Ima Robot Forums

Here Comes the Bomb

Justin - 5-22-2006 at 11:26 PM

Hi Everyone,

Perhaps some of you who came to the recent Palm Springs and/or Queen Mary shows were wondering ‘what’s up with JMJ’? What’s up is that I’ve hung up my hat as Ima Robot’s bassist.

Back in December, I told my bandmates and manager that I wouldn’t be continuing on with the touring for album two. This was an agonizingly difficult decision to make for me. The main reason is that I can no longer devote the time it takes to do Ima Robot properly while still providing for my family. I obviously have had (and continue to have, but now from the outside) a strong, personal stake in the band, which was hard to reconcile with the pragmatic side of life.

Since then, we’ve finished up some business with the new record, and I did the House of Blues gig in San Diego, and the one in LA on April 4th, which ended up being my final show. That wrapped up my tenure in the band, certainly a bittersweet end for me. I stood there on stage not only sad to have this be the end of a fantastic ride, but also overjoyed at the way the music was being embraced by our excellent fans.

The reason I joined up with the band in the first place is this: So I could get my rocks off while sharing a collective vision with equal partners. Suffice it to say, I’m deeply grateful that I got to do all that over the past several years, because we’ve really rocked out, had a unique vision, and done both very damn well indeed.

But things have changed in my life, and I need to move on, and I wish the boys my best in their pursuits. I’m the sort of guy who will always be on the periphery of Ima Robot’s world anyway…I’m a nosy person by nature.

To the people of this discussion group who I’ve come to know, I extend my eternal gratitude and thanks. You’re an amazingly intelligent, fun, caring group of people that it has been my distinct pleasure to help entertain you and interact with you. The support to the band you give has been invaluable, and thanks for helping to make playing for you such a joy.

Taking over for me on bass is my dear Filip, who rocks the bass with great flavor, as many of you may have seen when he played bass in Junior Senior. And since he’s moved over from keyboards, Andy has joined up, who’s a great player and singer! Good stuff, and the band in its present state is not to be missed.

Nowadays, I’m back in the fold with my man Beck doing bits of light touring and recording, as well as continuing to produce and do other various recording projects as a bass player. See you again soon, I hope. Thanks again, everybody!!!!!!

And most of all: thanks to Alex, Tim, Scott and Filip. What fantastic, unique, talented people you all are. I’ll sure miss being in your band.

All my love,
JMJ

lomax - 5-23-2006 at 01:32 AM

good luck with your other projects Justin and spend lots and lots of time with the family. i wish you all the best of health and happiness.
Such a shame I won't be able to see you again with Ima, but all the times I've seen you over here (Metro, Blur support, NME Astoria and Von Bondies gig) it has been brilliant and I got some great memories.
It is a shame you wont be with the band, but family must come first. Best of luck mate.

ImaBoy - 5-23-2006 at 10:00 AM

I understand that family does come first and do wish you all the best in the future but, having seeing you guys live up here in Vancouver,Canada 1st when you opened for the White Stripes.#2 (which was very special for my girlfriend and i cause we got a ima robot concert where they headlined) march10 at Richards on Richards, and apart from being one of the most honest, passionate and powerful bassists we couldn't stop talking about you after the show on while you werent playing the bass at times you'd break out some of your oh so angelic robot dancing. #3 - Warped Tour, T-Bird Stadium we thought was going to be one of the worst concert expeariences of our lives because we payed almost $120 for 2 tickets to go to a festival were we litterally only liked 2 bands on the bill(being the Sounds & Ima Robot) to be told once we got there that the sounds had dropped the bill due to sickness and then only getting Ima Robot for 26 minutes, until we got the opportunity to meet one of our fav bands,and to have you guys all be the most sweetest, genuine and down to earth people weve ever met,and then then after i asked having all them without any hesitation all signed the skirt on my body.(quite enjoyable i may add)hehe.well we left that show feeling blessed after thinking we were going to go home anything but.and finally#4 opening for duran duran, Vancouver. Anyways,i guess it's just weve always thought that you Justin added an unreplaceable magic to the band, so i guess it sucks for me on July 1st here in Vancouver as you wont be here with them but at the same time wish you nothing but everlasting euphoric happiness to you and the family.you'll be greatly missed hun.take care, we love ya xoxoxo from canada

corkey16 - 5-23-2006 at 10:42 AM

:( You will surely be miss my friend. Good luck too you and your wonderful family. Keep us in tuned with your side projects and events. Don't want to miss them. :) Thanks for the great bass lines in Ima. It's going to be hard not seeing you with the band anymore. Take care!!!:D Peace and Love.

*Corkey*

poobs - 5-23-2006 at 10:44 AM

Oh man..I'm so bummed..But wait..Does this mean that you'll be playing with Beck in Santa Cruz on the 30th?? :wow: All I can say is thanks for all of the amazing memories..You are such an incredible human being and I wish you nothing but the best in life..:yes:

Neuwave - 5-23-2006 at 12:40 PM

Kaboom!!:no:


C ya around homeboy!

draconian - 5-23-2006 at 12:42 PM

Sad to hear the news, but I think I speak for all the .netters when I say we look forward to your upcoming projects! I remember learning about Ima Robot after you posted on the old Beck BBS about this interesting new band you had started sitting in with...Phobes and I went to one of the early Troubador shows and were completely overwhelmed by the energy you guys had together. Great, insane, memorable shows followed, none of which could have been so fantastic without your contributions, JMJ. Thanks for everything you've done for the fans over the years and I wish you and your family the best!

Neuwave - 5-23-2006 at 01:31 PM

Quote:

I remember learning about Ima Robot after you posted on the old Beck BBS about this interesting new band you had started sitting in with...


What a whole new world that post opened up eh?:yes:

I remember it was around the time of that RIAA concert in 2002 with Eddie Vedder, Beck, and Mike Ness. Good times. Man I remember gettting turned on to a couple of cool things with Justin back then. Brazzaville, that solo show with the guy who drummed for Beck(his name totally slips my mind right now, but he was awesome), and that spanish/rock chick. Wow! What memories.:cool:

poobs - 5-23-2006 at 02:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Neuwave
that solo show with the guy who drummed for Beck(his name totally slips my mind right now, but he was awesome),


DRIZZ!! Victor Indrizzo!:duh:

Neuwave - 5-23-2006 at 03:30 PM

Quote:
DRIZZ!! Victor Indrizzo!:duh:


I knew somebody would help me out with that one.:D

Thnx Poobakins. Yeah his show was so bad-ass. Did he ever put out a CD?

Jizon1234 - 5-23-2006 at 07:39 PM

NOOOOOOO! god this is a worst nightmare come true, ive been to two of ur live shows and ur bassist rocking was sclearly one of the biggest standouts of the amazing shows that u guys put on. When i first saw Ima open for the White Stripes at Greek, me and my friend were like, woah, those guys rocked, and the bassist is incredible. O Well, i hope that you do well in whatever it is that you will continue to do. Beck kix ass too so it will be xciting to see u guys team up again.

7cut - 5-23-2006 at 10:01 PM

All the best, Justin with all personal and all bizness things! The "Midnite Vultures" shows with Beck were such a blast, still among the best shows I´ve seen in my little life. You´re a gem of a bass player and a saint of a human being and were an exhibit a (ima) robot. Don´t eat too much ice cream, yes?

zee dearest, 7ev




[Edited on 24-5-2006 by 7cut]

Noisemonster - 5-24-2006 at 02:57 AM

Wow, Justin, that's a tough decision. I know it's hard to leave a band that you were in for years. Almost like breaking up with the person you love. It's a pity that you're not longer in my favorite band..
But I wish you all the best with your family and your other music projects (which are great, as well)!

Noise

Phobiac - 5-24-2006 at 09:01 AM



Justin;

Keep the whites on your noise and the reds on your tail.

Thanks for all the help along the way and best of luck to you with your new adventures.

It's been a fun trip knowing and getting to know you better via Ima Robot. I'm sure that there will be more with whatever you settle into in the future.

Kyle

JunoRedneck - 5-24-2006 at 11:05 AM

Oi, I've been procrastinating posting in this thread because I'm really not sure what to say. I literally almost started crying when Lisa told me the news at the Neighborhood Fest. You will be very missed, Justin. And so will your magical fro. But good luck on everything else and I'm glad Zelly Boo has such a loving and devoted parent. Hopefully I'll run into you at the at the Beck show in Santa Cruz and maybe the occasional Bot show.

Bon Voyage.

JunoRedneck - 5-24-2006 at 11:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by poobs
Does this mean that you'll be playing with Beck in Santa Cruz on the 30th??


poobs, are you coming to Santa Cruz? And if you are, were you planning on not telling me?! I'm hurt... :(

blogbourri - 5-24-2006 at 01:30 PM

Man, just how many Santa Cruzians are there here? (I'm from Santa Cruz, too)

-Devin.

poobs - 5-24-2006 at 05:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JunoRedneck
Quote:
Originally posted by poobs
Does this mean that you'll be playing with Beck in Santa Cruz on the 30th??


poobs, are you coming to Santa Cruz? And if you are, were you planning on not telling me?! I'm hurt... :(


Awww..I'm sorry..I'm still debating on whether I can go or not..I have the tickets..Do you know anyone who wants them? I took the day off and everything so I'm set to go, but I have to see if Brody has a game and blah blah blah..But if I go, it's SO on, chicka!! :duh:

JunoRedneck - 5-24-2006 at 05:46 PM

:yes:

poobs - 5-24-2006 at 11:37 PM

I just went to the Davis show..:D

happysmilely - 5-27-2006 at 06:00 PM

Our dear Jusin.

you will be greatly missed!
Thanks for all the great times!
I'll be keeping track of you.

beedun - 5-27-2006 at 06:33 PM

Will the summer tour still happen because of this?? I hope so.

We will all miss you Justin, best of luck.

thanks

Justin - 5-28-2006 at 02:19 PM

Wow.

I don't really know how to reply to all of this. It's hard to convey how much I appreciate YOUR appreciation. Very heartwarming to hear from all of you on this, and it reinforces my feeling that it's been so worth it to spend the time and energy that I did into this band. I am deeply, profoundly touched by all of your thoughts, everyone. You're fantastic.

I'm out with Beck right now, playing the Sasquatch Festival tonight on the Columbia River in central washington. It's been great to hang out with the people in Death Cab, The Decemberists, and my old bandmate Dave Allen from Gang of Four (we used to be in a band called The Elastic Purejoy together about 12 years ago). Anyway, this tour's going well and I really love it, but of course I'm always thinking about all of you and the good times we've had together.

Hope to see you soon!
JMJ

poobs - 5-28-2006 at 05:51 PM

I'll be seeing you in 2 days! Woot!! And I think I speak for everyone when I say that we all appreciate YOU and what you've done for all of us..:duh:

imanodoubtaholic - 6-7-2006 at 07:42 PM

it was a sad day when i read this.
but i know you will not be gone forever.
have fun with dear zelly!