Goodbye Grandaddy

Some bands hit it big immediately; others take a slow, steady build to the top. And some bands never quite capitalize on their potential. The latter may have been the case with Grandaddy, one of the most intriguing and unique bands of the past decade. The band managed to blend electronica, folk, and rock, all the while singing about topics as diverse as the world outside and, naturally, robots. But the band couldn’t carry on for long - their refusal to play Ticketmaster-sponsored venues, not to mention their continued reliance on indie labels, was costing the band financially. In January 2006, singer/guitarist Jason Lytle announced the band’s breakup. But there was one highlight to this demise- the band decided to release their final album, Just Like the Fambly Cat, even after the break. I recently spoke with Jason, to get to the root of his feelings over the dissolution. 

Gigwise: What was the atmosphere like recording Just Like the Fambly Cat?
Jason Lytle: Much the same as the other albums, except for the fact that I broke up with my girl of 5 years, the label was very hard to deal with, the band’s future was uncertain, and there were substance abuse problems that needed to be addressed.

G: What caused the split?  Could anything have been done to prevent it?
J: Looking at what we have done, and where we might be going and asking ourselves, are we comfortable trying to trudge on with so much baggage and ever shrinking budgets.

G: Jason, you admitted “I have a substance abuse problem when I’m not busy” in a 2005 interview, and the band’s lyrics have often dealt with ‘psychedelic’ or ‘space-age’ themes.  How much of an impact did drugs have on the band?
J: Artists are often prone to being addicted to the creative process.  When this “creative process” is too difficult to conjure up, they often resort to alternative forms of inspiration.  I just read all of this somewhere.  I’m still not comfortable calling myself an artist.  Many songs have been either conceived or worked on in stuff “affected state”, but drugs and booze are cheap alternatives to true inspiration.

G: You’ve been notably anti-establishment (not playing at Ticketmaster/Clear Channel sponsored venues and releasing on primarily indie labels) – do you think the band would’ve stayed together if you had attempted to capitalize more on your music?  Or would that have compromised your integrity?
J: We have done what we are comfortable doing throughout the band’s history.  We never wanted to  be “Train” or “Counting Crows.”  Plus we weren’t very attractive to look at, so. . .. there were many factors.

G: Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of?  Anything you would have done differently?
J: Being a bunch of nobodies from nowhere and accomplishing what we did is a source of pride for me.

G: Are you irked by the fact that it took your final release to provide some of the best reviews of your career?
J: I have no control over reviews and critics decisions.  I have only attempted to make albums I’m proud of.  I value the idea of being clueless of popular demand and expectation.

G: Was there ever any doubt about releasing “Just Like the Fambly Cat” after the split?
J: No.  I was going to make this album with or without band, label, friends, family, or animals.

G:  What prompted your decision to move from Modesto to Montana?
J: Montana is beautiful.  Modesto is ugly.

G:  What plans do members have individually for the future?
J: Tim sells seeds.
Jim is releasing an album.
Kevin is a welder.
Aaron is a landscaper.
I am dropping out and falling back in love with music.

G: Could you ever see the band reforming in the future?
J: No.

G:  Any last words for Grandaddy fans out there?
J: For any fans or people who enjoyed our music, thank you (especially if you actually bought it)  And know full well that we never lied to you and you were a part of people trying to make something special, and do so with good intentions.