What's it all about? Sometimes, somewhere, there comes along a band who sum up the first time you got into the music, for whom its all bright and new. Who know instinctively that what matters in life is the crash of a guitar, a roll of a drum and a throbbing bass. And attitude. Of course, that uncompromising attitude. And the sartorial panache and hedonistic outlook to go with it.
Meet The Jet Boys.
Who are they? Four lads from Nottingham and the surrounding area. They're young enough and bright enough and brave enough to create something wild and new.
What do they sound like? They love Johnny Thunders. Iggy Pop. Syd Barrett. And they aim to create a version of it all that will become their own.
Who's in the band: Alex Strongman - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Ray Webster - Lead Guitar
Adam Crooks - Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals
Robert Brighton - Drums/Percussion
Where can you hear them? On their My Space: http://www.myspace.com/thejetboys1
Key tunes to check out The excellent “Cocaine Jane” and “Highs And Green”. Watch out for the Strongman/Crooks song writing partnership.
Where can you see them live? Gigs planned around Nottingham. The Interview We thought it the right time to check out their rock and roll world view. Rob Massey spoke to front man, hip young gunslinger and Saki afficionado Alex Strongman.
How long has the band been together - when did you form?
We've been together for only about 6 months, we formed back in August/September of last year, me and the bassist thought we'd give it a go and then our drummer took up drums when we formed.
Is this the original line up?
It is, plus one, the lead guitarist who joined I believe sometime last year, no-one remembers when.
How long have you individually been playing music?
Adam (the bassist) and Ray (Lead guitar) have been playing for over two years and used to jam together, I have been playing/writing for one year and Rob (drummer) only 6 months since we started the band.
Were you mates before you formed?
We used to skateboard together mostly and hang out at parties or get togethers. Most of our major decisions as a band were made drunk.
Where did the name come from?
It's a song by the New York Dolls, Adam chose the name because they're a massive influence to him. It just sounded good and it was different. It has nothing to do with the gay porn floating about called Jet Boys...but our drummer loved how his two favourite things were both named Jet Boys....I'll leave that there!
Which bands would you say are your major influences?
My major influence is Syd Barrett and still is and of course The Beatles/Dylan/Oasis.
The ones that describe our style and sound are the Sex Pistols/Libertines/Johnny Thunders. I try to mix some Slipknot in there but the rest of 'em are having none of it...can't see why.
Are there any books or films that you would mention as influencing you?
The film 'Brothers of The Head' is probably my biggest influence of all. As for books I would say Poetry from John Cooper Clarke is a big influence and also Saki, helped me write more humour in a very subtle way.
Do you have a main songwriter, or are the tunes all band compositions?
It's pretty much me who writes the songs, then me and Adam will decide on music and finishing it, then at practise little things will come in to them. Everyone else would rather get wasted. In fact, that's pretty much how my songs are written, when I'm completely 'gone' shall we say.
There must be a story behind “Cocaine Jane” - enlighten me.
It's really a song about any drug addict out there. Cocaine Jane is like a character they have invented in their heads to kind of blame their addiction on, or as an excuse that it's alright because it's not them who is in control. It's "HERRRRRRRRRRR HONEST"
Which other tunes in particular should we look out for?
Highs and Green should really, the one recorded on there is a pretty shit recording at a gig we only knew we were playing the night before and Ray couldn't go. It usually sounds bigger and more anthemic than that recording. As for others theres one called "Boy who cried love" which goes pretty mental and its a great tune all in all.
What gigs have you played to date and which have you got coming up?
Only a very small amount, our first at Friesland school which we played after being together for around 3 months. Two gigs on the 'Turn it Up' tour which we loved and one at the 'Litten Tree' in Long Eaton. Nothing needs to be said for that one! We've got one at Shipley Park coming up and hopefully some at the main venues like Junktion 7 or the Vic Inn.
Any other plans for the future we should be aware of?
I'm moving to London in September but the Jetters should still be going on, with or without me. We're recording a demo sometime soon and before September there should be a full album of all the songs we've done, inlcuding 'Cocaine Jane' of course.
And finally, if you had to pick one life changing record, what would it be?
It would have to be 'A Day In The Life' by The Beatles. I can't describe it in words but anyone that could make a record like that surely must have been on LSD! I owe a lot of my love for songwriting and music from John Lennon and The Beatles.
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