Posted on May 1, 2010 - by Editor

Ron Emory: Reflecting His Walk

Ron Emory

When Distorted recently received an email from Ron Emory’s wife, Gia, to announce details of his upcoming solo record “Walk That Walk” to say we were intrigued was an understatement. Ron Emory is more well know as guitarist with long running Cali punk band TSOL and three decades of punk rock have certainly left their mark on the keen skater/surfer and musician.

Ron along the way has had to battle his own demons, but claims since 1999 to have stayed sober and clean and more importantly to him forged a strong faith and relationship with God. Family and friends are obviously important to Ron Emory too, and his family have settled in mid west America, setup Prairie Production Studios and his friends have come to the fore to collaborate on his record.

Friends who include Tim Armstrong, Mike Ness, Fletcher Dragge, Dexter Holland, Jack Grisham, Mike Roche and Tiny all from TSOL amongst others. I think this is one of those occasions I would have preferred to have sat in front of the subject to pick their brain but through email we discussed the record, the inspiration and timing of “Walk That Walk” as well as Ron’s settled down life.

Steve: Hi Ron, so most fans will know you from TSOL, why did you decide to write this solo/personal record?

Ron: Hi, I have always written songs; these songs were too personal for TSOL, or should I say the songs I wrote for TSOL are meant for TSOL and these were not.

Steve: So what is the record title referring to “Walk That Walk”?

Ron: Walk that Walk has everything to do with being accountable, being alive and being grateful for living- trying to do right. Talking with actions!

Steve: And you mention on your website that some songs are over 20 years old, so why has it taken this long to get them done? Has anything in particular inspired the timing of record?

Ron: Some songs date back to 1983 and onwards from there. This is the time; the right time to share this collection of writings. My wife and my friends like Tim Armstrong who with my wife, as we were sitting around playing the songs, said it had to happen. It was supposed to be finished before the snow falls… thus “Before the snow falls” could have been the title- too late for that.

Steve: How nervous were/are you about releasing this material? What is your biggest fear with the release?

Ron: NO Fear… This is the story of my life…. in words and music. My hope is that the listener can be inspired by these songs. Life is

Ron Emory

painful sometimes and these songs reflect that, but they also offer a message of hope and strength.

Steve: On strength you discuss staying clean and seeking a healthy relationship with God on your side. How would you respond to any suggestion fans will be concerned that the material could come across a bit preachy?

Ron: Well, I just don’t want anyone to go through what I have, I lived most of my life separated from God. Now, I have a very personal relationship with God. I wouldn’t be here without my relationship with Him. No preaching… No religion.  I don’t want any part of that. You can hear my story in the songs – I hope my mess is clear?

Steve: Some fans might be surprised to only see five tracks listed; is that right? Do you have plans for future material and using this to test the waters?

Ron: There are 11 tracks on the record… they are really good, with the help of all my friends on it. Each song on this record that has a guest on it, just sounded like that person should sing or play on it. It’s kind of funny that these songs were around before a lot of these guys were playing or as well known as they are now , but when you hear Dexter sing on ‘I’m not alone’ you think of The Offspring. The song was written five years before they were a band! The same with Fletcher playing on ‘I’m still alive’, the song was written in ‘83, yet kids might think I am ripping off a Pennywise song!

Steve: You mentioned some contributors helping out on the songs can you tell us about them all?

Ron: Yes, these people are all positive influences on my life. Dexter Holland from the Offspring- ‘Not Alone’, Tim Armstrong from Rancid- ‘Why’, Mike Ness from Social Distortion- ‘Walk that Walk’, Fletcher form Pennywise- ‘Still Alive’, Mark McGrath from Sugar Ray- ‘Something’s got to Give’, Jonny Ray Bartel from the Knitters, Mike Roche from TSOL, Anthony Tiny Biuso from TSOL…all the songs and each song has a place with these musicians.

Steve: The release was penned in for April, can you confirm when exactly it’s available and how someone can go about purchasing it?

Ron: You can purchase it now, and we ship on May 3rd. It’s available at www.ronemory.com

Steve: Are you looking to tour to support the material in the future?

Ron: Yes, in the summer and fall.

Steve: Should TSOL fans be worried about this impacting on the band?

Ron: No we are putting a tour together right now. TSOL will continue forever.  That IS my band. This is my project. Where this takes me is out of my hands, I just know it feels right to have done this now!

Steve: Understood. Duane Peters recently talked to us about how skaters and punk rock became disconnected but he has seen some unity between the two again –would you agree with that? Are you still an active skater?

Ron: I do… skating and punk are two of the most stylish acts of mankind-it’s like they are coupled with the same passion- I wish I still skated with Duane, I had a knee injury that has kept me away and with being away, either locked up or loaded- I just have had a long time far from it. I still love a good back yard pool though! My little boy Jack has found his passion, at six he is skating and he likes to play the drums.

Steve: So there is possibly another generation coming through. Can you tell us a bit about your life outside of music, how are you keeping generally and what keeps you busy?

Gia, Grace and Jack Emory

Ron: Thanks for asking, really. If you can picture story time with my kids, Jack and Grace, and guitar lessons in my studio for everyone else’s kids- after school and serving homeless men at the city mission- I am fulfilled! I fell in love with my girl in the heart of America, and that’s where we live-Sioux City, Iowa. We moved here from LA a couple of years ago to spend time with her mom who passed away last year with cancer at 62. We have a recording studio, and writers retreat here where we host several musicians who need to get out of their environment to write. Vintage travel trailer lodging in the woods.

Steve: Sounds like a decent setup. Any final comments?

Ron: Find something that you love to do, get good at it, learn everything you can about it, enjoy it and thirty years later you will look back and see what a blessing your “Walk” has been. Get out there and do something for someone! There is plenty of need no matter where you are! Cheers, Ron