACTLY how hard we rock live and reflects the meaning of the song. I can’t give everything away…It would be no fun!

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

Eric Jayk: In this case yes, I wrote an instrumental track written by my longtime cowriter and best friend Jimmie Marlowe. He had written this song in 2014 – no melody and different arrangement. I was on a steady diet of early Alice in Chains and Soundgarden at that point and heard the melody and the lyrics came. It was rather fast actually.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

Eric Jayk: We’ve had a hand in production since day one. I recorded some of Jimmie’s [Marlowe] guitars on my pro tools rig and recorded additional vocals, synths and my guitar solo on “Still Love You” at my studio. We chose Kyle to produce our album but are fully capable to produce ourselves.

 

Q) Your full-length album III is out now. What are some themes you explore on it?

 

Eric Jayk: Let’s see. “Three Way Ride”

 

Q) What songs off the new album challenged you the most to create? 

 

Eric Jayk: Well, the album took ten years. I’d say nothing was challenging, but the timing needed to be right.

 

Q) You’re out now on your US leg of the “Kings of the World Tour.” With concerts having been on hold, what have you missed most about being on stage?

 

Eric Jayk: We have been playing live shows since February (I’ll tell you about playing on stages surrounded by plexiglass another time). We’ve toured twice this year already and most bands have not! Thanks Blind Anxiety Entertainment for killin’ it for Wildstreet!

 

Q) What tracks off the album have been your favorite to perform at these new stops?

 

Eric Jayk: “Set It Off” and “Mother” are my favorite. Two incredibly different songs but so much fun!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

Eric Jayk: My favorite place to play was a mountain in Latvia in Sub-zero weather (Just kidding). I’d say ask me this question after Swiss Rock Cruise in October! [winks]

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

Eric Jayk: Been listening to Wolfgang Van Halen’s album. I listen every day. I am crazy when I like an album.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

Eric Jayk: I love rock music. Our fans love rock music. We already understand each other just because of this and are friends.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your music?

 

Eric Jayk: Thank you for supporting us. Listen, we have the best fans.  We’ve been a band for over a decade and living hard. Yesterday a fan from 2008 writes to me about Rockfest. Wildstreet fans are fans for life and that’s why we still do this. Thank you so much!