Name? Steve Jochum
Birthday? 10/15/53
Hometown? Cleveland, OH
Current bands? Steve Jochum and Big Zipper/solo
Other bands you have been in? Wild Horses, Sumrada
What instruments do you play? vocals, guitar, bass, drums/percussion, keyboards
Talk about your gear and favorite instruments: I love Les Pauls, Firebirds, Telecasters, basically most
of the vintage guitars that shaped the British Invasion of the 60’s and 70’s. I don’t use many gimmicks,
either playing live or recording. Just guitar through a cool little amp, like a Fender Pro Junior, or Blues
DeVille. I believe in the power of connecting with the spirit of the music, and transferring that into the
sound that comes out of that speaker.
Age you started playing? 14
Influences? The Beatles, Stax/Hi/Atlantic Records, Otis Redding, Al Green, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin,
Peter Green
Who would you like to perform with? Al Green
Artist you really like to listen to? Changes day to day
First three albums ever owned? The Kinks Greatest Hits, Meet the Beatles, Sweet Soul Music by
Arthur Conley
Five CDs you can’t live without? The Beatles White Album, Al Green's Greatest Hits, Santana
Anthology, Blonde on Blonde by Dylan, Bob Marley Anthology
Favorite website? www.FunkyPoodle.net
Book that everyone should read? Rule of the Bone by Russell Banks
It’s 1969, you’re 18 years old, and you have the opportunity to go to Woodstock. Would you go?
I’ll bet everyone says yes in hindsight!
Relate a funny or outrageous story from a gig: Just last night, I was playing solo at a club. The place
was packed, madness! I’m late getting there, so I set up in a corner, without asking. I moved this guys table
without asking, and he was ready to kick my ass! (I really should have asked). So I apologized profusely,
and boy was he mad! I moved to another spot, all the while this guy is glaring at me, and I thought, “I’m
going to win him over with music.”. So by the end of the night he wanted to be my best friend! It just
amazes me, the power that music has on people. It can turn a lion into a lamb.
Most unusual request while playing out? Carbona Mona (Wild Horses)
Describe yourself in three words: positive, grateful, artistic
What is your advice to up-and-coming musicians? Be honest with yourself. If you really have the
talent, then believe in yourself, and put the music out there. If you’ve got what it takes, you’ll find success.
You have a new CD out called “Sky.” What is special about this CD? Why the title “Sky?”
Mike Docy and I really took our time with this CD. I played and sang everything, except most of the drums
and bass parts, because I wanted to be able to listen without thinking that I should have done something
different. This if the first album of songs I enjoy listening to. The lyrics have meaning to me, and hopefully
they will to the listener. There’s some funny stuff, and some personal stuff as well. Sky was written for my
dad, who passed away in July of ‘08. It’s a child like lyric, with a spiritual message, but to me the words hit
home, in a simplistic way.
Email address: StephenJochum1015@yahoo.com
| Welcome to Spotlight! ....the opportunity for local musicians to be placed front and center. Enjoy the show! 8/31/09 Vol. XIX |
