Jason & The Scorchers; A reunited band, a new record and a new wife keep life fun for Jason Ringenberg

By BARRY COURTER, Entertainment Writer
Chattanooga Free Press - June 18, 1997, Wednesday

Copyright 1997 Chattanooga News-Free Press Company

When last we spoke with Jason Ringenberg, it was a year ago and his band Jason & The Scorchers were juiced up the rerelease of their debut EP Reckless Country Soul, featuring six rediscovered tracks, and work in the studio for what became Clear Impetuous Morning. A year later, the Nashville group is still riding the wave of their newest Mammoth release. The band will perform tonight on the Conoco Stage at Riverend.

Jason, who writes most of the group's songs, which have been described as "cowpunk," also just got married. In fact, the wedding took place just two weeks ago at Howard Finster's studio/home, with the ordained minister/artist performing the ceremony. "It was great," Jason said. "We got married and then spent some time in Chickamauga Battlefield and then went over to Charleston. Chickamauga is the best Civil War site to visit."

When the Scorchers burst onto the Nashville scene in the early '80s, they kicked a little fresh air into an otherwise stale and overproduced industry. After a series of personnel changes, the original lineup -- Warner Hodges, Jeff Johnson and Perry Baggs -- reunited in 1995 and released A Blazing Glory.

While their early music, a hybrid between country, punk and rock was generally accepted, it was difficult to program on radio, so it received little airplay. Where it was played, the band usually found loyal fans.

"The Scorchers are a strange band," Jason said. "We can be literally unknown in one town and do great in the next. It's not regional either. It varies from town to town. It may be because some radio station played us there or it's a college town. We sell out New York and in L.A., nobody knows us. In Washington we do great."

The challenge of introducing their music, and white-hot live performances to new audiences, is what makes playing fun. "It's always weird being a Scorcher," Jason said. "Playing with the Scorchers is always fun. As long as we can play live, it will always be fun."

GRAPHIC: Special photo cowpunkers: In the early '80s, Jason & The Scorchers blended country, punk and rock to create a new sound. The band will play tonight
on the Conoco Stage during Riverbend.

© 1997-2004 — Chattanooga News-Free Press Company — All Rights Reserved