The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion is a US rock band from New York, active since 1991. The group consists of Jon Spencer, Judah Bauer and Russell Simins, and plays a mix of alternative rock, blues rock, garage rock, indie rock and rock. It is known as a bass-less trio built around Spencer’s vocals and the interplay between guitar and drums.

Background

Jon Spencer previously leads the noise punk band Pussy Galore before forming the Blues Explosion with Judah Bauer on guitar and Russell Simins on drums. The band emerges in the early 1990s as part of the alternative rock boom and first records under the names Crypt Style and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion in 1992.

Albums and breakthrough

The group breaks through with Extra Width in 1993, released on Crypt Records. Orange follows in 1994 and reaches a wider audience. In 1996 the band releases Now I Got Worry, an album often regarded as its defining record. It includes appearances by Rufus Thomas on “Chicken Dog” and The Dub Narcotic Sound System on “Fuck Shit Up”.

Later albums include Acme in 1998, Xtra Acme USA in 1999, Plastic Fang in 2002 and Damage in 2004. On Damage, the group drops the “Jon Spencer” prefix from its name, presenting itself simply as the Blues Explosion.

Touring and collaborations

The band tours extensively and builds a small but committed international following. Jon Spencer also works in several other projects, including recordings with The Dub Narcotic Sound System, R.L. Burnside on A Ass Pocket Of Whiskey, David Holmes on Bow Down to the Exit Sign, and The Honeymoon Killers on Hung Far Low. He is also a member of Boss Hog with his wife Cristina Martinez, and forms the rockabilly revival group Heavy Trash with Matt Verta-Ray of Speedball Baby. The band is also associated in various ways with the Beastie Boys and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.