The Stage - Tomorrow's Music. Today.

July for Kings,
by Melissa Evanko

A great band is so many things; talented bunch of guys, good sound, meaningful lyrics. Let me introduce you to July For Kings.. In an exclusive interview for ‘The Stage’ Joe Hedges, lead singer and guitarist of July For Kings sat down with us to talk about the band and the f-bomb heard round the Valley.

July For Kings hail from Cincinnati Ohio. Band members are Joe Hedges; vocals and guitar, Travis Delaney; guitar, Sam Dobrozsi; drums; and T Miller; guitar and cello. At the moment the band is using interim bassists; taking their time in finding a permanent member.

You can check out July For Kings on the web at www.julyforkings.com. The site was created by the band and is maintained by Hedges. Hedges feels the site is a good way to keep in touch with fans, especially through the journal section, which he writes.

A few weeks ago when July For Kings came to Allentown for the re-opening of The Sterling the boys stopped by WZZO to chat with DJ Chris Line. The interview went fine till the last five seconds. Line said lets’ hear it for July For Kings, one clap. Line encouraged them to cheer, at which point Sam, the drummer busted out with "July For Kings is f--in sweet." An instant classic. Hedges was glad this snafu happened with Line, who also happens to be a friend of the band. He jokes that it could have been a lot worse, but nobody took it too seriously.

July for Kings is still touring though the pace has slowed. "The band is going through a transitional period." They are without a bass player and at the mercy of interim players and their schedules. The guys are still getting out there, making sure that people don’t forget about them.

Hedges admits that the band does tire of playing the same songs every show. "There is this perception that every show is the same." He explained that every night feels different, with varying amounts of mood, vibe, and sleep gong on among the members. This is why they try and change songs up for shows.

Hedges is the sole songwriter for July For Kings. Hedges joked that people probably think he’s insane. The theme of spirituality that runs through many of his songs is a good way for him to express what he’s feeling. Although, he’s not necessarily a very spiritual person. A catholic school veteran, many ideas implanted there are a good place from which to come up with material.

When asked if he would be content to hang up the mike and just write, Hedges joked that maybe he’ll stop singing when he’s old. "When I look like Ozzy it will be time to stay home." Hedges does write material for other bands but he prefers to perform his most personal material.

With their first major-label release from MCA under their belt entitled, Swim, which was the former name of the band before legal name battles ensued. Hedge is working on new material, looking ahead to the future. He does feel pressure this time around. "At first, there were no managers, just a band.’ Hedges wrote songs and over time the songs became a collection, an album. Fast-forward a few years and now this is his full-time job, to make music. Hedges feels there is pressure because he is committed to the band and making this work.

July For Kings may not have a mantra, except that Hedges has always been concerned about writing songs about real things and experiences. Songs that will mean something to people. Hedges " tries to not over think the big picture too much. " That said, the question Hedges has been waiting to answer deals with the philosophical allusions tucked away in some of his songs. So have a listen, and let Hedges give you an answer.