May 4 – On This Day!

1995: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Fairplex Coliseum, Dallas, TX, US
w/ Beastie Boys and The Roots

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Bottleneck, Lawrence, KS, US

2005: Blues Explosion – Zeche Carl, Essen, Germany

2007: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – Karlstorbahnhof, Heidelberg, Germany

2008: Heavy Trash – FNAC Norte Shopping, Matosinhos, Portugal

2008: Heavy Trash – O Meu Mercedes é Maior Que o Teu / Mercedes Bar, Ribeira, Porto, Portugal
w/ Powersolo

2011: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans, LA, US
w/ JEFF the Brotherhood

2012: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – E-Werk, Erlangen, Germany
Tour Poster: Malleus

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – I’ll Be Your Mirror, Alexandra Palace, London, UK
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Anika, Big Freedia, King Khan, Dirty Beaches, Jah Shaka, Mick Harvey, JG Thirlwell Manorexia, K Holes, Prince Rama, The Field, Black Lips and The Locust.

Live Photos: Anthony Batista (https://www.toniomodio.com)

“…watching from the side of the stage is Jon Spencer. His Blues Explosion are kindred spirits and tonight their bass-free, blues-punk primitivism underlines just how far ahead of that curve they were, 22 years ago. Spencer is a master of the proselytising yelp and the single knee-drop, both of which get vigorous workouts via “Flavor” and a brilliantly absurd “Bellbottoms”, proving that the band’s showbiz swagger counts for as much as their incendiary songs. There could hardly be a more striking contrast to JSBE’s theatricality than the measured Gallic pop of former Bad Seed Mick Harvey…” – Sharon O’Connell / Uncut

2016: Heavy Trash – L’Atelier, Cluses, France
w/ The Legendary Shack Shakers

All Photos: Denis Charmot (https://www.facebook.com/denis.charmot/posts/10206536419466244)

2016: Jon Spencer & the HITmakers – Muziekodroom, Hasselt, Belgium
w/ Blackup

Live Photo: Marc Timmers

Posted in On This Day!

May 3 – On This Day!

Heavy Trash - L'Aéronef, Lille, France (3 May 2016) - Live1995: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, MO, US
w/ Beastie Boys and The Roots

2000: Boss Hog – [unknown venue], Bruxelles, Belguim

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Will Rogers Theater, klahoma City, OK, US

2005: Blues Explosion – Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark

2005: Edison Rocket Train – Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! – released

2008: Heavy Trash – Plano B, Porto, Portugal
w/ Powersolo

2011: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Bottle Tree, Birmingham, AL, US

2012: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Zack, Dusseldorf, Germany

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Trix, Antwerpen, Belgium
w/ Tav Falco and DJ Chauppage

2016: Heavy Trash – L’Aéronef, Lille, France
w/ Bob Log III

Live Photo: nicokiite (https://www.instagram.com/nicokiite/)
Set List: alternativteken (https://twitter.com/alternativteken)

2019: Jon Spencer & the HITmakers – Rotondes, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
w/ Blackup

HITmakers show #86

Live Photo: https://www.instagram.com/deadly.sexy.carl/

Posted in On This Day!

May 2 – On This Day!

2000: Ween ‎– White Pepper – released in the US
Features Russell Simins on the song Stroker Ace.

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Gypsy Tea Rooms, Deep Ellum, TX, US
w/ Quintron and Miss Pussycat, Sons of Sound, The Faceless Werewolves and The Signals

Mural: Frank Campagna
Poster Design: Aden Holt

2007: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues Band – Royal Circus, Brussels, Belguim

2008: Heavy Trash – Teatro Academico Gil Vicente, Coimbra, Portugal
w/ The Legendary Tiger Man and Powersolo

2012: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Substage, Karlsruhe, Germany
w/ Brat Farrar

Live Photo / Show Poster: Hajo Of (https://www.ka-news.de/fotos/bilddetail/cme508406,868707)

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Zoom, Frankfurt, Germany
w/ Gemma Ray

2019: Jon Spencer & the HITmakers – Cactus Muziekcentrum, Brugge, Belgium
w/ The Courettes

HITmakers show #87

Set List Photo: Sha Rivari (https://www.instagram.com/sha_rivari/)
Kit Photo / Review: Sam De Rijcke / musiczine.net

“Twee hamers fungeerden als drumsticks om ritme uit het gevaarte te krijgen, en het klonk nog goed ook.

Naast de al eerder vermelde schroothandelaar bestond die band verder nog uit een driftige keyboardspeler en een drummer die het moest doen met een naar goede Spencer-gewoonte sober drumstelletje, zijnde drie trommels en een velletje…

…vooral de songs uit het voortreffelijke nieuwe album ‘Spencer Sings The Hits!’ aan bod. En dat bleken stuk voor stuk springerige duiveltjes te zijn die barstten van withete energie.” – Sam De Rijcke / musiczine.net

Review: http://www.musiczine.net/nl/concertreviews/item/74231-jon-spencer-the-hitmakers-do-the-trash-can

Posted in On This Day!

Disturbios: Forthcoming Release

Disturbios – forthcoming album by Matt and Rocío Verta-Ray, released by Midnight Cruiser Records on May 21, 2021.

Recorded at N.Y. HED Studio and features Jon Spencer (baritone guitar on Jesus I Was Evil), Bloodshot Bill (Big Boss Man), Sam Baker (Little Bird Got Swallowed and Summer Loves) and more.

PRE-ORDER on black or pink vinyl here: https://midnightcruiserrecords.bandcamp.com/album/disturbios

Disturbios – Starr stream here: https://li.sten.to/VPLPUKT

Single Premier: https://bigtakeover.com/news/VideoPremiereStarrbyDisturbios

“Rocio’s keys are pristinely Lennon-esque and Phil Gionfriddo’s vocal aesthetic feels exquisitely earnest and cool and, for some odd and wonderful reason, I flashed on a crashing together of Stephen Malkmus (Pavement) and Harry Nilsson, two luminaries who you might now utter in the same breath. Maybe it is the vocal aesthetic that roller coasters in such artful ways, with rushes and steps back, that surprise. Totally having a crush on the Disturbios sound…
…So rad. So beautiful.” – Robb Donker Curtis / American Pancake

Posted in Heavy Trash, Jon Spencer, Matt Verta-Ray, news, Ny Hed Studio, Recording

May 1 – On This Day!

1989: Boss Hog – Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, US

1995: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado, US
w/ Beastie Boys and The Roots

1996: Cibo Matto (w/ Russell Simins & Sean Lennon) – Lee’s Palace, Toronto, ON, Canada

1997: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Portland, Washington, US

2000: Boss Hog – [unknown venue], Strasbourg, France

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Stubb’s BBQ, Austin, TX, US
w/ Quintron & Miss Pussycat

Photos: thaddday (https://www.instagram.com/thaddday/)

Poster Artwork: Jared Connor

nb. date on poster is incorrect

2005: Blues Explosion – Rockefella, Oslo, Norway

2007: Cat Power with Dirty Delta Blues Band – The Forum, London, UK
w/ The Childballads

“…she has an impressive backing band in tow. Affectionately nicknamed, Dirty Delta Blues, it comprises of Dirty Three’s Jim White, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion’s Judah Bauer and the Delta 72’s Gregg Foreman.

The sound they make together is a tight, bluesy rock ‘n’ roll. Marshall’s stunning, honey voice cuts the grade for this maturation, as well it did the stripped down, folky style she first made her name for. ‘Greatest’ feels warmer and more comforting than ever. Their version of ‘New York, New York’, which will feature on her second record of covers, is a revelation.” – Talia / https://londonist.com/2007/05/londonist_live_40

Live Photos / Ticket: John Gleeson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/johngleeson/albums/72157600169511535)

2007: Tiny Masters of Today (w/ Russell Simins) – Public School 29, 425 Henry St., Brooklyn, New York, US
w/ Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog and Toxic Muffin.

2008: Heavy Trash – Musicbox, Lisbon, Portugal

2011: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Earl, Atlanta, GA, US

2012: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Roots & Roses Festival, Lessines, Belgium

Tour Poster Artwork: Malleus

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Heimathafen Neukölln, Berlin, Germany

2016: Boss Hog – Drinkin’, Lechin’ & Lyin’ – reissued by Amphetamine Reptile on vinyl and CD

2016: Heavy Trash – Roots & Roses Festival, Lessines, Belgium

Live Photo: Michel Dans (http://concerts-review.over-blog.com/2016/05/roots-and-roses-festival-2016-ancien-chemin-d-ollignies-lessines-le-1-mai-2016-part-two.html)

2019: Jon Spencer & the HITmakers – Roots & Roses Festival 2019, Lessines, Belgium

HITmakers show #88

Live Photos: Walter Wouters (https://www.facebook.com/walter.wouters.549/media_set?set=a.1250881571742067&type=3 )

2020: S-E-R-V-I-C-E – Healer, Indianapolis, IN, US – cancelled due to Coronavirus

Posted in On This Day!