Jason Heath & The Greedy Souls have released a high-energy album called “Earth Fire Water Airborne.” The ever-charitable frontman sat down to talk with US Rocker about his mentor, Wayne Kramer, new music, and the charitable organization, Jail Guitar Doors, that carries on in Kramer’s name.
US Rocker: How did you record the title track with Wayne Kramer and where was it recorded?
JH: I had the song ready to record and there was a giant instrumental bridge that I was trying to think of how to arrange when I remembered Wayne had told me one of his favorite things to do musically was to stretch out and have a an improvisational musical conversation with another guitar player.. so I went down the hall and asked him to come to the studio and have one with Justin and that’s what ya hear on the record. We recorded it at the JGD ALL ONE studio at the CAPO center.
USR: How many of the songs on the album were influenced by Wayne?
JH: I’m not sure directly, but Wayne and I have similar views on the world and our place in it and how we should maneuver in it, anyway. Wayne taught me a lot about life, how to be of service and how to be a man of character and integrity. Losing him was profound for me and there are songs about loss and our mortality on the this record. Like “A Perfect Sound: Don’t Be Afraid” and “Your Disease,” and whenever I’m dealing with my spirituality and struggles with alcohol and drugs, Wayne is always present in my mind, as he was my Sponsor and literally saved my life.
USR: What are your personal favorite songs on the record?
JH: That’s hard to say… but usually the last song I write is the one that’s freshest in my mind and I’m most excited about having watched it grow up and become what it wants to be and I enjoy a lot. “A Perfect Sound” was literally written while the record was being mixed and we added it at the last minute. I really like the way that came together and how it sounds with everyone’s contributions. Of course the title track has Wayne’s playing and “the night the sun burned out” has a lot of the really cool sound design that Tyler (Lyons) is so good at, so I really dig that, but like I said its hard to pick.
USR: Are there any songs on the new album that reflect your work with Jail Guitar Doors?
JH: Yeah, “Your Disease” was written while we we’re going through the loss of one of our first student artists at the CAPO center, Tosh Hubbard, and it was really painful and it wasn’t until I finished the lyrics that I realized I was remembering a conversation that he and I had right before he passed. And “Children Chains and Razorwire” is directly about the incarceration of youth and immigrant children. I actually was working with some youth that were incarcerated at Camp Paige in LA County and I had them all sing the outro of the song so they’re actually on the record. I wrote a lot of the riffs and songs on down time between classes I was teaching at different Juvenile Halls and Camps.
USR: Where did you grow up and which songs, if any, on the album reflect your upbringing?
JH: I grew up in Los Angeles. I think the song “Wake Up Famous’ is about the obsession of being the center of attention or being in some group that considers itself superior to others. You see that stuff a lot when you’re in the entertainment biz out here in LA for sure. Especially with the advent of the social media obsession. Andy Warhol was a prophet!
USR: Have you always had an affinity for “roots rock” and how did that love come about?
JH: Yeah I guess I’ve always been drawn to stories in songs and so folk, outlaw country, blues etc have always been close to my heart and a lot of those elements are in “roots rock” but the stories are in Hop Hop, Punk, and other genres as well.
USR: Will you be going on tour?
JH: Yes we will be planning for spring 2026 or maybe sooner for some shorter west coast and east coast runs.
USR: How did you meet the band members?
JH: Well Jason Federici and myself have been friends for about 30+ years and had many adventures together and Justin has been in the band for quite some time. We met him through an add in Bandmix. He used to teach Alyssa at School of Rock and she joined the band after singing backup on the last record and at the Ford Theater when we opened for Wayne and MC50. Steve was also a Bandmix add. This is the best band I’ve ever played with and I think the record shows that for sure… couldn’t be happier with it the band or the record.
USR: How do people download the album, and on which platforms will it be available?
JH: It should be available everywhere that underpays the artist for music … But seriously, you can buy from our website as well www.jasonheathandthegreedysouls.com
USR: How is Jail Guitar Doors doing, what are the next projects and how do people contribute?
JH: Our north star has always been “Where’s the need?” and that has served us and the folks we serve well. No reason to stop now. We’ve opened some re-entry housing and paid apprenticeships in Filmmaking and Audio Engineering. Hoping to buy aa bigger building for more housing in the new year and double the size of our apprenticeship program as well. Housing, education and career paths as well as mental health services are real solutions so that’s where we are and you can contribute at our website and to our Go Fund Me project here.
Support Jail Guitar Doors at this link.
Check out Earth Fire Water Airborne here:
