I had the chance to talk to Luke McNeill of Hospital Job before their show at Error Records. While he insists that he’s long winded, I found him to be rather to-the-point. He doesn’t elaborate much, but I love a band that can let the music speak for itself!
Smile Politely: I have to know where the band name came from!
Luke McNeill: [It’s] from a movie where a hit man asked a client, “Do you want a morgue job or a hospital job?” I thought hospital job sounded like a cool band name. But it was long enough ago that I don’t even remember what movie it was from.
Smile Politely: That’s a really cool movie line. I hope someone is reading this and screaming, “I know the movie!”
Who are your band mates? Are they your friends, former roomies, total strangers? How do you know each other?
McNeill: The band is from Springfield, Illinois. We all met through the local punk scene and a mutual love for melody and hooks in songs. I’m Luke McNeill; I play guitar and sing. Tim Reynolds also plays guitar and sings. Benny Dewitt plays bass, and Fred Malcom plays drums.
Smile Politely: How would you describe your sound and style?
McNeill: We’re like a baby raised by Superdrag and Toys That Kill who listened to nothing but The Ramones.
Smile Politely: What can people expect from your live show?
McNeill: Loud guitars, big choruses, lots of hooks, and me talking too long between songs.
Smile Politely: What’s your writing process?
McNeill: My songwriting process differs, but it usually starts with a chorus or a lyric line or a melody that I like, and then I sort of build the song around that. There’s definitely exceptions, like where the whole song just comes together in 15 minutes, and actually those end up being the best ones.
Smile Politely: What inspires your songwriting?
McNeill: Inspiration comes from my whole life. I definitely write from an autobiographical place. When I write in first person, it could be a friend or family member that I saw go through something or whatever…and lyrics tend to be more honest if there’s some personal connection.
Smile Politely: Do people ever recognize themselves or their experiences with you in your songs?
McNeill: Hmm, not really. I write vague enough lyrics or change enough things so it isn’t too specific, because if it’s too specific, it won’t really resonate with too many people.
Smile Politely: How did you get started playing?
McNeill: When I was like 9 or 10, I’d say. I got a drum set for Christmas, and that’s what I learned first. I started playing guitar and bass just by picking up little things from people I was in bands with. I tend to hate “virtuoso” musicians in rock bands. Solos and overly technical stuff almost always tends to take away from a song.
Smile Politely: Simple and clean is kind of your style.
McNeill: I would say our style is more “simple and dirty.”
Smile Politely: Any stories from the road? Mishaps, acts of kindness, weird audience members?
McNeill: We haven’t really had any mishaps or anything yet. Honestly, our west coast tour last year went off without a hitch. Perfect weather, no van troubles, fun shows, we all got along and didn’t lose money, which is a miracle. I’m sure our next one will be a disaster. Things have a way of evening out.
Smile Politely: They sure do. What’s next for Hospital Job?
McNeill: I am finishing up recording a new LP right now in my studio, Capitol City Recording. I think it’s my best songs yet, but bands always say that no matter what, so who knows. We are hopefully going to tour the east coast and Florida, and possibly Europe this year. I’m also doing a cover album of singer-songwriter tunes to benefit the Wildlife Conservation Network. It’ll have some friends doing guest [vocals] on cover songs by people like Mountain Goats, Neutral Milk Hotel, Ryan Adams, etc.
Smile Politely: Busy busy! Well, good luck with all of your projects!
You can catch Hospital Job at Error Records on Saturday at 8 p.m. All ages, and only five bucks.