Last June I interviewed Justin Murr about Welcome to the Revolution an album featuring a myriad of talent from Harry Hess, to Mike Roe and stops in between. It was somewhat uneven musically, but it took some chances, and I thought it worked better than a lot of people gave it credit for. Somehow Justin has either found himself a sugar daddy with deep pockets, or he's mortgaged himself to the hilt, because the little wanker is at it again burning cash as a furious rate hiring singers all over the place to produce a follow-up album "Soundtrack to a Soul". If the MP3 samples are any indication, this is going to be one smokin' release when it comes out. Chances are you've not heard of Justin, but the chances are equally good that he has no idea who you are either. So in a way that makes you even.

Now for those of you who read this and think, "Hey! That guy stole his questions from Metal Sludge." The answer is yes - and no. They do a 20 questions, I do a 19 they have lot of cool pictures and swear a lot. I don't have any pictures and I talk about farts and poop whenever I can. They actually drive traffic to an artists' website, I just drive them away.

Without any further preamble, let's flush this sucker and get on with it.

Official Site

1. What are you currently up to? This is the first of many chances to plug your Schlitt.

Justin: Well, Jevon first of all John Schlitt is not on the new CD thanks for asking. Second, just finishing up my sixth Liberty n' Justice CD even tough most people only know about our last years release Welcome To The Revolution and our new one Soundtrack Of A Soul.

No one cares about the first four they are just forgotten relics and maybe thats because they don't have Steve Pearcy, Lou Gramm, Jamie Rowe etc.... on them. Who knows what are your thoughts on this?

2. Let's get this out of the way really early so it's not a millstone around your proverbial neck. Hello, it's 2005 - not 1985 and here you are acting like the Pied Piper of Hair dredging up singers from past, as if anyone other than a handful of die hard fans who would seem out of place at a Star Trek convention really care, and getting them to sing on your album. Do you really expect anyone to actually give a RATT's behind if these guys were ever heard from again?

Justin: LOL, it got this interview didn't it? The last CD sold well enough to do this one and I know the hottest trend in music is hard rock/metal so why not jump on board plus I can't afford Rob Zombie!

P.S. Long Live The Mullet!

3. In 2004 you released Welcome to the Revolution an album I thought was pretty fargin decent. Rap and all. It seems like you took a lot of heat for some of the songs, and have been taking shots at the production, songs etc. It's like you want people to say it was crap or something. What's the deal?

Justin: Still stuck on Welcome To The Revolution huh? And you say I'm the one dredging up the past! Let me say the CD is what it is. In a years time I've taken enough heat for that CD but then again not everyone hates it either. It's like an ugly sibling, in enough time give it a chance it will grow on you. In fact my ex-partner at 3 Chords is about to sign a deal with a major Christian distributor to get "WTTR" in every store in America. People hear I'm about to sign a deal for the new CD and everybody sees $$$$ signs and starts selling the past. What's next LNJ action figures...hey wait a minute...

4. Rate the following singers on a scale of 1 to 10. 1 being someone who sounds like Carman, or Will Farrell getting hit in the nuts (I can't tell the difference, can you tell the difference?), and 10 having a voice like Jamie Rowe (but better)

a) Lou Gramm: in the 80's 10 now 5
b) Larry Norman: never like Larry's voice 4
c) Justin Murr: who?
d) Stephen Pearcy: attitude alone 7
e) Amy Grant: she can sing just not a style I like 8
f) Ozzy: singing 7.5 talking .05
g) Leif Garrett: Leif rocks, he did a great job 8
h) Jamie Rowe: 9 1/2 because on your scale 10 is like Jamie Rowe (but better)
i) Brian Johnson: ACDC 3 but I still dig the band
j) Stano Bano: ????? really who??????

5. Rumour has it that you can book Liberty N' Justice to play live. Uh, just how in the heck do you manage that one? Hand puppets and lip-synching? You planning a tour with Ashlee Simpson or something?

Justin: For $35,000 I will bring, listen up now, my boombox, all 6 LNJ CD's plus...plus the unreleased garbage, a bag of Funyons, my wife and kids, and, and Jevon The Tall who will handle the CD playing while I lip sync to "Rise" (only doing the Scott Wenzel parts) as my kids play with the light switch to give me this special event that "Rock Star" feel. Any takers email me ASAP, I mean ASAP!

6. You've been playing with hired guns for a couple of years now. How grateful are some of these guys to see the inside of a studio again? Who's been the coolest so far, and who is in the most need of fervent prayer?

Justin: Coolest? Hmmm really I have to say I enjoy working with Jamie Rowe, Dale Thompson, Scott Wenzel that's why we brought them back for another CD of all the new guys I really dug Oni Logan. He was a down to earth guy, very cool. I all so enjoyed Ez Gomer, this guy bent over backwards to help and a few others as well.

The hardest? I know you want dirt but really every one was ok, probably because they were getting paid.

Pearcy was the hardest for my producer(Mike Layne) to work with. Stephen wanted to do things his way and Mike had a vision for the song. Anytime they would debate Stephen would throw up "I've sold 18 million records how many have you sold?" Once all the egos got laid down everything was cool.

7. Yes or no, has Justin Murr ever:

a) Sung along to Highway to Hell by AC/DC: Of course, were all born sinners aren't we?
b) Wondered if there are naked pictures of Amy Grant on the net somewhere: Amy no...Jevon yes!!! Well are there?
c) Been afraid to answer a question because his wife would beat him senseless: Answer A Question: Are you married if you are you already know this answer....YES!
d) Tried to light a fart: Of course, I spent all our savings on the new CD. Got to keep the kids warm someway.
e) Been told not to sing, or attempt to sing, or make any attempt to make singing noises: all the time and I'm sick of it!!! I can sing, just not on key.
f) Wondered what a babe like Sharon sees in you: No she met be back in my early 20's when I was young, thin and had a mullet. She begged me to marry her, now that I'm 32 and look like one of the Soprano's she probably wonders why.
g) Been told you need to be more Christian: I hate that, tell someone to get the log out of their own eye.
h) Worn parachute pants and had a mullet: Yes I did. In fact I would grow a mullet right now but I'd look like Meatloaf (the singer not the food)
i) Wanted to get Rob Halford to sing for you, but you weren't willing to take one for the team: What team and what would I be taking? The more I do your questions the more I am getting confused. Plus all I can think about now is meatloaf, thanks a lot.
j) Prayed the lottery ticket you bought was a winner: How do you think I am paying for all this!

8. In 1996 you released Forever Till the End isn't that a rather redundant title, or did it just sound cool to you guys? I was listening to "Yesterday's News", and I thought it was a cover of Malcom and Alwyn's classic song. Then I realized their song was "Tomorrow's News" - no wonder I couldn't hear an Autoharp. Do you still sell copies of your older stuff - and does anybody care?

Justin: Got an email today someone wanted to buy the old stuff. I told my mom she didn't need to email she just could call if she wanted something. To further answer your question, "Bargain Bin" is available through 3 Chord records and of course my site. Kinda weird that you asked I am putting together Forever Till The End to rerelease it (like anybody bought it the first time) with new artwork and 3 unreleased songs stay tuned kiddies. Watch how a grown man saturates the market!!!

9. If you were able to convert anyone over from the darkside who would it be?

Justin: Anakin Skywalker

10. You have a website http://www.libertynjustice.net/ and you've been interviewing a lot of the musical talent lately, and been doing a pretty good job. Do you let them know you're asking the questions? Sometimes it seems like they don't know what's going on. Speaking of not knowing what's going on, banophernalia.com interviewed you last year, and there's no link to them. Man are you just cold, or forgetful?

Justin: Concerning the interviews, I really have been enjoying ripping off Metal Sludge (hey kinda like this) and sometimes after reading some of the answers I don't know what people are thinking. I ask, they say yes and I email questions. I wonder if they think between me writing and them answering if someone else sneaks in and slides a question in. As far as your site goes, I am sorry I will have it linked up ASAP. This time though MAIL THE CHECK!!!

11. Does Leif Garret appreciate you referring to him as a 70's teen idol. Speaking of which how do you as a Christian reconcile putting an idol on your CD? Isn't that a little, well - wrong?

Justin: Leif is famous for being a teen idol, what else can I label him as? As far as the rest of your question, yes idols are bad but your are stretching the word a little bit. I watch American Idol but it does not mean I worship them. I worship only one and I put no idols in front of him (or try not to) and I have destroyed all my golden calves years ago.

12. So you managed to get Stephen Pearcy to sing for you - that's pretty cool. What, you couldn't get Jani Lane?

Justin: Who said Jani wasn't on this CD, I didn't did I?

13. Weren't you just a little afraid of Dale Thompson? I mean, the guy looks like someone who could beat back an army with the jawbone of an ass ... how did he take direction or was it, "Yes Dale, that's great. One take, perfect!" and then run like hell for cover before he opened a can of righteous whoop ass on you?

Justin: To put it very blunt, Dale's scared of me. He shakes at the very words I speak. In fact he was so scared he recorded in Kentucky while I was in Illinois. If he was here (and I'm not telling you where I'm at) I would tell this to his face!

14. Ah, the ever popular word association question. Or as we like to call it, "the ever popular word association question"

a) CCM: needs a good washing
b) Carman: R.I.O.T.
c) Gospel of Prosperity: My father in Heaven's the King, me being his son wouldn't he want me to prosper?
d) DeGarmo & Key: Never were fans of these guys,sorry.
e) Daniel Amos: The real Holy Roller
f) Amos and Andy: are these guys cookie makers, I love the cookie!
g) Paris Hilton: Paying the price of Fame
h) Royalty cheques (oh, that's Canadian for check): Never saw one,what does it look like?
i) Welcome to the Revolution: in 2015 going for $125 on ebay
j) Skid marks: something Sharon yells at me about

15. If money was no object, and you were able to work with anyone in the business who would it be?

Justin: Steve Perry, I think he is the voice!!!

16. The Bible is a book that is broken into
a The left and right testicles
b The new and old testaments
c A bunch of little pieces that were fed to the Israelites by Moses

Justin: B, but also the living word of God and the all-time best book seller.

17. How do you explain the involvement of non Christians on the Soundtrack of a Soul album to Christians who think only Christians should be singing on a Christian album - and do you think that there are really Christian farmers with Christian cows who make Christian milk just for Christians?

Justin: Can't please everyone, already have received what I call hate mail "trying to buy your own world series ring" ,"can't save the world with the world" ,and my favorite "hope you enjoy your music in hell" People already judging without even hearing what I am trying to say. "SOAS" is 15 songs about "me" and my personal failures and faults but finding in all the mess that I am I have a Saviour and his name is Jesus Christ. Some will say it is a dark album lyrically, but everyone that has heard it has really said they love it and it rocks from start to finish and there is no denying who is record was really recorded for.

18. The last of Justin Murr

a) Last time you read your Bible: every morning I read proverbs that coincide with that day
b) Last time you said a word sounding like truck, fit, or wombat: asking if I curse, to be honest I really never have. Wife gets mad but I say off the wall stuff like "you have the common sense of road kill" and I have called someone a wombat before that is funny that you put that word there. I have a lot of other faults though want to know what they are?
c) Last time you prayed for forgiveness: every night
Last time movie you saw: Star Wars Episode 3
d) Last CD you bought: Def Leppard "Anthology"
e) Last song you wrote: I am already starting to write for the next one (Lord willing) and the last song I wrote is called "Kicks"
f) Last rock star (real or otherwise) you shook hands with: Tony Harnell of TNT
g) Last time you witnessed to someone: hopefully everyday in one way or another but the last time the Lord used me to lead someone to him was a few years ago.
h) Last time you took a really satisfying dump without anyone bugging you about turning on the fan: every morning I grunt and strain at 7:15 am so for all those people out there, don't call me then. As far as the stench, I linger in my own aroma as long as I can!

19. Soundtrack of a Soul, when's it coming out, where can people get it, when am I getting my evaluation copy?

Justin: To be honest "SOAS" will not be out till 06'. We (I) are going to be very soon signing deals for North America, Europe/Asia, and Brazil. This CD will be everywhere and as far as your copy when you going to buy one you cheapskate.

I'm outta here like the food when I'm at a buffet line!!!!

Peace!!!!
JBM

Well, aside from a truly horrible image of Justin sans mullet sitting on the crapper at 7:15 in the morning making meatloaf, this was a truly unusual experience. Justin you should make up a T-shirt with Justin 7:15 on them. Just so you know, JBM? BM always stood for bowell movement in our house, so I guess it's keeping with the theme.

PS Stano Bano is the imaginary lead singer of The Banos - you think you have issues singing ...

And, HEY I BOUGHT THE LAST ONE! You mean I have to wait until next year? Man, that's ages away! Rock on JBM, rock on!

Jevon the Tall
banopernalia.com
June 2005