{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/65a1c491d96efa00165175cf/6a1c9ea9ad55909da6854091?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"60 Minutes or less - Episode 63 - Jim Ward (Sparta / At the Drive-In)","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/65a1c491d96efa00165175cf/1780259065695-273779b1-ac85-4391-a7df-49d7cc8042e7.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Welcome to ’<strong><em>60 Minutes or less</em></strong>’ - a podcast from <a href=\"https://birthdaycakebreakfast.wordpress.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Birthday Cake For Breakfast</strong></a><strong> </strong>- where for episode 63, it’s a thrill to feature an interview with <strong>Jim Ward</strong> of <a href=\"https://www.sparta.band\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Sparta</strong></a> and <strong>At the Drive-In</strong>!</p><p><br></p><p>A native of El Paso, Texas, <strong>Ward</strong> co-founded cult American post-hardcore band <strong>At the Drive-In</strong> and during his tenure, released a trio of studio albums and several EPs to much acclaim, before the band knocked it on the head in 2001.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Moving on from the break up sharpish, <strong>Ward’s</strong> next move was to form <strong>Sparta</strong> with members of <strong>At the Drive-In</strong>. With numerous line-up changes over the lifetime of the band, the outfit have put out six studio albums across 20+ years, with their latest album - ‘<strong><em>Cut a Silhouette</em></strong>’ - arriving May 2026 via <strong>Equal Vision Records</strong>.</p><p><br></p><p>I caught up with <strong>Jim</strong> over <strong>Zoom</strong> the week of releasing ‘<strong><em>Cut a Silhouette</em></strong>’, where we spoke of the new record, as well as the built up mythology of <strong>At the Drive-In</strong>, drinking to cope with music industry pressures, a lifelong love of <strong>Billy Joel </strong>and the infamous <strong>At the Drive-In</strong> appearance on ‘<strong><em>Later... with Jools Holland</em></strong>’, featuring a bemused <strong>Robbie Williams</strong>.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>If you like the episode, let us know - follow us on your favourite streaming platform and follow<strong> Birthday Cake For Breakfast </strong>on all the socials. Find us on the socials and everything else <a href=\"https://linktr.ee/birthdaycakeforbreakfast\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>!</p>","author_name":"Andy Hughes"}