Wes Jones of Pharmacose Redefines Alternative Rock Music with DIY Ethos and Cyberpunk Storytelling
Rock music, far from dead, continues to evolve through innovative artists like Wes Jones, the creative force behind Pharmacose. Since its inception in the 1940s, when blues and country music fused to birth rock 'n' roll, the genre has spawned countless subgenres, from hair metal to emo-grunge, punk to prog metal, and shoegaze. Pharmacose, with its driving analog tones, gritty distortion, and existential lyrics, is carving out a fresh space in alternative rock music. Jones, a nearly one-man band, is proving that rock music isn't fading—it's transcending to its next evolutionary stage.
From Violin to DIY Rock: Wes Jones’ Musical Journey
How did you get started in music and producing your own work?
Wes Jones’ musical roots trace back to childhood, starting with the violin, which he played through college in orchestras. Despite this classical foundation, his heart gravitated toward rock music, influenced by his father’s love for the genre. “I didn’t pick up the guitar until I was 17,” Jones recalls. “I taught myself how to play in college and tried to play with bands, but nothing ever stuck.” Band dynamics, as any musician knows, can be challenging.
After moving from Chicago to Jacksonville for a job, Jones faced a mental health crisis that forced him to pause his musical pursuits. This hiatus led to a pivotal moment of reevaluation. Introduced to producer Lucio Rubino, Jones found a creative partner. Together, they released an album in 2017 under a different name, Digital Array, but it didn’t meet expectations. Undeterred, Jones rebranded as Pharmacose and released Prescription Fiction in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted plans for live shows with a four-piece band, prompting Jones to take a bold step: learning to produce, record, and mix his music himself. By 2020, during the lockdowns, he committed to mastering the DIY process, a decision that has shaped Pharmacose’s unique sound.
Balancing Challenges and Joys of DIY Music Production
What has been the biggest challenge and joy in becoming a self-sufficient artist?
Learning to produce music independently is no small feat. “When you first start recording and producing, it takes a long time to figure out how to do it right,” Jones explains. From securing the right equipment to creating a treated recording space—crucial for vocalists—the learning curve is steep. “If you don’t have good tracks to work with, your product won’t be great,” he adds. His first song, “Cleanse You,” from Ascension’s Constraint, Part I, took 20 attempts to perfect.
The joy, however, lies in the process itself. “You learn to find joy in the process and not worry about the end product,” Jones says. This mindset shift allowed him to embrace the creative freedom of DIY music production. By focusing on the act of creation, he found that “things start to fall into place.” This soulful connection to every aspect of his art—writing, vocals, instrumentals, and mixing—sets Pharmacose apart from artists who rely on external production teams.
Crafting a Cyberpunk Concept Album: Ascension’s Constraint, Part I
Tell us about your latest EP and your experience putting it together. What do you want people to know about it?
Jones’ latest EP, Ascension’s Constraint, Part I, marks a bold step into conceptual storytelling. After exploring personal mental health struggles in Prescription Fiction, Jones turned to a futuristic narrative. Set 100 years in the future, the EP envisions a world where currency has collapsed, and corporations dominate society. “It’s a cyberpunk thriller, inspired by books like Neuromancer,” Jones explains. The story follows a young protagonist caught in corporate espionage, exploring themes of power, consciousness, and reality.
Originally, Jones planned to release a song monthly alongside a corresponding book chapter, but the workload proved overwhelming. Instead, he now pairs each song with a scene from the story, ensuring the music reflects the narrative’s progression. “I wanted each song to tell the story’s progression,” he says. The EP also delves into philosophical questions, such as the quantum properties of consciousness. “The mere act of observing a wave collapses it into a particle,” Jones muses, suggesting the human mind may hold untapped potential.
Inspirations and Creative Process in Alternative Rock
What inspired this concept album, and how does your creative process work?
Jones drew inspiration from a desire to stand out in a crowded music landscape. With millions of songs uploaded to Spotify daily, he aimed to create something unique. “I could write love songs, but that’s not what I’m after,” he says. His day job as a methodologist affords him the freedom to pursue music without commercial pressures, allowing him to explore ambitious ideas like a proto-cyberpunk narrative.
His creative process has evolved to be both systematic and emotive. “I pick a vibe based on the character’s emotions in the story,” Jones explains. Key signatures play a crucial role—D minor for somber tones, G minor for defiance. This structured approach doesn’t stifle creativity; it provides a framework, like choosing a canvas size for a painting. “It’s about building a framework and going from there,” he says, ensuring each song resonates with the story’s emotional arc.
The DIY Advantage and Breaking Down Gatekeeping
Jones champions the DIY ethos, emphasizing the freedom it offers. “As DIY artists, we have complete creative control,” he says. Unlike artists bound by record labels, DIY musicians can push boundaries without external constraints. This approach also challenges the gatekeeping that persists in the music industry. “There’s still some gatekeeping, especially from older folks on forums,” Jones notes. He believes the accessibility of knowledge in the digital age—through platforms like Google—empowers new artists to bypass traditional barriers.
Reflecting on the future, Jones sees a shift from big studios to home setups. “This way of doing things is here to stay,” he says, advocating for a collaborative mindset. “Rising tides lift all ships. There’s no need to gatekeep knowledge.” He hopes to create a playbook for future DIY artists, ensuring they don’t face the same struggles he did.
Mental Health and Music: A Personal Timeline
How have your mental health experiences shaped your music?
Jones’ mental health journey is woven into his music, particularly in Prescription Fiction. The album serves as a timeline of his struggles, from songs written before diagnosis to those reflecting recovery. “Checked Out” captures a period of feeling disconnected despite treatment. “It was a way to pinpoint one aspect of the struggle,” he says. His creative process has since shifted to focus on storytelling, but the emotional authenticity remains a hallmark of Pharmacose’s sound.
Fun Questions: Influences, Superpowers, and Advice
If you could play a show with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?
“Jerry Cantrell from Alice in Chains,” Jones answers. “His vocal harmonies and versatility are incredible.” He also cites Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails for his innovative sound design.
Who is your biggest musical influence?
“Trent Reznor, especially for his use of synthesizers,” Jones says. He appreciates the heavy, emotive synth sounds that align with Pharmacose’s alternative rock style.
What’s the least glamorous aspect of being a musician?
“Changing strings and troubleshooting gear,” Jones laughs. “You’re ready to record, and then something crashes, and that’s your night.”
Favorite post-show meal?
“A good, real hamburger—not fast food,” he says.
What’s your zodiac sign?
“I’m a Leo,” Jones shares.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
“Teleportation,” he says. “It’d save time and gas.”
Advice for up-and-coming musicians?
“Just do it and never quit,” Jones urges. “You’ll doubt yourself, but there’s a reason you’re drawn to music. Don’t compare yourself to polished tracks on Spotify—it takes time and effort.”
The Future of Pharmacose and DIY Music
Wes Jones and Pharmacose are redefining alternative rock music with a DIY ethos and a cyberpunk-inspired narrative. By embracing the challenges of self-production and drawing from personal and philosophical themes, Jones is proving that rock music is alive and evolving. For aspiring artists, his journey is a testament to persistence and creativity in the face of industry gatekeeping. Check out Ascension’s Constraint, Part I on Spotify and follow Pharmacose’s journey into the future of rock.
