Music: Jim Jones Revue
It’s the ‘last hurrah’ for the brilliant rock’n’roll kings, Jim Jones Revue, so they tell Jeff Hemmings
With just three albums and a lifespan of seven years, the highly regarded Jim Jones Revue are calling it a day, with a ‘last hurrah’ as they hurtle around Europe before finishing this engrossing chapter in London on 4 October.
“A lot of people say it will be emotional and nostalgic,” says Jim Jones, who originally set up the band with Rupert Orton. “We exceeded our expectations, but we’ve reached the point where we’d like to do other things. You always want to leave the party when it’s kicking and not be drinking at 4am with a load of stragglers,” says Rupert. And Jim concurs: “It does feel special, with an element of celebratory joy. Some people see it as a kamikaze move; we’re at the height of our powers, but that’s what feels so good about it, being able to make the last statement. You see so many groups doing comeback tours. Some of these bands you really like, but when you go and see them it’s more out of respect. Part of what was great about them is that they had a danger … there is something masochistically pleasurable about cutting something off in its prime!
“Everyone is ready to do different stuff,” continues Jim, “and we’ve given this a huge commitment over the last seven years, and all other creative ventures have had to take a back seat. So, rather than let it slowly die a death, let’s go out on a blast! Lots of people have been saying ‘no one ever does that’, and that feels good as well. We had the courage to do it.”
Their visceral yet melodic and inventive rock’n’roll sound, which features rampant piano throughout courtesy of Henri Herbert, is a little like the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion without the heavy distortion, and live has always been where it works best for them. There will be a post-tour release, featuring some recordings taken from the tour.
“Rock’n’roll was my first love,” says Jim. “I read some quotes, like the one about artists struggling to recreate the feelings they had when they were first awakened by music. Me and my sister inherited my parents’ stereo and a box of old 45s, stuff like Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis … the good early stuff before money took a hand in the business.
When things were fresh and dangerous. The original Chuck Berry singles, when you DJ them, they jump out of the speakers. They really do!”
The Old Market, Thursday 2 October, 7.30pm, £15
