The Static Jacks – If You’re Young

Reviewing Into The Sun, the single from New Jersey indie rock band The Static Jacks which came out a few months back, we commented that “the single is a joyous duo of rich and exciting sounds and though the songs may not have your jaw dropping in awe at something brand new but they certainly will excite ears and enthuse hearts”. Well with those words also apply to the new album from the band with an amendment. If You’re Young does stop one in their tracks with the awe not so apparent in the single, sweeping one up in songs and sounds which stroll along their own unique and adventurous path. Good though the single was it gave no real indication as to how impressive this album was going to be. If You’re Young is immense, a master class in creative songwriting, melodic manipulation, and the breeding place for an infection as potent as any virus.

From New Jersey and formed in 2009, the quartet of vocalist Ian Devaney, guitarists Henry Kaye and Michael Sue-Poi, and drummer Nick Brennan have already made a distinct mark with debut EP Laces in 2009 and numerous shows and tours with the likes of Futureheads, Biffy Clyro, Young the Giant, and We Were Promised Jetpacks. Their sound is single minded and full of determination to do things their way which results in a confidence and surety which oozes out of every note, chord and song. The band sit somewhere between pop punk and an alternative indie sound, bringing the best and uniqueness of both into their own majestic creations.

The album erupts into an instant tremendous pleasing of the senses from the very start with Defend Rosie meeting the ear with firm beats, enthused hand claps and a persistent riff that smacks of mischief. Enthusiastic and urgent, the punk toned song sets their stall out from the off, exciting with feisty rhythms, guitars and basslines which carry as much defiant attitude as Devaney and his lyrics, and big hearted melodies as sassy as the girl of your dreams. From a tremendous start the band simply accelerate things with the wicked sweet tease that is Girl Parts. With an excellent additional female vocal to the inspired and emotive tones off Devaney the song is gorgeous, and confirmation of the fact The Static Jacks have an expertise at writing pop songs that few rival.

The level across the album never wavers with Into The Sun with its Pete Shelley like melodic hook and the likes of the anthemic Blood Pressure, a song which rounds up the senses into a triumphant ball of emotional rebellion, and the soaring melodic grace of Relief, all lifting up the heart and soul with sounds that warm and energise the day. The third of these songs ripples with light sparkling melodies, glittering guitars, and a passion which fills every pore from every line and reflection.

As good as any album is there are always moments that strike the most effectively and alongside the opening duo of songs it is within the mighty outbursts of My Parents Lied and Walls (We Can’t Work It Out) that The Static Jacks show they are creating music that will take them to heady heights. The first begins with a subdued voice and guitar welcome before giant beats join the fray, yet still the song holds back evolving into a canter at most whilst its crystalline melodies radiate. Subtly the intensity increases to match the angst in the vocals of Devaney. Slowly it expands into waves of crashing guitars coaxed by incisive yet reserved melodies, all blending into a fine and inspired union.

Walls (We Can’t Work It Out) is the best song on the album, dare one say the perfect song. It has everything from stunning harmonious vocals, melodies which push away any dark and rhythms that are born of primal instinct, evolution, and an insistence that cannot be denied. It is tumultuous with riffs which muscle their way into the ear alongside the consuming drums, a bass which has more belligerence than a teen asked to clean their room, and energy as potent as nature herself. The only complaint is that it is so damn short.

The album ends on Drano-Ears, where the band takes a dip into the eighties. With a soulful sound and heartfelt emotive feel which reminds of the likes of The Bluebells and House of Love, the song is a galloping flow of soft and caressing melodies and stately elegance. It completes what is a delicious collection of well crafted and completely enjoyable excitable music. The Static Jacks are coming for your heart, are you ready?

Ringmaster 05/03/2012

Interview with Henry Kaye of the The Static Jacks

New Jersey indie rock band The Static Jacks has just given the UK a double treat in the release of their new double A-sided single ‘Into The Sun’/‘Mercy Hallelujah’ and a virtual whistle stop visit to these shores to put on a handful of warmly received and acclaimed gigs. With the release of their debut album If You’re Young on Fearless Records in the UK also impending The RingMaster Review had the pleasure whilst the band were here to ask guitarist Henry Kaye about the visit, single and about The Static Jacks themselves.

Hi thanks for talking with us at The Ringmaster Review and welcome to the UK.

This is your first time here as a band and individually?

Henry:  Yeah this is my first time here! As well as Michael and Andrew’s first time.  Nick and Ian have been to the UK before though on vacations.

It may be a silly question but what is it about the UK that excites you and makes you guys think, as we do, that your sounds will hit the right key with audiences and ears here? 

Henry:  I think it’s exciting that the other night we played Koko in London and in between bands they would play The Vaccines and MGMT over the speakers.  In America you go to a club and they play Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.  It’s nice to hear indie rock music at clubs.  It shows there’s a real interest for it.

Within a day of arriving you had your first show, how did that go?

Henry:  Ahh yeah, we played at 100 Club.  It was a blurry show.  We all felt dead after stepping off of the plane but knew we had to still bring it that night.  Let’s just say after all of the plane ride’s turbulence Ian still didn’t get sick all over the crowd.

Did you find the crowd had a stronger knowledge of you and your songs than you expected?

Henry:  Yeah I think we find that recently everywhere we go there are surprisingly people there that know who we are.  This is all so new to us.  It’s mind boggling to see people singing along to “Into The Sun’s” final chorus.

What are you expecting or hoping to achieve from your brief visit to the UK, for yourselves and the band?

Henry:  It’s been a goal of ours for a very long time to come over here and play shows.  We were just hoping a few people would come out and give us a reason to come back again and again and again.  The reaction so far has definitely exceeded our expectations.  We’ll be back.

Can we go back to the beginnings of The Static Jacks, how did you all meet and what was the aim starting out as a band?

Henry:  I met Ian and Nick when we were 14-years-old and freshmen in high school.  We started writing songs together in an early version of what would become The Static Jacks and playing at school events and in clubs in New York we weren’t old enough to get in to.  The aim was just to write rock songs that friends could relate to and sing along to.  One of the first shows we ever played was in Nick’s basement, where we have practiced since day one.  It was just a ton of our friends surrounding us in a corner singing and dancing to every song.  I think that set a good tone for what we were trying to achieve.  After graduating high school we decided we wanted to push forward with the band idea where we met Michael who grew up in a town over from us. And so the adventure continues.

The songs carry a great and effective mix of influences and genre flavours, how would you describe your music to someone never having heard a track?

Henry:  I would call it rock music with hooky melodies and a punk spirit!

What are the influences that have helped form your music and sound?

Henry:  I think Arcade Fire have really helped remind everyone what a band should sound and look like.  Also, their subject matter is something we all really connect to.  All of these ideas about growing up in the suburbs, riding bikes with friends, parties.  It’s all there.

Your debut UK double A-sided single ‘Into The Sun’/‘Mercy Hallelujah’ is just about to be released here, that must add extra excitement to the shows?

Henry: Definitely! We’re big fans of the 7” single.  It’s amazing to come over here and have an exclusive to give out.

Do the two great songs making up the single give a good representation of what people can expect on your impending album If You’re Young released here soon?

Henry: Yeah I think it’s a good lead off for what to expect from the whole thing.  Big choruses.  Sing a longs.  That kind of stuff.

‘Mercy Hallelujah’ carries a melody that we cheekily said you ‘borrowed’ from The Cure, would it be too rude to ask if that really was where the inspiration for the hypnotic melody came from.

Henry:  Haha, it wasn’t intentional but if there’s a place to steal from I think The Cure is a good spot.

You are very much an independent band in thought and ethos, continuing the punk DIY intent. Would you relinquish that control and instinct if a big time label came in with an enticing offer which included them having control of most things?

Henry:  I don’t think we’d ever feel comfortable in a situation where we weren’t in control of most things.  I think we’d no longer be this band if we didn’t have a say in what songs made an album, what the package looked like and where our music winds up.  I want to be as big of a band as possible, but it has to be done the right way.

Lyrically your songs are emotive and intelligent ‘story telling’, what inspires the majority of the themes?

Henry:  This album is mostly about being 20 or so and growing up and moving on from your hometown and relationships that you’ve built there since you were a child.  Everyone you know, including yourself is moving in opposite directions and it’s a tricky situation to “figure out” the rest of your life and where you want to go.

How does the songwriting process work within the band?

Henry:  There are ideas flowing in from all directions.  We all can bring song ideas in individually, in which case they are then fully worked out as a group.  Or I’ll come in with a riff and structure idea.  Every combination has happened.  We definitely have a lot of material because everyone writes.  It’s so much easier then depending on one guy.

Is there a final voice that makes a decision when things cannot be agreed amongst you or are moments like that left to concentrate on other aspects of the band and music?

Henry:  Usually the band can just vote on it and we can figure it out internally.  But when things can get more complex we talk to our management and listen to their ideas.  It’s definitely not a final say, but it at least gives us another opinion to sway the arguement.

What is next for The Static Jacks on both sides of The Pond?

Henry:  More and more touring next year!  Constant touring.  Our debut album “If You’re Young” should be finally coming out over here.  And we’ll definitely be coming back to play more shows soon.

Do you set yourselves targets or simply concentrate on the now?

Henry:  We have goals for sure, but I think it’s important to just keep blinders on and plow through the moment.  I don’t like to get caught up in long term plans or strategies.  Save that for the labels.

A big thanks for sparing time to chat with us, and good luck for the remaining dates with hope your return is swift. Would you like to finish with a message for the UK and your existing fans everywhere?

Henry:  Thanks for coming out to see us and showing us that people do know our music!  We’ll definitely be seeing you again next year.  Come say hi at the merch table!

And finally what special treat are you sneaking back to the US in your luggage?

Henry:  I think Ian will be sneaking back a few bags of Percy Pig candy.

 

Read Single review@ https://ringmasterreviewintroduces.wordpress.com/2011/11/25/the-static-jacks-into-the-sunmercy-hallelujah/

Ringmaster 30/11/2011

The best and easiest way to get your music on iTunes, Amazon and lots more. Click below for details.

The Static Jacks – Into The Sun/Mercy, Hallelujah

‘Into The Sun’ is the new single from New Jersey indie rock band The Static Jacks and their debut UK release.  Taken from their forthcoming album If You’re Young on Fearless Records, the release comes out November 28^th via Laissez Faire Club to intrigue, entice and pleasure a new flurry of eager ears. The album has already garnered great praise and attention with its release in the US this past August as has the video for the single, now it is time for this side of the big blue to let loose frenzied limbs and warm hearts for the band’s heady and addictive mix of garage rock and indie pop.

The single is actually a double A-side of ‘Into The Sun’ coupled with ‘Mercy Hallelujah’, the two songs an appetising teaser for the album and a vibrant introduction to the band and their hypnotic sounds. The quartet of vocalist Ian Devaney, guitarists Henry Kaye and Michael Sue-Poi, plus drummer Nick Brennan started stirring up hearts with their self-released Laces EP of 2009 and numerous shows and tours with the likes of Futureheads, Biffy Clyro, Young the Giant, and We Were Promised Jetpacks, all the time continuing the garage/punk ethos of DIY self independence. Fusing distinct and memorable sounds they have been influenced by and of their own creation, The Static Jacks has produced an album that is varied and bursting with lively striking songs, something the single clearly suggests and proves.

‘Into The Sun’ swings into action with a Buzzcocks like melodic feel and addictive hook, the song blending incisive melodies and energetic guitars to engage and excite the ear. The vocals of Devaney are emotively strained but wonderfully controlled as he brings forth the smart lyrics. There is a punk urgency to the song that leaps onto the senses to play mischievously as the rhythms and beckoning call of the siren like melodies court the ear. Ok the song is not exactly groundbreaking but there has been a rare few songs this year that have teased and romanced the heart as openly as ‘Into The Sun’.

With matching effect ‘Mercy, Hallelujah’ delivers an equally impassioned and melodic sound, though this time with an Americana flavour to give a different texture. Notably there is also a melody very reminiscent of The Cure, actually one could almost say borrowed as it is very close to that which veins ‘In Between Days’. The Static Jacks to be fair use it in their own strong distinct way turning it into an integral part of a great song. Whereas its sister track bounces around for attention, ‘Mercy, Hallelujah’ has a deeper intensity and feeling to it, a depth that inspires emotions.

Recorded and produced by Chris Shaw (Ted Leo, Bad Brains, Elvis Perkins in Dearland) at Stratosphere Sound in New York City, the single is a joyous duo of rich and exciting sounds and though the songs may not have your jaw dropping in awe at something brand new but they certainly will excite ears and enthuse hearts, as well as make their invitation to check out If You’re Young impossible to refuse.

The band is also giving away a free mp3 of album track ‘Girl Parts’ @ http://shop.laissezfaireclub.com/track/girl-parts.

RingMaster 25/11/2011

The best and easiest way to get your music on iTunes, Amazon and lots more. Click below for details.