An Interview with Jesus from the Band The Beat Officers

Somewhere in Sacramento in a dirty storage unit the white lights have been turned down and only black light shines in the dark cold night air. Like a Mack truck hitting a three-year-old on a tricycle the Beat Officers music crushes you with its power and intensity. The air around the storage yard rings with the furious screams of Chester and Ominous while the electricity from the guitars of Jesus and Spent tears through your ear drums, all while Weppon, Emu, and Fedi lay down a rhythm so thick you can see it move across the yard.

I met the Beat Officers in early 2002, and from the beginning I knew they were a different sort of band, they had something that other bands seem to lack. They had a pulse pounding sound that seemed to level everything in its path, but they also had a unique and exciting stage show. While many bands avoid makeup, and glow in the dark paint, the Beat Officers have embraced it and made it an integral part of their stage show and their identity. Many call such things “gimmicks”, and believe that bands that resort to such things are trying to hide their lack of talent.

This is not the case for the Beat Officers, they have a solid musical ground to stand on and the stage show is there only to heighten the overall Beat Officers experience. Something must be working, because from the day one I have seen the massive crowds of young kids who crowd into the venues to get a chance to see the Beat Officers. The same kids who dress up like their favorite members of the band and follow them fanatically.

The first time I met the Beat Officers it was in the dingy storage yard that they still practice in today. I had no idea what to expect, and was more than a little surprised to see a band with seven members in it come together so flawlessly on every note. From the beginning the Beat Officers have enthralled me with their raw and powerful music, their presence on the stage, and the way that they interact with their fans.

In May of 2002, I had the great pleasure and experience of working with the Beat Officers on their first music video, “Lifestyle”. It wasn’t until I completed the video that I realized what an intense and massive group of fans they had. I was inundated with e-mails, phone calls, and letters from fans begging to see the video. There was something about the Beat Officers and their music that seemed to appeal to these kids and pull them into the world of the Beat Officers. My experience on the set of “Lifestyle” was one of my greatest moments as both a director and a human being.

They had brought the same hardcore work ethic they bring to the stage, to my set. It was then that I truly realized that the Beat Officers were on to something, they had a secret formula that seemed to be working. I wanted to know what it was; so I thought that now, a little over a year after we first met, would be a good time to sit down with Dustan (a.k.a. Jesus) and talk with him about who the Beat Officers are, where they are going, and how they got here.

Shane Jay Hayes (IndieInc): How long have the Beat Officers been together?

Dustan “Jesus” Morgan (Beat Officers): 4 years.

SJH: Where are you guys from?

Jesus: We formed in Nevada City, Ca. but then relocated to Sacramento and gathered up DJ Fedi.

(This is the same DJ Fedi that picked up a SAMMIE this year for best Turntablist/DJ)

SJH: Now how many people are in the band and who does what?

Jesus: There are seven of us: Jesus-guitar, Spent-guitar, Weppon-drums, Fedi-sounds, Chester-voice, Ominous-voice and Emu-bass.

SJH: Who are your greatest influences?

Jesus: Pantera, Kiss, Dennis Rodman, and Madonna.

SJH: What defines the Beat Officers as a group?

Jesus: Pure excellent entertainment on all levels.

SJH: What do you feel had been the greatest moment for the band in the past year?

Jesus: I would say the LUXT CD release show in January it was a true Beat Officers gathering of people, 1000 of them were literally chanting for us and near rioting for our performance.

SJH: What venues and cites are your favorite places to play?

Jesus: For actual playing, nothing beats Sacramento, but we love new people and new places, so other cities are meant for us to explore.

SJH: What are you favorite bands to play shows with?

Jesus: Karate High School, Luxt, and any other heavy bands that enjoy the recreation of music and aren’t under some delusion of what they are.

SJH: If you could choose just one band, past or present, to sit down with in the recording studio and work together for one day who would it be and why?

Jesus: Pantera because they have so captured what they are after. It would be invaluable to find out what the fuck they do to get their sound.

SJH: Do you consider yourself to be independent (indie) artists?

Jesus: We couldn’t be considered anything elseâÂ?¦we do it all ourselves.

SJH: Do you feel that there are adequate resources available to the indie artist today?

Jesus: I have a plan on how we are to succeed with the resources available and it is working, so there must be. But it would be nicer if it was easier for a band when first getting started.

SJH: Do you feel that the future of music lies more in the hands of the major labels or the indie labels?

Jesus: I think the future of music lies in those who create good music for the first time ever. With the Internet and home recording equipment being in every kid’s bedroom, no more will the industry feed us one hit wonder bands. Anyone who is any good now has a fair shake and if the industry doesn’t get hip to that, they will keep shrinking, less bling bling.

SJH: Do you play showcases, and if so do you feel that they are a valuable and beneficial part of the indie scene?

Jesus: Yeah we have, and sure they are fine, but if you got something, keep at it and you will get recognized, while showcases are a good way to get exposure they are not essential for success.

SJH: Do you consider yourselves major label ready?

Jesus: Yes, we have been working on it for the last 6 months and we are readying ourselves to jump to the next level.

SJH: How does the Internet play into your bands overall plans for the future?

Jesus: HUGE! We are going to continue to sell and market ourselves worldwide mainly on the Internet.

SJH: Looking back on your lives what major events shaped who you are the most?

Jesus: Heavy metal in general, but especially Metallica, Kiss, and Pantera. That was in grade school and high school mostly. I think that actually working in a good band that people really enjoy has been the biggest influence to this band.

SJH: Were any of you raised with a strict upbringing or in an unusual fashion, and if so how does that factor into the music that you write?

Jesus: My parents were cool, I was allowed to do pretty much whatever I wanted as long as I was a good boy, very modern hippies.

SJH: Is there a time when you were first starting out that you look back on now and can�¹t believe that it even happened?

Jesus: Not one thing in particular but we have played some really shitty shows, I mean real shit holes, bad people, bad vibes, bad bands, and bad pay.

SJH: Has there ever been a moment when you felt you had let each other down and how did you deal with that moment?

Jesus: We have had bad shows, we have let each other down. We have been too drunk, fought, broke things but overall it is nothing we don’t look back on now as good times.

SJH: If you could change one thing about the band what would it be?

Jesus: I’m pretty happy with us right now, but we can be pretty critical at times.

SJH: Do you find satisfaction in life through your creation of music?

Jesus: Most definitely, also through others sharing in the music with us, especially since we enjoy what we do.

SJH: What do you feel is the greatest asset an aspiring musician can have?

Jesus: The drive to do it, even if the only rewards ever will be just playing music. If that is enough, and you have the drive to stay with it no matter what, you have it.

SJH: What is the one greatest piece of advice you can give?

Jesus: Work hard and stay true to doing what you like and what you think is right.

SJH: What sets the Beat Officers apart from all the other indie bands in the world?

Jesus: We are very conscious of our music and stage show and it shows. We work very hard at all aspects of our music and performance.

SJH: The Beat Officers are recording a new demo right now correct? Where are you recording it and who is your producer?

Jesus: Yes we are in the process of recording a new demo. We are recording at Frank Hannon of Telsa’s studio; he is also our producer.

SJH: Have you ever decided not to release a song because you felt it was too edgy, dark, or taboo?

Jesus: No way, we like to bring it out, but we are actually positive lyrically, so we don’t usually have those issues.

SJH: Do you feel that musicians should be looked with increased scrutiny do to their position in the public eye?

Jesus: No less, we are idiots living in a parallel universe. We see things much differently then the public.

SJH: Where do the Beat Officers want to be two years from now?

Jesus: Making great music, entertaining people and influencing the worldwide vibe.

SJH: What is next for the Beat Officers?

Jesus: Beat Officers phase II will feature a new vocalist and even more worldwide juicin!

SJH: Any last words?

Jesus: Yeah, we love you Shane!