In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with Blaze News investigative journalist Steve Baker, music composer Shem von Schrock reveals the most notorious figure in the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol protests revealed a surprising connection with Ray Epps, one of the
Schrock, former TOTO bassist Kenny Loggins and many other music legends, told Baker that Epps served as Baker's handyman from approximately 2008 to 2011. He said the two had several conversations about politics and Epps' involvement with the Oath Keepers.
Epps, who was caught on camera encouraging protesters to storm the Capitol, was offered a plea deal that would allow him to serve one year of probation on one misdemeanor charge and avoid prison time.
Compared to the strong sentences of others who were in the Capitol that day, the Justice Department's apparently soft handling of Mr. Epps' case suggests that he was on the government's payroll, or at least unwittingly treated as a pawn. This sparked rumors that he was being exploited. .
Baker and Schrock addressed speculation surrounding Epps.
“He handed me the Oath Keepers card.”
“Ray Epps was my handyman,” Mr. Schrock told Mr. Baker. “He was at my house seven or eight times over two years.”
Schrock said Epps' work at his home included installing a ceiling fan, repairing drywall and unsuccessfully trying to fix a leak in the roof.
“Ray talks a lot,” he pointed out. “Every time he went to work, we would talk for half an hour in my driveway. It was like I couldn't leave him alone.”
Schrock said Epps was open about his political ideology and the two found common ground.
“The first time he came, he handed me an Oath Keepers card,” Schrock told Baker, noting that Epps persistently urged him to join the group.
“He considers himself a patriot. He considers himself fighting for the cause of freedom like the Founding Fathers,” he continued.
Mr. Schrock said he never got the impression that Mr. Epps was a government agent.
“He was not intentionally working for the federal government,” he surmised.
Mr. Schrock's impression of Epps mirrors that of New York Times journalist Alan Feuer, who previously told Mr. Baker that without the help of his wife, Epps “couldn't put on his pants every morning.” “It was such a big deal that I couldn't do it,” he said.
“Let me tell you, he's not being baited and he's completely trustworthy,” Feuer said.
Mr. Baker asked Mr. Schrock whether he agreed with the journalist's view of Mr. Epps.
Schrock again pointed out that he was only speculating, saying, “If you're smart enough, you could find a way to use someone else's passions against you.”
“I think in this case he was hired by someone in the government who thought he was doing the right thing,” Schrock said.
Baker told Blaze News that Schrock's assessment of Epps is consistent with his view of the events surrounding the Jan. 6 protests.
“Everyone likes to call it 'Fezrection,'” he said. “They focus, or want us to believe, that the FBI or the CIA recruited Ray Epps in some nefarious context. But the reality is that the extent to which he was used, or the Whoever did it, they did it in such a way that there was a feeling of patriotism within him, and by calling on the people to enter the Capitol, they were honoring God and country. I felt like I was doing a service.”
“So it has a very nuanced context, as opposed to Ray Epps' black-and-white version,” Baker said.
Commenting on Schrock's analysis, Epps' daughter Tiffany Jones told Blaze News: I've said it openly many times that he's not smart enough to do the terrible things on his own, but he's stupid enough in some ways that he could pull any strings to do what he did. No one knows what's good. In any case, he will continue to live a happy life while others suffer and do not want to live anymore. Beyond this, all I say/feel is life itself. ”
During his interview with Baker, Schrock also revealed his friendship with Bill O'Reilly, for whom he composed the theme song for his show “No Spin News.”
Baker asked Schrock if he ever fell victim to “cancel culture” because of his politically conservative beliefs while working in the left-leaning music industry.
“No,” he answered. “I haven't made it clear. This is the first time you'll know how I think about something.”
Schrock also revealed for the first time why he left TOTO. For years, fans have speculated that conflicts with other members led to Schrock's sudden departure in 2019.
Mr. Baker and Mr. Schrock discussed rumors of possible infighting.
Schrock said he was “not hired by the band to give an opinion on anything.”
“I was there to play bass and sing and arrive on time and with a smile,” he added.
Schrock described the band's dynamic after David Paich left the group as “a little Lord of the Flies.” He pointed to instances where “hate and hostility” led to immature arguments, making the experience unenjoyable and “toxic.”
As a result, Mr. Schrock left TOTO after just a few years. However, he has never revealed the reason behind that decision, leading some fans to theorize that he may have been forced out due to a conflict with original lead guitarist Steve Lukather. I did.
Schrock admitted that Lukather had said derogatory things about him after Lukather left the band, but any rumors that the two had a strained relationship while they were together are all over. I denied it.
“I have tons of screenshots of emails and text messages where he compliments me. It brings tears to my eyes,” Schrock told Baker.
When asked why he decided to speak out about leaving TOTO now, Schrock replied, “It's been five years already. I've been away from the band longer than I was in the band.'' I answered.
“I've been silent for too long,” he declared.
Do you like Blaze News? Avoid censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Please register here!
