|
Some bands have a tough time thinking up enough material to put down on a disc when they go to record. Then there are acts like Saul Glennon, who are now up to their seventh release, "Trilogy 1," with two more discs slated to be released in 2007. OhioOnline music correspondent Peanuts caught up to Westlake singer/songwriter/guitarist Jack Rugan, the master of the Saul Glennon domain, to find out if he looked up the word "prolific" in Webster's Dictionary, would Rugan's picture be next to the definition. |
| OO: |
Being psychic, I can guess the answer to the question of how did you get interested in music? |
| JR: |
"I'll always give credit to my Mom and Dad for buying me Beatles records, which start back in 1966 when I was 3. I was hooked from that point on. I wrote my first song on a toy guitar at age seven and have since written around 1500 tunes." |
| OO: |
Besides the Beatles, what national acts have influenced your songwriting? |
| JR: |
"They would be followed by Brian Wilson, Burt Bacharach, Todd Rundgren, Elvis Costello. I also like Richard X. Heyman, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco and James Mercer of the Shins." |
| OO: |
In that case, describe Saul Glennon music. |
| JR: |
"Everyone I just mentioned and throw in a little garage pop and you'd have the sound." |
| OO: |
What national act would the band match up with? |
| JR: |
"Any of the current garage rock influenced bands, Wilco, The Shins. We've opened for Richard X. Heyman and OKGo." |
| OO: |
Any bands from around Ohio catch your ear? |
| JR: |
"It was a great time matching up with the Jack Fords last year and sharing gigs with BabyShaker. We'd like to split a bill with Coffinberry." |
| OO: |
To backtrack for a second, are you an Ohio native? |
| JR: |
"I was born in Bedford Heights, but spent most of my growing up years in Cleveland's Slavic Village neighborhood and went to Cleveland Central Catholic High." |
| OO: |
Where was the last disc recorded? |
| JR: |
"Over the past few years, I've slowly built a nice little recording studio in my basement. It gives me the freedom to record at anytime. Plus, it's free!" |
| OO: |
So the studio is up to your expectations? |
| JR: |
"Again, because it's mine, I dig it. Sure, I would love to have more gadgets and equipment, but I must say, each subsequent release has a more professional studio sound. Still, there will always be a little roughness or edge to it, but I like it that way. Who wants to sound all glossy, like a Taylor Hicks record?" |
| OO: |
I just ate, don't say that again. Favorite Ohio venue to play? |
| JR: |
"Can't name just one so The Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights, The Beachland Ballroom in the north end of Cleveland's Collinwood area, The Winchester in Lakewood and the Lime Spider in Akron." |
| OO: |
How did the band get its name? |
| JR: |
"Saul and Glennon were two characters in Batman #222 from 1970. The story was based on the infamous 'Paul is dead' rumor of 1969. To this day, some folks think my name is Saul Glennon." |
| OO: |
As long as your wife's not confused. Long term plans for the band? |
| JR: |
"I've been working with CDBaby.com to distribute the band's music, both in cd and digital download form. Our last four discs are available on iTunes, Napster, Sony Connect, etc. We all know that's where the market is going. Best to embrace it. That increased exposure only increases the chances of having one of our songs licensed for television or movies." |
| OO: |
Anything else you'd like to add? |
| JR: |
"The Cleveland area needs to support local music better. I can't tell you how many times I've seen bad cover bands and the clubs are packed!" |
