The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion provide another night in Rock’s heaven

Just before leaving for The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion show I read that our galaxy, Milky Way, is going to collide with its neighbour, Andromeda, and it will be the end of – everything. How long before that Rock’n’Roll will implode? (Some of you think it has already done, but – hold your bhp’s!) For every Nickelback there is The Strokes, for every Coldplay there is Slipknot, for many other bands there is the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion!

Having seen them just two months ago I have to say that tonight feels like a more natural show to them. The show at 100 Club was a sweaty, rocky in-you-face affair but too small to accommodate their huge sound. This stage is huge and, although the band is huddled in the middle, it feels this space gives their sound room to breathe and travel until petering out rather than bouncing off walls.

Huge sound might sound like an oxymoron but hardly ever have two guitars and drums rocked like a planet’s belch. On the right-wing, Jon Spencer himself, a modern-day Elvis, Judah Bauer on the left and the centre taken by the power-sticksman, Russell Simmins; with minimal lights and no décor whatsoever. But then, if you have Rock this good, do you need distractions of any kind?

Recent single ‘She Said’ comes early in the set – by the way the band was eager to perform and arrived earlier than the stage time – followed by all the favourites and songs from the current ‘Plastic Fang’ album. Apart from playing songs, randomly interjected with pronouncements of “Blues Explosion is in the house” in the best announcer’s voice, there are jams and instrumental flights that are a joy (to watch) rather than being the usual muso-induglence.

Spencer is a contradictory person inasmuch that he shies fame but is the focus of the band; he is a frontman in a very understated manner, a pin-up looking man who’s disgusted at the thought. The New York trio has a sense of measure. It must come from their lo-fi approach to music biz, no manager, no entourage (but a couple of roadies), no record deals (but individual licensing)… In short, mini of fuss, maxi of music!

Someone recently wrote that JSBE is a tad outdated with the modern takes on blues by the likes of The White Stripes, but that is an erroneous statement. The Stripes go for a more minimal and punky feel, the JSBE’s version is a huge, rocking one, as in the saying ‘Blues had a bastard child and they called it Rock’n’Roll.’

By-da-by, the galaxy collision is not due to occur for a billion years. Rock will become extinct much sooner if the industry continues to restrict everything, including the artistic expression. You’re already listening to music decided upon by accountants, in the A&R dept, promotion, distribution, media…

For now, let’s cheer JSBE ‘cause they kick it rockingly galactic!