Q&A: Jersey Reunites, Reflects Upon their Past

From the late ’90s to the early 2000s, Jersey arguably became the most celebrated punk band to come out of the small, yet blossoming Burlington, ON, music community. During their time, the band released five albums, the last of which – 2003’s Generation Genocide – was put out through Virgin Records, and received a respectable amount of radio and video music channel support.

After disbanding in 2005, most members of the band’s final lineup – Greg Taylor (vocals, guitar), Sean McNab (guitar), Johnny Lubdera (bass), and Jordan Hastings (drums) – would move onto other projects. Taylor experienced a solid run in the recently-ended Saint Alvia Cartel; McNab is striking chords with psychobilly band The Creepshow; while Hastings is now part of Say Yes, a band he became a part of after he and his Alexisonfire bandmates called it a day. Lubera, meanwhile, is working on his first solo endeavour.

There have been a few reunion shows here and there over the years, with the latest one set for Friday, March 14 at Club Absinthe in Hamilton. Ahead of that performance, Riffyou.com caught up with Lubera to reflect upon his Jersey days.

RY: With the Hamilton show booked, some may think the band is fully reunited and ready to get back into the game. Would this be true? Why or why not?

Johnny: “I think this is false, but I could be wrong! I think we were asked to record an album after we reunited for Burly Calling the first time around, but I don’t think everyone was down…that’s what I felt anyway. So with no record, I do not think we’re fully reuniting. And if I might add, Jordan’s busy kicking ass with his new band, Say Yes, and McNab is still an insane road warrior touring-machine with The Creepshow. I will be recording my solo stuff soon and releasing it on a home grown label, Workshop Records.”

RY: When you guys first started playing again after years apart, how quickly were you able to find your legs?

Johnny: “McNab pretty much nailed the tunes in one shot. Greg and Jordan were solid too, while I was so-so, as I had not played in any bands since Jersey disbanded in 2005. What’s more, I didn’t pick my bass up once until the first practice back. But since we toured so damn much, our muscle memory, collectively, was pretty impressive.”

RY: Was it surprising that your reformation – even if just temporarily – has gotten a good chunk of people excited? 

Johnny: “Hey, it’s always an honour to have people show excitement for anything you do. The first [reunion] show I knew would be solid because it was in our hometown. To have people show excitement still… is cool. I’m a little surprised, as I see amazing bands all the time and no one cares about them, or pays attention. I see all of these amazing bands just slip away and give up because of the lack of support. I’m actually quite baffled by what people like nowadays.”

RY: Considering where Jersey came from, you guys had a really solid run. What led to your band being able to push out from a local scene and onto bigger stages abroad?

Johnny: “Greg Taylor, period. It was his vision; his dream to raise money to buy a bus, make great songs, and go tour. He knew what he wanted. Back then, Kevin (Harris), Sarah (Brooksbank) and I bought in. Greg and I worked in the steel factory with Brandon Bliss (now of Monster Truck) and his dad. Kevin was a hard-working auto mechanic, and Sarah worked odd jobs. We pooled our money together; worked hard; saved; and bought our bus 809 and toured across Canada in 1998 as 19- and 20-year-olds. We were hustlers taking shows everywhere, anytime, and sent out demos constantly.”

RY: When playing these songs now long after they first emerged, how do they feel to you?

Johnny: “Some songs are so funny. We wrote some of them when we were like 18- and 19-years old, and we’d have break-down after break-down. We laugh at least once a practice every time we do one of our infamous break-down tunes. On the other hand, I sit back and listen to the lyrics and how far we had come musically by our last record. Contrary to what some people believe, our songs were real; from the heart; and at times, very personal. I believe that Jersey was nowhere near reaching its writing peak. I feel like we were improving on a daily basis. I wish we kicked out one more album. The songs for the most part feel great! I was [always] a fan of what we were doing musically.”

RY: What does it say about the friendship of the guys in the band, as well as with those involved in the Burlington community, that you guys are able to do this again?

Johnny: “I think all the guys in Jersey are really special people in their own right. Every band has its differences, but we are all mature and very respectful…we get along really well. I wish I got to see the boys more. As for our hometown friends, fans, or whatever you want to call them, the people that are still kicking around are very passionate people. Burlington’s always supported us, and we’re very, very thankful for that.”

RY: What’s your fondest, or weirdest memory of your time in Jersey? 

Johnny: “Fuck, our band had character. Collectively, we were a pretty funny bunch. Man, the memories are so rich with awesomeness. Back in the day, Greg and I used to love to slug weights and one day backstage on the Warped Tour, we were bench pressing. I could see a shirtless Henry Rollins sizing us up from a distance. He stood just in spandex shorts, no shirt and no shoes, and the fucking ground was sharp gravel and stone.

“Once we finished up our sets, Henry kicked some stones like a raging bull, bent over, touched his toes, and then proceeded to do some bench presses. When Henry dropped the weights to his chest, he was stuck. He couldn’t get the weights back up. I stepped in and tried to spot him, but he waved me off. I couldn’t believe it…his pride was on the line. He was stuck, but somehow he finally got the weights back up on the bar. He got right up and wandered away…I believe half in shock that we managed the weights with ease and he struggled! I always say, never underestimate someone based on their appearance. Greg and I quietly laughed our bags off. He probably saw us little fucks doing it, so he thought he could too.

“When I look back on it, our whole ride was amazing. Fuck, we never made money but look how far four kids from Burlington went. We played rat holes, stadiums, met and hung out with famous people, and met idols of ours. We recorded several records, had videos, singles, travelled overseas, and made tons of friends. To me we did make it. Maybe not in terms of dollar signs, but Jersey took us on a journey halfway around the world, and not for a second do I regret dedicating 10 years of my life to it. Jersey is the only band I’ve ever played in, and that’s the way it will probably stay. There are so many amazing memories… I could write a book about them.”

-Adam Grant

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