We are pretty sure no one can say they enjoy the awkward silences during a conversation. You know that pause where either the exchange is at a standstill or you are unsure whether the other person is done speaking and it becomes your turn. No matter how extroverted you may be, we all come across these floundering dialogues. Thanks to these dreadful moments, we are able to cherish those free flowing chats even more. You can’t have the good without the bad. So, show a little appreciation for those lackluster discussions you have.

We send our gratitude to those bands where our interviews have fallen flat, even though this occurs very rarely. We are not here to flaunt our music journalist skills, but rather the talent of the Las Vegas band, Adelitas Way. The rock group, consisting of vocalist, Rick DeJesus, guitarist, Keith Wallen, bassist, Derek Johnston and drummer, Trevor Stafford released their debut self-titled album back in 2009 and is back with their sophomore album, ‘Home School Valedictorian’, which will drop June 7th via Virgin Records. We had the honor of covering Adelitas Ways’ musical journey as the group approached their ‘Home School Valedictorian’ release date. The album’s single “Sick” and the track’s music video set off an endless supply of adrenaline throughout our bodies primarily due to the rock and roll authenticity radiating from the group and in turn being absorbed by us. Who doesn’t enjoy a music chain reaction like this one? This coupling exactly explains why music has remained so widely influential.

We got a chance to interview the lead singer, Rick DeJesus, about the group’s forthcoming album and summer tour plans. It was kind of like a scene from the film “Almost Famous,” well sort of. We chatted with Rick, while he and the band were driving for nine hours in West Virginia to get to their upcoming performance. We only knew Adelitas Way and Rick through listening to the group’s tunes and watching their music videos. So, you would probably think our conversation had its early rough patches. Fortunately enough that was not the case. When conversing with Rick, we felt he was just as thrilled and grateful to be discussing his music with us and, in turn, with you Shockya readers as we were to pick his brain about the subject.

Sit back and enjoy reading this interview because we can guarantee you Rick DeJesus and Adelitas Way wanted nothing more than for you Shockya readers to feel and understand the passion behind the group’s album, ‘Home School Valedictorian’.

by Lonnie Nemiroff

What’s the meaning behind your sophomore album, ‘Home School Valedictorian’?

It means a lot, though. First of all we didn’t want to do some generic album name. We didn’t want to come out with some name that doesn’t mean anything, you know? ‘Home School Valedictorian’ is something that means a lot to the band and I think it means something to everyone else out there. I think a home school valedictorian is a person who thinks they are better than everyone else. In a class of one, there is the top person. There is a number one person in our minds. I think we all know that person who thinks they are better than everyone else. I don’t know. You know that person and the arrogance.

What do you think separates this album from your debut album?

It is just better. I think the first album was a great starting point for us. It was a great way for the band to get out there. I am not taking anything away from it, but we raised the bar really high on this record. It is our time to come out and make our stamp on music. It is our time to come out and start playing with the big boys and this record is going to get us to that level. I think when people pop this thing in, the first thing they are going to think is, “wow, Adelitas Way has stepped it up massively.”

What inspired the lyrics behind your single, “Sick”?

Everybody feels the way that “Sick” is. Everybody feels sick to be underpaid, sick going to work when the boss piles more work on them and not paying enough, sick of doing your best in everything then somebody has something to complain about. There are numerous times where I just didn’t want to show up to my job. I think everyone has felt that way and we just let it out on the song.

What was it like making the video for “Sick”?

The video for “Sick” was fun. It was a great experience. We shut down an entire road in LA and got to play with a lot of fire. I got set on fire. It burnt my hair and my eyebrows that was exciting. We chose to go with fire because we wanted that atmosphere that just kind of felt amped up. We are playing in front of flames and things are broken. We are rocking out. I think with that people can kind of get a visual of what the song is about.

Have any new music videos coming up?

We don’t have a new video we are working on right now. We are going to let “Sick” run its course. We are about to break the Top 5 in Rock. MTV is playing the video. So, I think we are going to go out on the road a little bit and tour a little bit more. We are going to let this record drop on the 7th.

Do you know what your next single is going to be?

I would hope it would be “The Collapse” and “Cage The Beast.” Those are two songs that come to my mind right away. I think both of those songs make the noise of rock. At the end of the day we want to get out to the masses of the world. We have a song on the record called “Alive” that I think is going to get out to the masses. We are just doing what we have to do to touch every human being we can with our songs.

I listened to “Alive” on iTunes preview and it is an awesome track, along with “Cage The Beast.” Out of the 11 tracks on the album, which is your favorite?

It is hard to pick one favorite song. I think that every song has such meaning to it, you know? “Alive” is a good feel good song. “I Can Tell” is very personal. It is one of my favorite songs to perform and listen to. I have been listening to our album. When we drive with the band, we turn it up. I can’t believe we put this together. I would listen to our band if I wasn’t in our band, which is pretty cool. I don’t want to make no record that I wouldn’t want to listen to.

That’s a good point to make. Is there any general theme across the whole album?

I don’t think there is one kind of general theme of the record. It is a lot of ups and downs. It is life. I think the whole record has a lot of emotions on it. It is very, very diverse.

Looking forward to playing these new tunes on your summer tour?

Oh, we’ve been playing them and the response is unbelievable. I think that right there makes us feel ten times better. When we play the tracks live, the people go nuts. The reaction back to us has been amazing and I think we are accomplishing our goal and making our own mark.

Got a favorite track to perform live on the tour?

I think we definitely have our tracks we love to play. We open up the show with “The Collapse” and it gets the crowd started and us started. Right when that song comes on, I feel like I just want to jump in the crowd. I just want dive out into the crowd.

Your album drops this Tuesday. Any celebration plans?

I think we celebrated enough as a band. We have a good time together and I think it is going to be another day for us to hang out and reflect on our hard work we have done. Maybe have some drink, loosen up a little bit. You never know. I think it is going to be a day where we just realize what’s going on what we’ve been doing. It is a big deal to have your album released.

Any other news about your album and summer tour?

We didn’t make some sh-t album. We made something real. We made something that I want people to hear. I want people to listen to. We wanted to make a record that shifted back to rock and roll and I think we did that.

Adelitas Way
Adelitas Way

By lonnie

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