For the uninitiated Fever 333 are a new band hailing from California that combine rapcore punk rock music with their message of community, charity and change.  Ever since Fever 333 emerged Australian’s have been patiently waiting for their chance to experience the band live. That moment has finally come as Fever 333 will be appearing at Download Festival 2019 in Sydney and Melbourne along with their own headline show in Brisbane. We caught up with the bands vocalist (and honorary Australian) Jason Aalon Butler to learn more about his new project.

 

 

Firstly how was the experience of going to the Grammys and getting nominated?

 

It was cool, it’s an interesting thing because you are living inside of a TV show. For us and me in particular I was really focused on trying to offer more information about our message and offering representation to people of colour especially in rock music. I feel like we are really under represented in rock music in general but also specifically in rock  music at the Grammys.

 

I know the year has only just started but we are absolutely loving your new album Strength In Numb333rs. We are sure it will be one of our favourites of 2019.

 

Thank you. I feel really happy to have been able to create that art and then attach the message to that art. It worked out just how I had hoped. I feel really lucky to have been able to create that the way that we did and with the company that I keep when it comes to writing and creating. I’m very thankful that people have been so open and receptive to it and invested in what this is as a project. I feel very fortunate.

 

With such a solid album did that mean quite a few song didn’t make it onto the album?

 

Yeah we had two albums worth of music, we are still writing and are always writing. It was about figuring out what was the most impactful collection of songs that we could put together in order to get across what we are trying to say. Also to open up the doors for what we may do in the future, really showing people the spectrum in which we could operate artistically.

 

The band really has two aspects the powerful lyric content and the amazing musicianship. How do you feel knowing some people may connect with either side?

 

That’s part of my job isn’t it as much as I’m involved in my activism I’m still a artist and musician. Some people in the beginning may not even hear the messaging or may not care and then maybe a couple of listens in they might hear a couple of things. Then understand what message I was trying to deliver. Ultimately if you can in a sonic space create somewhere for people to feel liberated and free then that in itself to me is a huge accomplishment as a musician. I’m just trying to open up a space for people to be free in which ever way they may choose. As long as they don’t encroach on others beliefs or their sense of freedom then I’m good with it.

 

What was it like filming the video for “One of Us”?

 

It was cool, it was an idea that myself and DJay Brawner my co-director came up with. It was fucking cool to organise a protest in the middle of LA then play there and film it. We really walked the walk quite literally, allowing people a physical space to represent themselves and the issues that they want to talk about. It was a really cool real deal music video in the way that we really did walk those streets, we really did speak our minds and we really were loud enough for people to hear. We really went to city hall and I’m really proud of everybody that was involved in making that video.

 

 

I song I really like from the album is “Am I here”. Can you tell us a bit about that song?

 

It’s about my wife and my son because of them I understand life, my profession and every move I make in such a unique way now. Everything I do now has to come back to them because everything needs to be beneficial. Everything that’s beneficial to them inherently is beneficial to our environment and those around us. I think that charity starts at home, you have got to be good with yourself and your people first in order to offer more beneficial opportunities or charity to others. That song is about how my wife completely changed my life then my son was born and he just changed it all over again. I feel really fortunate to have them. While the world may be going mad and myself included I have a tether to love through my wife and my son. So I had to write that song.

What was Travis Barker like to work with?

 

He is the man! If anyone has any question as to why he is as popular as he is and successful as he is it’s because he works harder than anyone I know. He’s so talented and artistic and at the end of the day he’s so fucking humble that it’s inspiring. Someone who’s so highly regarded with so many accolades and accomplishments who’s so highly celebrated in art, music, style and culture he’s so humble. He’s so confident in his ability to be an exceptional artist, father, friend, designer and producer. Honestly he’s so fucking cool, he’s the man. He really inspired me not only artistically but also in my personal life as a father and as a man. He inspired me to do more and try to be the best that I can for my family, seeing him accomplish that is so encouraging and inspiring.       

 

For anybody who has never heard Fever 333 a lot of people say it’s a cross between Linkin Park and Rage Against The Machine. Is that an ok comparison for you?

 

One hundred percent ok with me. Rage Against The Machine is the benchmark for crossover rap guitar based music with political ideals. If anything we are just trying to tastefully and respectfully walk down the road that they paved. Linkin Park same thing they changed the way that people listen to rock music. So it’s very much a compliment and we want to make sure that we say thankyou to them and honour them while doing our own thing at the same time.

 

You will be in Australia very soon playing Download Festival. Not sure if you realise how big of a deal this is but after the collapse of Soundwave we are finally getting heavy music festivals back down here.

 

Jason Aalon Butler   

It’s a big deal and we are very lucky to be a part of it.

 

Have you had a chance to check out the Download lineup to see who’s playing?

 

Yeah I want to see Slayer. I want to see my boys in The Amity Affliction. I think Ghost is cool so I want to see that. It’s a bad ass festival lineup.

 

On stage you are known for your erratic energy, do you go into some other kind of consciousness when playing live?  

 

I suppose so, I just feel like you only get so many moments in your life to feel fully liberated and free. I just want to take advantage of that, those are some moments where I get to indulge myself as an artist and just as a person. As a fan of music, as a fan of art, as a fan of freedom. I find myself certainly switched on to another facet of my behaviour and consciousness for sure when I’m performing. Ultimately I like to provide an example of freedom to people that are around or watching. I just try to let go the best way that I can.

 

There’s a tradition in Australia that anybody who does well from New Zealand we claim as ours. Therefore being that your wife Gin Wigmore is from New Zealand do you realise in turn you are part Australian?       

 

(laughs) That’s right. I’ll take it!

 

Lastly we just recently had a huge rally in Sydney called Don’t Kill Live Music opposing our governments new rules regarding live music and music festivals restrictions. Just wanted to get your opinion on that?

 

Fuck yeah man. I think that anytime there’s too large of a impediment made by government that isn’t in the best interest of people or culture that they should speak out. They should use their voices and they need to be heard because there is no government without the people. We cannot forget that all the power the governments may have, we lend them that power. If you don’t like something then you can change it and you should change it, you should speak out. Obviously there’s a risk you take when you speak out in subversive tones but please understand that (no pun intended)  there is a strength in numbers. People should feel a sense of solidarity when they do it as a group.    

 

 

(interview by Christian Ross)