Here's the medium-length uncut interview that Lee Haley did with Jamie Rowe of London Calling...

Q. Can you give us and overview of London Calling based on your perspective.

London Calling is a hard pop band landingsomewhere between American Hi-fi, Fountains Of Wayne to vintage Cheap Trick. We are a band of good friends playing music that we all absolutely love! We are Christians..but we don't play CCM music. Jon Gilbert, Derek D. Sorrells, and Matthew Martin all came from playing with Miss Angie, Phil Joel, and The Frantics...I came from Guardian. Together we are the self proclaimed "King of Bands" haha!

Q. How did you get the name, and what is its significance?

We just needed a cool name..we were first called "popgun"..but weren't really feeling it. Around that time Joe Strummer had passed away and radio was talking alot about the clash..one day they played London Calling on the radio and I was like "that's it"..it's easy to remember and it's a nod of appreciation that the Clash made music of substance...and it was quite pop in retrospect. The line "London Calling to the far away towns"...that's us.
It's just a cool name.

Q. How has your past success/experience with Guardian played into London Calling? Is it for the better, or do you find it a hinderance?

The positive is..I am still young with a decade of touring and recording experience under my belt. You name a potential situation and chances are I've been through it haha. We are focused more on the mainstream..and I have found out, other than a handfull of breakouts, most 615-CCM artists are "invisible" to the mainstream..so chances are
my past in Guardian doesn't hurt a bit..because they have likley never heard of Guardian. I spoke with one A&R rep who didn't know what I was talking about when I used the term "ccm" in a recent conversation.

Q. Does London Calling have an overall message, a mission if you will, or is it just fun times Rock & Roll?

I don't really seperate the two..Our mission as a band is to play great uplifting music..our personal Spiritual mission as followers of Jesus is to be salt and light in a dark world. We are all serious about serving Christ with our lives..that flows into our occupations -- it should all believers I think.

Q. Jamie, Its apparant that your past three or four projects haven't really made a noticable impact, please clarify if these were just side projects or were you trying to make all of these a go, and they just didn't pan out?

Well, I did alot of studio gigs as a paid singer, but the only project I had running was a cartoon band called Kung Pow Fugitives that ended up not happening in the form that it was originally...it ended up being called "Messengerz" with some others involved and should it see the light of day eventually is up to Forefront Records. The other was a solo career which I have still going. My Spanish language solo disc comes out via Zondervan's Vida Music Lable in early 2004.

Q. What style of music is London Calling, and how would you catergorize it?

Explosive hard pop! Good hooks + energy..timeless.

Q. How did Tim Bushong become producer and what else were his roles in this project?

He's our friend from "back in the day".Tim is a very talented man! He makes recordings of bands that sound big budget..but are very cost effective. It's not about the gear with Tim neccesarily..it's about knowledge and personal attention to what he records...I cannot reccomend Tim enough, especially to the young bands who wanna make music but aren't loaded with cash! He is a great man of God as well.I value his input and friendship.

Q. Are you guys shopping any majors, and do you prefer to be distributed in the mainstream or CBA markets, or both?

Well, to be transparent..the CCM lables have not shown any interest in us. But that hasn't stopped the mainstream lables from contacting us. We have played for Columbia and Warner Bros. in the past month and both have us on their "radar" it seems we get demo solicitations every week from a major or indie. We are just doing what we do, I sent down a disc to INO last week to see if it was something they would want to distribute in the cba. We also sent a disc to Tooth and Nail who I feel are the best lable for Christians making rock music in the past 5 years. But they passed on us.

To answer your question...We are Christians who write and perform music from a Christian worldview...we have something valid for music lovers and music lovers who worship Jesus! Whever we play or sell our music is ultimately up to God. We just need to be obidient and look for the doors He opens.

Q. Jamie, please explain the RATT deal, and your perspective on it?

I am sorry...I don't understand the question..Sorry Lee...this has almost faded off the page..I don't wanna give it a touchup painting..let it die. ;-)

Q. Who are some of the "Big Stars" you have worked with in the past and would like to work with again?

I dunno about big stars..but recently I was excited to hear from Lou Giordano's manager that he likes our cd and wanted to possibly work with us. Lou produced the current release from The Ataris that is a staple in my cd player!

Q. Jamie/Frantics, are you trying to rekindle your past relationships in terms of networking in Nashville with labels, distributors, media, etc, or is London Calling relying on a "grassroots" marketing deal, kinda like starting over?

Well, the Guardian fan base is very loyal..they were the first to be interested in London Calling...but it really is like starting over. I have a few frineds in CCM media who help spread the word...HM Magazine being one of them..but we aren't a typical 615/CCM band so alot of thos avenues aren't really our best fit. We are building the fanbase one show at a time.

Q. Any major tours planned?

We are always doing shows...have stage..we'll play. I would love to gig with Anberlin or Sugarcult or someone like that.

Q. Will Guardian ever tour/play again, and will London Calling open the show?

It's funny..with London Calling being my main focus..I still feel like someday Guardian will play again..maybe for just a few songs in a studio or a couple of shows. Guardian is family to me.

Q. Any parting thoughts you would like to share with our readers?

Yeah..thanks for giving London Calling some attention. I appreciate that HM covers bands that are relevant to music lovers and stands firm as a Christ based publication. Hey readers: Go read "The Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning..it rocked my world and I think it should be required reading for all Christians!

Thanks Lee!

www.thelondoncalling.com