Maxwell's needs to have a painting party because Jim Jones Revue came in Friday night and peeled several layers of paint off the joint. They brought the pain and fury to the late show, and I think my nervous system has fianally recovered since then.
Their super-charged music recalls all the great-pioneers of rock, mostly Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. Jim Jones and his crew only know one way to play guitar, hard. VERY hard ... like they're not satisfied unless their fingers are bleeding and people's brain fluid isn't seeping out of their ears. After one song I was like, "Great gosh of mighty!"
Take their roller coaster ride of a song called, "Rock N Roll Psychosis". It's a 2 1/2 minute kick to the nuts tune that comes as you hard, but you can manage to pick out elements. That's because the play intense but focused. You can hear the sweet piano part when all the guitars drop out, or that deep bass section that gives the song drive and weight.
Thinking back on Friday's show, what stays with me is Jim Jones' snarl and raspy voice. First off, he's British, so between songs he saying, "Halo, Halo, chaps. Good morrow to you, sir" and using the Queen's English. Then he busts into songs like the devil just entered him. The man's voice must take a beating night after night. This man ain't got he blues, he's got Satan running through his veins
It was a small crowd on Friday, which I kind of wish more people were there. At least, the WFMU and Yo La Tengo crew came in for support. JJR didn't take the stage until 12:30ish and the weather was balls nasty with 100% humidity. It makes it seem more crazy that Jim Jones played his damn guts out. A venue might go up in flames if played to a full house.
Gotta give some props to local gal and Jersey native Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers. They might just be the hardest working unsigned band in the area because they are constantly playing gigs. Either she's you go to gal to fill a spot or they are worthy of being part of your bill. I'm thinking a little but a both because Shilpa plays with attitude and her voice is memorable. It soars high and low and goes everywhere in-between. Plus, she's only musician on the scene who play the harmonium like a punk rocker. She reminds me of PJ Harvey during her 4-track demo days.
dude, you forgot the fantastic ribeye brothers!
Posted by: ef | July 26, 2010 at 06:50 PM