JamBase Questionnaire: Truth & Salvage Co.

Warm, harmonious, rootsy and inviting, Truth & Salvage Co. stir memories of The Band, The Jayhawks and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Yet this young band with roots in New Orleans, Indianapolis, Ohio, Tupelo and elsewhere also sound like their own men, coming at listeners from multiple angles due to four singer-songwriters in their midst. The combination of ancestral textures and self-determination makes for an awfully winning sound that's immediately likeable but also offers nuggets for the long haul. Their self-titled debut (released May 25) is a quintessential grower, a song cycle that slowly but surely insinuates itself into one's life. Produced with a light hand by The Black Crowes' Chris Robinson, the album is a wonderful handshake for a band that only seems to be growing stronger as they gig furiously around the U.S. and abroad bringing some awfully sweet music to any friendly folks that'll have 'em. (Dennis Cook)

In a first for the JamBase Questionnaire, four members of the band decided to chime in. Here's what Truth & Salvage Co. had to say to our inquiries.

< font size=1>Truth & Salvage Co.

Name: Walker Young
Instrument(s) of choice: piano, organ, vocals
Nicknames: Snakehandler Slim

Name: Bill Smith
Instrument(s) of choice: 1971 Gretsch drum kit and vocals
Nicknames: Smitty, The Mohican

Name: Tim Jones
Instrument(s) of choice: '73 Fender Telecaster Deluxe, Shure SM 58 (Beta)
Nicknames: Jonesy, Springbreak (from Chris Robinson)

1. Great music rarely happens without…
A great song. Give me a great song and I won't care if your guitar is out if tune. But please do try to keep it tuned. (Scott)

2. The first album I bought was…
The first album I bought was…Best of Lou Reed. On cassette tape. I was like nine, I bet, and I heard "Walk On The Wild Side." Somebody told me Bob Dylan wrote it; this was also the first time I ever heard of Bob Dylan. So, I went to the record shop and asked for "Walk On The Wild Side" by Bob Dylan and, of course, the record store kid looked at me like I was stupid. Record store people seem to still look at me like I'm stupid. I don't take it personally; I'm sure they struggle with disillusionment. Anyway, so they inform me that the song was by Lou Reed and I bought his greatest hits and listened and loved it and so became the gender bending rocker I am today. Thanks, Lou! (Scott)

3. The last song or album to really flip my wig was…
"If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys. I grew up in New Orleans and the big soul pop station in the 80s was Q-93. All day they would play the best R&B of the time. Don't get me wrong I like where R&B has gone but when I heard "If I Ain't Got You" it instantly reminded me how innocent and emotional R&B used to be. I downloaded and listened repeatedly and honestly teared up every time. On a more "hip" note, I've been wearing out Leon Russell's debut album, especially the tune "Delta Lady " (Scott)

4. When I was a kid I wanted to grow up to be…
A State Highway Patrolman. Stability was important to me coming from a blue collar, working class family. I knew a couple of "statey's" growing up and they had nice houses. I thought that was my calling. Then in high school someone told me how bad of a drummer I was and it was then that I set out to prove them wrong. 20 years later I am still on that path and lovin' every minute of it. (Bill)

5. My favorite sort of gig is…
Playing for people that need musical salvation. (Bill)

6. One thing I wish people knew about me is…
That I am the son of a third generation dairy farmer. I was very fortunate to come from a very loving, hard working family of six. I used to have to practice my drums in the barn. (Bill)

7. I love the sound of…
Sunday. When it's quiet and peaceful in the afternoon and there's a collective stillness in the air. (Tim)

8. One day I hope to make an album as fantastic as…
The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street. Let's shoot for the top. (Tim)

9. The best meal I ever had on tour was at…
DFAC at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq. (Tim)

10. I always find the coolest audiences in…
Asheville, NC. We lived in Asheville for about ten years. There is an amazing creative energy there and the residents love great music. They have been incredibly supportive through our evolution as a band and are excited as ever for T&S Co. (Walker)

11. The worst habit I've picked up being on the road all the time is…
I drink so much alcohol that I can't remember what my bad habits are or aren't. In fact, I can't remember anything. Guys, are we on the road? (Walker)

12. The Beatles or the Stones? Por qué?
I really prefer the southern rock style of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Growing up in Georgia they had much more influence on me and the music I write than either the Stones or The Beatles. (Walker)

13. The craziest thing I ever saw was…
A beast that stood 14-feet tall, with eyes blacker than night, teeth like a shark and a nose like a bull with a cast iron ring through his septum. He was a behemoth of a creature covered in buffalo fur, steam rising from his sweat- matted shoulders, and with a scent not unlike fried potatoes and fish. He asked, "Do you have something to smoke?" I replied, "Weed or tobacco?" "Weed," he opined. "Well, you're in luck, buddy, because we happen to be in the great state of California!" I retorted. To this day we are still the best of friends. (Scott)

A medicine man in the bush of West Africa. (Bill)

An electric pink and blue neon Vishnu come down from a wooden ceiling when I was 15-years- old. (Tim)

I went to a protest at a Tennessee weapons plant where four nuns crossed over into the weapons facility. After 9/11 this was seen as a terrorist act, which would land them in jail for four years, possibly more. The emotion surrounding that day and the fact that our government threw four nuns in jail for peaceful protest seriously impacted me. It is something I think of often: The dedication of those four women, risking everything to bring awareness to the destructive nature of war; Their dedication to a cause higher than themselves. This is the same reason we play music and attempt to reach people through song. (Walker)

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