Is it a question?  Or perhaps it's more of a statement?  That's the first thing that comes to mind when hearing this band's name.  In all reality it is much larger than that.  By naming themselves God or Julie they've broadened the spectrum from God to just a girl who happens to be named Julie to everything else that falls in between.

 

After doing more research, I discovered that the Denver-based band have gone through some big changes as a band, changing both the guitarist and drummer at some point. Currently they have created a solid package consisting of John Paul Johnson (JP) vocals and guitar, Adam Johnson on bass, Matt Hogan guitar, and Aaron Stern on drums, formerly of the now defunct Matchbook Romance.  I had the pleasure of speaking with Adam Johnson via telephone, who gave me the lowdown on God or Julie.  Oh, and be sure to catch them in early spring as they embark on a huge nationwide tour with Chevelle and Finger Eleven.

 

PUM: What would you think would be three central words to describe your band?

 

Johnson: I would say... dark, melodic, and heavy.

 

PUM:  Ooh interesting... You guys sound similar to the band Ours!  That's awesome.  Now, I understand that JP creates most of the lyrics.  Do you all have input or is this his "specialty?"

 

Johnson: It's JP, he does all of our lyrics for our music.

 

PUM:  Let's talk about the actual music, who do you think your fan base is?

 

Johnson: It's pretty broad.  I mean we have 13,14,15 year old fans... basically the teenagers; 13-18 years old.  We also have a lot of fans in their 20's and early 30's.

 

PUM: That's a great fan base!  So, how do you appeal to them?

 

Johnson: There's nothing planned specifically.  It's melodic, it's appealing.  We just play and hopefully people enjoy it.  It's really hard to read other people, especially as you get older.  Music doesn't make the same impression on a 29 year old as a 13 year old.

 

PUM: That's very true... The band has seen quite a bit of changes between drummers and guitarists, do you think you guys have finally assembled the "ultimate God or Julie crew?”

 

Johnson: I think so.  First was Matt and he was great, high energy!  But we were worried about finding a drummer.  See drummers are a weird breed.  They have a fear of commitment.  We happen to be looking for a drummer the same time Aaron's old band broke up.  It was meant to be!

 

PUM:  So This Road Before debuted at the end of 2007, what was a highlight in creating the album?

 

Johnson: We realized that we could do a lot of it on our own.  It was a pretty cool realization.  As we recorded, a perfect album title meant a lot. However it was also really nice hearing the demo all the way up to the album!

 

PUM: So, what would your recommended track on This Road Before be?

 

Johnson: My pick would be “This Road Before” and “I Was So Wrong.”  However I think a lot of people will like “Say Your Last Goodbye” and “Nothing Further From the Truth”.

 

PUM: Now looking back, would you change anything with the band if you could?

 

Johnson:  We had wanted so much but going forward we realized that ultimately things happen for a reason.  You can't always control that, you have to go with it.

 

PUM: What is your next step after this?

 

Johnson:  "We're going to start touring in the next couple months in secondary markets."

 

PUM: Any Chicago dates?

 

Johnson:  Yes, hopefully end of February or early March.

 

PUM:  Well, it been great talking to you! As a final question, where is your absolute favorite place to party while on tour?

 

Johnson: Hm... I'd say Denver, Colorado our hometown.  That or Vegas

 

By: Kim Evans - Contributing Writer