Jef

JEF HAD PLAYED A VINTAGE FENDER STRATOCASTER, AND GIBSON LES PAUL (from the original MI factory) AS HIS PRIMARY INSTRUMENTS.
AMPLIFIERS HAD ALL BEEN CUSTOM MADE BY CERIATONE. - Visit ceriatone.com
- Despite playing a pivotal role multiple times in Minneapolis Rock and Roll history from the late 1970's through the early 2000's, and very narrowly missing three major contract deals, somehow Jef's name (with the only exception being regrettable) always escaped the press. Part blessing, part curse.
2000 onward:
- The early 2000s resulted in the sorting through tapes from years of recording demo original material, rethinking what to finally release. Also the writing of a huge volume of new material, as well as over 100 live, full capacity performances, with regional cover band Euphoria, featuring singer Deb Zieman. Multiple years performing at the Minnesota State Fair to standing room only audiences.
- Recording started for a new full length CD to be titled "Out of the Hat, into the Fire". Partly a "concept" record, such as was common in the late '60's and '70's. The theme would include the songs "Midway" and "Sleight of Hand" (written as a tribute to the final book of the "Deptford Trilogy" by Canadian author, the late Robertson Davies) as part of a magic/circus theme, leading to the first half of the disc title. "Into the Fire" referring to the remaining, non-themed songs with Jef's up front guitar approach, demonstrating not only his command of guitar, but his love of memorable, traditional popular rock, and devotion to lyrics that mean something.
- Ultimately, availability problems of a few key guest musicians, Jef's health issues, and the closing of Gark Studio led to scrapping the project. Owner Dave Pinsky left the midwest, engineer beyond compare Mr. Gold was over engaged (deservedly so). Some of the tracks featured here are the demos of the material planned for that project. Other tracks are from the now out of print "Songs From the Jacaranda House". Singing on that release features not only Jef (who admits to not being a true singer), but also guest lead vocals from both Deb Zieman and Willie Wisely.
NATIONAL/LOCAL CREDITS:
- 1999 saw the limited release EP CD titled: "Songs From the Jacaranda House". Four songs written each quickly, but spanning a number of years, and a "bonus track" recorded in 1984 at Citiesound, back when it was know as A. Christie Studios. The disc was a solo project featuring substantial contribution from Jef's recurring writing partner, singer and - if you ask him "just a drummer", yeah, right, - Steve Kent. Steve currently performs with The Conquerors, formerly "William and the Conquerors" with Willie Wisely. "Mr. Steve" also appeared on recordings with the critically acclaimed Minneapolis Quartet "The Autumn Leaves".
PRO AUDIO/HIGH END STEREO VENTURES:
Late 1990s, early 2000s: Jef invented, manufactured, and wholesaled the Ganymede VCS.2. A set of three "footers" for placement under audio and studio recording/playback equipment. The purpose of this accessory being to eliminate transient vibration, allowing for more accurate tracking. The devices were unique in providing maximum lateral displacement. Featuring proprietary geometrics; "Individual Inherent Imbalance", meaning each of the three pieces were out of balance with each other, -no other product could make that claim- until the weight of a unit was placed on them, creating a balance ONLY between them and the electronic equipment they supported. Displayed not only in their own shared booth, but also featured in the Manley Labs display:
http://www.manleylabs.com/
As well as the BAT display room:
http://www.balanced.com/
THE DEVICES WERE VOICED USING ATMA-SPHERE ELECTRONICS: ..
http://www.atma-sphere.com/
ABSOLUTELY NO financial compenstaion/arrangements exist, or have ever existed, between Jef, Ganymusic/Ganymede, and any of the above links. The product pairing choices were STRICTLY personal preference of all all parties concerned.
- Three consecutive years at the International Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas Nevada provided profit for the company, despite tough scrutiny. Not only did they get rave reviews on the web, but also recognized in print by Robert E. Greene of the Absolute Sound magazine, as "Best of Show" under new products. Christine Guidera provided an outstanding demo of the product, articulate, on point, and with a real understanding of the benefits. Ultimately, they sold well not only in America, but also the UK, Eastern Europe, Australia and Thailand. The economics woes globally have led to temporary suspension of production. Limited inventory is still available.
RETUNING TO LIVE PERFORMANCE:
- Jef went on to spear-headed top grossing 1990s show band "Rock and Roll Theatre".
- Mid 1990s: Lead guitarist with the National Doors Tribute Band Mojo Risin'. The Nantucket Beacon called this act "an amazing recreation that takes you back to the original live shows of The Doors".
- Over a decade as session guitarist/composer/arranger for Citiesound Recording Studios.
- Thousands of hours on stage in the 1980s: school, hotel, ballroom, casino, and night club circuits.
Leader/driving force behind the original late '70s & early '80s band Resistor, as well as the '80s bands The Catch & Blind Date.
INTERNATIONAL CREDITS:
- Acoustic performance appears on the Wishbone Ash 35th Anniversery Tribute CD, released by the '70's first and most influential dual lead guitar band. Deb Zieman provided the vocal. Recorded on noisy, antique gear, rushing for a deadline, it still made for a memorable new take on a song the turned out a prophesy for Wishbone Ash.
- 1999 solo performance in Vienna Austria, at special request of Opera Star Jennifer Arnold.
- Former cruise ship stage manager, and guest performer.
History with Paul Westerberg, and The Replacements:
- Paul was the other guitarist in various bands with Jef during and just after High School. Together often with Jef's brother, Jack Jodell as singer, they played several "kegger parties" and recorded over 100 hours with Jack's 4 track reel to reel tape machine. Each appearance or new recording session featured different band names, as none was ever formerly decided on. The most memorable show had the least appropriate band name of "Neighborhood Threat".
- Paul also performed as a session guitarist on various songs Jack recorded for other projects. Jack went on to work with a band called "Small Town Fury", eventualy called "Sam and the Fleitmen"(sic: "Fightmen"?"), who appeared on a popular local FM radio station's LP release featuring the best of Minneapolis acts. Jack had the key role of producing the track, which led to winning the coveted spot on the LP.
- Jef produced and engineered the original 4 track demo for The Replacements, which manager Peter Jesperson said as recently as 2008 remains "the only unreleased Replacements recordings that have NEVER been leaked or bootlegged". Some tracks were to be included in the Rhino re-issues, but ultimately Paul decided against them at the last moment. ABSOLUTELY NO INQUIRIES regarding this tape will be replied to, other than from Paul Westerberg himself. That recording mixed on to cassette tape was submitted to Twin Tone, via mail, and initially rejected.
- The band name Jef used; "Resistor" (a name Paul thought of, saying "a resistor is a part of a guitar amp, and also holds a rebellious meaning". He gave Jef to use).
- Paul also guested on one occasion with Resistor, at the lengendary Longhorn Bar in Minneapolis around this same time. That venue was the Minneapolis stop for acts such as Blondie, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe w/ Dave Edmunds, etc., all prior to those bands hitting the "big time". That night Resistor played a mix of Jef's songs, one of singer Wade "Flash" Madson,one of Paul's, and a variety of covers (The Beatles, The Who, etc.). Including, at Jef's insistance "Another Girl, Another Planet" by The Only Ones. That cover went on to become a staple of The Replacements live shows, to the point many thought they wrote it. Drummer Steve Kent provided a 45 RPM record of "Father Christmas" by The Kinks as the introduction song for the DJ as the band walked on stage, middle of a three band billing. --- Never got that single back...If you are reading this, and DJed that night, AND still have the record, give it back to Steve, please.
Shortly there after, The Replacements opened for Resistor at the Paradise Ballroom in Waconia, MN. That show was recorded live by Jef, directly to what was then a state of the art cassette recorder, direct from the mixing board. Jef gave the tape that night to Paul, who copied it, purposely adding a bit of distortion to the entire mix, and presented it in person to Peter Jesperson at Oar Folkjokeopus, the Minnespolis record store, managed at the time by Jesperson of Twin Tone Records. That recording was the one that ultimately secured their record deal with Twin Tone Records.
- Jef agreed to be interviewed for the book “The Replacements: It’s All Over but the Shouting”, by Jim Walsh. The quotes attributed to Jef that appear are full of errors, and Jef DISPUTES ALL OF THEM.
CURRENTLY: - 2008 moved to Miami from St Paul. Better “day job”, which has worked out well, though nothing else has. Miami, once the recording capitol of the rock music world, that scene no longer exists in south Florida.
- Early 2009, broken left index finger, broken left wrist. FINALLY, probably overdue, ...RETIRED.
"Retirement" is a finite term. 2010 may see a Phoenix Rising... no promises, but feel free to check back. Will add some new songs "From the Vault" to the playlist this fall. Fondest regards to all who read through this giant text. You are very patient!
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