“JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION
It’s Dyn-O-Mite!
Every Warner Brothers cartoon has an Acme product Impractical, irresistible and generic, the brand has inspired the creation of yet another product. And what a beautiful product it is-the new Jon Spencer Blues Explosion album, aptly titled Acme. But there’s nothing generic about this baby, in fact it’s probably the most diverse of the Blues Explosion records, given that most of the tracks were handed out to a menagerie of producers and mixers for special treatment.
Guitarist Judah Bauer is on fire. After a series of interviews he’s talked himself into a frenzy. The line picks up and the rant begins. “I’m ready to talk more about me, about what I do and who I am and what I think,” he says in a rapid fire barrage. “Ask me some more questions man, this is going straight to my
head.”
Understandable given that the band are hot. For those who’ve loved the Blues Explosion, success was inevitable. The raw sound, the saucy grind and the preacher-man ranting of Jon Spencer set them apart from their counterparts, and judging by the people who chose to be involved in the formation of this album, everyone wants a piece of the action. Dan Nakamura (aka The Automator) lent his hiphop hand to four of the tracks, a bit of good work was done down at the Dub Narcotic Studio, and Alec Empire (Atari Teenage Riot, who most recently popped up doing a bit of remixing for old blues bugger RL Bumside lent a hand. As well, Steve Albini popped his head in, Jim Waters returned for a repeat performance and Andre Williams donned the stack hat as executive producer.
The result is an album chock-full of goodness, mixing the big beats with the blues groove and soul. Critics have suggested that perhaps this album is an indication that the band members have headed in their own directions, hence the need to bring in so much outside influence to be it together. Even though Bauer has his own side project (20 Miles, an outfit he put together with his brother who toured here last year), he gives no indication of tension in the mix. “The recording was the usual,” he says, “we just played live then things started gettin’ weird when we got home. All these people kept showing up at the door, and everyone just kept taking over, like Dan The Automator and Alec Empire and Jim Dickinson. There was just too many that I can’t even remember. Sometimes we had three studios going at once. This one is one of our biggest studio efforts.” Bauer reinforces the group’s current popularity when asked why everybody wants to mess with their stuff? “Because it’s cool,” he says with perfect sarcasm. “We’re hot right now Yeah, you know, it’s just that time I guess “We’re probably reasonably decent people,” he says with more honesty, “and they all want to work with Russell, he’s got such a beautiful foot, so they all want to try their hands at it. I dunno. We just wanted to hear some new things and different things It opened it up and it worked out.”
Although many of the songs were handed out for treatment, the resultant sounds didn’t come as a shock. “Most people were in New York, and only a few things were sent off Bauer says, but there were a few moments when he was more than chuffed. “The whole idea behind the remixing was to be surprised by it. Some things like the song Heavy. now that was inspired…”
Interestingly enough, it is the simpler tracks that please Bauer- perhaps an indication of the direction he’s chosen to take with 20 Miles. His favourite track is Magical Colours “The best songs are the simple songs, it’s a simple song with a country feel to it. I’ve been listening to a lot of bluegrass,” he continues, “a lot of mountain music, a lot of acoustic music, I think I want to do an acoustic record but I don’t think the other guys are going to be down with it at all. So I probably have to do it for 20 Miles. All the reject stuff goes to 20 Miles but I am trying to figure out how to play acoustic music well. I’m into that kind of really folky music by meaningless people on compilations.” Bauer has a refreshing optimism when he speaks about 20 Miles. There’s an innocence that comes only from pure passion and enjoyment. With the Blues Explosion Bauer feels completely comfortable on stage, but with 20 Miles, the singing factor makes performing it a bit more difficult. “Sometimes you just get psyched out. Sometimes you get up there and you’re thinking too much, and on stage it should be more of a physical thing. I’d be looking for the big beat and it was just my brother who I love,” he laughs.
“I don’t get so nervous with the Blues Explosion, I’ve been doing it longer and with 20 Miles it’s like my singing, it kinda sucks on some level and I’m aware of it. It can become too apparent, it’s kinda like an act of will at the beginning which probably isn’t so good for people’s ears.”
– By Leigh Genes
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion’s Acme album is out now on Augogo”
