A Chat with Gas Station Pizza (07.09.22)
After sludging about the Florida metal scene for several years, singer-songwriter Jason Banning decided to create a punk meets metal sound encompassing his 90s influences. Joined by Javier Perez (guitar), Cody Nordine (bass) and Elden Santos (drums), Banning formed Gas Station Pizza. We speak to Jason Banning about their new album Outside of the Box, winning the lottery and future plans.
OSR: What inspires you to make music?
Banning: My OCD? I spend a lot of time trying to find things I want to hear from other projects but found myself making my own to appease that desire. I wanted to “dumb down” and have fun with my music versus trying to “out-talent” everyone by how many notes I can play per second.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Banning: As a child, I was late in talking, but had a toy piano at a really young age. The way I played the keys was indicative of the mood I was in. I of course learned to talk, but music really covers a spectrum of expression for me.
OSR: What can you tell us about your album Outside of the Box? Is there a particular theme or backstory?
Banning: The theme is heavily influenced by life in Central Florida. There is no shortage of “interesting things” in this state. There is plenty of fodder to write about. There is an interesting dichotomy between being near a MAJOR technological sector and the Space Coast and the many idiots that live in its shadows…
OSR: Did you face any difficulties when recording Outside of the Box?
Banning: I think the biggest thing, in the beginning, was getting people to understand what it was I was actually wanting to do. Many people believe there is a “set way” to create or record something. I believe the opposite. Part of recording music is not only using well-established “rules” but also taking risks and experimenting. I didn’t want “good enough”. I wanted “best as possible”. Being a technologically-centred person heavy into IT, I wanted to future-proof the recording, that’s why the high sample rates, etc.
OSR: What do you hope people take from this album?
Banning: Good question. I don’t care what people take from this album. So far in showing it to several people, different people focus on different songs and have different interpretations. That’s not for me to dictate. OUR work (I had help) is already done. It’s now for the music community-at-large to do what they want with it, or nothing at all.
OSR: What is your greatest achievement?
Banning: Quitting a 9-5 IT job in the DOD sector after almost 20 years to focus on my passion. That’s an achievement in itself, especially in today’s world.
OSR: If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
Banning: Well…here in Florida there are many levels of payout for the Florida lottery. It depends on how much. Millions? Maybe doing the exact same thing I am now…but more mobile? I do have a desire to get a tow-behind for the jeep and drive around the country recording in different areas, like caves, cliffs, badlands, etc. Just as long as I am here for football season.
OSR: What are the pros and cons of being in a band?
Banning: That’s a tough one. Pros? Perhaps it is a form of therapy? Anger management perhaps? I’ve been doing music so long that I am known as somewhat “level” in mood. Laid-back?
Cons? The industry is a shell of what it used to be. Unless you are a pop star at halftime shows, there isn’t much to be made. I never quit my day job until recently and may work a normal job in the future. I honestly think I would resent music if it was the only thing I did.
OSR: Do you have any future plans as Gas Station Pizza?
Banning: Yes, we are working on a few classic covers of the 1950’s trio that perished in the crash in Iowa – Richie Valens, Big Bopper and Buddy Holly. They were influences in my youth so feel it is appropriate to pay homage.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Banning: Don’t listen to detractions or those that give you “rules” on how to express yourself through your music. I hear that constantly…”You should do this!” “You should set things that way so this happens…”, etc. Of course, things have to sound good in the end, but TRUST your own ears. Experiment. Try new things. Look at any musician that has made anything of themselves, that’s what they do.
Many thanks to Jason Banning for speaking with us. For more from Gas Sation Pizza check out their Facebook, Twitter and Spotify.
