Ax Facts and Stats: Jaye Foucher

Hello once again. In this issue of “Ax Facts & Stats” I had the pleasure of interviewing, not only a great guitarist, but a fellow web programmer and dog lover. I especially enjoyed this interview because of Jaye’s candidness, cool outlook on life and her awesome sense of humor. Read on!

My name is: Jaye Foucher

Myself described in 5 words: determined, independent, smart, talented and unique (geez, I sound conceited too…)

My current job is: you mean day-job? web developer.

My hometown is: Waltham Massachusetts.

My current album or project is: most recent release is “Contagious Grooves”.

Former band(s): Plaid Dragon, Lord Bane, Poison Dollies, Midnite.

My guitar influences growing up were: Yngwie, Eddie VH, George Lynch, Nuno Bettencourt.

The guitars I use are: Fernandes 6 & 7 strings.

The strings and tunings I use are: GHS Boomers 9 gauge; standard tuning.

My current rig setup consists of: Rocktron Voodoo Valve & Rocktron power amp & two 2×12 speaker cabinets.

The greatest invention for guitars is: electricity.

My normal songwriting process: jamming at first, coming up with a riff or two in the process of jamming, then working with the riff to see if it grows and develops into a song. If it does I then work on creating the melodies to go with the basic chord changes/riffs of the song.

My Favorite Jaye Foucher solo is: the main solo in the middle of “September”.

My Favorite Jaye Foucher song is: “What Comes Around”.

My Career highlight is: Auditioning for Prince.

My most embarrassing moment on stage: Auditioning for Prince. :P.

Other than my guitar, the one piece of my gear that I cannot live without is: a decent amp to practice on a daily basis with.

The first song I mastered on guitar was: YIKES, I think it was something from the movie “Footloose” (I started playing guitar the year that came out and I loved the movie).

My first guitar was: A Hondo — remember those?.

If I am only sure of one thing in life, it’s… that my dogs love me unconditionally.

My Greatest fear is: growing old.

The one ritual I always perform prior to going onstage is: I like to choose the cutest guy in the audience and then bring him into my dressing room and have sex while standing on my head…it really loosens me up…KIDDING! Actually I don’t have any set rituals. Unless you count going to the bathroom so I won’t have the sudden urge to pee while on stage. 😛

Favorite quote: You mean from a movie? “I’ve got corn in my crap bigger than him!” from one of the Austin Powers movies. I don’t know why it’s my favorite. It just struck me as hilarious.

The exact moment I knew I would pursue a career in music was: the moment I picked up the guitar.

The one thing most fans don’t know about me is: I was an ugly child and wore glasses and they called me 4-eyes. To this day I hardly ever even wear sunglasses because I hate wearing glasses so much as a result of that teasing.

The best advice I could give beginning guitarists is: Learn as much about music business as you do about playing guitar if you intend to pursue a career in music.

The CD(s) I’m listening to right now is: I’m frankly listening to the sounds of my computer humming… oh, you mean in general? The Calling’s cd is my current favorite.

My 3 all-time favorite albums are: Dream Theater “Images and Words”, “Awake”, and Queensryche’s “Promised Land”.

I’m a sucker for: siberian husky puppies.

Who was one of your favorite artists that you jammed with onstage? Er, I guess the time I jammed with Stu Hamm and Dave Dicenzo (who used to be the drummer for the Jon Finn Project) in the Daddy’s Junky Music Dirty Water guitarathon in Boston…I think it was in 1998.

My best gig was: Er, I guess the time I jammed with Stu Hamm and Dave Dicenzo (who used to be the drummer for the Jon Finn Project) in the Daddy’s Junky Music Dirty Water guitarathon in Boston…I think it was in 1998.

If I could meet any ONE person living or Dead, he/she would be: I really don’t know…

My favorite junk food is: At the moment it’s Oreos..

My biggest pet peeve is: Telemarketers.

The word or catch phrase I say way too much is: Anyways. I seem to start off half my email paragraphs with “”Anyways, …”. The hardest part of my job: Which job? Musician, web programmer, or dog musher? 😛 I’ll assume musician: the hardest part of being a musician is dealing with the overwhelmingly high ratio of rejections vs. successes.

The first thing I do when I come home from touring: Give my dogs lots of kisses. The first thing I do when I come home from touring is: eat and sleep.

I knew I hit the “big time” when: Have I hit it? I thought I’d feel differently…

My Favorite Website is: The Alanis Morrisette lyric generator: http://www.brunching.com/alanislyrics.html

The worst job I ever had was: Waitressing. AAARGH!!! My sympathy to all waitresses out there. I’d rather sell myself on a street corner than waitress again…

Right after this interview I’m going to: Go put more logs on the woodstove because it’s freezing in here… have a cup of coffee… kiss my dogs (I do a lot of that).

I couldn’t imagine being on the road without: A gazillion cans of French Vanilla General Foods International Coffee.

If I wasn’t doing the musician thing, I could really see myself working as: Er, did I mention I have multiple careers going already? I’d probably just be doing the web design/programming work still. Or maybe I’d be a veterinarian.

My favorite movie ever: Flashdance. Ok, don’t laugh…

My mission in life: Staying happy.

My greatest obsession: At the moment: Siberian Huskies and dog mushing.

My first band was: An all girl band which never got out of the rehearsal room, called … hell, I can’t even remember the name!! It started with a “P” though…

My next major step is: Writing another album. The greatest contribution guitars have brought into my life is Focus and purpose and the pride in accomplishment of some major goals.

The coolest toy I had growing up was: Honestly, nothing comes to mind. But I have to say you sure do ask questions no one else ever has!

The one musician I would love to work with that I have not yet had the chance would be: John Myung. If I could have three wishes, they would be: 1. Enough money to live comfortably without struggling, 2. Immortality so I’d have time to do everything in life I wanted to, 3. A trip to Alaska.

When it’s all said and done, I want the world to remember me for: I haven’t quite figured that out yet, but I’ll let you know. 😛

Points of Interest:

Some of Jayes other hobbies include: snowboarding, rollerblading, reading, hiking, dogsledding, and Irish step-dancing. Trade shows you may have seen her perform at: Winter NAMM 2001 (GHS/Rocktron booth and Guitarapalooza Concert); Winter NAMM 2000 (Guitarapalooza Concert); Winter NAMM 1993-95 & 1998 (Celestion booth); Winter NAMM 1997 (ADA booth); Intermusica 1996, Valencia Spain (Bosco/ADA Amps); Musik Messe 1996-97, Switzerland (PEK/Jackson guitars). Musical Studies: 1989 Graduate of GIT/Musicians Institute; private studies for 5+ years Other Instruments played: Piano/keys and bass guitar Number of Years Playing: 17 Endorsed by: Fernandes guitars, Rocktron Technology, DiMarzio pickups, GHS Strings, Morley Pedals.

Extreme Guitars is the web home of articles and interviews written by Dave Roberts. All Dave Roberts interviews & articles are available for use or reprint ONLY by Permission. Permission can be obtained by contacting Dave. All materials are Copyright Dave Roberts and Oceanbreeze Ent. All Rights Reserved.

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