Rig Rundown - Sparta's Jim Ward

Raising hell in El Paso, Texas for over 30 years, Jim Ward started officially making a mark in music in 1994 when he formed At the Drive-In with vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala and indie-guitar giant Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. Driven by their frenetic-yet-catchy melodies and volatile tempos, the band tore through seven years of existence by producing five EPs, three LPs, and the chaotic 2000 anthem in “One Armed Scissor.”
The band officially dissolved in the early 2000s creating a split between the quintet. Bixler-Zavala and Rodriguez-Lopez went on to create proggier pandemonium with the Mars Volta and Ward, drummer Tony Hajjar, and bassist (turned lead guitarist) Paul Hinojos formed Sparta with Matt Miller on bassist.
What Ward brought to ATDI-driving rhythm guitar, throaty, commanding backup vocals-was further evolved with Sparta as he became a primary songwriter and lead vocalist. The band built off the abrupt stop-and-go ATDI formula. They carved their own sonic imprint through delay and modulation and incorporating more dulcet harmonies. Tension-and-release punk might’ve still been the band’s heartbeat throughout the 2000s with musical rage in Austere, fist-pumping hooks in Wiretap Scars, but Porcelain embellished their thoughtful, emotional dynamics with electronic drums, piano, and orchestral strings. And 2006’sThrees added a brooding swagger to their expanding locomotion. After that, the band found themselves without a label home and Ward sought out a new batch of Texans to chase his developing love for songwriting in the shape of twangy alt-country Sleepercar that released two albums-2008’s West Texas and 2015’s Breathe & Count.
At the Drive-In saw a revival in 2011 with Ward rejoining his El Paso amigos for a reunion run, but when the band sought to make fresh music, he felt his creativity was best suited for Sparta. He officially bowed out of the ATDI restart in 2016 when starting to write what would become in•ter a•li•a.
Then 2017 Sparta returned with Ward and Miller but now included Gabriel Gonzalez on lead guitar and drummer Cully Symington. Over the course of almost three years, the band created Trust the River that was released in April 2020. The decade-plus break didn’t stop the broadening sounds last felt in Threes. Ward and company dished out a hauntingly sparse West-Texas cowboy ditty with “Spirit Away,” a moody “Dead End Signs” with nothing but piano, keys, and a calming Ward on vocals, and a sensual Jimmy Eat Word-esque “Turquois Dream.” And if you’re worried that Ward lost his piss and vinegar … don’t! He’s still got the fire and it’s heard burning bright on rapid “Cat Scream,” rocking “Graveyard Luck” and the fiery choruses of “No One Can Be Nowhere” (broken up by a piano interlude by Coldplay’s Chris Martin).
On the heels of a releasing their fourth album (Sparta’s first record in 14 years), Ward virtually welcomes PG’s Chris Kies into his home for an open conversation about owning his self-designated role as the “humble workhorse” rhythm guitarist, explains why he needs darkness to write-plus expounds on how the habit of writing guitar parts standing up, in a corner, with an unplugged electric influenced his fretting-hand technique, and finally, he details why a “rhythm singer/songwriter” of so little effects needs three Boss delays.
[Facing a mandatory shelter-in ordinance to limit the spread of COVID-19, PG enacted a hybrid approach to filming and producing Rig Rundowns. This is the 10th video in that format, and we stand behind the final product.]
Article & Photos: bit.ly/SpartaJimWardRR
Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL
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00:00 - Intro
01:46 - Guitars
12:13 - Writing Style
17:24 - Amps
21:24 - Pedals
#rigrundown #sparta #jimward

[@premierguitar]

Article & Photos: bit.ly/SpartaJimWardRR Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin

[@MrTelecosta]

Sparta is such a underrated band, their first album is pure gold.

[@hb6string10]

2nd one is great, too!

[@jarinledford8198]

The beautiful thing is though, while underrated, anybody who is in the know understands just how important their music and legacy is.

[@redacted5035]

That album never went gold 😩🤔

[@mark7166]

I absolutely love Wiretap Scars.

[@chadwickwright2833]

Not underrated at all. Well respected and badass songs!!

[@Tognar]

Sparta played a small venue locally last year. Me and one other dude standing off to the side of the stage - clearly studying the pedal boards and at the show alone. After the show guy turns to me and is like .. "okay, I saw you checking out the gear. Let's get a beer and nerd out."

[@ApriliaRacer14]

Jim does not know what impact he has really had on music. Incredible talent.

[@seanmcgoldrick1702]

Very underated guitarist. Have always looked up to Jim. He was the captain in ADTI. Kept the ship sailing. Became the captain in Sparta (One of my favourite bands ever) Loved his solo stuff and sleepercar. Seen sparta in Sydney in 2004 whilst touring Porclain. Blew my mind!! Wish i could watch that show back on youtube. It made an impression! Would love to meet Jim for a few beers and just chat the shit

[@TheDizzack]

My 37 year old self is excited to see this as my 17 year old self. Thanks, internet... & PG

[@moxythepirate1281]

Man I saw Sparta in 2002, they headlined the SnoCore tour IIRC and I was blown away by every band on that lineup. "Collapse" is one of my favorite songs from Wiretap Scars.

[@radeikari]

Loved - The story about how he writes songs in the night so he doesnt bother his wife or anyone - That he's not pedal crazy (its all in the songs man) - His spirit, his simple aproach to things make him honest and relatable

[@eriktevan]

Awesome to see Jim in Rig Rundown finally!

[@GtarRob]

Awesome! His philosophy is so dope so many quotable moments. "you can play the same three chords and every human will play a differnt melody", "high end rythm section", his song writing style with the unplugged electric freakn "lala land" lmao. At the drive-in means so much to me and hes a HUGE part of that. i never understood the mars volta. its TOO crazy imo. im so glad i got to tell him straight to his face how much his music influnced me to FEEL the music #atthedrivein #sparta #jimward

[@sunburst7246]

Jim’s work and outlook on life make him a personal hero for me. The way he suggests cords with just two notes on the riff for Cut Your Ribbons was a massive influence on me.

[@DominiqueWillkins]

Jim is so simple and humble, i love that. I look forward to see more of his stuff.

[@philz_corsia]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS JIM WARD IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST

[@eamoncollier]

Wiretap Scars sounds as good today as it did when it was first released.

[@HARwinsOUTagain]

That was a fun interview! The fact that it wasn't done on a stage with a time limit due to the show starting was actually kind of nice. It didn't feel rushed. Some Rundowns get interrupted by the crowd starting to enter the venue

[@stealingtomorrowband]

I agree sparta is such an underrated band. Jim is a great player and writer.. His music has helped me through some very tough times in my life.. Thank you Jim for your awesomeness

[@Starch1b2c3d4a]

At the Drive-In! We’re not worthy 🙌

[@noisetape8405]

thank you for this interview.

[@tonysoprano5124]

love all 4 sparta albums

[@562samuel]

F’in awesome interview! I’ve always wanted to know how Ward creates the art of music and sound from his mind. Gracias for all the sounds you’ve created. Epic, bro!🤘🏼

[@keysersoze3977]

This was awesome!!!

[@canaryvomit]

Thanks Jim! You're the best

[@DanZedDannyboy6009]

Great Interview.. Love your outlook and attitude Jim, You are Such a huge talent!! Hope to see you Live if you ever come to Vancouver.. Rock Sir!!

[@derikallain311]

Love this guy and all RR episodes.

[@X360Anti]

Hey that's Sparta's Jim Ward!

[@iamwe7035]

The Acrobatic Tenement back album photo is such a good photo.

[@mrmeme-jq6qr]

woah his board sounds very decent

[@tylerlloydboone]

Love ya fam.

[@andyzzz104]

Finally! El Paso 😄

[@isaacwilliams9919]

32:45 Wow I think I want to buy a phase 90 now that sounds incredible

[@matthewf9500]

Jim I bought West Texas when it came out on iTunes. Wtf did they take a majority of the tracks off? Also great video, stocked to see you on here.

[@nightfallssouth]

Can you do Blake Schwarzenbach next?!

[@AppInventorCode]

Jim has some solid lyrics

[@eagletkc]

2002 Wiretap Scars - best album musically, lyrically, and mixing and mastering! 2004 - Porcelain - 3rd best album - I get it a lot of turmoil and heart ache is applied into this album - definitely some beauties on the album no doubt! 2006 - Threes - 2nd greatest album - a reminder album of the power in lyrics and tone of the Wiretap Scars album, but more mature!

[@batmite2000]

This guy..... Need I say more?

[@VEGAN-X]

I KNEW HE WAS GOING TO SAY ELECTRIC UNPLUGGED TO WRITE ON - SG FOR ME MAYBE FOR NOEL GALLAGHER ASWELL

[@ChrisPuckett]

Wire Tap Scars

[@ChrisPuckett]

Jim's a beast, totally humble and laidback, love it.. Come play NYC next

[@the-creech4790]

Rig rundown? Did I miss it?

[@premierguitar]

Blink and it's gone.

[@mojorisin3717]

FKJ rig rundown guys?

[@carlmartinez5234]

too much talk!