06.12 An Interview with Jonny Davy of Job for a Cowboy

By Katey Khaos

American death metal band Job for a Cowboy are back at it again with their latest album, Demonocracy. Demonocracy is “nine tracks of seething aggression and potent disgust, [and] Job For A Cowboy have never sounded hungrier,” asserts their bio, and quite accurately, too.

I had a chance to talk with front man Jonny Davy and get inside his head about the music, JFAC’s upcoming tour, and how he’s making the best out of his summer despite spending most of it on a tour bus.

“A lot of bands are comfortable with what they know and they stick with it album after album,” Davy explains. “But us, we like to try new things, that’s just always been our mindset … Comparing our Doom EP to our newest album Demonocracy, it’s night and day, we keep evolving.”

Although their music keeps evolving, and Job for a Cowboy continues to give metal fans the ear-bleeding, “Let’s open up this pit” tracks they crave, their subject matter has stayed strong throughout the years. Yes, they’re a political band, which isn’t surprising with influences including as Misery Index and Napalm Death. “We’re not here to preach [our beliefs]. So many bands talk about ghouls, ghosts, zombies and gore, and that’s cool, I’m not bashing them by any means, but it’s not something we’re into.”

For those who haven’t heard Demonocracy, or even those who have never listened to Job for a Cowboy before (trust me, you won’t be disappointed), Davy says there are two tracks that are must-listens for new and old fans alike ~ “Children of Deceit” and “Nourishment through Bloodshed.” “There’s so much going on in both of these songs, they’re easy to grasp on to.”

Did you take a listen? Pretty awesome, right?

Now, if you’re curious what these guys sound like live, you’re in luck. JFAC will be on tour all summer long, including as part of the Summer Slaughter tour, featuring other killer metal bands like Cannibal Corpse, Between the Buried and Me, Periphery and more. “I’m super stoked about the tour. We get to do something like this once a year, and it’s really exciting,” Jonny shares.

Although Davy will be stuck on a tour bus all summer, he’s still determined to make the best of summer. “I almost forget what summer is like,” he laughs. He explains that there isn’t really a chance to get away from the tour life, so you have to do what you can to escape. “Being in a band is like having four girlfriends all the time without the sexual benefits.” There are, however, a few ways Davy has found to escape, at least temporarily, from the tour life ~ putting on some headphones and tuning out the outside world, reading, taking a walk, and working out.

As far as summertime food and drinks go, options on tour can be limited ~ especially in smaller cities. Davy’s drink of choice for the summertime? Jameson on the rocks or margaritas ~ depending on his mood. As far as summer tour food goes, Chipotle is JFAC’s weapon of choice. “It’s the best bang for your buck.”

No summer would be complete without a soundtrack. While touring, what’s blasting on the tour bus? Surprisingly enough, Paramore, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry are all on the list. “It helps us stay awake,” Davy explains. “We listen to everything. If a metal band tells you they only listen to metal, they’re probably lying, or they’re just really weird.”