J.A.C.K. March Feature 2008 Feature Article by Ben Krieger
Photo by Judith Levitt
For the NYC rock fan who frequents local venues, forever in search of the perfect band, the world can be full of disappointments: lead guitarists that fall short of spectacular, drummers who can't find the pocket, singers who fall flat. When everything does come together, the result is true, cathartic magic. Jezebel Music has been proud to present some of NYC's best rock bands as previous features. To a select group of bands that includes Proton Proton and Beat the Devil we can now add J.A.C.K.
The lineup consists of Scott Holland (vocals/guitar), JP Gilbert (guitar), Christopher Tordini (bass) and Tim Monaghan (drums). The lion's share of the band's sound is derived from pile-driving 70's metal acts like Deep Purple and Black Sabbath; it's their refusal to rely on shortcut genre clichés that keeps their songs fresh and familiar at the same time. Like many new millennium bands, the members of J.A.C.K. are rock scholars with love for a wide variety of musical genres. Holland can do a mean Sam Cooke impression while the other three members -- all graduates from the New School -- get a bit bug-eyed discussing their favorite late-period Coltrane records. When Holland croons, "somebody turn the light on" during "Extinguisher", the band is acknowledging a fondness for Motown ballads. A minute later, Television guitars propel a buildup that eventually explodes into a metal version of the original refrain. “I Cut My Arms Off” also features Verlaine/Lloyd guitar interplay before taking on an intensity that the Strokes have never achieved. Monaghan embraces the responsibility of a band being only as good as their drummer and delivers a hard-hitting performance. He attacks every part of his drum kit with confident zeal. While Holland's guitar playing is secondary next to his lead vocal abilities (more on that later), his chops are knowledgeable and painstakingly rehearsed. He provides a solid foundation from which Gilbert's fretwork can shine. A versatile player who keeps his cards close to his chest, Gilbert is able to release a ferocious variety of blues licks and Sonic Youth-inspired guitar wails when the moment is right. Tordini is the newest member to the group and opts for minimalist restraint, securely anchoring the bottom end during Holland and Gilbert's soaring excursions.
The make-it-or-break-it factor for most rock bands is, of course, the singer. In Holland, J.A.C.K. has one of the most gifted vocalists a group could ask for. The rock veteran paid his dues working as a karaoke DJ, often performing himself and developing the ability to masterfully mimic a variety of singers. In the course of a single song, he can conjure up the pristine wail of Jeff Buckley, the howl of Ian Gillan, the rasp of Bon Scott, and some downright scary vocal overtones that would make any Mongolian throat singer proud. Hearing this voice caught on tape is only half the story; the discerning audience member will notice that during live performances, Holland is able to bring forth this tonal variety without straining his pipes beyond their capabilities. He is able to capture the sound of overdriven vocal chords without actually losing control, relying on the stage amplification to lift help cut through the band's cacophony. Eyes closed, a listener might imagine Bruce Dickinson on steroids, foot on the monitor, leaning way back in a gratuitous rock god pose. Open-eyed reality reveals a calm, confident singer/guitarist generating some of the most impressive vocal arsenals working today. Lyrically, Holland shapes his words around the feel of each song. When he's shouting that "the world is full of assholes and I'm one of them, playing my guitar," the band is raging with matching intensity.
J.A.C.K.'s fanbase has been growing rapidly in the New Year following a slew of successful shows (the members cheerfully recall the mosh pit that has materialized as the crowds have grown larger). The band formed in 2005 and snagged a record deal with Ace Fu Records early on. The subsequent folding of Ace Fu's label activities doesn't seem to have slowed them down at all. With two EPs under their belt, the band has recorded the full-length Deletist, which they are planning to label shop or release independently in 2008. Their current tours have taken them as far as SXSW and they would like to travel further west with their new material. They admit that it would be nice to have support behind this endeavor or, as Holland puts it, to have their "bellies rubbed." Monaghan has a quick response to that comment: "Fuck that, I'll rub their bellies," he laughs. Joking aside, it is clear that this is an earnest rock band that takes pride in their musical ability, refusing to foster an image that would cater to shallow industry scouts. They have made friends with similar bands throughout the city (of the many peer names they bring up, Jezebel readers may recognize the no-frills Abigail Warchild, who were featured in November 2007). When all is said and done, J.A.C.K. is able to accomplish what few bands can in an age of omnipotent, four-star ratings: surpass their own hype.
