Jim Ward (musician)
Encyclopedia
James David Ward is an American musician. A self-taught guitarist and pianist, he was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the band Sparta
; he was also the co-founder of the seminal (and now defunct) post-hardcore
band At the Drive-In
.
, Ward played rhythm guitar
and sang backup vocals, as well as playing piano
and keyboards on select songs. He performed lead vocals on one track, entitled "Hourglass", and sang co-lead with lead vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala
on a number of tracks. Using the money from his college savings, he created the label "Western Breed Records" specifically to release Hell Paso
and Alfaro Vive, Carajo!
, At the Drive-in's first two releases. After the demise of At the Drive-In
, Ward has stated that he is happy with the break-up, that he started the band when he was 17, and felt like he was always 17 while in the band.
. His first plans included going back to college and enjoying himself in his new marriage. Eventually, former At the Drive-In members Tony Hajjar
and Paul Hinojos
asked Ward if he would like to be a part of their new project. Ward joined the group as the lead vocalist and guitar player. The band wrote nearly nine songs in their first week of rehearsal, with all members incorporating ideas and lyrics. Ward cites Radiohead
and Billy Joel
as influences for his song-writing during this period, which led to Ward incorporating more piano in Sparta
(despite his informal knowledge of the instrument).
. He is a 1994 graduate of El Paso High School
and has been married to his wife Kristine since March 2001.
, Ward has used different guitars and amps, and several keyboards. The following list collects some of the equipment Ward has performed with in At the Drive-In
.
Guitars
Amplifiers
. Since the equipment Ward uses changes from tour to tour, the following is a list of some of the equipment he has been seen using.
Guitars
Amplifiers
sideproject called Sleepercar
, where he also plays guitar and sings lead vocals.
Ward also writes for the El Paso weekly alternative magazine What's Up, in a column entitled "From the End of this Pen".
Ward now co-owns a bar in El Paso, TX which he opened in 2009. It is called Hope and Anchor.
Ward's main outlet for news is his co-owned, newly improved website, Tembloroso. The website was redesigned, and reopened on February 14, 2011. It also features his new blog.
Sparta (band)
Sparta is an American band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. Founding members Jim Ward and Tony Hajjar are former members of post-hardcore group At the Drive-In...
; he was also the co-founder of the seminal (and now defunct) post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band At the Drive-In
At the Drive-In
At the Drive-In was an American rock band from El Paso, Texas, considered part of the post-hardcore genre and active from 1993 to 2001. They were known for their extremely energetic stage shows which hearkened back to the 1980s hardcore scene...
.
At the Drive-In
While in At the Drive-InAt the Drive-In
At the Drive-In was an American rock band from El Paso, Texas, considered part of the post-hardcore genre and active from 1993 to 2001. They were known for their extremely energetic stage shows which hearkened back to the 1980s hardcore scene...
, Ward played rhythm guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and sang backup vocals, as well as playing piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and keyboards on select songs. He performed lead vocals on one track, entitled "Hourglass", and sang co-lead with lead vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala
Cedric Bixler-Zavala
Cedric Bixler-Zavala is a Grammy Award-winning Mexican-American musician known for his work as frontman and lyricist of the progressive rock band The Mars Volta, and previously as frontman and occasional guitarist of the post-hardcore punk group At the Drive-In...
on a number of tracks. Using the money from his college savings, he created the label "Western Breed Records" specifically to release Hell Paso
Hell Paso
Hell Paso is the first EP released by the band At the Drive-In."In November of 1994, using Ward's college savings, the band released their first seven-inch single, 'Hell Paso', on their own Western Breed Records." The title is play on words of the band's hometown, El Paso.The track title "Grand...
and Alfaro Vive, Carajo!
Alfaro Vive, Carajo!
¡Alfaro Vive, Carajo! is the second EP by At the Drive-In, released in 1995. The title takes its name from the Eloy Alfaro Popular Armed Forces, a clandestine left-wing group in Ecuador....
, At the Drive-in's first two releases. After the demise of At the Drive-In
At the Drive-In
At the Drive-In was an American rock band from El Paso, Texas, considered part of the post-hardcore genre and active from 1993 to 2001. They were known for their extremely energetic stage shows which hearkened back to the 1980s hardcore scene...
, Ward has stated that he is happy with the break-up, that he started the band when he was 17, and felt like he was always 17 while in the band.
Sparta
After the fall of At the Drive-In, Ward did not have the intentions of starting SpartaSparta (band)
Sparta is an American band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. Founding members Jim Ward and Tony Hajjar are former members of post-hardcore group At the Drive-In...
. His first plans included going back to college and enjoying himself in his new marriage. Eventually, former At the Drive-In members Tony Hajjar
Tony Hajjar
Tony Hajjar is a Lebanese American drummer, best known for playing in At the Drive-In and Sparta.-Biography:...
and Paul Hinojos
Paul Hinojos
Pablo J. Hinojos-Gonzalez is a Grammy award winning musician, and former member of The Mars Volta, Sparta and At The Drive In. Sometimes credited under the name Paul Hinojos, he was the bass guitarist of At the Drive-In...
asked Ward if he would like to be a part of their new project. Ward joined the group as the lead vocalist and guitar player. The band wrote nearly nine songs in their first week of rehearsal, with all members incorporating ideas and lyrics. Ward cites Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
and Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
as influences for his song-writing during this period, which led to Ward incorporating more piano in Sparta
Sparta (band)
Sparta is an American band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. Founding members Jim Ward and Tony Hajjar are former members of post-hardcore group At the Drive-In...
(despite his informal knowledge of the instrument).
Personal life
Ward was born in El Paso, TexasEl Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
. He is a 1994 graduate of El Paso High School
El Paso High School
El Paso High School is the oldest operating high school in El Paso, Texas and is part of the El Paso Independent School District. It serves the West-Central section of the city, roughly west of the Franklin Mountains and north of Interstate 10 to the vicinity of Executive Center Boulevard...
and has been married to his wife Kristine since March 2001.
With At the Drive-In
- Hell PasoHell PasoHell Paso is the first EP released by the band At the Drive-In."In November of 1994, using Ward's college savings, the band released their first seven-inch single, 'Hell Paso', on their own Western Breed Records." The title is play on words of the band's hometown, El Paso.The track title "Grand...
(1994) - Alfaro Vive, Carajo!Alfaro Vive, Carajo!¡Alfaro Vive, Carajo! is the second EP by At the Drive-In, released in 1995. The title takes its name from the Eloy Alfaro Popular Armed Forces, a clandestine left-wing group in Ecuador....
(1995) - Acrobatic TenementAcrobatic TenementAcrobatic Tenement is the debut album from At the Drive-In, released in 1996. Only one of the album's tracks made it to the 2005 compilation album This Station Is Non-Operational, with "Initiation" appearing as a live BBC recording...
(1996) - In/Casino/OutIn/Casino/OutIn/Casino/Out is the second full-length LP by American post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, released in 1998. It was recorded as a live studio album, with the intention of better capturing the energy and sound of their live shows....
(1998) - VayaVayaVaya is the fourth EP by American post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, released in 1999. The sound of the album bridges the musical gap between In/Casino/Out and their following album, Relationship of Command....
(1999) - Relationship of CommandRelationship of CommandRelationship of Command is the third and final studio album by the post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, and was released in September 2000. The band reached mainstream success through the album, if only for a short time before their indefinite break-up....
(2000) - This Station Is Non-OperationalThis Station Is Non-OperationalThis Station Is Non-Operational is a compilation album by the El Paso, Texas-based post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, released May 24, 2005 by Fearless Records, four years after the band went on indefinite hiatus...
(2005)
With Sparta
- Austere (2002)
- Wiretap ScarsWiretap ScarsWiretap Scars is an album by Sparta, released on August 13, 2002 on DreamWorks Records and peaked at #71 on the Billboard 200. Only months separated this release from their debut EP Austere...
(2002) - Live at La Zona Rosa 3.19.04Live at La Zona Rosa 3.19.04Live at La Zona Rosa 3.19.04 is a live album released by Sparta. The album has since been out of print. Only 1000 copies were made.There is also a live EP released by the band Coheed and Cambria named Live at La Zona Rosa, recorded on the same date when the two bands played together.-Track...
(2004) - Porcelain (2004)
- ThreesThrees (album)Threes is the third studio album by Sparta, released on October 24, 2006 and peaked at #83 on the Billboard 200. It is their first album with new guitarist Keeley Davis, previously of Engine Down and Denali. Several new tracks, including the single "Taking Back Control" are available for streaming...
(2006)
Solo
- My Favorite Song Writers (Compilation - 2004)
- - Contributed the song "These Years"
- Paupers, Peasants, Princes & Kings (Compilation - 2006)
- - Contributed the song "Lay Lady Lay"
- Quiet (EP)Quiet (EP)Quiet is a solo EP released by Jim Ward. It is the first time Ward has released an album of solo material, although he has released two solo songs on compilation discs. It was released November 6 by Ward's own Civil Defense League record label...
(2007) - In The Valley, On The Shores (EP) (2009)
- The End Begins (EP) (2011)
- Quiet In The Valley, On The Shores The End Begins (2011)
- Quiet (EP)
With At the Drive-In
During the years spent with At the Drive-InAt the Drive-In
At the Drive-In was an American rock band from El Paso, Texas, considered part of the post-hardcore genre and active from 1993 to 2001. They were known for their extremely energetic stage shows which hearkened back to the 1980s hardcore scene...
, Ward has used different guitars and amps, and several keyboards. The following list collects some of the equipment Ward has performed with in At the Drive-In
At the Drive-In
At the Drive-In was an American rock band from El Paso, Texas, considered part of the post-hardcore genre and active from 1993 to 2001. They were known for their extremely energetic stage shows which hearkened back to the 1980s hardcore scene...
.
Guitars
- Gibson Melody Maker
- Tokai SG-60
- Gibson SG Jr
- - Ward has used two of these guitars, a green SG with a white pearl pickguard and the TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
sticker and a white one with a tortoise pickguard and a WalesWalesWales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
sticker, both probably pre-'65, having the smaller pickguard although the green one could be newer seeing as both of the guitars had unoriginal pickguards (all SG Jr's originally came with black pickguards), while the white SG on the other hand has "Les Paul" on the headstock which was a feature that only lasted until late '63.- Fernandes Monterey X (custom)
- - He had two of these, one of which had the WalesWalesWales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
sticker below the bridge
Amplifiers
- Marshall Cabinet and Head
- Mesa Boogie Head
With Sparta
Ward uses several different guitars and amplifiers while performing with SpartaSparta (band)
Sparta is an American band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. Founding members Jim Ward and Tony Hajjar are former members of post-hardcore group At the Drive-In...
. Since the equipment Ward uses changes from tour to tour, the following is a list of some of the equipment he has been seen using.
Guitars
- Custom Fender Esquire
- - Ward employs two of these, one yellow with a black pickguard, and one black with a white pickguard (50's Series Re-Issue with a Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pickup in the bridge)
- Ibanez Jetking
- Rickenbacker 330
- Gibson ES-335 (Ebony finish)
- - Bridge pickup was later replaced for a Gibson P-94. This guitar was recently stolen from the band's storage facility in Los Angeles
- '72 Fender Telecaster Deluxe
- - Neck pickup, tone and control dials for neck pickup, and pickup selector removed. Ward employs two of these, one with a black pickguard, and one with a tortoise shell pickguard. However, Ward may have replaced the pickguard at some point, therefore only owning one rather than two.
- Gibson SG
- Gibson Melody Maker
Amplifiers
- Vox AC30
- Marshall Cabinet and Head
- Mesaboogie Head
- Park Head
Effects
- BOSS DM-3 Delay
- BOSS TR-2 Tremolo
- Line 6 DL-4
- BOSS Chromatic Tuner
- Guyatone MD-3
- BOSS GE-7
- Klon Centaur
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff (Sovtek)
- BOSS DD-3
- Ernie Ball Volume Pedals (2)
Side projects
He has an alternative countryAlternative country
Alternative country is a loosely defined sub-genre of country music, which includes acts that differ significantly in style from mainstream or pop country music...
sideproject called Sleepercar
Sleepercar
Sleepercar is the alternative country project of Jim Ward, a member of Sparta and former member of At the Drive-In. Regarding the band, Ward has noted that: "I think it will always be “my” band...
, where he also plays guitar and sings lead vocals.
Ward also writes for the El Paso weekly alternative magazine What's Up, in a column entitled "From the End of this Pen".
Ward now co-owns a bar in El Paso, TX which he opened in 2009. It is called Hope and Anchor.
Ward's main outlet for news is his co-owned, newly improved website, Tembloroso. The website was redesigned, and reopened on February 14, 2011. It also features his new blog.