RAY GUN

Long one of alternative’s most visible acts, Gene Loves Jezebel did a surprising turnabout last year, and went on a low-key, impromptu 50-date club…. “It was essential to be seen naked,” explains the unfailingly polite, gracious lead vocalist, Jay Aston. “We would call the clubs two weeks before the show, and did no interviews. It reminded me of the first tour we did in 1985, when we brought alternative music to places that had never seen it before.”

“It was great training,” says recent addition, drummer Robert Adam. “You usually make a record first, and then tour. Getting to know the band first made for a real soul-searching record,” the new release, Heavenly Bodies.” 

As they made their way across the country, they were reminded how dull rock music had become. “People now work as hard at dressing down as Prince does at dressing up,”Aston laughs, commenting on the current style of rock uniforms. 

“The mix in front of the stage, however, was as strange as ever. There were rockers, older people, straights and the usual weirdness. Until they got to New York.” 

“Everyone across the country wears checkered shirts, shorts and goatees. Except the clubs in New York, where people are on Ecstasy and the huge bass shakes your insides and there are all these drag queens and such. It’s not such a bad thing, really. It’s more like a carnival.” 

“There was this seven foot tall, blue hair person with white makeup all over his face standing right in front of Jay,” Adam remembers. “He didn’t move or change his expression the entire set.”

“It makes it very hard to relate to the audience when you can’t see over this person’s head,” says Jay. 

“How about the guy in Texas or somewhere who showed up in a black dress,” says Adam. 

He came up to Aston after the show, and thanked Jay for changing his life and giving him the courage to be “the way I am.” 

Aston, who has a huge cult following and is used to it, didn’t miss a beat. 

“Why,” he told Ian. “I’d say you turned out very nice.” 

Previous Article

Home

Next Article