New episode out now on Spotify, YouTube, and Substack!
Well, we finally got the one and only Joey the Jerk (of LA Symphony) to sit down with me and Nomadik Vagabond. If you were bumping underground hip-hop in the late 90s and early 2000s, you already know the vibe. LAS wasn't just a crew; they were a supergroup that bridged the gap between the Los Angeles underground scene and the Christian hip-hop world in a way nobody else could.
But the road wasn't all Pete Rock beats and sold-out tours. In this episode, Joey opens up about the "shipwrecks"—the record deals that turned into shackles, the cease-and-desist letters for their own music, and the frustration of having a masterpiece (*Call It What You Want*) locked in a vault for years while the world moved on.
We talked about the grit it took to walk into the Warner Bros. offices and demand their freedom, the reality of being "too Christian for the world and too worldly for the church," and how the brotherhood of LAS has managed to stay intact through it all.
Joey: Stanley cup full of water, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and protein powder (the "not trying to die" middle-age special).
Nomadik: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and a Mango Hop Water.
Jamey: Athletic Brewing Lemon Radler and a Blackberry Sour.
Joey isn’t just dwelling on the past. The fire is still lit. He and Cookbook (Jason Soto) have a brand-new album, calling themselves ***OP*** dropping soon (look for it soon), and their first single released this past weekend. Make sure you go support the legends and grab that track.
This conversation was raw, honest, and reminded me why we do this. And even when the industry throws you a curveball, you keep the art moving.
Check out the full episode above. Our Podcast is currently here, on YouTube, and Spotify. We’ll be back everywhere else someday. Maybe.
Summary:
Founding LA Symphony member Joey the Jerk joins Jamey and Nomadik Vagabond to discuss the rise, fall, and resurrection of one of the West Coast's most influential hip-hop collectives. From Will.i.am production to legal battles with major labels, Joey shares the "shipwreck" stories of his career and his current creative resurgence.
Key Topics:
* Technical Difficulties & Bloopers: The struggles of setting up a podcast studio in a closet.
* The Squint/Warner Bros. Saga: How a major label acquisition shelved a finished masterpiece and sidelined the crew for years.
* Mentors vs. Critics: Dealing with the "haterade" from the Christian music industry and the lack of theological depth in the early scene.
* The LAS Brotherhood: Why the crew stays loyal "till the casket drops" despite different life paths.
* CrossFit and Health: Jamey and Joey bond over the struggle to stay fit in middle age.
Links & Mentions:
* New Music: Joey the Jerk x Cookbook are OP – New single out now! Album coming soon!
* Podcasts: https://www.brewsbeards.com
* Community: Shoutouts to DJ Maj, Knowdaverbs, Grits, and the Shadow of the Locust crew.
And don’t miss the new music video from Joey and Cook:
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.