31 December 2015

'Some Chew Gum for Fun... Me, I Just Go'

2015.

A year punctuated by some personal high high's...

Not one but TWO trips to NYC! once in January for Jack White at Madison Square Garden and again in August for the Dead Weather's Dodge and Burn listening party.  I ran the jewels with Run the Jewels. I was front and center for The Kills AND Sturgill Simpson at the Ogden. I wrote songs and recorded an Almost Pioneers Demo EP with my main man. 

https://almostpioneers.bandcamp.com/releases
Almost Pioneers, Demos EP- we're bringing cd's back (yeah)

Things on the music front entirely ROCKED!

but were accompanied by some low low's...

Sunning & shunning... little Maggie Mae doing what she did best while our best girl Sydney observed

two freak-storm-house-floods. two deceased family pets- one from sudden disease onset, one from pure badness and old age. there's been a lot of cleaning and crying around here during what we have deemed our Summer of Mold...

But to get me through the bad, as always, there was music... and these are some of my top listens from this past year.

www.thirdmanrecords.com

Knowing me, you might think Dodge and Burn is the supreme front runner on my list, especially considering it's long-anticipated arrival. And though it is a true standout (with its own deserved post in the works) by the time it finally reached me, it couldn't top my Vile state of mind.

http://store.matadorrecords.com/b-lieve-i-m-going-down


A brother as into music as you are can be a great source for finding new stuff to listen to without the foot work. And mine delivered with the Kurt Vile rec. Yes I'd heard of Kurt Vile. No I hadn't listened to Kurt Vile. And it has been So.NICE! to discover him via 'b'lieve I'm goin' down'. Holy shit! what an album. From start to finish- 3 discs, bonus tracks and all- I am so completely enamored with this, his sixth album. I can't help but drift into its weird, wandering, dreamlike state of sound. It so reflects my mood for this year. It's been the warm blanket I didn't even know I needed. In an interview I listened to this past fall he mentions finding the sweet spot of the song, the parts that make you almost cry a little they're so beautiful and GODDAMN if he doesn't capture that perfectly with just about every song on this album, then I'm not hearing it right. I can't quite put my finger on one exact thing, but from his enunciation's of certain words, the rambling grunge cum country guitar riffs, to his staggered delivery style of cleverly crafted lines, it has grabbed my absolute attention. If you aren't yet familiar, I'd highly recommend checking out his most recent KEXP and KCRW sets, and most especially this album. I know my 2016 will consist of a Vile back catalog search and isn't that a great thing to look forward to.  

Who doesn't want to get wasted on The Dream? Count me in. Or maybe I already am. Who knows anymore. Anyhoo, Jeff the Brotherhood took their fate back into their own Infinity Cat hands this year with the release of their 'Wasted on the Dream'.

http://infinity-cat-recordings.myshopify.com/products/jeff-the-brotherhood-wasted-on-the-dream


I would say their most commercial album to date, but it felt good as a follow up to Hypnotic Nights. A grand combination of all of the JEFF sounds. A great listen when it's too early for Heavy Days, yet you don't quite feel like a Champion. I dig it's kind of pop-rock nash-punk sound.

Coming into this year I was riding on a pretty big Big Bang kick. A WaxO reissue of Daniel Finnemore's ye olde band of his UK days, they came to my attention via Tom Needham (another friend always so en pointe with his musical mentions). Absolutely the perfect segue into the new Low Cut Connie album, Hi Honey, which was released via Contender Records in April.

www.lowcutconnie.com

We had the pleasure to see Dan along with his East Coast counterpart Mr. Adam Weiner, back in March at our local Lost Lake where instant hits like 'Shake it Little Tina' and 'Diane (Don't Point That Thing at Me)' wormed their way into my brain. If you aren't familiar and want to get the true essence of Low Cut Connie in one album, this is it. 'Little Queen of New Orleans' is one of my personal favorite standout's that showcases not only Weiner's far reaching talents as front man and vocalist, but also the overall groove of the band. A great bunch of guys who not only made my 2015 list, but also the Presidential Summer Playlist (#POTUS) with their song 'Boozophilia' off their LP 'Call Me Sylvia'! Much congrats to the Connie Boys on that one!

Of course, as incestuous as rock and roll is, Low Cut Connie and Big Bang led me to some other favorite releases from this year, this time featuring LCC's guitarist James Everhart and drummer Will Donnelly in their conglomeration of Scantron. Not Scranton, S.C.A.N.T.R.O.N. You betta come correct.

https://scantronmusic.bandcamp.com/

Their introductory EP appeared on vinyl this year via Grimtale Records and was quickly followed up by their sophomore EP 'Palamino Blackwing', released by Lazy Boy Record Co. Both are solidly stellar, Everhart shines as a front man and their brand of garage rock sticks to your ribs and then some. Although I'm pretty partial to my Grim coinflip


the test press for PB probably won me over the most.


And yeah, I'm pretty sure there needs to be a tour featuring all 3 of these fine bands.

Moving on, one of my favorite 'indie' releases this year came a band I was familiar with but hadn't yet paid too much attention to. Off Nicholas Gagnon's Fonoflo label, Brother O' Brother's 'Show Pony' has quickly become one of my most frequent spins. (toe to toe with Vile guys!)



Reminiscent in some fashion to early Stripes material, Chris Banta and Warner Swopes leave you little time to ponder what you're hearing because you're too busy rocking out. SOOOOOOOOO excited (like, I can't even tell you how excited I am) for their upcoming split 7" release my favorite Austin duo The Ghost Wolves, anticipated for 2016 arrival, also from the Fonoflo camp.

I couldn't let the year go by without mentioning PUJOL. His latest EP 'Kisses' is brain food you shouldn't skip over in search of the desserts table. If you're having a hard time with the First World state of things in the universe, this EP may give you some insight as to how to deal with those qualms, if not at least providing you something to groove to on our way down.

https://pujol.merchcave.com/

With new drummer Benji Coale, the band has seemingly crossed this divide I didn't even realize had existed, where once they were the sum of parts and now they are a distinct entity unto themselves. Zach even got proper Rock Star hair! It now goes to 11.


Last but certainly not least, 'In the Blazes' from Aaron Lee Tasjan.

https://altobviously.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-blazes

Man oh man had I been looking forward to this one! If  'Crooked River Burning' was one of the prettiest EP's I've ever heard, this is perhaps one of the most fun LP's I've come across in a hot minute (and trust me, I mean that in THE BEST possible way). From the cover art to songs like 'The Trouble With Drinking' and 'Bitch Can't Sing', Tasjan delivers wit through song and I just sit and eat it up with a big ol' spoon. And those iron on transfers??? That's some classic merch right there. He's gained so much ground this past year, traveling around and making new fans, I can't wait to see how his 2016 progresses and wish him all the best.

A ton of great tunes in the pipeline for 2016- more on that later- but for the moment, to all of the musicians listed here, much thanks for the music! You seriously can't even know what a bright spot and inspiration you have provided for me. Would also love to thank the musicians/ artists who were so kind as to participate in Q&A's with me this past year. I really appreciate your indulgence of my interest, and trust that your words have not gone unheeded.

Happy New Year! And 2015, don't let the door hit ya...

17 November 2015

Have I said lately how great The Ogden is?


Located in the North Capitol Hill area of Denver, Colorado, The Ogden Theatre is one of Denver's oldest venue's. On the National Register of Historic Places, it was opened in 1917 by John Thompson- a grocer/druggist, he was also owner of the

Photo via Denver Public Library
Bluebird (formerly Thompson) Theater, which is just a bit further east on Colfax.

A long-standing history of entertaining Denverite's in some fashion,  it originally hosted vaudeville shows- most notably Harry Houdini- and was converted to a movie theater in 1937. Closed in the late 1980's after a spectacular run of Rocky Horror Picture Shows, it was acquired by Doug Kauffman of Nobody in Particular Presents in 1992. The Ogden reopened in 1993 and is now a favored venue to see Big Bands in a relatively intimate setting. Renovations in 2006 added a balcony and it now holds about 1500 people.

Located in what some might consider one of the seedier sections of Highway 40 aka Colfax Avenue, as a venue it can't be beat. There is honestly not a bad spot in the house. Balcony or rail, the sound is phenomenal, the lighting is top notch and your proximity to the performers never seems too far.

Absolutely one of my favorite local spots to catch touring acts. Site of the infamous 2009/2010 Dead Weather shows. We consider ourselves lucky to have seen so many great bands there over the years that we have lived in Denver. This year alone we've seen The Kills, Run the Jewels and most recently Sturgill Simpson.

The Kills at The Ogden, Baby In Vain opener

OMG do you realize HOW LONG I have waited for this to happen???? They haven't been through in an age so when they announced in the spring, I bought my tickets right away and you can bet your bottom dollar we were front and relatively center for this one. It was so wonderful and inspiring to finally have a chance to observe Jamie in action.

Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart of The Kills

What a brilliant, brilliant man. And combined with Alison? Who is obviously & undoubtedly Numero Uno Rock Goddess of the World? Well, suffice to say that between those two The Ogden was On.Fire.

Alison Mosshart as entertained by Jamie Hince, The Kills
In October, Run the Jewels came to town for a two-night stint at The Ogden. We got tickets for the second night, this was a meet & greet at the Colorado Mills Mall the afternoon before the show.

Running the Jewels of the game

So funny, I honestly can't remember the last time I was at an actual mall. But there were Killer Mike and El P, probably stoned as hell and doing work for the people. A really odd assortment of folks in line at the primarily skate/snow boarder store Zumiez, they attract a diverse crowd. The show that night was spectacular. We opted for a front row balcony spot for this one, with stools to sit on (I know, I know, how old is that?) But 3 openers? My back just can't do it no more. Again, people watching was hilarious. The traditional hipsterly bearded crowd turned out, but when the lights went down, we were all Jewel Runners. The amount of mj smoke that filled the venue literally brought a tear to Killer Mike's

Killer Mike feelin' the love

eye and their appreciation for the the fervored crowd's reception was rewarded with an equally stellar show. Can't thank RTJ enough for coming to our town!

After missing his 2-night engagement at the Bluebird last year, nabbing tickets to attend Sturgill Simpson's second night at the Ogden just earlier this month was one of those 'pinch me I can't believe this is happening' moments.

Sturgill Simpson and Company, rocking The Ogden

And honestly, it was everything I could have hoped for- front row spot, short opening set (a comedian no less!) an almost TWO HOUR show. The only thing that could have made it better is if my brother had been able to get out here for it. Backed by his uber-talented band including Laur Joamet on guitar,

Laur Joamet
Miles Miller keeping time

Kevin Black on bass, Miles Miller on drums, and Jeff Crow on keyboards they did not disappoint.

Sturgill kicked everything off with 'Sitting Here Without You' and followed that up with 'Just Let Go'. Well by that point my mind was blown he'd just played two of my favorites and we were only getting started! Such a fun, Fun, FUN time. He brought the cowboys out of the wood work, there was a packed house and everyone seemed to be up for a good time. There was a minor audience altercation that went down but that I won't really refer to it here except to say Sturgill fielded it well and then stormed up the stage some more. To all of my friends not 'in' to country music right now, I would highly advise you check out Sturgill Simpson. He's got a lot to say, and a mighty fine way of saying it.

Winter's gearing up and as I write this we've got several inches of snow on the ground. Sturgill's show concluded the last of our planned events at this fine venue for this year...

The Ogden as it stands today

but we've got Puscifer coming to town next week and Tool tour dates have started to be announced for early next year so all is not yet lost! 

01 September 2015

I'd Run Around the World for You...

If there's one thing I've learned in my time of following the Dead Weather it's if you've got the opportunity- GO! So when my generous buddy Steve told me last Wednesday afternoon I could be his +1 for their Thursday night listening party in NYC you can bet your bottom dollar I dropped everything on my plate and booked me a ticket for an aero plane.

Pretty sure I slept not a wink Wednesday night leading up to my 3am wake up call. 6am flight to Houston, layover and final leg into NYC went off without a hitch. Walked off my plane and straight onto the Q70 which delivered me promptly to the F train and I was in downtown Manhattan in a flash.

My brother met me for a quick drink to quell my nerves (because tequila is good for an anxious stomach don't you know) and shortly after my man of the hour and friend for life Steve Ruta arrived. Our first time to meet in person, Steve proved funny as all get out and I knew immediately I had a great partner in crime for this experience of a lifetime.

Upon arriving at the venue (a dark little not-seedy-but-might-be-perceived-that-way-from-the-outside corner bar located on Avenue A) we were acquainted with Third Man friends.

TMRC 'Family Photo'- Post Party Shot
Putting names to new faces we cumulatively exhaled a sigh of nervous relief as they began to check us into the venue. After readily handing over our phones to the one and only Lalo for the evening- which were promptly stowed in TMR yellow bags with a copy of our claim ticket stapled to it- we were ushered upstairs where we were welcomed by a stocked open bar and tables of tasty looking treats I could not even begin to think of eating (garlic bread before meeting the band? no thanks! haha).

Nervous chatter ensued as guests continued to filter in. I heard some folks were leaving when they found out they had to turn in their cell phones. Are you kidding me???? But much to my pleasant surprise some folks I didn't think would make it to the event did! Our friendly buzz was heightened when LJ 'Little Jack' Lawrence popped in and began chatting with folks here and there. Once we were all assembled, about 60 of us altogether is my guess, we were greeted and escorted to the basement area where the 'Dodge and Burn' listening was to take place.

Now here's where things get a bit fuzzy as far as order of events because as soon as we were settled in, the presence of the band became clear as Mr. White himself filtered through the crowd and the effects of the free booze started to sink in. Dean was bellied up to the speak-easy style bar and Alison stood shining like the star she is in the corner. I tell you, this is the stuff my little Dead Weather Denver dreams are made of!

Mr. Ben Swank took to the little corner stage, urging us make use of this five minute warning that they were going to close the bar while the album played and encouraging us to 'two-fist' our beverages of choice and basically prepare to get our faces melted. By this time a photographer was taking parting-gift polaroid photos of guests with our gracious hosts.

Photo courtesy of Harry Portnof, Greenway Records
Photo Courtesy of Will James
Photo courtesy of Macwacky
Photo Courtesy of Eileen Corsano

I took my drink and a seat with Momma Boat and right before things got going Jack came by and gave her a little shoulder squeeze and a quick smooch- lucky lady!!! The album kicked off hard and heavy with the by now all too familiar sounds of 'I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)'. You know that feeling when, in the summer time, you leave a fully air conditioned building and it's so so so cold inside that when you open the door you get this blast of super hot air and it almost melts your eyelashes but it feels really good at the same time? Yeah, it was kind of like that. I couldn't stop myself moving- you just can't sit still to the Dead Weather! I decided I no longer could, in fact, keep to my seat and joined up with some friends at the sidelines of the chair area. Finally enough liquid courage prompting me and grabbing my buddy Jay for moral support, we were fortunate to get a snap and a quick word with Miss Baby Ruthless herself.



And there it was. I had met (and thanked) my Rock Goddess Hero. Night made. That was all that I needed.
...


Except then I encountered Mr. Dean Fertita at the bar! I couldn't let the opportunity slide to let him know how appreciative I was for new Dead Weather tunes. He thanked me and mentioned how excited they were to be premiering the album for us all. Feeling I had taken up enough of his time, I tuned back into paying attention to the true purpose of our attendance- listening to Dodge and Burn!

Of the twelve tracks, I already knew five front to back, much thanks to Vault package singles released over the past year. 'Rough Detective' is still claiming a top spot as one of my favorites. Other stand outs are (Jack's) Three Dollar Hat- a surprising rap number reminiscent (to me) of the late 80's/early 90's hip hop flavor, 'Mile Markers' and 'Cop and Go'. If you've been sitting around wishing for a solid follow up to their 2010 Sea of Cowards, Dodge and Burn will not disappoint. Hard, heavy, vascillating between the rhythmic and varied change-ups you might already be familiar with as a Dead Weather fan, all the while emitting this almost frenetic energy that is too big for any speaker. The longing and hopes I had built in my mind over this long wait was eased upon first listen and I personally cannot wait until September 25 to have it in my hot little hands!

The festivities continued and part of me wishes the photo opp's had been set up just a bit differently because, as the night wore on, a good majority of the crowd became so focused on that they kind of lost sight of actually listening to the album. At one point I did manage to greet and shake hands with the Invisible Man himself (aka Jackie White) who, while in motion of his continued efforts to keep shaking up the picture-taking by redirecting locations, took a few seconds to welcome me and ask if I was doing alright and having a good time. A good time???? Major understatement. I wanted to shout 'I have been waiting for for five years for new DW tunes! I can't believe this is happening!!!' But instead I just smiled, stammered 'yes' and thanked him. On his way he went, our gallant Pied Piper of the night.

By this time there was a dull roar filling the basement bar we occupied. Dean and LJ were making the rounds and while in conversation with one of my buddies I mentioned to Dean I really hoped they would consider a tour because the world was sorely in need of one. Our brief convo ended with a little hug and I think my face about split in half from smiling.

Dodge and Burn Tracklist, TMR- 331
Dodge and Burn ended on a sweet note with an Alison-dominant song 'Impossible Winner', akin in some fashion to the Kills 'The Last Goodbye'. The band took to the stage to thank us for coming. Witty banter ensued as Jack introduced everyone, and their obvious enjoyment of one another jumped off the stage and smacked us in our faces. All I could think was 'tour! Tour! TOURRRR!!!!' but instead I just yelled out 'thank you!'

They left us with a screening of a variant video for 'I Feel Love' that was super tripped out in all of its Dead Weathery fashion: Jack keeps time surrounded by piles of mannequins and Alison's writhing self was sometimes replaced with a completely nude-body-stocking version of herself. It may have also happened to LJ but it went by kind of fast. A Tidal version? I have no idea, you tell me.

We prepared to start saying our own last goodbye's by wishing various band members farewell. Steve decided we needed to 'tuck LJ in' and after hug-passing him through our tiny group of assembled fans, we turned our attention to Miss X who quickly realized she was in for the same fate. I took a minute to impart that I hoped she could convince the boys to hit the road and she mentioned that it was kind of her fault they couldn't. Well I could never fault VV for anything so hopefully it will turn out if it's meant to be.

What a night!!!!!!!!!!!!! Steve I honestly can't thank you enough!

In parting... Thanks Third Man! Taking the time, making the effort and footing the expense to put together events like this for we fans is so appreciated! I just want you to know how much it means to the lot of us. You guys rock! I also know there are a load of folks who sit at home watching events like this go down via the Internet and social networking and it's sometimes really hard if not impossible to fight that green-eyed monster of jealousy that never fails to arise in some level. Trust me, I've been there plenty of times myself and I know it creates some real feels. I hope I have done my part to relay one fans perspective of the night for those of you who were not able to be in attendance. Viva la Dead Weather!!!!!

... and pretty pretty pretty PLEASE will you do a few live show dates????? I'd love you forever, but you already knew that

15 April 2015

Getting Quichey with Brett Rosenberg


His own website likens Quichenight to 'lo-fi, high-brow easy-listening music for nerds'. Personally I've found it takes me back to the formative years of my childhood- the days of hearing Todd Rundgren's 'hello it's me' coming from my dad's orange Datsun pick up. The days of hearing the theme to 'Welcome Back Kotter' reruns emitting from the t.v. droning on in the background. Popping a Quichenight cassette into your walkman and taking it in, weird things come to mind... perhaps visions of sitting on a Malibu beach circa 1980 and all of a sudden Jack Tripper goes running by, or maybe you're in a vintage kitchen watching one of those clocks with the cat whose tail and eyes that move from side to side. Or maybe you're transported to a different time and space altogether. Who knows. Regardless, I've admired this guys work in PUJOL so much, I thought some of you other Pujol-Pals out there might enjoy learning a bit more about the man behind the guitar- Mr. Brett Rosenberg.

Brett Rosenberg of PUJOL and Quichenight
Hey Brett! Thanks so much for agreeing to this Q&A~

Please give us a brief introduction to yourself… Background? Bands you play in? When did you start playing music?
I took organ lessons in 1st grade, but was such a bad sight-reader that my parents and I concluded I wasn't cut out for it. I kept fooling around with it, though. In 3rd grade, I improvised a 90-minute electric chord organ and vocal record into a tape recorder. I still have the tape. It sounds very eastern. Side 2 is comedy. Eventually I became a teenager and of course played guitar and pretended to like heavy metal and learned the history of punk rock, liked some 90s indie rock, started real bands that played shows, etc. Via my friends/heroes The Figgs, I played guitar for Graham Parker on a couple of tours. In 2007, I moved to Nashville for some reason and immediately took 5000 craigslist music gigs and sort of existed in that perpetual local-shows-with a-bunch-of-total-strangers universe. It warped me. It was mostly posi. Now I play in PUJOL with Daniel and funnel my own creative output into Quichenight recordings.

PUJOL at The Larimer Lounge, Denver, June 2014
Many folks reading this will be familiar with you from PUJOL… How did you hook up Daniel?
I was living in Battle Tapes, the recording studio where Daniel recorded Nasty, Brutish, and Short and United States of Being. I remember him finishing Angel Baby there, too. Standing in the kitchen, I could hear "SPREAD YOUR WAAAANGS." Very esoteric, catchy, raw, goofy, earnest, distinctly Middle Tennessee rock music. I gave him a Quichenight tape, something I'd started recording in the basement recreationally while people were out of town. He listened to it a lot on tour, and eventually asked me to play guitar.

You guys have been all over the country in the past year or so. What are some of your favorite touring memories to date?
My favorite things about travelling are the places in between places. I like the desert. The Grand Canyon is obviously mind-blowing, but so is the view from a Wal-Mart in Montana. I like hotel showers and deserted lobbies at 4am. Nothing sticks out. It was one big highlight for me. Actually, I really like Deadwood, SD and its depressing, creepy casinos that may have been hospitals at some point. 

https://youtu.be/MuBeT6wS3rU
Click photo above to view Quichenight's 'Fjord Tortoise' performance from Music City Shakedown
Your (primarily) solo effort, Quichenight, has been active and playing around Nashville for a few years now. How did that project come about? What’s behind the name?
Quichenight travels through time because time is imaginary and Quichenight has an imagination, as do we all. So maybe we're in the '60s some nights, but we're still us and we still remember. Some bands do a great job of time travelling but a bad job of remembering how they got there or what they were thinking. I mention those bands because I feel like the tastes and process are at times identical. Anyway, we just go back to get the music. We live and write and assemble here, at home.

Quichenight is full of things from other locations, but it stays home. Quichenight admits staying home is a choice, which is why Quichenight feels so good when you stay home. http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quichenotte

With four Quichenight album releases under your belt- all available via limited edition cassette- what was your primary decision behind selecting that medium?
It's cheap, but not totally arbitrary beyond that. We recorded all those albums on 4-track cassette. I listen to tapes. Some of my best times listening to music were listening to a tape. The hardest part is keeping the players working, but there are always more to buy. Trick is to keep 3 or 4 around at all times so if one breaks, you're not stuck with just mp3s, CDs, and vinyl. It's certainly choosing your audience, not the other way around. That said, I'm doing vinyl soon because it is a more proper, reliable, permanent format. A couple people have approached me, but it would be 2017 at the latest. I've been making tapes since I was 4. It's how I think about recorded music.

You’ve recently announced an upcoming release from your southern soul R&B alter ego/ protégé Earl ‘Prince’ King- what can you share with us about that?
Well, let's put it this way: I released that track on a holiday...an old jewish holiday we sometimes celebrate, called April Fools.

What is your preferred equipment set up?
I'll play anything, even the new Marshall JCM 50000 with 50,000 knobs and the Snapple Bluetooth attenuator. 

Official Five ‘Gotta Know’ Questions?
1) First vinyl memory?
Wings, London Town, watching my mom "fix a skip" at the beginning of "Cuff Link." 1984. You can do this at home by applying downward pressure to the needle, pushing it horizontally in the opposite direction the scratch is taking it.

2) What is an album you regularly spin for your own enjoyment?
Gato Barbieri, Chapter One: Latin America

3) What was the last album you added to your collection?
Rupert Holmes, Partners in Crime

4) What was your favorite album or new artist from last year?
I don't listen to enough new music to answer that question adequately and also time isn't real.

5) What artists are you looking forward to hearing more of this coming year?
see above

Again, thanks so much to Brett for participating in this Q&A! Be sure to check out PUJOL's new single 'June Bug', which will be available on a #RSD split with Meth Dad. If you live or will be in Nashville this Saturday April 18th- the holiest of days,  Record Store Day- be sure to catch the boys performing live at Third Man Records during the day or their gig on Queen Avenue that evening. 

https://soundcloud.com/pujoldotcom/june-bug-live

... Then be sure to tell me all about it because I'm super sad panda that I'll be missing it.

25 March 2015

Come and get your Scantron!


If you, like me, are sitting and watching your mailbox, waiting for the latest Grimtale Records release- SCANTRON Grim018- to arrive at your doorstep, here's a little something to tide you over...

You may know him as James or Jimmy. You may have caught him rocking out with one of the coolest bands to travel with their own piano around, Low Cut Connie. As with so many artists too talented to keep it all in one place, he's got a little 'side project' going and has kindly taken some time out of his busy touring schedule to answer a few of my questions. 

Jimmy Everhart with Low Cut Connie, SXSW 2014
Hey James aka JimmyScantron! Thanks so much for agreeing to this Q&A~

Please give us a brief introduction to yourself… Background? Bands you play in? When did you start playing music? What other instruments (if any) do you play? How did you get to be so funny?

My name is Jimmy Rice Everhart and I play lead guitar in Low Cut Connie and my band, Scantron, which I also sing lead vocals.  Guitar is my sole purpose on the planet, but I do fare well with piano and keys, and most instruments that are plucked or strummed.  
As far as the comedy thing, I blame my mother - she's a quirky, extremely imaginative kindergarten teacher.  Beyond my work, I try not to take life so seriously.

Many folks reading this will be familiar with you from Low Cut Connie… How did you hook up with them? What’s it like touring the country with those crazy Connie Boys? What are some of your favorite touring memories to date?

I was asked to join Low Cut Connie after one of my old bands opened for them.  Adam approached me at the end of the evening about the gig.  Touring with them around the country has been a dream come true.  Often times amidst the constant financial and personal struggles that come with touring so extensively, I take for granted the things we get to do and see.  
My favorite memories of tour are always of the scenery, the sounds, and the food.  I was fortunate to drive up the Pacific Coast Highway between LA and Portland with my fiancé, Molly.  That was my most cherished tour memory to date.  If you're looking for something dirty, well, there are too many things for me to recall!  

http://www.grimtalerecords.com/products/grim018-scantron-regular-release-7-120-copies

Your first EP ‘Scantron’ is about to hit folks’ mailboxes in vinyl format courtesy of Grimtale Records and rumors are swirling that your second EP, ‘Palamino Blackwing’, will also see the light of day on wax. What, if anything, does it mean to you to have these recordings available for the public in a more tangible format? 

Having Scantron on vinyl is a total treat, especially for someone who collects!  The Low Cut Connie album is coming out on April 21st and we have our two Scantron releases as well.  It's very satisfying dropping the needle and hearing all your hard work presented in the most tangible way; it's even more satisfying to know that people actually want to own a copy.  I'm so happy I don't have to burn CDs anymore.  

You’ve got some fairly epic Scantron band posters/ artwork to date- who is the brain child behind those? 

The Scantron posters are made by our bass/ keys player, George Murphy, who also owns a multimedia company, Planet Ten Media.  Of course, I coerce him into the goofy/ sleazy theme, but ultimately he's the brainchild.          

With touring and several EP’s already under Scantron’s belt combined with consistent touring and recording with Low Cut Connie, do you find it difficult to compartmentalize these different projects?

This spring is particularly busy.  All of my time is essentially devoted to Low Cut Connie and the release of "Hi Honey", which we are all very proud of.  In the past year, the Scantron boys have been compiling equipment in our studio, I just wish we had more time to churn out new stuff.  On the bright side, recording and producing your own stuff is free and a great pastime. 

You recently proposed to your gal Friday in a fairly spectacular fashion. Any advice you have for other men considering popping the question? 

Haha, as far as my proposal: 
Molly and I have known each other for a long time; we've dated for almost 6 years (April 18th!).  It was the easiest decision I've ever made in my life.  It is profoundly difficult to tour and maintain such a loving relationship, but the key is that we trust each other implicitly and Molly is my number one fan.  I can live without touring and being on stage, but I cannot live without her.  Simple as that.  As far as advice: Save money, have confidence, and stick with a classic-looking engagement ring!
Official Five ‘Gotta Know’ Questions?
1) First vinyl memory?
My first vinyl memory is either listening to Eddy Arnold at my grandparent's house or dancing to Paul Simon when I was a little baby.  

2) What is an album you regularly spin for your own enjoyment?
My most worn-out piece of wax is definitely "Tonight's The Night" by Neil Young or the self-titled album by Link Wray (the country one where he sings a lot).

3) What was the last album you added to your collection?
I just bought "S.F. Sorrow" by the Pretty Things and "Boom" by The Sonics.

4) What was your favorite album or new artist from last year?
My favorite album from last year is either "All or Nothing" by Nikki Lane.

5) What artists are you looking forward to hearing more of this coming year? 
I'm not even sure who's working on new albums this year, but I'm most excited about follow a few of my new friends in Futurebirds and Turbo Fruits.  Both bands are insanely good.   
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Thanks so much to Jimmy for participating! You can check out Scantron for yourself via Grimtale Records (get one while you can, they're going fast!), their Bandcamp or (if you're anywhere near Delaware) at a live show sometime in the future. Look for Low Cut Connie's 'Hi Honey' via Contender Records in April, available for pre-order now via their website.