I didn’t like At the Drive-In. The Mars Volta makes me ill most of the time, and Sparta puts me to sleep. So, when I went to go see Jim Ward at this year’s SXSW with his new band Sleepercar, I wasn’t too brimming with anticipation. I ended up being very pleasantly surprised, and as it turns out, Jim’s a pretty cool guy. Sleepercar’s debut West Texas is due out on this coming Tuesday, April 22nd. If you like his aforementioned three bands, you might not be too stoked. But if you’re not just into style-core and have a soft spot for dusty rock ‘n’ roll/Americana, it might be the thing for you. Jim and co. will play the Tonight Show on May 2nd before heading out on a tour of North America (mostly Canada) starting May 12th. Check out a full list of dates after the jump, and watch this video interview conducted by the disembodied voice of Synthesis editor Ryan Prado that took place before the Sleepercar show at SXSW.

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Jim Ward of Sparta and At The Drive-In fame showcased his new side project Sleepercar at the Belmont last night. My associate James Barone and I sauntered down just in time to grab a quick video interview with Jim (check out Synthesis‘ YouTube channel for the goods very soon) and to check out the show. Unfortunately for Sleepercar, the venue they were playing was cast in the shadows of both the Chase Tower and the Comerica Bank building, which we should have known would be a sure sign that no one who frequents this bar, SXSW patron or not, was going to pay attention to anything but Red Bull vodkas and looking slick. And I feel bad for them.

Sleepercar is a much more subdued side of Jim Ward’s potent songwriting. Speckled with bits of Americana, roots, folk and country, Ward augmented his usually edgy rock experiments with bits of harmonica, and beautiful melodies. Maybe it was just that nobody knew who they were, or that the guy with the nautical tattoos on his hands singing and playing guitar was a part of one of the most influential bands of all time, and is currently in another highly esteemed band. Or maybe free drinks in the financial district just brings out the lame in everyone.

The album drops on April 22nd. Learn about it.

Kudos to you, Sleepercar!

Sparta frontman Jim Ward took a break from dining in hell last night to send out a bulletin urging fans to vote for Barack Obama:

The last few weeks of my life have been inspiring and I am left, at least to some degree, a changed man. It started with an invitation to play a rally for Barack Obama with my friends in Bright Eyes in Omaha. I stood amongst some of the most charged up and positive folks I have ever met. Up to this point, although knowing that I have voted for Democrats in almost all contests, I had yet to fully embrace a candidate for the Democratic Party. I was moved by the volunteer’s passion for a change and the stories they told me of how they ended up signing on with the Obama campaign. I bought his book, Audacity of Hope, and read through his web site learning his positions.

I love our country very much. I am proud to be American, but I am tired of apologizing for it as I have traveled the world over the last 8 years. We need a change, a significant change. We need a change that will lead our country and our citizens back into the world as a partner, not an aggressor.
I believe that Barack Obama is the person that can do this. He has inspired me and motivated me to be as active as I have ever been in a campaign. I have been in touch with the staff and have offered whatever help I can give signing on as a volunteer in El Paso, Texas.
Texas is a battle ground that needs to be won. As about the proudest Texan one can be, I feel the need to do what I can to help win this state in the primary. Voting is March 4, 2208, and you can find your information at www.BarackObama.com as to where you can cast your vote.
Though I will be out of the country on the actual day of the vote, I will cast my ballot February 19 during early voting. I will be voting for Barack Obama, and I strongly urge you to do the same.
Through the years, I have asked you to vote, and I have only asked you to vote. This time I feel so strongly about this that I ask you to learn everything you can about Mr. Obama and then vote for him. He is hope, and we need that.
Thanks you very much for reading this-

TONIGHT WE DINE IN HELL!

Jim Ward

Madness?