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Break It Down: Saving Abel

Since releasing their self-titled debut album in March, Saving Abel have shot to the top of the mainstream rock charts, fueled by their Monster Ballad-worthy single "Addicted" and their injection of southern charm into the machismo-maligned world of hard rock. Now settling into their fame and the title of "professional musician", this quintet are on the road this summer with fellow mainstream rock heroes, Puddle of Mudd. ARTISTdirect caught up with three-fifths of the band, singer and guitarist, Jared Weeks, guitarist, Scott Bartlett, and bassist, Eric Taylor, while on the road to get a closer look into what muses the mind (and libido) of a band on the rise. They showed us that the gap between good ol' boys and arena rockers isn't too far to close.

What have you been listening to lately?
Jared: Atreyu, Kenny Wayne Sheppard
Scott: King's X, Alice In Chains
Eric: A lot of acoustic rock and blues.

Where’s your favorite place to chill?
Jared: Chillin' on the beach when near one…
Scott: Memphis.
Eric: The outdoors, enjoying nature.

What’s the most dramatic thing you ever did to save money as a starving musician?
Jared: Ate ramen noodles for two weeks straight.
Scott: Played on Beale Street in Memphis for tips for 10 hours so I could get my power turned back on.
Eric: Living for a month without power, and borrowing food from neighbors.

Tell us one of your favorite song lyric?
Jared: "I'm much too young to feel this damn old"
Scott: "I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the Saints / the sinners are much more fun / only the good die young"
Eric: "Rip my heart / thread by thread"

What is your most cherished musical instrument or accessory?
Jared: My voice and my guitar.
Scott: 1958 Historic Les Paul Gold Top guitar.
Eric: A $50.00 pawn shop guitar—on which I learned how to play.

If you could change one thing about the music industry today what would it be?
Jared: Illegal Downloading. It is still too prevalent and damaging to the industry.
Scott: Trading musical conviction and vision to create "The Hook!"
Eric: [Making] Polygraph testing required for labels, agents, lawyers, and management.

What never goes out of style?
Jared: Flip flops.
Scott: Sex.
Eric: Tattoos.

What's the theme song to your life?
Jared: "Holy Diver"
Scott: "Whipping Post"
Eric: "Crumbled" by SEVENDUST

What movies, artists, authors or athletes inspire you the most?
Jared: Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down, Shawshank Redemption, and author Patricia Cornwell.
Scott: Duane Allman, CLICK.
Eric: C.S. Lewis, a brilliant writer; [I] love all of his books.

What's your favorite way to stay in shape?
Jared: Running.
Scott: Cardio, weight training, and sex.
Eric: HA, HA.

What non-musician would you most like to meet?
Jared: John Cusak.
Scott: Salvador Dali.
Eric: George Lucas.

What's your biggest guilty pleasure?

Jared: Green? It's what it is.
Scott: Myspace and sex.
Eric: I'll never tell!

MySpace or Facebook?
Jared: Myspace.
Scott: Myspace.
Eric: Myspace.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
07.31.08