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Even if the title of The Weight's sophomore full-length wasn't Are Men, one listen to their rollicking mix of southern rock and Americana would leave little doubt. After growing tired of the more singer-songwriter oriented set-up on his debut, Ten Mile Grace, frontman Jospher Plunket moved to New York to find a solid band and a new sound based on inebriated sing-alongs, rugged guitar licks and unabashed country-rock machismo. This search lead to the ten rowdy bar anthems that comprise The Weight's upcoming album and have earned their live show enthusiastic notoriety in a scene replete with similar sounding, but less freewheeling, acts. With Are Men set for a ruckus release this August, we got in on the hootenanny early and talked to the band's newest member, Jameson Proctor, about cheap beer, drunken sex and drawing inspiration from Jim Varney.

What have you been listening to lately?

I've been listening to a lot of songs with the words America or American in the title, verse, chorus, or bridge. The acronym U.S.A. is also acceptable. I listened to the Andre Ethier song "The Pride of Egypt" maybe ten times the other day. It's epic.

Where's your favorite place to chill?

I don't know. I'm kinda high strung, plus it's been pretty hot this summer. So, I'll go with anyplace that's got cold, cheap beer and decent AC. There's this place Elote that's got some kinda $1 off brand beers. Yeah, that's my favorite.

What's the most dramatic thing you ever did to save money as a starving musician?

I got a job washing dishes in a taco stand and ate nothing but tacos for at least a year. That was a good year...

Tell us one of your favorite song lyrics.

"Now you're sending me your best wishes
Signed with love and vicious kisses
You lack lust, you're so lackluster
Is that all the strength you can muster"

Either that or

"Ain't it just like the night to play tricks when you're trying to be so quiet.
We sit here stranded, though we're all doing our best to deny it."

What is your most cherished musical instrument or accessory?

I have a 1959 Hammond M3. You know, the Green Onions organ, but it weighs about 200 pounds, and you need to have a soldering iron around to keep it playing. I'll go with my Realistic Concertmate 200. You can put it in your back pocket if your jeans aren't too tight, plus it has a calculator function.

If you could change one thing about the music industry today what would it be?

I would melt all the CDs on the planet, roll them into a giant ball, and launch them into orbit. Then I would re-release everything on vinyl with free digital downloads. That way I could get whatever album I wanted on vinyl whenever plus be able to listen to them when I'm on the train.

What never goes out of style?

I have no idea. I haven't really been around that long.

What's the theme song to your life?

The 1812 Overture

What movies, artists, authors or athletes inspire you the most?

Anything where Jim Varney (as Ernest) goes anywhere. Thomas Kinkade - Painter of Light. Thomas Pynchon for inspiring me to stop staying at home and writing all the time and play keys again. And Dorf, especially on golf.

What's your favorite way to stay in shape?

It's a close tie between walking all over the place almost every night looking for something to happen that never actually does or lugging around a piano and an organ. Between those two, I'm spent.

What non-musician would you most like to meet?

Jim Varney. But, I'm pretty sure he's dead... so maybe later. Is Tim Conway still alive?

What's your biggest guilty pleasure?

Umm... Let's see. I guess having drunken sex with ex-girlfriends. I haven't done that in a while though.

Are you on MySpace?

ALL THE TIME!!!

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
07.18.08