Hard Working Band Plays Oklahoma City by Mark Maxey

Sunday, April 03, Sparta rolled into town for an evening of hard playing rock and roll at Bricktown Live. MidCity Advocate was allowed to speak with drummer, Tony Hajjar. The night before at their San Antoine, Texas show their merchandise money was stolen. “That was the first time this has happened on the road,” Hajjar said. “None of us are happy with this, as this is how we make our living, and it’s our life, it just unfortunate.” Sparta is comprised of remnants of At The Drive In band. Hajjar, Jim Ward, guitarist; and bassist Paul Hinojos. They are on the Geffen record label.

I arrived around 5pm to see about getting an interview. Three eager fans were already there, and had been there for an hour before. Jeremy Rhodes arrived because he is a big fan. “I have followed them ever since At The Drive In and when they broke up and formed Sparta,” Rhodes said. “It is good music and not too many bands are putting out good music now.” Michael Gabriel joined Rhodes in the waiting outside and got to hear their sound check.

One interesting note was a duo standing outside around my age, which seemed odd. Steven and Nancy Stiles, of Ft. Smith Arkansas, had driven up for their son’s sixteenth birthday. “I think it is a monumental event in a young man’s life,” Steven said. “Ever since he saw Sparta with Weezer our son was a fan. The crowd at that show was very good and we wanted to treat our son to a memorable birthday,” Nancy said.

Hajjar reflected upon his reconnection in growing up in El Paso. “The biggest point was at twenty-two; I was living in El Paso, and on the weekends I would go to Juarez. You take advantage of your surroundings,” Hajjar said. “It shapes you. I took a lot of things for granted. We grew up in a modest hard working community. Eighty-eight percent is Hispanic, people who would have less than us, always will, it humbles you with what you are doing. How lucky you are. To continue to know where you head is, and being humble. And do what you enjoy.”

When asked about the difference of being with a major record label versus an independent label, Hajjar had this to say. “You know we have been really really lucky. Labels know what we do; we do what we do without compromising.” He said they welcome criticism and welcome feedback from their fans. “You have to be part of every song you create. It has never been an issue on what we write or play.”

Being part of Sparta, Hajjar really is driven to perform with raw energy. “I guess mentally I feel I want to give everything to the audience what I can. A good show for me is to have given all I can and that someone was effected in someway.” Which by the looks from the audience, they certainly got what they came for. “You want to shake people emotions when you play live. You play the songs a little differently either aggressively or laid back. I want to accomplish a sense of honesty in performing.”

It is very refreshing to see a major band with such heart to play live. I could sense from the sincerity of the interview with Hajjar that Sparta is about producing a qualitative musical experience both on CD and in person. It is nice to see a venue in the MidCity that provides both quality and artistic opportunities for bands such as Sparta. Oh and by the way. When I told Hajjar about his biggest fan having been waiting outside for hours, the band all signed Rhodes t-shirt. They truly are a band with heart!


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04/03/2005

Author's Note: I wrote this for a local paper I am beginning to write an arts/music column for. Any feedback, ideas, criticism is welcomed. Thanks...

Posted on 04/04/2005
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