Alyssa: How did you begin working with the Lassie Foundation?

Jeff:  I originally began working with the Lassie Foundation as an outsider--I helped Eric C. work out a few ideas he had.  This was pre-California.  After Wayne and Eric C. completed the California EP, they asked me if I wanted to help them out by playing guitar in the live version of the Lassie Foundation.  Of course, I was delighted to.  From there, the
Lassie Foundation evolved into a full-fledged rock and roll band, with five equal members.  It is, by far, the best band I have ever been in.

AJ:  What have you been involved in musically in the past?

Jeff:  The only other "real" band I have been in was the Violet Burning.  I played in the VB from late 1992 to early 1997.

AJ: Are you involved in any side projects?

Jeff:  Right now, I'm not involved in anything else other than the Lassie Foundation.  In the future, I would love to produce an album by our drummer, Frank Lenz.

AJ:  What's the band environment like?

Jeff:  Like I said earlier, the Lassie Foundation is the best band I have ever been in, and that includes the best working environment.  First and foremost, we are all pretty good friends, and that makes a huge difference.   Like all other bands, we have our share of arguments and disagreements, but they always seem to get worked out.  Musically speaking, the band is working together more.  For Pacifico, Eric and myself--with the help of Andy--worked out most of the song ideas on 4-track before we recorded them.   90 percent of Pacifico was never played as a band before we recorded the songs.  The album was really created in the studio.  Now, we are trying to play the new ideas as a band before we record them.

AJ:  Did you write any of the songs for Pacifico or the upcoming album?

Jeff:  On Pacifico, I wrote the music for "Crown of the Sea."  I also  contributed parts to a few others.  For the new album, I've written the music to one song, "Shogun", and have a few more ideas on 4-track.  One new song has been pretty much written collectively.

AJ:  If you could work with any band, who would it be?

Jeff:  The Lassie Foundation.

AJ:  What do see in the future of the LF?

Jeff:  I see writing and recording more songs and hopefully, some sort of recording contract.  We're keeping our fingers crossed.

AJ:  What can you tell me about the upcoming album?

Jeff:  I think [on] the new album we feature less of the noisey guitar theatrics.  As of late, I prefer playing with a much cleaner guitar sound and letting Wayne's voice be the main instrument.  We are trying to extend the sound of the Lassie Foundation.  But to be quite honest, we've only written a couple of songs, so I can't really give you a clear answer.

AJ:  Where do you see the band a year from now?

Jeff:  Playing our first show in Paris, France.

AJ:  What do you do outside of music?

Jeff:  I spend most of my time outside of music at school.  I'm a student  of Comparative Literature at California State University Long Beach.  Besides rock & roll and school, I spend the rest of my time with my lovely girlfriend.