Sounds 8/4/90 Jealous Jessies By Cathi Unsworth Although they haven't slung out a single for two years, Gene Loves Jezebel have been doing just fine in the States. Jay Aston explains the mysteries of  r 'n' r to an indifferent Cathi. It's happened so often, it seems to be a natural part of evolution. Division two goth bands, down on their luck and, more importantly, their dosh suddenly "discover" Led Zeppelin and America.  As soon as The Cult defected to the Harley Davidson capital of the world, the remaining balaams and Flesh for Lulus couldn't peddle after them fast enough.  Not so Gene Loves Jezebel. Like their Beggars Banquet label mates Love and Rockets, they f**ked off from cold, uncaring blighty a long time ago and have discretely become huge in the States.  But unlike the ex-Bauhaus mob, the Jezebels "embrace" rock music. Their first single for two years, 'Jealous', struts a fine line between Aerosmith's 'Get The Lead Out' and some serious MTV prime time. It's not likely to turn the tide of British favour in their direction.  "If we had to survive on the amount of coverage we get in the British press we'd have died ages ago." Sniffs singer Jay Aston, tossing back a lock of rich auburn hair. "But round the rest of the world, Japan and America, we're very popular because our songs are strong."  Jay - whose twin brother Michael has now left the Jezebels to pursue an acting career - has a teensy hornet in his hairnet about the indifference of the great British public to the Jezebel's natural appeal.  "We've got the worst charts in the world," he spits, chewing the old chestnut savagely. "All those bands like Happy Mondays have got no control over their destinies at all. A band should be bouncing ideas off each other, not handing them over to a DJ."  So the Americans are easier to please?  "You don't try and please them," Jay admonishes. "They embrace rock music in a different way to British audiences. They love rock 'n' roll, whether it's Aerosmith or The Clash. If it's good, it's good."  "A lot of bands in England don't understand the mystery and the joy of rock 'n' roll," he continues. "They take the ethics, the AC/DC chord structure, but they miss the actual soul."  "You can play the clubs for years here and not get anywhere," adds bassist Pete Rizzo. "As soon as you get to America they adore you, and that's comforting."  So America is a good career more?  "If it's contrived it is," Jay's eyebrows shoot upwards. "We just did what we wanted to do. We always had long hair and we used to get chastised for it. Now everybody's got long hair."  What I find most puzzling is when you have a new album ('Kiss Of Life') with lots of character and charm, why release a pretty average, MMTV rocker as the introductory single?  With the exception of Jay, the band nod thoughtfully.  "You get more than one single off an album," shrugs bear-like drummer Chris Bell. "That just happens to be the first one."  It was the first step to show that we were back," says Jay. "And MTV is a very useful medium."  So it was quite a mercenary choice?  "A mercenary choice!" Aston explodes. "I like popular music, I like rock 'n' roll, what's the problem with that?"  "It would be mercenary if we all got together in a studio and decided to write a song for MTV," reasons Pete. "But you just do what you do and think, Yeah, MTV will like it, American radio will like it, because British radio never seem to like anything we do."  They have a major problem with us," says Jay, returning to his pet subject. "The Chart Show won't play our video because it shows a scene with a couple in bed. Whereas, Madonna is quite free to stick her fist up her arse. I find that offensive."  Luckily, Gene Loves Jezebel have landed a decent bit of exposure with two David Bowie support slots at Milton Keynes this week.  It may, indeed, be difficult. But with their bitchiness, brassiness and occasional brilliance, maybe this time GLJ will get what they really want.  Previous Article Home To HB Articles