I Need Something....

Well the cat’s out of the bag, so to speak, and something I’ve been getting excited about for a while now is official. But first a bit of background.

“I see Starz, and the moon is Big and Black, well there's a full Sheer Heart Attack
but the cheapest trick of all is when I hear that London Call
I need something and I need it fast, I need Jason Scorching past
I need to feel they feel the same, 'cos when they almost know my name it's like 29 x the pain”

‘29 x The Pain’ by The Wildhearts.



I remember hearing those lyrics back in 1993, or ’94 - some time around then, and a quick shiver going down my spine because I realised that someone else had been listening to the same band as me… and as far as I knew up to then no-one listened to them. That band was Jason & The Scorchers.

Now clearly that was a ridiculous thought, and there were hundreds of people across the UK, Europe and in the States who were fans - and bigger fans than I was, and probably ever will be – but I didn’t know that. This was long before I had net access, and having basically ‘grown up’ (musically speaking) on Kerrang! The Scorchers had never touched my radar often, and were unlikely ever to do so.

In fact it was a chance viewing on an old BBC2 ‘youth culture’ show called No Limits that led to my introduction to The Scorchers. Back in 1986 I was spending most of my time and money on bands like Van Halen, Iron Maiden, and Cinderella – but watching No Limits one evening I caught a video clip of some strange outfit who were playing my type of guitars, but with a country twang.

I’ve since, incorrectly as it turned out, credited a school friend with passing me a copy of the album from which the single came – Still Standing. Having found out that this wasn’t the case, and also recognising the artwork when I recently picked up said album on CD, I now realise that I'd actually tracked it down and bought it myself – on good ol’ vinyl. Unfortunately, to my shame, that also means that it went the way of the second-hand record shop at some point – in one of the many clear-outs I had, largely due to lack of space and lack of finances.

The album was (and still is) a long time favourite of mine, but unbeknown to me it was one of 11 or 12 EPs and LPs put out by The Scorchers over a sixteen year on-and-off career. Not only that, but almost to a man, it is regarded as one of their weakest offerings by almsot everyone who knows the band's work – having come at a time when they were under pressure to tap into the growing rock scene.

It’s a cliché, but it’s true – they were seen as too rock for country, and too country for rock.

I liked it though, no – I loved it, but my background and social circle was solidly in the ‘metal’ camp. Without the internet to surf and find out more, I spent years with Still Standing as my only knowledge of the band – that, and the knowledge that Ginger was a fan too.

Fast forward to 2005, I’m standing in the kitchen of my then-girlfriend’s house talking to her, when I hear the familiar twang of Jason’s voice from upstairs. I ask the obvious question, to which she replies:

“Yeah, that’ll be Paul, my lodger…”

Needless to say, when we were introduced, the first question I asked was about the music I’d heard. It turned out that not only was Paul a fan, owning all of the aforementioned releases of which I’d been ignorant for so long, but he also had worked for a record label – in Holland – that had released the Scorchers material in Europe. Not only that, but he also happened to design and manage the website of one Jason Ringenberg – the Jason of scorching ‘fame’.

Coincidence is a great thing sometimes, and that set of circumstances put me on a path which has seen me not only meet Jason, not only have him play my favourite Scorchers track (Shotgun Blues) acoustically at Summer Sundae 2005 – and dedicate it to me, but also come to be able to call him a friend.

In the past two years I’ve travelled to Nashville to see The Scorchers play a benefit show for their drummer the Exit/In. I've shared a barbecue with Jason and his family watching fireflies, and sat in Warner Hodges' lounge and discussed ideas that led to him teaming up with Ginger for a brief UK Scorchers 'tribute' tour. I’ve gained my first photo credit in the form of a couple of pictures in Jason’s press kit, I’ve witnessed their first UK date in over a decade – a semi-secret warm-up show in my home town...



...and I’ve even promoted a gig by Jason’s “twin brother” – Farmer Jason – at the cricket club in Kibworth (kind of surreal, but so much fun!).



With all of that, what have I got left to be excited about? The news that The Scorchers are heading into the studio again. For the first time in my life I am able to wait in full knowledge and anticipation of a new Jason & The Scorchers album. The problem is I don’t want to wait…

I need something, and I need it fast!!!