The Triumphant Return of Jon Spencer
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There was a time, not too long ago actually, when Jon Spencer was the man. Before Karen O’s onstage hysterics and before the Hives Howlin’ Pele, Jon Spencer was bringing the onstage antics to match this ridiculously over-the-top blues-rock show. Spencer never really left, but he did slow down. This is all about to change.
According to a new report, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (I told you it wasn’t subtle) is releasing a brand new album this year called Meat and Bone. It’s set to hit stores on September 18th via Boombox/Mom’n’Pop, and it marks the first new full-length since 2004. Since 2004, the band went on a reissue rampage, re-releasing most of their discography with a ton of B-sides and outtakes on each release.
On top of that exciting news, the band is handing out a free treat to all who seek it. Three full months before the album’s release, they are giving away the album’s first track via their website. You can download “Black Mold” and replay it as many times as it takes for you to remember how great Jon Spencer is. I’m guessing one time, through, is enough.
While the Blues Explosion has been relatively quiet since the turn of the century, Spencer himself has been busy. In-between putting together the reissues and making guest appearances, Spencer released a few albums with a new band called Heavy Trash. Heavy Trash was the more rockabilly side of Spencer but with an even sharper sexual edge, if you can believe that. I wouldn’t lie though.
The band will no doubt be promoting this album in anticipation of its release, especially since they’ve fallen out of the spotlight so long, but they also have made other plans. Though their summer is booked up with festivals, the band will be hitting North America in the fall in a full-fledged tour. Beginning October 6th, you’ll be able to catch the insane live performance of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion back in action. It’s not surprising that Spencer gets overlooked when the best bands of the 90s get mentioned because they never were a major chart force. However, much like the Velvet Underground, they didn’t need chart success to influence scores of musicians who would go on to start some of the most influential bands of their generation. For instance, Karen O once stated that the whole reason the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ first album sounded the way it did was because they missed the ferocious, but fun, live shows of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.
Get ready; it’s about to get nasty up in here come autumn.
