About Me
Knoxville, Tennessee's, The Judybats were staples of early to mid-nineties college radio. During the groups four CD contract with Sire/Warner Bros. they toured nationally, strongest followings being Baltimore, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and the Chicago area. Strong play on college radio yielded the Top Ten hit 'Being Simple' whose video saw a lengthy period of regular rotation on MTV, along with a musical guest appearance on The Conon O‘Brien Show. Not being a fan of the corporate business that is music, Heiskell dissolved the group in 1995. Following was an independent release under the name Doubters Club: Fleur De Lisa. Using the Judybats name again briefly, Heiskell also released a stellar recording in 2000.
In 2007, Jeff Heiskell returned with the release of 'Soundtrack for an Aneurism'. A self-described 'existential gay redneck' and 'reluctant buddhist', he muses on sexual reawakening, gas huffers, little boys growing up to become drag queens, and, of course, what he does best: relationships on the dissolve. Included is a smashing rendition of Lindsey Buckingham's 'Trouble'. Swooning guitars, sensual first-take vocals, irridescent guitars, and intellectual savvy make 'Soundtrack for an Aneurism' a welcome slow burn experience which is a dark delight from inviting beginning to elusive end. Co-produced by Don Coffey, former Superdrag member, this collection of pop gems celebrates the bright, glittery side of sadcore.
The much anticipated 'Clip-on Nose Ring' will be released November 14th of 2008.
With this latest collection of songs - writing on a thrift store acoustic, seated in a rocking chair in his basement - Heiskell let the muse take him where it would. "Holy shit," he laughs. "I drank a bunch of cheap wine, banged on my guitar, and all of these fellas came tumbling out."
"I've taken to referring to this project as 'My big fat gay CD'" he adds. "Although there is a tune about a woman from my past. She's certain to know who she is - or was - or might have been." Per guitarist and collaborator Tim Lee, former guitarist for Let's Active, "'Clip-On Nose Ring' mixes a variety of influences, including rock, folk and dance music, in which former Judybats singer/songwriter Jeff Heiskell's plumbs his own psyche for material, adopting a scorched earth approach that leaves no topic unexplored."
Inclusive on this latest disc is a decidedly creepy version of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’. Heiskell’s take on Parton’s former hit rests comfortably among the most melodious, hooky tunes of his career. Heiskell cites an interesting blend of influences for his latest: Tom Petty, John Lennon, Nick Drake, Social Distortion, & Joni Mitchell.
A CD release show in Knoxville will be followed by TBA dates in the Fall and Winter. A five song collection of remixes from Clip-on Nose Ring will be released later this year.
