Ye Olde...EP
scum stats: limited to 300 copies
I'm pretty sure I bought the first Jeff 7-inch via mail order from Infinity Cat within a year or so of it being released back in 2005. And this most recent EP came from the band-adjacent Earthbound Sound label just this week, giving me a solid 17-ish years of mail order directly from the band. In that span of time the band has released a metric shit ton of records, wholly embracing limited editions and colored vinyl and multiple forays into lathe cuts even. Truly a band after my heart.
So from the post-Melvins simplified sludge of that debut single "Cancer Killer" through now, the band has evolved impressively. The laconic, atmospheric, meandering excursions on "Ye Olde..." are impressive, the contributions of Kunal Prakash on guitar, bass and harmonium are a solid compliment to the further additions of modular synth, harmonium and recorder...that's a lot of shit to throw at the wall for a band that literally started out as drums and guitar.
But JTB wears it well, solidly in their thirties now, the stink of over eager youth having fully escaped them and the middle age maturity proving for fruitful explorations. Quasi new age for a quasi new age. Music to import beads by. Drone for days. Worth your attention.
I've pulled a copy of Jeff the Brotherhood's "Whatever I Want" test pressing (TMR-110) from my closet. This sumbitch is so rare it's not even listed in the Discogs database. Said disc with my handwriting on the label from September 15, 2011, will be given away to the arbitrarily "best" comment left here. Maybe it has something to do with brothers or maybe the differences in your self between 2005 and 2022. Or whatever. Surprise me. Don't be predictable, don't be basic, make something that we can all enjoy and/or appreciate. Comments need to be posted by 11:59pm Central Time on March 17th to be considered for the prize.
***WINNER HAS BEEN SELECTED***
Hellllllll yeaaaaaaaah bruuuuuhthurrrrrrrrrrrr. But if I’m being honest the hulkster was but if I win ITS BECAUSE STONE COLD SAYS SOOOOOOO!
Just watched the movie that, if I’m right Third Man Records got it’s name from. It’s called The Third Man, and has Orson Welles in it. Gotta say it was a pretty awesome movie! I love those old noir style movies and this scratched that itch. Orson Welles is an amazing actor, and is amazing in this movie. If you haven’t seen it, you need to!
Another contest only open to clever people! sigh
Remember how Hulk Hogan used to call everyone “brother” but he was never actually talking to his brother at the time? Good times. Good times.
I’m 17 years closer to death or retirement… whichever comes first…
It was fun thinking about 2005 with my brother; we got laughing so hard about how competitive we were, but I laughed harder.
I cannot wait to get my copy of their new album, as I have been following them for a decade now ever since I have seen them opening up for “The Kills” and with the exception of one time(which I had ticket to) I haven’t missed a local show where they have taken me to places in Brooklyn I didn’t know existed, from clubs that are a fire hazard to a beautiful courtyard garden 10 minutes away from me. In some of these shows Jamin ran from the stage after the set to the merch booth, where I once scored (in 2014) a mystery 7" – I think they made 30 of them, each one had a different unreleased song with a different hand made cover. Maybe Ben can track all 30 tracks and release them as a 2 LPs set.
In 2005 after recently receiving my green card, I was just starting up and I hope that 20 years later in 2025 I would have my own little record store.
I remember September 15, 2011 very well, as it was also the day The Raconteurs performed at the Ryman, with none other than Jeff the Brotherhood opening! I’ll never forget how excited JTB were to be playing at the Ryman, and to be opening for The Raconteurs. Initially much of the audience didn’t seem to know what to think of them, but their energy and enthusiasm completely won them over by the end of the set. Both bands delivered killer performances that night, and it was definitely a special evening for all involved. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Between 05 and 2022 I have changed, retired, survived covid and listen and play more music to uplift the soul!
I have never seen them live but I do have a black copy of the live at third man records as well as a black copy of TMR110 Whatever I want/Everything I need. I have seen Ben Blackwell play drums at 2 iconic events. The TMR 10th anniversary event which was the second best event of 2019 that I went to. The first was the play Hamilton which I saw in Detroit at 1 p.m. on the day after the 10th anniversary event in Nashville. I had to drive all night with no sleep to make it to see Hamilton. I also saw Ben play drums at the Cass Tech Bernie Sanders rally in 2020. A highlight of that year. Looking forward to the next time Ben plays drums!