Blues Explosion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Blues Explosion | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New York City, New York, United States |
| Genre(s) | Punk blues Alternative rock [1] |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Label(s) | Matador |
| Website | www.thejonspencerblues... |
Blues Explosion (formerly The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and sometimes abbreviated JSBX) is a New York based band, made up of members Jon Spencer (vocals, guitar), Judah Bauer (guitar, vocals) and Russell Simins (drums).
Originally from Hanover, New Hampshire, Jon Spencer (born Jonathan) moved to Washington, DC where he fronted the band Pussy Galore. After that band's breakup, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion formed in 1990 in New York City. Members played in bands including The Honeymoon Killers (not to be confused with the avant garde Belgian artists on the Crammed Discs label), Crowbar Massage, and Boss Hog prior to the formation of the Blues Explosion.
They signed to Matador Records shortly after and have gathered a large cult following. They are one of the select notable groups to cultivate a punk blues sound in the 1990s.
While on tour in July 1999, the band's tour van was broken into in Vancouver, Canada. A large amount of gear, including several microphones, amps, compressors, and other equipment, as well as Spencer's original 1962 Moog Vanguard theremin, was stolen. None of the gear was ever recovered.
With the release of Damage in 2004, the band changed their name simply to Blues Explosion.
Contents |
[edit] Side projects
[edit] Russell Simins
Russell has collaborated with Butter 08 (Cibo Matto's side project) and Little Barrie.
Men Without Pants is his new project with Dan the Automator
- Public Places LP/CD (2000, Grand Royal)
- Men Without Pants
[edit] Judah Bauer
- Ragged Backyard Classics Played By The Bauer Bros. 3x7" (1996)
- Member of Cat Power & The Dirty Delta Blues Band according to (Matador Records) (2006)
[edit] Under the moniker 20 Miles
- R.L. Boyce Othar Turner Fife & Drum Spam LP/CD (1997, Fat Possum/Epitaph)
- I'm a Lucky Guy LP/CD (1998, Fat Possum/Epitaph)
- Keep It Coming CD (2002, Fat Possum)
- Life Doesn't Rhyme CD (2003, Fat Possum)
[edit] Jon Spencer
Jon Spencer is a member of Heavy Trash, along with Matt Verta-Ray. Spencer is also a member of Boss Hog with his wife, Cristina Martinez.
- Sideways Soul (In a Dancehall Style) - Dub Narcotic Sound System Meets The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion LP/CD (1999, K Records)
- Spencer Dickinson - Spencer Dickinson (2001) Japanese release on the Toy's Factory label featuring Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson & Jon Spencer (Blues Explosion). (Luther & Cody are in The North Mississippi Allstars). 2001. Received a North American CD release with 7 extra tracks on Yep Roc in 2006.
- Heavy Trash - Heavy Trash LP/CD (2005, Yep Roc)
- Everything Is Under Control - Coldcut (2005) Coldcut - Sound Mirrors
- Heavy Trash - Going Way Out With Heavy Trash LP/CD (2007, Yep Roc)
[edit] Discography
The following list is by no means complete, as JSBX has one of the most complex and sprawling discographies in all of rock, with numerous EPs, singles, and multiple versions of each album. The major releases follow:
- A Reverse Willie Horton (1991)
- Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (1992)
- Crypt Style (1992)
- Mo' Width (Australia only LP, 1993)
- Extra Width (1993)
- Orange (1994)
- Experimental Remixes (EP, 1995, featuring remixes by UNKLE, Moby, Mike D and Beck, GZA, Dub Narcotic and others)
- Now I Got Worry (1996)
- Controversial Negro: Live in Tucson (1997)
- ACME (1998)
- Acme Plus (UK) (1999)
- Xtra Acme USA (1999)
- Sideways Soul: Dub Narcotic Sound System Meets the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion in a Dancehall Style (1999, with Dub Narcotic Sound System)
- Plastic Fang (2002)
- Damage (2004, as Blues Explosion, featuring vocals from Martina Topley-Bird and Chuck D and production by Steve Jordan, Jay Braun, Dan the Automator, David Holmes & DJ Shadow)
JSBX were also R. L. Burnside's backing band on the albums A Ass Pocket of Whiskey and Mr. Wizard. They also worked together with Andre Williams who is also credited as executive producer of Acme.
The Blues Explosion have released a series of jukebox 7" 45s through In the Red Records. The records have the following tracklistings - ITR001 "Shirt-Jac, Latch On", ITR002 "Son of Sam, Bent", ITR003 "Train # 3, Train # 1", ITR004 "Get With It, Down Low" and ITR005 "Ghetto Mon, Dya Wanna Get It?".
[edit] Compilations
- 2006 - "silver monk time - a tribute to the monks" (29 bands cover the MONKS) label play loud! productions
- 2007 - "Jukebox Explosion" - an upcoming singles collection released on In the Red Records, due out late September.
[edit] Trivia
- Spencer's singing is sometimes described as sounding like that of an Elvis impersonator.[citation needed]
- Winona Ryder, Giovanni Ribisi and John C. Reilly are featured as lead singer, guitarist and drummer in the music video "Talk about the Blues."
- Jon Spencer once trashed a TV studio in Melbourne, Australia, during a live performance on Recovery.[1] This recording has become a favourite of guest programmers on ABC's Rage.[citation needed]
- The band was parodied by the Shirehorses, operating as the Frank Spencer Blues Explosion as well as referenced in the name of the band The John & Spencer Booze Explosion.
- The band made the theme song to the Travel Channel's No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain.
- Jon Spencer is the brother of Muffin, the lead vocalist for the band Brassy.
- At the end of the "Flavor" video (which features Beck and Mike D), a full moon appears with an image of Flavor Flav on it.
- Spencer duetted with Nancy Sinatra on "Ain't No Easy Way," featured on her 2004 self-titled album.
- Their collaboration with Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Killah Priest, entitled Greyhound Part 2, was extensively featured on the original Extreme Championship Wrestling's Hardcore TV program, during self-promotional commercials and hype segments.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Blues Explosion at Matador Records
- Pop-Catastrophe.co.uk: Jon Spencer Blues Explosion: Discography (and all things JSBX) website
- "The Spencer Report", a complete list of songs and releases these appear on, 1991-95.
- "The Truth About The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion" article that was published in Penthouse (magazine)
