Rock Bandit has a magic bag of tricks
Presenting Mr. Tanner Lex Jones. Born and raised in Logan, he’s one of the town’s finest troubadours. He’s also the frontman of a band called the Rock Bandits. Ever heard of ’em? If not, don’t get depressed and start eating frosting straight from the can. Just remedy the situation and read on:
Utah Statesman: So your middle name is really Lex?
Tanner Lex Jones: Yeah. Tanner came from Mom, Lex came from Dad.
US: It’s a cool middle name. So you perform solo as well as with the Rock Bandits. Let’s talk about you first. Where are you from?TLJ: I grew up just half a block from here (in Logan). Except for my mission, I’ve always been in Logan.
US: When did you start playing the guitar?
TLJ: Around middle school. My family members were guitarists, and someone just showed me a few chords. I started borrowing my sister’s guitar, which probably got annoying. But then that next Christmas, I got my first guitar.
US: What was it?
TLJ: A 12-string Fender acoustic.
US: Do you play any other instruments?
TLJ: I play the clarinet. I started in sixth grade and was in band through middle school, high school and college. Now I’m in the clarinet choir this semester.
US: So that guitar you’re playing now is a Samick.
TLJ: Yeah. I got it on my mission. That’s when it got its name, which I wrote inside.
US: Ah, “Faith,” I see.
TLJ: It says, “My name is Faith, don’t lose me.”
US: That’s funny. And what’s your favorite guitar?
TLJ: Probably Mr. Stick. It’s orange.
US: So what are your musical influences?
TLJ: My older brother, Derek, is one of my biggest influences. He started writing songs and playing the guitar the same time I did, and we kind of collaborated. His songs are really powerful to me. And my mom has always been a big influence. She played the organ in church, and I’d lie under the bench when she’d practice on Saturdays. And my dad was good at playing the radio, like Zeppelin and Cream. Those classic rock influences are pretty integral to my style now.
US: So music runs in your family?
TLJ: Yeah, most of us play something. My younger brother plays the fiddle, and Derek and I played in a bluegrass trio together. I played the orchestra bass. That was fun.
US: So have you put out an album?
TLJ: I made an album in December ’06 called “Alta.” Now I’m trying to finish what I call “The Desire to Dance.”
KG: Nice. And the Rock Bandits have an album, right?
TLJ: Yeah, it’s called “Save the Hangman.”
US: Did you ever have T-shirts?
TLJ: Yeah. They had cross-pistols on them with the words “Make out like a bandit” or something like that.
US: Wow. Do you still have some?
TLJ: No, we sold out. But we sort of became infamous because a high school kid wore the shirt to school and he got sent home. One of those glory moments of being in a rock band.
US: When did you form the Rock Bandits?
TLJ: I was in bands with Todd (drummer of the Rock Bandits) in high school. When I got home from my mission, Todd and I started playing again, and we got a couple other kids to be in the band. We formed a name when we decided to release a CD. There were about 24 songs I had made since getting home, and Todd picked half of those to go on the Rock Bandits album, which became “Tanner Jones and the Rock Bandits.” The other half went on the album, “The Jester Mr. Tanner Lex Jones and his Magic Bag of Tricks,” which was just me.
US: Where’s your favorite place to play?
TLJ: House parties. They’re always the most fun. And they’re free.
US: Do you play anywhere outside of Logan?
TLJ: I’ll be playing a show later this month with Austin Heller at Kilby Court in Salt Lake. And the Bandits have played a couple shows in Ogden and Kilby court.
US: So how can we find out about shows and stuff?
TLJ: The band and I have MySpace pages. The band’s is myspace.com/therockbandits. Mine is myspace.com/tannerlexjones.
Myspace may be kinda silly, but not when you’re using it for the majesty that is Tanner Jones and the Rock Bandits. Go and listen to their tunes and find out about their latest shows. Also, go to cc.usu.edu/~tannerlex and download all of Tanner’s songs for free. That’s right, free! Go now!!
If you are a fantastic flautist and have something to say for yourself, contact Kelly at kelly.green@aggiemail.usu.edu.