I really love it when I don’t have to do any legwork to find a band. Generally when I’m trying to track down new music, I find myself thumbing through countless music magazines, surfing every music blog this side of the World Wide Web, and in the dark times, picking up an LA weekly and checking out what the locals seem to be into. The LA Weekly has become almost worthless for this in that it seems all people in LA want to do is find “hot” restaurants, “trendy” bars, and the chance to see the next “it” DJ.
The hell is up with that? When did seeing a DJ become a “must have” experience. I’ve seen many a DJ live and I’ll tell you this; seeing a dude wildin’ out while twisting a knob back and forth just doesn’t do it for me. I get it bro; you made a sick mix on Garage Band, but there’s no reason for me leave my house and pay $25.50 hear it.
I’m guessing substances are playing a big part in my non-enjoyment. But Molly isn’t a step that I’m not gonna take. I’ve never been all that “up with people” so the last thing I want to do is ingest a substance that makes me believe hugs feel, like gummy bears taste. That’s just not me.
Back to the legwork thing, most often good music finds you. You hear it while flipping stations or it’s quietly playing in the background at a party somewhere. My ultimate favorite is when someone just sends it to you. The friend rec. It’s always good. Mostly because the people I know have good taste in music, but really I think it’s because good friends seem to know you better than you know yourself.
This week a buddy of mine used the trusty Spotify and sent over a new band whose album dropped this past week. Upon the firs
t listen I knew that the record was going to be in the rotation for quite some time. Their sound had soul, it was lively, and it was dirty. This week’s AOTW: Black Joe Lewis.
Here’s the song that brought them a good amount of national attention Bitch, I Love You.
The members include:
Joe Lewis
Bill Stevenson
Jason Frey
Derek Phelps
Eduardo Torres
Joe Lewis began in Austin, TX way back in 2006 when the then unknown Joe Lewis was bombing around town just trying to get by. He worked odd jobs waiting tables and manning pawnshops. But once a week, Joe would take his guitar to Hole in the Wall, a local college bar, and would hold service. By service I mean he would take the stage, wail on his guitar and belt everything he had built up that week, out unto the audience.
Joe couldn’t get much going. Sure he was working every now and again, but he didn’t have a car, reliable income, or even a plan to make it as a musician. Sure he was fronting a country band (The Weary Boys) but it wasn’t going to take off. “My Band sucked,” proclaimed Lewis when asked about his former crew.
Things were not on the up and up for Joe. It got to a point where he was considering leaving music all together. This seemed strange, mostly due to the fact that despite Lewis’ vagabond lifestyle and negative thoughts on his band of the time, he was garnering much interest from the notoriously talented Austen music community. After being booked for University of Texas’ 40 Acres festival, Lewis met then student Zach Ernst.
After that the two were inseparable. The two began playing music together with a bunch of guys that Ernst had gone to college 
with. At first they dubbed themselves Black Joe Lewis & the Honey Bears. Smartly so, they dropped the Honey Bear moniker, and now rock one of the coolest band names in music as simply Black Joe Lewis. Since then they haven’t stopped touring.  Have stopped playing. Haven’t stopped rocking faces off.
They released their first self-titled EP in 2007. My favorite track on that EP is Humpin. It’s a throwback to those blues breakdowns with powerful riffs broken up with talking interludes. It’s got jam band feel that I really dig.
They aren’t exactly a jam band, they aren’t exactly blues all I know is they got heart and soul. They’re a perfect blend of Americana and I hope they stay that way.
Their first full length album Scandalous  really put the band’s sound into perspective. It is a full on party all the way through. Joe Lewis shines his James Brown light on a number of the tracks, shouting lyrics as an array of horns blast in the background. If you aren’t up and moving to these songs, you’re really missing the point.
This past week, Black Joe Lewis released their second full length Electric Slave. I can’t praise this record enough. I highly recommend it. It’s bluesy, bluegrassy, and a great way to play out the summer. Those last days of heat that go great with a cold beer and a shot. It’s Mofro meets Parliament Funkadelic. Fucking party. Let’s close out with a hell raiser this is Skulldiggin. It’s like old Black Keys had their vocals replaced by Jayson Green of Cheeseburger. Like I said…fucking party.
Check them out and I know you will be hooked.
Big Hugs,
Kelly
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