Josh Schock... AKA "Intern Josh"
For many people the
number 13 represents so-called "bad luck" however this is not the
case for Mobilian Josh Schock. Josh says
2015 will be the year that he officially ends his rap/musical career. It will all come to an end on October 1, 2015
when he drops his final CD that he is dedicating to his baby brother JJ. Many of you may remember Josh. He used to be known as Intern Josh on WABB in
2007 where people would give him random topics that he would turn into rap
parodies.
Josh said he never
envisioned as a child that he would develop an interest in rap music as his
parents were very strict Christians and would not allow him or his six siblings
to listen to rap music. According to Josh,
he would listen to it when he was in the car alone. He admits that most of the rap he listened to
was pretty raw but what amazed him was how the lyrics seemed to resonate with
so many people. He reasoned that there
had to be a way to make a parody of the music and to keep it clean. So he
grabbed a buddy, his rap partner, and began writing his own raps. One thing that Josh is particularly proud of
is that he has never used profanity in any of his music. When asked why he said, "Because my baby
brother JJ listens to my music and I wanted him to hear good rap. I wanted to make music that resonated with
the masses without being so gangsta. I
didn't want to rap about anything derogatory."
MoCo: During our conversation you've mentioned your
brother JJ several times.
I imagine he must be a big influence in your life?
Josh: Oh absolutely. I've always wanted to do things to make him
proud of me. You see, JJ has Down's
Syndrome. He was born when I was eight
and I watched all of the health problems that he had to overcome from the
moment he was born such as having heart surgery right after he was born, having
his eyes uncrossed, a hip replacement…. And he literally grinned and beared
it. That taught me a lot even as a
little kid - that we need to walk in someone else's shoes and see life from
their perspective. As a young adult I
tried to put that into practice. JJ
never stops. He's such an
inspiration. He works six days a week. One of his jobs is at Hillcrest Barbers where he helps out around the shop. The owner Ronnie said JJ is one hard worker. "We joke around a lot with him but JJ gives it right back to us," Ronnie said.
JJ also works as a greeter for Goodwill Easter Seals on Schillinger Road. JJ was even an ambassador for Goodwill Easter Seals some years ago. His picture is still on some of their trucks. JJ is so smart - He knows all the lyrics to all of my songs. I have written a song especially for him on my final album - the song is called Special. JJ will rap with me on this song. Every time I think about recording it I tear up.
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| Hillcrest Barbers owner, Ronnie. Photo Credit: Treasured Moments Lifestyle Photography |
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| JJ Schock hard at work at Hillcrest Barbers Photo Credit: Treasured Moments Lifestyle Photography |
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| Left to Right: Josh Schock and his brother JJ Photo Credit: Treasured Moments Lifestyle Photography |
MoCo: Let's change it up a bit and talk about your music. How would you describe your musical style and where have you performed?
Josh: I would
describe it as a melting pot of all styles.
I can't really define the
style. Back in the day when I did
nothing but rap beats people said it was ok, but not great because I didn't
have any real music so my rap partner and I got some musicians and thus After
Schock (my stage name) and the Deep End Band came to be. We have performed at more events than I can
count, into the hundreds. I've even got
to open for the artist Snoop Dogg, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and others as a
soloist.
MoCo: Which non-profit event are you most
proud?
Josh: That's an easy one, the Blues and Grooves
Festival. This event was created to
raise awareness and money for Down's Syndrome.
My friends Robby and Pam Fields and Laura Vendetti were very
instrumental in helping me get the festival off the ground. We've had up to 40 bands to participate in
the event. Two years ago the band Mob
Towne Revival performed. We are hoping
to hold the event again this year (October).
MoCo: Why will this be your last album?
Josh: The music
lifestyle requires a lot of traveling
and it's too demanding. It doesn't fit with who I am now as a family man.
Moco: What words of advice would you offer to other
aspiring musicians?
Josh: In life it's all about the follow
through. You can have good intentions,
but you can't stop there.
If you are
interested in buying Josh's final album look for it on iTunes.
For
some of his past music and/or that of the band the Deep End Band check them out
here: http://tinyurl.com/qj5xho6.
Mob Towne
Revival: http://mobtownerevival.com/
Until Next Time - Go Out and Do Something Awesome!
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