Jump to content

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Tag: possible conflict of interest
Line 22: Line 22:


==History==
==History==
Originally from [[Hanover, New Hampshire]], Spencer (born Jonathan Spencer) moved to [[Washington, D.C.]] where he fronted the band [[Pussy Galore (band)|Pussy Galore]]. After that band's break-up, ''The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion'' formed in 1990 in [[New York City]]. The band members had played in bands including ''The Honeymoon Killers'', ''Crowbar Massage'', and [[Boss Hog]] prior to the formation of the ''Blues Explosion''.
Originally from [[Hanover, New Hampshire]], '''Jon Spencer''' attended Brown University in [[Providence, Rhode Island]] where he was part of the noise rock band ''Shithaus'' before moving to [[Washington, D.C.]] where he fronted band [[Pussy Galore]] who would quickly relocate to New York. Spencer played and recorded with ''Gibson Bros''., ''[[Boss Hog]]'' and ''Honeymoon Killers'' prior to the formation of the ''Blues Explosion''.


'''Judah Bauer''', from [[Appleton, Wisconsin]] had been in an early line-up of ''The Spitters'', and with '''Russell Simins''', from [[Queens, New York]], recorded as part of ''Crowbar Massage''.

It was with Jerry Teel’s ''Honeymoon Killers'' that Bauer, Simins and Spencer would all perform and record and from which they'd go on to form the '''Jon Spencer Blues Explosion'''<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pop-catastrophe.co.uk/1707.aspx|title= Jon Spencer interview|accessdate= August 26, 2010|last= McConnell|first= Dave|authorlink= |coauthors= |date= March 1993|work= |publisher= Fiz|doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote="We just kind of stumbled into each other. He was just this drummer that the Honeymoon Killers had found, and I was coming around playing with them - that's how we met. Judah was the friend that was living with him - this kid - and we just started playing together, the three of us.” }}</ref>

<blockquote>"Russell and I would rehearse with Honeymoon Killers and the rehearsal would be over and Russell and I would keep playing, eventually inviting Simins' friend Bauer to join in." <ref>Gladstone, Eric, "New Route: Jon Spencer Blues Explosion ", August 1992</ref> </blockquote>

The sound of the '''Jon Spencer Blues Explosion''' was informed by previous bands with influence taken from working with the '''Gibson Bros.''' which was already evident in the last [[Pussy_Galore_(band)|Pussy Galore]] album. “That final [[Pussy_Galore_(band)|Pussy Galore]] album exuded a very '''Gibson Brothers'''-bent version of what was to come with Spencer’s next, more successful venture the '''Jon Spencer Blues Explosion'''”

<blockquote>“...after five years of [[Pussy_Galore_(band)|Pussy Galore]] I was able to connect to [[Rock_n_roll|rock ’n’ roll]] in some way that I wasn’t able to before,” he remembers those formative days. “I was pissed off about a lot of things…so much shitty [[Rock_n_roll|rock ’n’ roll]] that angered me, and [[Pussy_Galore_(band)|Pussy Galore]] was kicking against that. With the '''Blues Explosion''', there was some of that, but now I was into celebrating it.” - Jon Spencer <ref>Edison, Mike "Year One: Sleeve Notes", July 2010</ref> </blockquote>

Throughout the life of the band the use of the word “[[blues]]” in the band name has caused a great deal of debate. This was addressed in the 1998 [[Acme]] single ''Talk About The Blues'' which refers to [[MTV]] and [[Rolling Stone magazine]] and features the line "I do not play no blues, I play rock 'n' roll" (which itself was a reference to the [[Mississippi Fred McDowell]] album ''“I Do Not Play No Rock 'n' Roll"'').

''Talk About The Blues'' was a reaction a Rolling Stone review of ''[[Now I Got Worry]]'' and Q&A with Jon Spencer.

<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pop-catastrophe.co.uk/1551.aspx|title= CMJ NEW MUSIC MONTHLY: ACME BLUES EXPLOSIVES INC.|accessdate= August 26, 2010|last= Daley|first= David|authorlink= |coauthors= |date= December 1998|work= |publisher= CMJ |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>

<blockquote>"I wrote the song right after we did the interview, inspired by that and also some of the criticism we’ve received over the past couple years. If we tried to record some song that was a response to criticism as it happened, that would be too heavy-handed. The lyrics stayed true to the original off-the-cuff feel, what you call a rant. But it's not such a big deal, you know. A lot of that stuff just doesn't merit a response." <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pop-catastrophe.co.uk/1551.aspx|title= CMJ NEW MUSIC MONTHLY: ACME BLUES EXPLOSIVES INC.|accessdate= August 26, 2010|last= Daley|first= David|authorlink= |coauthors= |date= December 1998|work= |publisher= CMJ |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> </blockquote>

⚫
They signed to the large [[independent label]] [[Matador Records|Matador]] shortly after, and have since gathered a large cult following. They are one of the select notable groups to cultivate a [[punk blues]] sound in the 1990s.

Their sound became key in the emergence of later blues and punk inspired rock bands such as the Oblivians and, later in the decade, bands like [[The White Stripes]], [[Soledad Brothers (band)|Soledad Brothers]] and [[The Immortal Lee County Killers]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}


⚫
They signed to the large [[independent label]] [[Matador Records|Matador]] shortly after, and have since gathered a large cult following. They are one of the select notable groups to cultivate a [[punk blues]] sound in the 1990s. Their sound became key in the emergence of later blues and punk inspired rock bands such as the Oblivians and, later in the decade, bands like [[The White Stripes]], [[Soledad Brothers (band)|Soledad Brothers]] and [[The Immortal Lee County Killers]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}


=== Damage / hiatus (04 - 06)===
=== Damage / hiatus (04 - 06)===

Revision as of 15:43, 12 September 2010

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion


The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion are an American alternative rock trio, formed in 1991 and based out of New York City, New York. The band is comprised of Judah Bauer on guitar, backing vocals, harmonica and occasional lead vocals, Russell Simins on drums and Jon Spencer on vocals, guitar and theremin. Their musical style is largely rooted in rock ‘n’ roll although it draws influences from punk, blues, garage, rockabilly, soul, noise rock, rhythm and blues and rap. They have released seven official studio albums, collaborative records with Dub Narcotic Soundsystem and R.L. Burnside as well as numerous singles, out-take albums, compilations, remix albums and, in 2010, a series of expanded reissues.

History

Originally from Hanover, New Hampshire, Jon Spencer attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island where he was part of the noise rock band Shithaus before moving to Washington, D.C. where he fronted band Pussy Galore who would quickly relocate to New York. Spencer played and recorded with Gibson Bros., Boss Hog and Honeymoon Killers prior to the formation of the Blues Explosion.


Judah Bauer, from Appleton, Wisconsin had been in an early line-up of The Spitters, and with Russell Simins, from Queens, New York, recorded as part of Crowbar Massage.

It was with Jerry Teel’s Honeymoon Killers that Bauer, Simins and Spencer would all perform and record and from which they'd go on to form the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion[1]

"Russell and I would rehearse with Honeymoon Killers and the rehearsal would be over and Russell and I would keep playing, eventually inviting Simins' friend Bauer to join in." [2]

The sound of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion was informed by previous bands with influence taken from working with the Gibson Bros. which was already evident in the last Pussy Galore album. “That final Pussy Galore album exuded a very Gibson Brothers-bent version of what was to come with Spencer’s next, more successful venture the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion”

“...after five years of Pussy Galore I was able to connect to rock ’n’ roll in some way that I wasn’t able to before,” he remembers those formative days. “I was pissed off about a lot of things…so much shitty rock ’n’ roll that angered me, and Pussy Galore was kicking against that. With the Blues Explosion, there was some of that, but now I was into celebrating it.” - Jon Spencer [3]

Throughout the life of the band the use of the word “blues” in the band name has caused a great deal of debate. This was addressed in the 1998 Acme single Talk About The Blues which refers to MTV and Rolling Stone magazine and features the line "I do not play no blues, I play rock 'n' roll" (which itself was a reference to the Mississippi Fred McDowell album “I Do Not Play No Rock 'n' Roll").

Talk About The Blues was a reaction a Rolling Stone review of Now I Got Worry and Q&A with Jon Spencer.

[4]

"I wrote the song right after we did the interview, inspired by that and also some of the criticism we’ve received over the past couple years. If we tried to record some song that was a response to criticism as it happened, that would be too heavy-handed. The lyrics stayed true to the original off-the-cuff feel, what you call a rant. But it's not such a big deal, you know. A lot of that stuff just doesn't merit a response." [5]

They signed to the large independent label Matador shortly after, and have since gathered a large cult following. They are one of the select notable groups to cultivate a punk blues sound in the 1990s.

Their sound became key in the emergence of later blues and punk inspired rock bands such as the Oblivians and, later in the decade, bands like The White Stripes, Soledad Brothers and The Immortal Lee County Killers.[citation needed]


Damage / hiatus (04 - 06)

Damage was the only album to be released on Sanctuary Records and for this release the band were temporarily know as just the Blues Explosion. The shortened name lasted less than two years and by early 2006 [6] the official website was located at the domain name thejonspencerbluesexplosion.com rather than blues-explosion.com as it is given on the Damage album sleeve.

The album was recorded between December 2003 and April 2004 at Empire View Studios, NYC, Globe Studios, NYC and Elegant Too Studios with production and mixing credits including Dan The Automator, DJ Shadow, Steve Jordan, Free Association…David Holmes, Jay Braun, Alan Moulder, Danny Madorsky, Chris Maxwell and Phil Hernandez (Elegant Too) as well as the Blues Explosion, Jon Spencer and Russell Simins.

During this time the band also recorded the Guitar Wolf cover version Kawasaki ZII750 Rock 'N' Roll at Empire View Recording Studio with Danny Madorsky for the tribute album I Love Guitar Wolf...Very Much.

Damage was released in September 2004 and features appearances from artists including Chuck D (Hot Gossip), Martina Topley-Bird (Spoiled /You Been My Baby), James Chance and DJ Shadow (Fed Up and Low Down) and Simon Chardiet ((who would later perform with Heavy Trash live band (Rattling)).

Also in September 2004 Burn It Off was released as a single with music video directed by Stylewar. Issued in the US as a one track radio promo CD and in the UK Mute released the single on 7” and CD reaching number 77 in the charts.

Hot Gossip was the second Damage single released in November 2004 reaching 119 in the official UK charts and had a music video directed by David Raccuglia. Issued as a red vinyl 7” only single featuring Elliott Smith on the B-side Meet Me In The City previously released on the tribute album Sunday Nights The Songs of Junior Kimbrough.

Crunchy was the third and final single released in April 2005 issued on 7”, 12” and CD reaching number 89 in the UK charts.

The sleeves for all the Damage-era released featured photography by Ashkan Sahihi and design by Chip Kidd.

In Japan there were two slightly different promotional Radio Session CDs featuring live recordings of the album tracks Help These Blues, Spoiled, Rattling, Hot Gossip and a cover of the Suicide song Rocket USA which is unavailable elsewhere.

In September 2004 (28/29) Russell Simins and Judah Bauer would join Tom Waits and Larry Taylor for a performance on the David Letterman TV show playing Make It Rain from the album Real Gone. [7]

This particular event caused a furore behind the scenes when Mike Edison wrote a “crazed conspiracy rant” about Jon Spencer being replaced with Tom Waits for the Blues Explosion website . This was part of a bigger plan to get the a picture of Tom with Russell and Judah and send it out with a tongue-in-cheek press release (“Tom Waits Blues Explosion”) to see if the story would get picked-up by the mainstream press but before the event took place a record company publicist took the text direct from the Blues Explosion website and sent it out as a legitimate press release and very nearly led to the show being called off. [8]

Between August 2004 and May 2005 the band toured almost constantly beginning with a festival appearance in Norway and a low-key show in the UK at London’s 93 Feet East followed by shows throughout Europe/UK, the US, Japan (eight dates with The Kills), Australia, the UK again (supporting The Hives) and Turkey.

At this time in the UK ‘garage rock’ and bands such as The Hives, The Strokes, White Stripes were popular and it was often noted that the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion never got the recognition many writers felt they deserved.

“It must rankle a little. Jon Spencer has been wrangling his brand of the blues - extrovert, down-and-dirty, pinched by punk and acknowledging a debt to Little Richard and Carl Perkins as much as Hasil Adkins and Son House - for around 14 years now. And have he and his band enjoyed even a taste of White Stripes-like acclaim? Have they flick"[9]


Of Crunchy NME said it was “packing the kind of irresistible groove that would shoot straight to the number one for 14 years in any right-thinking world.” [10]


A mock-up newspaper (front page only) titled “The Daily Explosion” and DVD featuring the music videos for Burn It Off and Hot Gossip was available at US gigs in November 2004.

In 2005 an EP titled Snack Cracker was released in Japan. This compiled many of the UK single b-sides album with Hot Gossip and Burn It Off videos, a Jay Braun remix of Hot Gossip and a live recording of Rattling featuring Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols.

The Blues Explosion recorded the theme tune for Anthony Bourdain series No Reservations broadcast on The Travel Channel in 2005. The track lasts approximately 60 seconds and around 20 seconds of this is used during the programmes intro sequence and the menu screen on the subsequent DVD release.

On 21st September 2005 Jon Spencer Blues Explosion appeared at Ko Ko, London performing as part of the “Don’t Look Back” shows organised by ATP where artists played albums in their entirety. The band played Orange followed by a set of non-Orange songs.

During this time there was a message sent out to the Blues Explosion mailing list outlining a number of future projects and releases including news of a Live Recordings album recorded during the Damage tour (possibly just the Japanese shows) which has, to date, never been released.

Towards the end of 2005 the band went hiatus and the members worked on numerous different projects with different artists.

Jukebox Explosion Rockin’ Mid-90s Punkers / live (07 - 08)

In October 2008 In The Red Records released a compilation of rare and unreleased tracks including all tracks from the five Explosion Jukebox Series singles (Shirt Jac, Son of Sam, Train #3, Get With It and Ghetto Mom). The album artwork parodied the original Back From The Grave 1983 compilation released by Crypt Records with drawings of Judah, Russell and Jon replacing the original characters. Both sleeves were created by Mort Todd.

The band also started playing live again in June 2008 with a secret show at Bowery Electric followed by New York City Bicycle Film Festival and a short Jukebox Explosion European tour during August and September 2008.

Other Work / Guest Appearances

Judah Bauer

Judah Bauer was "in their embryonic form" part of The Spitters and has recorded, played or performed with Honeymoon Killers, Crowbar Massage, Appleton Brothers, Childballads (Stuart Lupton of Jonathan Fire*eater), Speedball Baby and Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues.

Under the name 20 Miles Judah has released the following albums and EPs:

  • Ragged Backyard Classics (In The Red, 1996)
  • R.L. Boyce Othar Turner Fife & Drum Spam LP/CD (Fat Possum/Epitaph, 1997)
  • Sinful Tunes & Spirituals (Au Go-Go, 1998; split EP with Doo Rag)
  • I'm a Lucky Guy (Fat Possum/Epitaph, 1998)
  • Let Every Town Furnish It's Own Women (Epitaph/Sony, 2000; split EP with Bob Log III)
  • Keep It Coming (Fat Possum, 2002)
  • Life Doesn't Rhyme (Fat Possum, 2003)

Russell Simins

Russell Simins has produced, remixed and performed with numerous bands including Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Honeymoon Killers, Crowbar Massage, Cibo Matto, Grapevine, Ween, Luscious Jackson, Yoko Ono, Money Mark, Fred Schneider, Duran Duran, Asian Dub Foundation, Stereolab, The Pierces, Tandy, Spalding Rockwell, The Morning Pages, Little Barrie, Jena Malone, Tiny Masters of Today and Harper Simon.

And as a core band member he has released the following albums:

  • Honeymoon Killers - Hung Far Low LP/CD (Fist Puppet, 1991)
  • Butter 08 (Grand Royal, 1996)
  • Crunt (Trance Syndicate, 1994)
  • Russell Simins - Public Places LP/CD (Grand Royal, 2000)
  • Men Without Pants (Victor, 2006)
  • Men Without Pants - Naturally (Expansion Team (US)/Vicious Circle (FR), 2009)

Jon Spencer

Jon Spencer in a Heavy Trash performance in São Paulo, Brazil, on April 23, 2009. Photo by Ariel Martini

Jon Spencer has released some solo material in addition to being a core member of Shithaus, Pussy Galore, Boss Hog, Spencer Dickinson, Solex vs Cristina Martinez + Jon Spencer and in Heavy Trash with Matt Verta-Ray released the following albums:

  • Heavy Trash LP/CD (Yep Roc (US)/Crunchy Frog (DK)/Victor/JVC (JP), 2005)
  • Heavy Trash - Going Way Out With Heavy Trash LP/CD (Yep Roc (US)/Crunchy Frog (DK)/Victor/JVC (JP), 2007)
  • Heavy Trash - Mightnight Soul Serenade LP/CD (Big Legal Mess (US)/Crunchy Frog (DK)/Bronzerat (UK), 2009)

With the Honeymoon Killers he appears on several recordings and made one complete album as a member of the band with Russell Simins, Jerry Teel and Lisa Wells:

  • Honeymoon Killers - Hung Far Low LP/CD (Fist Puppet, 1991)

He has also performed with, recorded, remixed and produced a huge number of artists including: Gibson Bros., Workdogs, Nancy Sinatra, Moby, Cheater Slicks, Beck, Demolition Doll Rods, Edison Rocket Train/Mike Edison, Einstürzende Neubauten, Coldcut, Powersolo, Puffy AmiYumi, Eros Ramazotti, The Sadies, Add N to (X), Rob K, Haze XXL, Lost Crusaders, David Holmes, Khan, Los Straitjackets, Bomb The Bass, Princess Superstar, Speedball Baby, Five Dollar Priest, The King Brothers, The Tremolo Beer Gut, Bikini Machine, Phenomenal Handclap Band, Micragirls, Cobra Killer, Japanese Popstars, The Slew and Perrosky.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Year Label Format Notes
"A Reverse Willie Horton" 1991 Public Pop Can LP
  • US release
  • Kramer recordings
"Crypt Style" 1992 1+2 CD
  • Japanese release
  • Compilation of Kramer and Albini recordings
  • 25 tracks
1992 Crypt LP
  • German release
  • Compilation of Kramer and Albini recordings
  • 17 tracks
1993 Crypt CD
  • German release
  • Compilation of Kramer and Albini recordings
  • 18 tracks, includes 'Eye To Eye'
"The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (album)" 1992 Caroline CD / CAS
  • US release
  • Compilation of Kramer and Albini recordings
  • There was no vinyl release in the US
1992 Hut CD / LP
  • UK release
  • Compilation of Kramer and Albini recordings
"Year One" 2010 Shout! Factory CD
  • US reissue
  • Compilation of Kramer and Albini recordings
  • 38 tracks
"Extra Width" 1993 Crypt LP / CD
  • German release
1993 Matador LP / CD / CAS
  • US / UK release
1993 Au Go-Go CD
  • Australian release
2000 Mute 2xLP / CD
  • Reissue with complete Mo' Width album
2010 Shout! Factory 2xCD
  • US expanded reissue
  • Includes complete "Mo' Width" album and additional disc of 24 rare and unreleased tracks
"Orange" 1994 Matador LP / CD / CAS
  • US / UK release
  • First vinyl edition of the Matador release was a silver coloured picture disc
1994 Crypt LP / CD
  • German release
  • First editions of the Crypt version of this album had orange rather than silver sleeves
1995 Toy's Factory CD
  • Japanese edition
  • Includes bonus tracks "Beat of the Traps" and "Memphis Soul Typecast" from Mo' Width.
1995 Toy's Factory CD
  • Japanese edition
  • Includes bonus tracks "Bellbottoms (Old Rascal Mix)" and "Flavor (Remix - Part 1 & 2)" from Experimental Remixes.
2000 Mute LP / CD
  • Reissue, CD is enhanced with videos of Dang, Flavor and Bellbottoms
"Orange + Remixes" 2010 Shout! Factory 2xCD
"Now I Got Worry" 1996 Toy's Factory CD
  • Japanese edition
  • Includes bonus tracks "Cool Vee" and "Get With It"
1996 Mute CD / LP
  • UK release
1996 Matador CD / LP / CAS
  • US release
1996 Au Go-Go CD
  • Australian release
1996 Rock Records & Tapes CD
  • Korean edition
  • Omits "Fuck Shit Up".
2010 Shout! Factory CD
  • US expanded reissue
  • Includes an additional 11 rare tracks, 4 Radio Spots and a previously unreleased song titled "Roosevelt Hotel Blues".
2010 Shove! CD
  • UK expanded reissue
  • Includes an additional 11 rare tracks, 4 Radio Spots and a previously unreleased song titled "Roosevelt Hotel Blues".
"Acme" 1998 Toy's Factory CD
  • Japanese edition
  • Includes "Hell" and ends with the full version of "Calvin" rather than "Calvin (Reprise)"
1998 Labels CD
  • French edition
1998 Everlasting Records CD
  • Spanish edition
1998 Mute LP / CD
  • UK release
1998 Matador LP / CD
  • US release
1998 Rock Records CAS
  • Thai release
"Acme + Xtra Acme" 2010 Shout! Factory 2xCD
  • Reissue includes bonus tracks
"Sideways Soul: Dub Narcotic Sound System Meets The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion In A Dancehall Style" 1999 K Records LP / CD
  • US release
1999 Au Go-Go CD
  • Australian release
1999 Rebel Beat Factory CD
  • Japanese release
"Plastic Fang" 2002 Mute CD / Ltd. CD / 2xLP
  • UK release
  • Ltd CD and vinyl in "Fang Pack".
  • Vinyl edition features 'Point of View', 'Like A Bat', 'Then Again I Will' and 'Do Ya Wanna Get It?' which were not on UK CD editions.
2002 Matador CD / Ltd. CD / 2xLP
  • US release
  • Ltd CD and vinyl in "Fang Pack".
  • CD track list replaces 'Tore Up & Broke' with 'Point Of View' (In comparision to the UK CD edition).
  • Vinyl edition features 'Tore Up & Broke', 'Like A Bat', 'Then Again I Will' and 'Do Ya Wanna Get It?' which were not on US CD editions.
2002 Toy's Factory CD
  • Japanese release
  • Features 'Ghetto Mom', 'Alex', 'Then Again I Will' and 'Like A Bat' which are not on the UK version but omits 'Tore Up & Broke' and 'Mother Nature'.
2002 Mute / Virgin 2xCD
  • Australian release
  • Double CD set with B-sides and remixes.
2002 Ultrapop CD
  • Argentinian release.
  • In comparison to the UK CD release this edition of the album omits Tore Up & Broke which is replaced with Point of View and includes a thirteenth bonus track Do Ya Wanna Get It?
2002 Everlasting CD
  • Spanish release
"Damage" 2004 Mute Ltd CD/DVD / CD / LP
  • UK release.
  • CD/DVD edition in Matchbook sleeve features 22 minute film directed by Niko Tavernese.
2004 Matador Ltd CD / CD
  • US release.
  • Ltd CD edition in Matchbook sleeve with enhanced section including 22 minute film directed by Niko Tavernese.
2004 Victor / JVC CD
  • Japanese release.
  • Includes 'Grinding', 'The Funky Gremlin' and enhanced section with 22 minute film directed by Niko Tavernese.
2004 Modular Records CD
  • Australian release.
2004 Ultrapop CD
  • Argentinian release.

Other albums and EPs

Title Year Label Format Notes
"Mo' Width" 1994 Au Go-Go LP / CD
  • 11 recordings from Extra Width-era
  • Features alternate recording of "Afro" and covers of There Stands The Glass (Webb Pierce), Beat of The Traps (Teri Rodd & MSR Singers) and Ole Man Trouble (Otis Redding).
  • Only released has a stand-alone album in Australia this has since been issued on the Mute (2000) and Shout! Factory (2010) reissues of Extra Width.
Experimental Remixes 1995 Matador 12" / CD
  • Orange remix album
  • 12" only included three tracks
  • CD features the unlisted "Tour Diary" in addition to the six remixes by

UNKLE, Mike D, Beck, Moby, Dub Narcotic Sound System, GZA and Killah Priest.

2000 Mute 2xLP / CD
  • Reissue of the Orange remix album
  • Includes additional remixes by Prince Paul, Plunderphonic (John Oswald) and F. Carles (MC Relov/Hypercard)
Controversial Negro 1997 Mute CD
  • Promo only live album
  • 14 tracks
Matador LP
  • Promo only live album
  • 14 tracks
Toy's Factory Ltd CD / CD
  • Original official Japanese release
  • Issued in Ltd album-style card sleeve and plastic case
  • 19 tracks
2010 Shout! Factory CD
  • Expanded reissue
  • 29 tracks
  • Adds "Bellbottoms" to original "Hotel Congress" show and nine tracks recorded live in 1994
Rocketship 1997 AU Go-Go 7" / CD
  • Single / EP
  • Australia-only release
  • 7" includes "Chocolate Joe" B-side / CD includes four live tracks from the Japanese release of Controversial Negro.
Acme Plus 1999 Mute 2xLP / CD
  • UK release
  • Acme-era out-takes, B-sides and remixes.
Xtra Acme USA Matador 2xLP / CD
  • US release
  • Acme-era out-takes, B-sides and remixes.
Ura-Acme Toy's Factory LP
  • Japanese release
  • Vinyl-only
  • Acme-era out-takes, B-sides and remixes.
  • The only variation of Acme out-takes album to feature "New Year (Destroyer)"
Extra-Acme Toy's Factory CD / LP
  • Japanese release
  • CD and Vinyl editions had slightly different track-listings and running orders.
  • Vinyl version was only issued as a promo.
  • Acme-era out-takes, B-sides and remixes.
  • Another variation on the track-list and running order
Fang Plastique 2002 Toy's Factory CD
  • Japanese only EP
  • Features UK b-sides and two different "She Said" videos.
Fang Visual Matador DVD
  • Full length DVD with live tracks, videos and interview footage
  • Given away free via Matador Records or shrink-wrapped with US CD copies of Plastic Fang.
Snack Cracker 2005 JVC / Victor CD
  • Japanese only EP
  • Includes remixes, b-sides videos and "Rattling (Live on Jonsey's Jukebox)" which is exclusive to this release.
Jukebox Explosion Rockin' Mid-90s Punkers 2007 In The Red LP / CD
  • Compilation of Jukebox Series 7" singles and previously unreleased songs.
Dirty Shirt Rock 'n' Roll: The First Ten Years 2010 Shout! Factory CD
  • US release
  • 22 track retrospective album.
Shove! CD
  • UK release
  • 22 track retrospective album.

Singles

Year Title Label Album Notes
1992 "Shirt Jac" In The Red Jukebox Explosion Rockin' Mid-90s Punkers / Year One
  • B-side: Latch On
"Son of Sam " Jukebox Explosion Rockin' Mid-90s Punkers / Extra Width (2010)
  • B-side: Bent
"History of Sex" Clawfist Year One
  • B-sides: Write A Song / Smoke Cigarettes
1993 "Afro" Matador Records Extra Width
  • B-side: Relax-Her
"Train # 3" In The Red Jukebox Explosion Rockin' Mid-90s Punkers / Extra Width (2010)
  • B-side: Train #1
1995 "Bellbottoms" Matador Records Orange
  • B-side: Miss Elaine
  • Issued as a white vinyl 7" single
1996 "Get With It" In The Red Jukebox Explosion Rockin' Mid-90s Punkers / Now I Got Worry (2010)
  • B-side: Down Low
"2Kindsa Love" Mute Now I Got Worry
  • UK Chart Position: #122
  • B-sides: Fish Sauce / Cool Vee / Let's Smurf.
  • Issued on pink vinyl 7" and CD.
1997 "Wail"
  • UK Chart Position: #66
  • Non-album tracks issued across formats: Wail (Video Mix) / Yellow Eyes / Buscemi / Turn Up Greene / Wail (Mario Mix) / Flavor (Live Version) / Judah Love Theme / Radio Spot.
  • Released on grey and green vinyl 7" singles and CD.
"Rocketship" Au Go-Go Records
  • B-sides: Chocolate Joe / Down Low (Live) / Dynamite Lover (Live) / Flavor (Live) / Full Grown (Live)
  • Australia-only single issued on CD and 7".
1998 "Magical Colors" Mute Acme
  • UK Chart Position: #92
  • B-sides: Confused / Bacon / Get Down Lover
  • Issued on red vinyl 7" and CD.
"Talk About The Blues" Mute / Matador
  • UK Chart Position: #120
  • UK B-sides: Wait A Minute / Lovin' Machine (Automator) / Calvin (Zebra Ranch) / T.A.T.B. (For The Saints And Sinners Remix) / Talk About The Blues (Video)
  • US B-Sides: Bacon / Get Down Lover/ Lovin' Machine (Automator Mix) / Calvin / Calvin (Zebra Ranch Mix)
  • Issued on orange vinyl 7", CD and 12".
1999 "Calvin" Au Go-Go Records
  • B-sides: Wait A Minute / Confused / Get Down Lover / Calvin (Zebra Ranch) / T.A.T.B. (For The Saints and the Sinners Remix)
  • Australia-only single issued on 12" and CD.
"New Year (Destroyer)" Slut Smalls Ura-Acme (Japan-only vinyl album)
"Heavy (Remix)" Mute Acme
  • UK Chart Position: #106
  • B-sides: Give Ya Some Hell / 2 Kindsa Love (Duck Rock 105.9 FM Remix) Blues Power / Do You Wanna Get Heavy? (Duck Rock Hip ‘n’ Bass Remix) / Attack (Detroit) / 2 Kindsa Love (Duck Rock 105.9 FM Final Mix) / Do You Wanna Get Heavy? (Duck Rock Hip ‘n’ Bass Final Mix)
  • Issued on blue vinyl 7", CD and 12".
2000 "Lap Dance (Jim Waters/Scott Benzel Remix)" In the Red -
  • B-Side: Lap Dance (Jim Thirlwell Remix)
  • features Andre Williams
  • 12"-only single
  • original version of Lap Dance released on Acme Plus / Xtra Acme USA
"Techno Animal Remixes" Mute -
  • Track listing: Bacon (Radio Edit) / Not Yet (Sci-Mix) / Bacon (Dub) / Not Yet (Splatter Mix)
  • 12"-only single
  • Remixes of tracks released on Acme Plus / Xtra Acme USA
2002 "Ghetto Mom" In the Red Jukebox Explosion Rockin' Mid-90s Punkers
  • B-Side: Do Ya Wanna Get It
"She Said" Mute Plastic Fang
  • UK Chart Position #58
  • B-Sides: Ghetto Mom / Point of View / Do Ya Wanna Get It? / Then Again I Will / Like A Bat
  • Released on 7" and two-different CD singles
"Sweet 'n' Sour"
  • UK Chart Position #66
  • B-Sides: Shakin' Rock 'N' Roll Tonight (Live at VPRO) / Maureen / Alex / Sweet N Sour (Video) / Plastic Fang Bite Size - Album Excerpts (Mean Heart/She Said/Shakin' Rock 'N' Roll Tonight/Hold On)
  • Released on 7" and two different CD singles.
"Shakin' Rock 'n' Roll Tonight"
  • UK Chart Position #126
  • B-Sides: She Said (The Tremolo Beer Gut Mix) / Over and Over (Techno Animal Mix) / Money Rock 'N' Roll (Sub Species Mix) / Over and Over (Barry Adamson Mix) / She Said (Video - Floria Sigismondi) She Said (Video - Live) / Point of View (Video - Live) / Shakin' Rock 'N' Roll Tonight (Video - Live)
  • Released on 7" and CD.
2004 "Burn It Off" Damage
  • UK Chart Position #77
  • B-Sides: Fed Up and Low Down (Edit) / Serial Number / Fed Up And Low Down (Edit) / Cold Cold Eyes (Demo Version)
  • Released on clear vinyl 7" and CD.
"Hot Gossip "
  • UK Chart Position #119
  • B-Sides: Meet Me In The City
  • Released as a red vinyl 7" only single.
  • Hot Gossip features Chuck D and Meet Me In The City is a Junior Kimbrough cover version featuring Elliott Smith on acoustic guitar.
2005 "Crunchy"
  • UK Chart Position #89
  • B-Sides: Crunchy (Solex 'Bounce' Remix) / Hot Gossip (TMJ (!!!) Remix) / Mars Arizona (DFA Remix) / Blues Explosion Man (Live at FMU)
  • Released on 7", 12" and CD.

Music videos

Year Title Director(s) Album Notes
1992 "Rachel" Jim Spring and Jens Jurgensen Jon Spencer Blues Explosion / Crypt Style Released on Live Promo Video
1993 "Afro" Tom Surgal Extra Width
1994 "Dang" Steve Hanft Orange
"Flavor" Evan Bernard Features Mike D of the Beastie Boys and Beck
1995 "Bellbottoms" Tom Surgal
1996 "2Kindsa Love" Mike Mills Now I Got Worry
1997 "Wail" Weird Al Yankovic
1998 "Magical Colors" Terry Richardson Acme A series of still photographs
"Talk About The Blues" Evan Bernard Stars Giovanni Ribisi as Judah Bauer, John C. Reilly as Russell Simins and Winona Ryder as Jon Spencer.
"Attack" - With Alec Empire, video released on Digital Hardcore compilations
2002 "She Said" Floria Sigismondi Plastic Fang
"She Said (100 Club)" Barney Clay
"Sweet 'n' Sour" Stylewar
2004 "Burn It Off" Stylewar Damage
"Hot Gossip" David Raccuglia Features Chuck D of Public Enemy

Trivia

References

  1. ^ McConnell, Dave (March 1993). "Jon Spencer interview". Fiz. Retrieved August 26, 2010. "We just kind of stumbled into each other. He was just this drummer that the Honeymoon Killers had found, and I was coming around playing with them - that's how we met. Judah was the friend that was living with him - this kid - and we just started playing together, the three of us." {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ Gladstone, Eric, "New Route: Jon Spencer Blues Explosion ", August 1992
  3. ^ Edison, Mike "Year One: Sleeve Notes", July 2010
  4. ^ Daley, David (December 1998). "CMJ NEW MUSIC MONTHLY: ACME BLUES EXPLOSIVES INC". CMJ. Retrieved August 26, 2010. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ Daley, David (December 1998). "CMJ NEW MUSIC MONTHLY: ACME BLUES EXPLOSIVES INC". CMJ. Retrieved August 26, 2010. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ "Jon Spencer Blues Explosion website". pop-catastrophe.co.uk. Retrieved August 26, 2010. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ "Tom Waits performing "Make It Rain" on David Letterman". Retrieved August 26, 2010.
  8. ^ Edison, Mike, "I Have Fun Everywhere I Go: Savage Tales of Pot, Porn, Punk Rock, Pro Wrestling, Talking Apes, Evil Bosses, Dirty Blues, American Heroes, and the Most Notorious Magazines in the World“, May 2008
  9. ^ O'Connell, Sharon, "Music Preview, 93 Feet East“, The Guardian, Magazine, August 2004
  10. ^ PC, "Crunchy review”, NME, 23 April 2005
  11. ^ Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, "2 Kindsa Love", Performed on Recovery, ABC TV, 1997 (YouTube)
  12. ^ Televisiontunes.com
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jon_Spencer_Blues_Explosion&oldid=384403567"