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0 Earlier this month, one of L.A.’s most beloved bands, Paloalto, reunited for a one-off special performance at the Viper Room. Drawing mostly from the band’s last release Heroes And Villains, an album that rose to No. 14 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart in 2003, the band played to a packed house of fans eager to hear the anthemic classics. After the show, lead singer James Grundler, spoke with TheSunsetStrip.com about the band’s history and what lies ahead for his new project, Golden State.
It’s been exactly 10 years since the release of the first Paloalto record. Do you recall your state of mind at the time? How did that record change your life?
My state of mind at the time was anxious, and I couldn’t wait to show it to the world. [Making] that record and working with a huge producer like Rick [Rubin] really opened a lot of doors. We toured with some amazing artists and got pushed into the stratosphere alongside people like Bono and Scott Weiland.
The band was signed by legendary producer Rick Rubin, who also produced both records. Can you describe your working relationship with Rubin? What was the creative/development process like?
Working with Rick was always interesting. I think he pushed us really hard because he truly believed in the music. We had a very respectful relationship, and I learned a lot in the whole process of making records. While making the record, especially in the pre-production, we would try so many different things. I think one time for a song he made us all change instruments and wear each other’s shoes while standing on our heads.
Why a reunion show? Why now?
There was a reunion show? I would love to have all the boys who have been in the band play. That would truly make it a reunion show.
It’s funny; people have been asking us to play for a long time. I’ve been so busy with my new band, Golden State, and writing for TV and film, and working on other artist’s records that I felt like it probably wasn’t gonna happen. But [bassist] Tommy [Black] couldn’t resist, and he kept pushing me to do it, so we set a date and fired up those old tunes and it was so much fun from the first down beat!
You’re well known for your falsetto style of crooning. Who are your vocal idols?
I didn’t realize I was well known for that. Ha! I would have to say my idols have always been the great soul singers: Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and Russell Thompkins Jr. from the Stylistics.
The Viper seems to be a home base for the band. Do you remember your first show at the club? Any reflections?
It seems to have been a home base for a while. The first show was when I first moved to L.A., back when Johnny Depp still owned it. That place was so rock n’ roll!
Geography seems to be a running theme in your choices of band names. From the following list — Boston, Chicago, Asia or Berlin — which of these other geographically named bands do you feel the greatest musical kinship with?
Probably Kansas.
What’s next for you?
Well Golden State is really on fire, we have been getting tons of songs placed in TV and film and just recently we had one of our biggest songs “All Roads Lead Home” used for the hit TV show “Deadliest Catch,” and we sold 2,000 records in just one week without a label or publishing company behind us. It feels very empowering to be able to do that and not feel like you’re tied to a sinking ship.
So I’m getting that anxious feeling again, ready to show the world.
See Golden State live on Friday, Oct. 1 when they take over the Viper Room. Tickets are only $10 in advance.
–Brent X Mendoza
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