What is your full name?
Benjamin, Jonathan Miller Yardley
Do you have any aliases?
Yardog do
What bands are you actively involved with?
La Chinga
What was the first instrument that you played?
Clarinet
Tell me about one of your first musical memories?
My dad had a huge record collection so music was always a big part of our home. It was all classical music except he had some Beatles records. I used to listen to the Beatles second album over and over again when I was five years old. I would also stare at the pictures on the record for hours.
What was the name of the first band you were in?
I had a band when I was a teenager called plan nine from outer space
Tell me about the genesis of La Chinga.
Chris had a gig and his guitar player and drummer at the time couldn’t make it but he didn’t want to cancel. So he asked me and Jay to step in. The rest is history baby.
What inspired the name La Chinga?
Before we had a name, we had a song called Lachinga. At our first show we played it, and people kept on yelling La Chinga at us afterwards. I guess it’s stuck.
How long did it take you to write and record Primal Forces?
Most of the songs were written over a period of a few months. The recording process, however, took a while. It was mostly recorded during Covid. Let’s just say the foot had come off the gas in a big way.
If you could insert yourself into any one band what band would it be and why?
God, that’s a tough question and something I’ve fantasized about quite often. I would love to be in a band like Led Zeppelin or the Rolling Stones during the 1970s.
I love living now, but it seems like that time was the peak power for rock music. It would’ve been a blast to be in one of those bands.
Have you ever heard a song and immediately wished you had written it? If so… What was the song and artist?
All the time. There are so many great songs out there. A personal favorite is Dancing Queen by ABBA. I think that’s a perfect song and I wish I wrote it.
I don’t even know where to start with this one.
Do you have any non-metal//rock musical inspirations?
100%. I own thousands of records. Most of it is rock but there’s lots of other musical styles I love. I find that I often listen to EDM during the day. I absolutely love electronic music, trance, Deep House, etc..
I have a deep love for country music also.
What’s a non-metal//rock song that you'd like to do a cover of?
I don’t have an answer for this one off the top, my head
What band have you played with that has really impressed you with their live show?
A few years ago we played a show with a band called Duel in Texas. I thought their live show was super rocking.
Do you have a favorite venue to play at?
Any venue that will have us and has people in it
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
I take a piss and I look at my phone
What is your favorite thing about touring?
There’s so much that I love about it. Hanging out with my friends traveling around seeing new places. Meeting new people. but of course it’s playing every night that keeps us coming back. I just love being in the band when we are really tight and really firing on all cylinders. It feels so good.
What is your least favorite thing about touring?
Constantly trying to keep track of my personal items. It’s such a pain in the ass sometimes.
Is there a city that you love to hit while on tour?
We played Barcelona in Spain a number of times. It’s always a great great show for us.
What’s the weirdest experience you’ve had on the road?
Jesus where to start. When you have been playing music for as long as I have, there have been way more weird experiences than regular experiences. I’ll leave it at that.
The year is 1994. Where are you at and what are you listening to?
I was Living on salt spring island in a trailer. Let’s see 1994… I was really into Britpop at that time so I was listening to Suede, Oasis and the Jesus and Mary chain. My bloody valentine, a lot of dream, pop, and Shoegaze music.
What advice would you give young musicians that are just starting out in the music business?
Play. Play your instrument as much as you can possibly stand. Have fun and don’t take yourself too seriously. Find people that you like hanging out with. The hang with other people that you’re playing with is just as important as the musical connection sometimes.
What is an absolute band killer?
Jobs
Have you ever recorded a song that you really didn’t like, but somebody else in the band really did?
Yeah, it happens. There’s a song on our second album called Faded Angel which I sing. The guys always want to play it, but I can’t stand singing it.
If you were to start your own music festival what would be the name of that festival and who would be the three headlining bands?
I would never go to a music festival. It’s my idea of hell on earth. But OK I’ll play along. It would be called freedom rock. Led Zeppelin circa 1975. Van Halen circa 1981, and humble pie circa 1972
What’s the longest time you’ve gone without bathing?
Probably two weeks. I was heavily addicted to opiates at the time and I didn’t give a fuck about bathing. I just kind of forgot about it. And then somebody suggested that I should probably take a shower.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I’m severely dyslexic
Is the Fistful of DOOM show in the top 10 of your favorite music podcasts?
Yes. I listen to her quite often
Do unicorns sleep standing up?
They don’t have to sleep there magically, dummy
Give me three albums that I should listen to immediately, if not sooner.
Britny Fox-Bite Down Hard
Eric Pryds- Pryda
Roy Ayers-Funk In The Hole
You’re driving cross-country and you can only listen to one album the whole time. What album will it be?
The Byrds: Sweetheart of the Rodeo.
You are writing a book about your life thus far. What is the title of that book?
There goes one handsome son of a bitch
What is your favorite song by Taylor Swift?
Antihero. It’s a fucking amazing song.
Kyuss or Fu Manchu (if you had to choose)?
Fu Manchu.
Doobies or Boobies (if you had to pick one)?
Boobies. Weed can fuck right off.
Waffles or Pancakes (if you had to pick one)?
Neither. too many carbs. I gotta keep my rockstar physique.
Star Wars or Star Trek (if you had to choose)?
Star Wars
Favorite band t-shirt you own?
My La Chinga T-shirt. Unpopular opinion: it’s totally cool to wear your band shirt.
Favorite meal?
Steak. Brisket. Actually fuck it, barbeque. That's actually a meal in the states.
Favorite book?
I hate reading
Favorite movie?
I hate movies
Favorite album?
Well, I don’t hate albums. There’s no way I can pick one though.
Favorite video game?
Call of duty. Turns me into a bloodthirsty psycho
Favorite Professional Wrestler?
Macho Man Randy Savage
Massive thanks to Ben for taking the time to answer my questions. You lot should use the link so generously provided below and check out the first single from La Chinga’s upcoming album Primal Forces. It puts the RAAAAWK in Rock N’Roll!
~El Pedo Caliente (aka Uncle James from the Fistful of DOOM show)
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