It's been a common lament. There's plenty of music out there today that “rocks,†but precious little that might be described as rock ‘n' roll. You know, rock ‘n' roll . The real thing hits the chest and gets the adrenaline pumping, all with a storming beat and a real strong melody to ice the cake. Rare elements today, but a few select artists are rising to the challenge and delivering music that mixes hook filled songs, attitude and manic performances.
Introducing The Shamey Jays.
For them, rock ‘n' roll is a basic equation: Craft a set that swaggers from Rhythm & Blues to garage punk, glam to hard rock. Their debut long-player Your Pretty Packages (Blindspot 117) delivers on all fronts with a dozen classic sounding tracks, strong on the energy, strong on the hooks. Dig the buzz-saw guitar of the brilliantly titled “My Machine Kicks Your Machines Ass,†or the power-pop kick of the title track - the guys know their way around a song, and it shows. This isn't an album meant to soothe the soul or cause reflection. No, to the contrary, Your Pretty Packages is meant to rile things up a bit, a soundtrack to kick off the weekend or get the party started.
Ten of the tunes were penned by San Diego songsmith Dave Howard , who has written and placed songs with artists like A.J. Croce , Gregory Page , Berkley Hart , Carolann Ames and the Coyote Problem . Spud Davenport contributes the remaining two songs to round out the album.
So what exactly is a “Shamey Jay?†You'll have to watch a movie called “ Pootie Tang †to find out. Short answer: a scoundrel, a rogue, a vagabond, a ruffian, a ne'er-do-well. But the cool doesn't stop at having a band name taken from an obscure dialogue reference from Chris Rock and Louis C.K.'s movie about a belt-whipping martial arts master, soul singer and ladies man with his own made up language.
All four guys in the band have extensive musical résumés and their dues are paid in full. Founder and front man, Billy Gruff , got his start in 1978, fronting a short-lived New York punk band called The Walls . He dabbled quite busily in the addictions and excesses of the 80s and 90s and survived. Barely. Gruff eventually made his way out to Nevada and then California. Anxious to reconnect with his musical roots he recruited guitarist Matt Silvia (Sweet Tooth) , bass man Jerry Rig (Butterface) and drum monster Spud Davenport (Messy Necessities) to form The Shamey Jays.
Of course the true test of rock ‘n' roll is as a live experience and there The Shamey Jays explosive sound has already made them Southland contenders. Short of having the band perform in your living room, Your Pretty Packages remains the best way to experience a promising new band. Play it Loud, Play it Often.
You can find The Shamey Jays on MySpace , Facebook , Reverb Nation and at www.shameyjays.com .
Bart MendozaBlindspot Records