You could say Sugar Ray drummer Stan Frazier has it all: playing in a band that has toured the world and sold millions of records; a nice house in Newport Beach; a loving family.
But the 38-year-old Frazier has bigger goals. He wants to make sure his wife, Jennifer, and 18-month-old daughter, Annabelle, are happy and safe.
An avid cook, he wants to open a restaurant.
In the short-term, he wants to find and develop fresh talent – producing, developing and recording local bands.
You can thank (or blame) Frazier and his production partner Steve Fox for the launch of Ashlee Simpson’s career, the first talent development project for Fox and Frazier.
The duo wrote, produced and developed Simpson’s demos that led to her big record deal. Frazier and Fox have songwriting credits for the track “Unreachable” on Simpson’s multi-platinum selling album “Autobiography.”
The pair hopes for similar success with its latest project: The Dirty Heads from Huntington Beach, a band that Frazier hopes will bring fun back into an “all too serious vibe in today’s music scene.”
“They remind me so much of the early days of Sugar Ray,” said Frazier.
“They have fun, play shows, pick up chicks and dump beers on their heads and you just want to keep on watching it and wanting more. I haven’t seen someone like this that can potentially change music since the Beastie Boys.”
It took about two years to develop the Dirty Heads’ smooth reggae sound and catchy-hook songwriting before the group recorded its new album, set for release in the spring by Warner Bros.
Frazier doesn’t mind investing massive amounts of time and energy to seek out talent and develop bands.
His favorite places to scout out new talent: Hogue Barmichael’s in Newport Beach or Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa.
We talked by phone with Frazier after he and his daughter returned home from getting flu shots.
SqueezeOC: Are you prone to sickness? Why did you get the flu shot?
Frazier: The nurse asked if I wanted one, so I did (get a shot). Besides, I live the musician-type lifestyle – late hours, studio environment, eating poorly. So yes, I do get my fair share of sickness. I’m a summer guy. My body usually gets bummed out when summer is over.
SqOC: What do you think of “High School Musical” selling the most albums this year?
Frazier: I was in disbelief. My friend Robbie Nevil co-wrote half of those songs and I praise him for the sheer greatness for what the album has done. It’s odd that record has sold that many (copies) in 2006. That to me is scary, but it’s not bad. There’s always going to be a “High School Musical” or Kelly Clarkson.
SqOC: What do the Dirty Heads have that can change the music scene?
Frazier: The first time I heard their demo, I heard acoustic guitar, a djembe and a guy rapping about an antelope. Music’s missing that fun, unique element right now. There are a lot of bands wearing black gloves and they have heavy eye makeup on and they’re all angry. I just see more enjoyment in seeing people having fun, like Jack Johnson … The new bands are fun, but they get on stage and get so serious. It’s nice to have a sense of humor in your music.
SqOC: I heard you were an avid cook. How’d you get into it?
Frazier: We would travel overseas to Europe and have amazing dinners with record labels (reps). I wondered why we don’t have food like this in the States and started reading about foods and spices. Then all of a sudden, I had subscriptions to Gourmet and Bon Appetit. I used to bring an empty suitcase and fill it with cheese and crazy ingredients I can’t get in the States.
SqOC: What are your favorite restaurants in Orange County?
Frazier: I like Bandera, Rothschild’s or Zinc Café and Market in Corona del Mar.
The best little secret is Le Quai in Newport Beach. It’s this little, tiny, French-American bistro right on the water with about 10 tables. It’s as quaint and quiet and romantic as you can get. My wife and I go once a year ’cause it’s pretty expensive and it’s a special place.
SqOC: One of the goals on your checklist is to own a restaurant. Tell me what your restaurant would be like.
Frazier: Everything would be cooked over hardwood. It would have the flair of Jones Hollywood-meets-Blackies (By The Sea) shit-hole bar at the Newport Pier. Just local flavor with great lighting … and the bathrooms would have liquid chocolate drinking fountains.
The food would be a mix of fresh fish, great meats and specialty items like fresh shrimp from Santa Barbara. Nothing fancy, just simple. I’d have the Bandera attitude of having only 20 dishes, but they’ll all blow your mind.
SqOC: What’s the best morning wakeup song?
Frazier: Any Chet Baker with vocal. I like jazz in the morning with espresso to get the day rolling.
SqOC: I heard you were an eBay addict. What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve bought?
Frazier: A refrigerator for $900. It’s got some scratches, but who cares, it’s smokin’.
SqOC: One thing you always forget when you leave on tour.
Frazier: Laundry bag. I always end up stealing pillowcases from hotels.
SqOC: Last time you’ve felt out of place?
Frazier: Any time I go to Detroit Bar to watch a new band and everyone there is 20. No, that’s me being insecure.
I really felt out of place in this neighborhood. I would play my drums at 2 in the morning and people would be like, “What are you doing?” Now I’m acclimated a bit and getting used to the cul-de-sacs and parks.
SqOC: What celebrity has made you starstruck?
Frazier: Sting. I’m a huge Police and Sting fan and I froze – deer in the headlights. He shaped my musicality and the way I listen to things. He’s self-centered and full of himself on the street, but you can’t deny his talents and what he’s done.
SqOC: What can we expect from you in 2007?
Frazier: Sugar Ray is going strong and we have a bunch of tours planned. Steve and I are working on a Sugar Ray song that will show up on a Sony animated film called “Surf’s Up” out next summer.
I hope this new (music production) company works out. I want that ability to have more artists succeed with more than the current label situation.
MORE ON STAN’S BANDS
Dirty Heads
Hear them at dirtyheads.com or myspace.com/dirtyheads.
Sugar Ray
Updated tour and band information at sugarray.com. Contact Stan crazybaldheads@sbcglobal.net
Contact the writer: bquines@squeezeoc.com or 714-796-3557
