Jackson United - collaborated side project
Somewhere in freezing Canada Foo Fighters’ Chris Shiflett mustered the strength to speak to Marija Zeko about his other band Jackson United, as they reach Australia in May on the back of the Foo Fighters tour.
Dave Grohl is not the only member of the Foo Fighters to have a side project. Guitarist Chris Shiflett has his own independent project known as Jackson United. They debuted with 2004’s Western ballad and are a band consisting mainly of other bands as a collaborated side project. Shiflett is joined by guitarist Doug Sangalang (Screw 32, Limp and Onetime Angels) and Shiflett’s older brother Scott Shiflett on bass (Face to face). The role of drummer is yet to be filled but was assisted by Dave Grohl in the recording of their latest album Harmony and Dissidence. The latest offering according to Shiflett is a “more Rock n Roll record, definitely more aggressive than the first, it’s got a more melodic thing gong on”.
There is neither discomfort nor rivalry between Shiflett and fellow Foo Fighter members as essentially the band is Dave Grohls project, “Its Dave’s band and he’s the songwriter. It’s not like were all throwing out song ideas and I wouldn’t bother him with them”. Fortunately Jackson United is that outlet that allows Shiflett to “get my music out there, that’s my motivation”. The freedom afforded to members of the Foo Fighters is great, as seen by all the projects Grohl has been a part of such as Queens of the Stone Age and recently recording with Lemmy from Motorhead.
Jackson United will be doing a few support slots for the Foo Fighters tour next month as well venturing out on their own. It’s a cathartic project that minimizes that gap in between gigs that is quite monotonous and according to Shiflett, the worst part of touring. The other bothersome part is leaving the family behind, notably now that his sons are older he misses seeing them grow up.
Shiflett’s home is Los Angeles and he misses the good weather. When in Sydney he can be found on the northern beaches working on his surfing, “I really like Avalon, Whale beach and Narrabean” he enthuses. His low profile affords him privacy as he freely moves about without often being recognized in public. Fame was the last thing on his mind as “the only thing I was interested in was music”. The music has received the critical acclaim, fame could be just around the corner like it or not.
