Jason McMaster – Dangerous Toys

I first saw Jason performing with his band Dangerous Toys years ago in Austin at the now defunct Backroom. They had a couple of hit songs, were an MTV darling, and, to this day, continue to be part of the festival circuit. I’ve since seen him a number of times and he still gives it his all, sounds great and appears to love it. I’ve rarely seen a man his age sing a two hour headline set with ease.

 And odds are, if you’re reading this, then I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know about Jason. But there’s more to him than that.

 So, I’m going to pause here and share an observation wrapped in a minor tangent…

 There are funny rules in the universe that when followed work out. Generously giving money, for example. It always comes back to the giver in a multitude. The supposed Golden Rule is another one. You know the quote, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I say supposed because I struggle with that one. I’ve known folks who are accustomed to being treated poorly and they will treat you just as rotten no matter how nice you are to them. So, I don’t lean into that one too much. Rather, I prefer “as a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” I don’t know if King Solomon intended that to be the base for self-help as James Allen did, but I do believe that outlook is the strongest determining factor in success or failure in life.

 In that sense, I suspect that, reality is up for grabs.

 And so, when you look at life with optimism, which I’ll add, takes courage, and you combine it with talent then your success is likely a given.

 Jason McMaster epitomizes that.

 Even to the extent that his contemporaries have taken notice. As a consequence, he has become the go-to lead singer for hire for such bands as Accept, Armored Saint and Dirty Looks. And near as I can tell, in Austin he sings for nearly everyone.

 And I haven’t seen many genuine music lovers, who also perform. At some point burn out or misery creeps in. I guess with enough time that thing you loved dies. I’ve seen it repeatedly. Given the few musicians, who are actually successful, you’d think they’d be more appreciative. But it’s such a hard life, even if you’re famous.

 But Jason is a beast of his own making. It’s almost bizarre to see such enthusiasm for his craft.

 And in the great country of Texas, Jason is a local legend. He always has a smile, something good to say and more energy than you’d expect. And I wish that I knew him better, but I don’t. I’m often invited to a breakfast with him and a few other friends, but I don’t make it as much as I’d like. When I do the conversation is always interesting, the camaraderie warm.

And here’s a final funny thing I’ve noticed about Jason. I’ve never heard him say a negative word about anyone…ever. I’m telling you, it’s bizarre…and so very welcome.

 Without further ado…Jason McMaster.

 

 

Q: What is your favorite sandwich and who makes the best one?

– Actually, a great question. As far as store bought sandwiches, Thundercloud can make it however you like. Same with Subway, but, Subway bread has always been a bit “chewy”. I like tuna fish, with ranch dressing and diced jalapenos, with bacon. Delicious. At home, a good turkey sandwich, with mayo, mustard, pickles, cheddar cheese, bacon on toasted bread, is fantastic. Simple stuff, but with great tang, sweetness and crunch. By this answer, I do not go to boutique, or trendy places to sample, or find an exotic sandwiches.

Q: What is your favorite meal that your mom makes?

– Growing up, it was probably fried eggplant with other various veggies. But it was delicious. She made a pretty good green bean casserole, but I always picked out the mushrooms. I still do not eat mushrooms.

Q: How did you meet your best friend?

– He was wearing a Motorhead shirt, in the cafeteria, first day of 11th grade at Austin High School. He was by himself. It was 1980 or 81, Motorhead had just come through Austin, supporting Ozzy at Palmer Auditorium, I believe. Randy Rhoads, the whole deal. Anyway, someone wearing a Motorhead shirt in 1980…they know what’s up.

Q: When or how did you find what you wanted to do?

 – I got into vinyl record collecting at a very young age. Older brothers, younger brother, who were also way into it. The babysitter turned me on to Elton John, and the neighborhood kids turned me on to KISS. I had Kiss, Elton and Queen records before I was ten years old. I saw UFO supporting Rush, in 1977, I was 12. After that first concert… I didn’t stand a chance. It was the next day, I decided I needed to figure out how these magicians were making magic.

Q: How did you pursue it?

– I was already dressing up like Gene Simmons every chance I had. Mom’s Gogo boots and black leotards made it easy to feel like I was doing it right. I would mime to the records. I would bang out noises on our stand up piano in the living room. My younger brother got an acoustic guitar before I had my own instrument. I would borrow that, and make noise, we didn’t know how to tune it, but I barely remember trying to play along with my records on that thing. Then, my mom and oldest brother, pitched in and got me my first bass guitar. Again, I did not know how to tune it, but I plugged it into my stereo, and played along with my records. I would just hit strings and press on frets until it sounded close and just guess by fumbling around on the fretboard.

I joined a band of older dudes doing covers at age 15. I was kicked out after my first show with them. Older teenage dudes are thinking about girls. I was just crazy about rock n roll. I think I cramped their style.

Q: Did you have a mentor or mentors? Who were they and what did
they do for you?

 – Some older kids in my hood had a working band, they were awesome, and I got to hang with them a bit. But, as mentioned, my brothers record collections seriously put me in the right frame. Lots of concerts in a short time. That was like church.

Q: What do you dream of doing or are you already doing it? If so,
what is the goal?

 – When I met my wife, and realized it’s not about me, it’s about sharing your life with someone, growing old with someone. Period. But, the other question, I’m kinda doing it at a capacity that I can handle. I do not tour, as in I’m not ever gone for longer than a week or two, anymore. Writing, recording, teaching, a handful of gigs at age 60, I’m pretty happy. If anything, more shows on the calendar.

I am digging my life. The goal is to remember, stress is created, stress is not real.

Q: What would your 15-year-old self say to you now?

 – I am still 15 sometimes. Well, most of the time. So, young me would say to me ” if it’s not KISS, it sucks!

Q: If life was a person what would you say? 

 – Thank you for being my friend.

Q:  If you were in charge of the world and you had no restrictions,
real or imagined, what is the one thing you would give it?

 -I would give it shit for not returning the shopping carts to the rack in the grocery store parking lot. Bigger reminders to just wipe your ass.

Q: Do you believe God is real?

 – God is made out to be a cartoon so we can handle it. I always say, God is love. If you can put care and understanding into everything, that is the message.

Is love real? Yes. But, what the church, organized religions say, is very related. The message is clear, don’t be a dick. Try real hard anyway.

If yes, then how does that belief help craft a better society?

– it might not.

  If not, then how do you think we can craft a better society?

 – A better society is created by understanding others point of view and why they feel the way they do. Hate is taught and learned.

Q: Do we still need religion?

 – I guess so, but when injected into other opinions, war happens.

Religion should be your basic beliefs on how your decisions affect others. If you work towards a safe place for your community, I don’t care what you think outside of that.

Q: How is society getting things right?

 – There is still hope. There are folks that still care. There are non-profit organizations fighting for the little guy. This makes me feel there are still cultural beliefs of tribal community. Leave no man behind, kind of attitudes, without the locker room mentality. There are campaigns against bullying, and homelessness. There are suicide hotlines. There are meetings as well as resources that can help you step forward. This is still making me personally feel like we are at least trying to get it right. It’s work.

Q:  How do we see others as equal of the same life that we wish for
ourselves?

 – What people are really like when they close the door, is the click that they stick with when there is hidden agenda, or even abuse. When we are all at school, or work, etc…there may be a slightly different smile or laugh or, zero of those. I sure hope that the things I like about my life, that I dreamed of and had happen in even small abundance, that the way I work or play with others, is of the way I hope they would dream the same realities, have similar beliefs for the cause. This is as only as equal as I would hope to expect.

Q: Do you have hope for the future?

 – These questions have your answer throughout my response. In a word. Yes. I get to pretty much do what I want. I have been called “naturally motivated.” I feel blessed. My family is mild mannered and lower middle class, with dreamers, but know they need to work hard to achieve anything. It’s a cliche, but, if no hope, than you’re gone.

Q: What do you think happens after we die?

 – That’s up to your legacy. How you treated people and yourself. If you shared, and smiled, you will live forever. I will say, we are dust and dirt, so, it is all up to us to bring something to someone else’s table.

Alternate practical question:

Q: What is a -practical- thing that works for you? For example, I can’t
find a good razor. So many products just don’t live up to their
advertising. 

– You have high standards, lol. A practical thing can be converse tennis shoes, I would hope. Vans also work very well for me. I do not wear out shoes fast, they last a few years. Light on my feet, I guess.