Jim Ward (musician)
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| Jim Ward | |
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 Jim Ward in 2006
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James David Ward |
| Born | September 19, 1976 |
| Origin | El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Post-hardcore Alternative rock Alternative country |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Vocalist, Guitarist |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, Guitar, Piano/Keyboards |
| Years active | 1994–Present |
| Associated acts | Sparta Sleepercar At the Drive-In |
James David Ward (born September 19, 1976 in El Paso, Texas) is the lead vocalist, guitarist and leader of the band Sparta. A self-taught guitarist and pianist, he was also the co-founder of the seminal (and now defunct) post-hardcore band At the Drive-In.
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[edit] At the Drive-In
While in At the Drive-In, Ward played rhythm guitar and sang backup vocals, as well as playing piano and keyboards on select songs. He performed lead vocals on one track, entitled "Hourglass", and sang co-lead with lead vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala on a number of tracks. Using the money from his college savings, he created the label "Western Breed Records" specifically to release Hell Paso and Alfaro Vive, Carajo!, At the Drive-in's first two releases. After the demise of At the Drive-In, Ward has stated that he is happy with the break-up, that he started the band when he was 17, and felt like he was always 17 while in the band.
[edit] Sparta
After the fall of At the Drive-In, Ward did not have the intentions of starting Sparta. His first plans included going back to college[1] and enjoying himself in his new marriage. Eventually, former At the Drive-In members Tony Hajjar and Paul Hinojos asked Ward if he would like to be a part of their new project. Ward joined the group as the lead vocalist and guitar player. The band wrote nearly nine songs in their first week of rehearsal, with all members incorporating ideas and lyrics. Ward cites Radiohead and Billy Joel as influences for his songwriting during this period, which led to Ward incorporating more piano in Sparta (despite his informal knowledge of the instrument).[2].
[edit] Discography
[edit] With At the Drive-In
- Hell Paso (1994)
- Alfaro Vive, Carajo! (1995)
- Acrobatic Tenement (1996)
- In/Casino/Out (1998)
- Vaya (1999)
- Relationship of Command (2000)
- This Station Is Non-Operational (2005)
[edit] With Sparta
- Austere (2002)
- Wiretap Scars (2002)
- Live at La Zona Rosa 3.19.04 (2004)
- Porcelain (2004)
- Threes (2006)
[edit] With Bobby Byrd
- How Will We Know When We're Dead? (2006)
[edit] Solo
- My Favorite Song Writers (Compilation - 2004)
- - Contributed the song "These Years"
- Paupers, Peasants, Princes & Kings (Compilation - 2006)
- - Contributed the song "Lay Lady Lay"
- Quiet (EP) (2007)
[edit] With Sleepercar
- West Texas (to be released April 2008)
[edit] Equipment With At the Drive-In
During the years spent with At the Drive-In, Ward has used different guitars and amps, and several keyboards. The following list collects some of the equipment Ward has performed with in At the Drive-In.
[edit] Guitars
- Gibson Melody Maker
- Gibson SG Special
- Gibson SG Jr
- - Ward has used a few of these guitars, perhaps most notable is his green SG with the Texas sticker[3]
- Fernandes Monterey X (custom)
[edit] Amplifiers
- Marshall Cabinet and Head
- Mesa Boogie Head
[edit] Equipment With Sparta
Ward uses several different guitars and amplifiers while performing with Sparta. Since the equipment Ward uses changes from tour to tour, the following is a list of some of the equipment he has been seen using.
[edit] Guitars
- Custom Fender Esquire
- - Ward employs two of these, one yellow with a black pickguard, and one black with a white pickguard
- Ibanez Jetking
- Rickenbacker 330
- Gibson es-335
- - This guitar was recently stolen from the band's storage facility in Los Angeles[5]
- '72 Fender Telecaster Deluxe
- - Neck pickup, tone and control dials for neck pickup, and pickup selector removed. Ward employs two of these, one with a black pickguard[6], and one with a tortoise shell pickguard[7]. However, Ward may have replaced the pickguard at some point, therefore only owning one rather than two.
- Gibson SG
- Gibson Melody Maker
[edit] Amplifiers
- Vox AC30
- Marshall Cabinet and Head
- Mesaboogie Head
- Park Head
Effects
- BOSS DM-3 Delay
- BOSS TR-2 Tremolo
- Line 6 DL-4
- BOSS Chromatic Tuner
- Guyatone MD-3
- BOSS GE-7
- Klon Centaur
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff (Sovtek)
- BOSS DD-3
- Ernie Ball Volume Pedals (2)
[edit] Side projects
He has an alternative country sideproject called Sleepercar, where he also plays guitar and sings lead vocals.
Ward also writes for the El Paso weekly alternative magazine What's Up, in a column entitled "From the End of this Pen".
[edit] References
- ^ WithoutASound.net — The Online Sparta Community
- ^ KindaMuzik - Interview: Sparta - Sparta: It's hard as shit to sing in key, man!
- ^ http://rolodex.free.fr/photos/jim_omar.jpg
- ^ http://rolodex.free.fr/photos/jim_paul01.jpg
- ^ Sparta's shit jacked? - WithoutASound — Inspired by Sparta. Created by Fans. EST: 2006
- ^ YouTube - Sparta - mye live
- ^ Sno-Core '03
[edit] External links
- Sparta's Official Site
- Sparta at MySpace
- Jim Ward at MySpace
- Bobby Byrd & Jim Ward at MySpace
- Sleepercar at MySpace
- Jim Ward's page on Vox Amps
- Jim's Five Favorite Songs off Dischord Records
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