Moniker to twenty-five year old Californian J.M. Lopez, The Body Rampant, is a musical project that toes the line of many genres. Sometimes coming across as jagged, while at others soft, it is hard to pinpoint exactly what box Lopez’s sound belongs in. Though still a relatively unheard of act, Lopez has already put out two EP’s that show the growth and progression of a much more seasoned musician.
From the onset of his first release, Beast, a sense of something darkly theatric comes about, from the rolling bass and distorted sound in opening track, “O Mos Definitely Samoans are the Strongest” to the delicate piano and harmonies of “Static Hands”. This sound comprised of floating cymbal, piano, and whispering harmony comes in to play again during “Empty Season” and the Postal Service-esque intro of“1x1x1”, resulting in an overall pretty sound. However, Lopez also implements production tools and digital effects at some junctures of these songs that we feel take away from the natural talent of his vocals, turning them into something over-processed and a little cheap sounding.
The sophomore EP from The Body Rampant, Framework takes that contrast of soft and harsh to the next level, upping the ante and transforming into a style more akin to bands like As Cities Burn, Anberlin, and the more recent full band work from The Spill Canvas. A bigger vocal belt, a little more edge in the instrumentals, and less digitized synth sounds results in a total transformation for The Body Rampant.
Overall more percussive, implementing double bass, winding riffs and more crash alongside Lopez’s croon, Framework has a little more oomph behind it than the haunted harmonies and pretty piano of Beast.That’s not to say that one is better than the other-that’d be like comparing apples to oranges. These two EP’s are simply different musical directions for Lopez, and points have to be given for his exploration.
Both albums are available for free download via The Body Rampant’s Bandcamp, and since the release of his last EP, The Body Rampant has put out several new songs, which can be heard online, showing that this new comer has done anything but peak.
Singer/songwriter J.M. Lopez, the man behind The Body Rampant recently spoke with Reviewsic about his biggest influences, the stories behind the EP’s and who would play on his “dream tour”.
Reviewsic: Can you give us a quick recap of what you and music have been up to as of late?
J.M. Lopez: Lately I’ve been composing a ridiculous numbers of songs and ideas for my full length album. I’m trying to get an acoustic set together so I can meet new people as opposed to promoting online. We’re also trying to get the three piece live band going again for this summer.
Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
J.M. Lopez: I’m going to say Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, and Boys II Men. All three have been huge impacts on my musical being. John Bonhman and Dave Grohl are my favorite drummers, not to mention Jimmy Page is my idol. Now, Boys II Men, thats just a no brainer…
Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?
J.M. Lopez: My top three musical influences aren’t artists but things.. Nature is a big one, the road pushes me to work hard, and green herbs.
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
J.M. Lopez: I think horn and string instruments are amazing, like trumpet, cello, ect. Beautiful instruments that I had to hire people to do on ‘Beast.’
Reviewsic: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?
J.M. Lopez: “…Is a Real Boy” by Say Anything. “This May Be The Year I Dissapear” Recover “We’re In Like Sin” Just Surrender
Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
J.M. Lopez: Max Bemis from Say Anything probably. He is one of the most talented and influential songwriters of our time in my opinion!
Reviewsic: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?
J.M. Lopez: Honestly the first real show I went to was a ska show, a band called Let’s Go Bowling! haha, umm my first real show was probably AFI or Alkaline Trio.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
J.M. Lopez: My local music scene is struggling so hard.. I wish I could say I even like three local artists..
One of my really good friends Berel Alexander is building a really good grip on the local scene though!
Reviewsic:. What’s the backstory on how the The Body Rampant came to be what it is today?
J.M. Lopez: Well, a few of us were in a Rise band that was slowly dwindling into oblivion. So we left to write some music that had heart and feeling. We brought in a bass player/programmer to help with live shows and recording. We played three shows locally then the other two members quit. I decided I wanted to continue to write music on my own, so I drove to Seattle to record ‘Framework’ with producer extraordinaire Casey Bates. Since then I have been marketing online and now we’re at this point!
Reviewsic: Tell us about your recent releases- is there a particular concept behind them? What was the writing/recording process like for you?
J.M. Lopez: Framework was written over a two week period right after the members quit. I wanted to get back on my feet as soon as possible. The songs have some pretty deep meaning, mostly about friendships going to shit. Usually in life, when I’m hit with something bad, I use it as a catalyst to write music and move on to better things. Framework is, in my opinion, very stripped down musically compared to ‘Beast’ so I just wanted to do something different.
Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as a musician at this point, opposed to when you first began playing?
J.M. Lopez: I started as a guitar player, for many years thats all I did. Now I can consider myself a songwriter. I have been practicing other instruments for a few months now and I’m starting to really love how songs are put together.
Reviewsic: If you were to put together an album of strictly covers, what are a few songs we’d find on it?
J.M. Lopez: I’ve been wanting to cover ‘dancing days’ by Zeppelin for some time now. Mostly likely throw a Tom Petty song in there as well. Maybe some CCR…
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst music moments so far in your career?
J.M. Lopez: My best moments have yet to come! Haha, but I would say touring the country with my last two bands was the best and worst moments all at the same time. For anyone who has been on the road knows it is beautiful and disgusting at the same time. So I would just say..touring in general.
Reviewsic: How did you get your start in music?
J.M. Lopez: My family and friends really pushed me to get going at an early age. My uncle pushed me at age 9 to get a bass, so my brother got me a guitar combo out of the Sears catalog that christmas. Been addicted ever since.
Reviewsic: What are three words you’d use to describe your music to someone who’s never heard it?
J.M. Lopez: Quiet, Loud, Epic. =)
Reviewsic: What are your plans for your music in the next year?
J.M. Lopez: Release my full length and play some damn shows already!!!
