Interview with Jeff Martin (Racer X)

Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 09:30) Written by Steve Parker Sunday, 31 August 2008 17:41

Jeffery Louis Martin is Racer X 's vocalist. He possesses very strong and loud vocals. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and grew up in West Allis, a suburb of Milwaukee. Infernal Scream interviewed Jeff, and found out what he is up to these days.

 

Jeff Martin (Racer X) : Jeff at a race show with a couple of girls and his bikes (1974 850 Norton Command and 1976 Honda 400F)

 

IS: Thank you for being with us and take out time for an interview with Infernal Scream.
Jeff: Your welcome and glad to be here.

IS: So how was your childhood and teenage like? What kind of music you did in early days?
Jeff: I am the seventh son with three brothers and three sisters,some of them played drums guitar and saxophone.All of them listen to tons of different kind of music and that's where I had gotten my main influences like The Beatles,Jimi Hendrix and
Led Zep.I took a few Drum lessons but did not care for it so I just started learning songs riffs and beats from albums.As far as vocals go, I loved "if you can believe it" Tom Jones ,but I did not really start trying to sing till I heard Ian Gillan from Deep Purple or David Byron of the Heep.I really got the vocal bug on when I first heard Rob Halford of Priest and that became my main vocal influence.In my early musical career I traveled around Wisconsin playing in various bands at the age of 13 and 14,all the other members of the groups were in there 20s so I saw and did a lot of things a kid my age should not see and do
yet.......It was fun.


IS: I know that you played drums too, you still play or just focus on your vocals?
Jeff: I try to do both as far as projects go.My solo album I did both.I find I can play Drums with most anyone but my vocals have been harder for me to meld with anyone other than Racer X.I have tryed to write and preform with other bands but it never feels right to me as far as vocals go.

IS: So who were your inspirations in music?
Jeff: As I touched on b4 above The Beatles,Zep and Hendrix ,but also Deep Purple, Black Sabbath,Creem,Grand Funk,UFO,Captin Beyond,Montrose,Gamma and more recently STP,Queens of the Stone Age and I also like Three Days Grace who seem to touch on some of the darker sides of our emotions and depression.I like that.

IS: How is your experience in Racer X?
Jeff: Well its a band I love as far as the people and the music.It was fun in the 80s playing the strip and other venues in the LA area,mainly because every one in the band are such great and eye opening musicians and we were so different from the
hair spray sticky sweet and stupid kind of bands.The looks on some faces after a good pummeling and note worthy song like Motor man or Scarified were precious.Getting back together in 99 and doing the next group of albums was a huge
joy and Tons of fun.I only hope we can do more.On the other note it has been a heart break not to accepted by the industry but we still seem to slug it out.

IS: What is the secret behind your powerful vocals?
Jeff: Well I think its the vocalists I like all seem to be paint peelers, but when I was first learning to sing I practiced on my motorcycle and singing against a 70 mile and hour wind and roar of the engine seemed to pump up things a bit.

IS: Paul is on G3 tour now and has other projects going on, and Scott has commitment with Judas Priest, so how do you guys manage to work in a tight schedule?
Jeff: Theres always a small hole in there some where and we have a really good time when we get together so efforts are made when the time comes .A small bit of planning ahead does the trick most times.

IS: What is your favorite song & album?
Jeff: Favorite album is Super Hero's.Favorite song is a little hard to nail down but I have been dieing to play Dr.X live, I do love 17Th Moon.

IS: What are you doing these days?
Jeff: Not much ....I am coming out of a funk that I have been cast in by my solo project.I had spent allot of money on its making and just trying to fight my way through the financial loss.The deals I were hoping to get and the moneys never came through because of what I am told the down loading craze.I will be doing an album with the Bind Side Blues band in the middle of June and I am doing some vocals with a Lake Tahoe based grope of guys doing a ton of Heavy Metal ......IE... Iron Maiden ,Priest,Sabbath,Racer X...ect .Just for fun but its getting and keeping my pipes in tune and getting my roots back.

IS: Apart from music, what do you do as hobby or hangout etc?
Jeff: I like working on old English and other vintage Motorcycles and riding them. the faster the better.

IS: When Racer X's new album is expected?
Jeff: Well there has been talk but can't say for shure ...ask Paul, he,s the main man.

IS: In the end, Any message you want to give to your fans through Infernal Scream?
Jeff: Keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer and hopefully soon we can get to another RX album and I'm shrue it will prove to be the best.Also say a prayer for our Bass player John Alderetie, who has been diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, push a little spirit and love his way.

Website: http://www.racerxband.com