I’ve seen the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion on most of their Australian tours, but don’t really listen to their records when they’re not listed on an upcoming gig calendar. While their records are good, quite good in fact, live is where they become a non-stop sweat machine.
Each member is essential; drummer Russell Simmons looks to be in better shape than the last few tours and is playing sharper than ever. He still snaps his snare to announce the end of a song, which gives Spencer a split second of silence to shout out the next song’s title before the band launch into it without missing a heartbeat. Spencer is still light on his feet, jumping into a split to accentuate a riff or a shriek of “Blues Explosion.” And then there’s guitarist/backing vocalist Judah Bauer, finger picking, sliding up and down the neck and always holding down the groove.
They sacrificed second verses and repeated choruses to give us a taste of Dang, 2 Kindsa Love, Afro, Black Mold, Get Your Pants Off and even the second half of Flavor, with Bauer taking on Beck’s rap. As much as the old songs still resonate, highlights were new album tracks Do The Get Down, White Jesus and Tales Of Old New York. Simmons took lead vocals for the Dead Boys’ What Love Is, while Beastie Boys rarity She’s On It closed out the main set. Support act Mark Ribot then joined for the encore of Blues X Man.
These dudes are pushing 50 and still pulsate like men in their 20s might strive to. A rock show in a sit-down theatre can go either way. The vibe can dissipate if someone comes to the lip of the stage to wail a solo and is met with mere appreciative nodding. Or in the case of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, it can finally give you a chance to sit back, without getting bumped and spilling beer on your pants, and just take in the controlled chaos as it unfolds. Tonight the New York trio reasserted their position as one of the blues rock’s best.
BY NICK ROE
Photo by Ian Laidlaw
Loved: Judah Bauer: “Hey, you look familiar.”
Hated: Saying goodbye.
Drank: Boags, Stella, Rinse, Repeat.
