I love it when Ear Farm throws up his Don’t You (Forget About Me) posts. It’s a great way to recap the bands / artists that you’ve enjoyed over the past few months on your blog. I wish I had the time to do such a post.
I digress and I’d like to share with you an artist that I came upon. Not only does Jake Brennan have that ruff and scruff folky sound that I’ve been diggin recently with albums like Springsteens Nebraska and the constant rambling of Johnny Cash (ok, smooth deep folk voice here but still on the same track), but he is based in Boston. And I love it when I find talent in this city, because it’s actually not that easy to come by.
Interestingly enough, I saw Jake and his band, The Confidence Men, play when My Morning Jacket and the Boston Pops had their PopRocks gig a ways back. They were one of the opening bands that played out in the hallways of Symphony Hall. I remember saying that this surf rock / hardcore folk – maybe not exactly that – was really kickin and that I needed to check them out. Of course, I forgot. But it all comes back around in time.
However, things are a bit different then when I saw Jake and his band play. Now it’s just Jake and his guitar. I think that’s what I was hearing back at the Symphony Hall. I checked out some of their songs from their album, Love & Bombs, and thought it was too polished for this guy I’m now listening to on myspace.
Apparently the band just got tired of playing their music, which is not uncommon. In fact, this is more common then you think. There are probably bands playing together right now that whether or not they’ll admit it, probably hate what they are playing (ahm, come on Mick and Co., it’s about time you called it quits).
Listening to “Do You Remember What Joe Strummer Said” I’m automatically thrown against the wall. I love the agressiveness in the song. I don’t know what it is but there is a fine line that is drawn between the punk sound that I like and a punk sound that I hate. Jake has the side that I like mixed in with some rockabilly and what he calls, “hardcore folk” (which I like). I’ve also been diggin the Tom Wait’s album, Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards, and Jake’s voice, while not as raspy, conjures up some of his bellows.
I’m looking forward to his forthcoming album that is said to be quite raw and stripped down and I’m assuming similar to the “Joe Strummer” track. Keep an eye on Jake and if you’re a Boston local, make sure to check out his Myspace page and see where he’ll be playing this weekend – Yes, I believe Jake has quite the sense of humor with his concert locations.
Links of Interest:
Management: Fenway Recordings
Download: “Do You Remember What Joe Strummer Said”
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