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Jason and the Scorchers

Group, Rock & Roll, Country-Rock

By John Dougan, All Music Guide To Rock, 1995,
Miller Freeman Books, San Francisco, CA

A country/hard rock band formed by Illinois native Jason Ringenberg in 1981, Jason and the Scorchers came careening onto the indie-rock scene seemingly out of nowhere (truth was, it was Nashville) with a debut EP whose most killer track (among a slew of killer tracks) was a fire-breathing cover of Bob Dylan’s “Absolutely Sweet Marie”. This amalgam of speedy hard rock fused with Ringenberg’s decidedly country twang, along with the band’s ability to negotiate deftly between Rolling Stones-style stomps and quieter, more melodic acoustic country music, led to Jason and the Scorchers becoming a critically lauded and fairly popular ‘80s band.
Capitalizing quickly on the notoriety brought by their debut EP, the Scorchers kicked out two fine LPs (Lost and Found and Still Standing) that sounded perfect for radio, but not so slick as to sound manufactured. With Ringenberg’s yowling voice pushed way up front, the band’s sonic power came from the synchronous playing of Nashville rock veterans Warner Hodges (guitar), Jeff Johnson (bass), and Perry Baggs (drums). Sharing similar musical backgrounds that valued the music of Hank Williams and Johnny Cash as much as the Stones or Beatles, these guys could crank out mega-amped hard rock one minute and sound like the Flying Burrito Brothers the next, all of it done with great skill and excitement.
Despite their obvious talent, by the release of 1986’s Still Standing, it seemed as though the band wasn’t going anywhere. They had achieved a modicum of success, but weren’t able to break through to mass acclaim, partly because they came along just before the explosion of country radio in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s. Hence, rock radio was reluctant to play them because they sounded too country, and country radio thought they were too rock; it’s an old story that usually spells doom for the band in question.
After a three-year break that saw Johnson’s departure, the Scorchers released a desultory third album (Thunder and Fire) that sounded like a desperate attempt at hard-rock credibility. They broke up soon after. Ringenberg went on to record country-oriented solo work, re-formed the original Scorchers in 1994, and released a modest reunion record (A Blazing Grace) that sounded like the Scorchers of old.

Fervor / 1983 / EMI America **** (Out of 5)
Their debut EP has “Absolutely Sweet Marie” (which you’ll play over and over and over), as well as some wonderful country rock like “Hot Nights In Georgia”. Ringenberg’s twangy voice is a hoot to listen to, and Warner Hodges plays some great guitar. A wonderful, if too brief, record and a harbinger of some great rock and roll to come. R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe contributes [co-wrote] a song (“Both Sides Of the Line”) and some backup vocals.

Lost and Found / 1985 / EMI America ****
Of the Scorchers’ three full-length LPs, this is by far the best. There is so much pent-up energy and excitement on this record, it sounds as if it will fly off your turntable (assuming you still have a turntable) at any moment. With Hodges (as usual) driving this machine, Ringenberg’s wild-eyed country-punk persona is here in full fury, and the good times never let up. This should have been the album that made them stars, but it did solidify their audience and place them in larger concert venues, where they tore it up.

Still Standing / 1986 / EMI America ***
Produced by veteran hard rock producer Tom Werman, Still Standing is a fine record, but also shows subtle signs of the band in decline: the hard rock is stiffer, Hodges’ guitar is smoother and more akin to the anonymous hard rock/heavy metal guitar sound that defined AOR radio in the ‘80s. That notwithstanding, there are still songs like “Golden Ball and Chain”, which sounds like an outtake from Exile On Main Street and, continuing with the Rolling Stones motif, a ripsnortin’ cover of “19th Nervous Breakdown”. A teensy bit disappointing in comparison to Lost and Found, but by no means a bad record or one to ignore. If you’ve liked the Scorchers up to this point, you’ll want Still Standing.

Thunder and Fire / 1989 / A&M ***
Essential, Vol. 1 (Are You Ready For the Country) / 1992 / Capitol ****


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		Jason and the Scorchers Group, Rock & Roll, Country-Rock By John Dougan, All Music Guide To Rock, 1995, Miller Freeman Books, San Francisco, CA Copyright 1995 - 2005 - Matrix Software. A country/hard rock band formed by Illinois native Jason Ringenberg in 1981, Jason and the Scorchers came careening onto the indie-rock scene seemingly out of nowhere (truth was, it was Nashville) with a debut EP whose most killer track (among a slew of killer tracks) was a fire-breathing cover of Bob Dylan’s “Absolutely Sweet Marie”. This amalgam of speedy hard rock fused with Ringenberg’s decidedly country twang, along with the band’s ability to negotiate deftly between Rolling Stones-style stomps and quieter, more melodic acoustic country music, led to Jason and the Scorchers becoming a critically lauded and fairly popular ‘80s band. Capitalizing quickly on the notoriety brought by their debut EP, the Scorchers kicked out two fine LPs (Lost and Found and Still Standing) that sounded perfect for radio, but not so slick as to sound manufactured. With Ringenberg’s yowling voice pushed way up front, the band’s sonic power came from the synchronous playing of Nashville rock veterans Warner Hodges (guitar), Jeff Johnson (bass), and Perry Baggs (drums). Sharing similar musical backgrounds that valued the music of Hank Williams and Johnny Cash as much as the Stones or Beatles, these guys could crank out mega-amped hard rock one minute and sound like the Flying Burrito Brothers the next, all of it done with great skill and excitement. Despite their obvious talent, by the release of 1986’s Still Standing, it seemed as though the band wasn’t going anywhere. They had achieved a modicum of success, but weren’t able to break through to mass acclaim, partly because they came along just before the explosion of country radio in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s. Hence, rock radio was reluctant to play them because they sounded too country, and country radio thought they were too rock; it’s an old story that usually spells doom for the band in question. After a three-year break that saw Johnson’s departure, the Scorchers released a desultory third album (Thunder and Fire) that sounded like a desperate attempt at hard-rock credibility. They broke up soon after. Ringenberg went on to record country-oriented solo work, re-formed the original Scorchers in 1994, and released a modest reunion record (A Blazing Grace) that sounded like the Scorchers of old. Fervor / 1983 / EMI America ** (Out of 5) Their debut EP has “Absolutely Sweet Marie” (which you’ll play over and over and over), as well as some wonderful country rock like “Hot Nights In Georgia”. Ringenberg’s twangy voice is a hoot to listen to, and Warner Hodges plays some great guitar. A wonderful, if too brief, record and a harbinger of some great rock and roll to come. R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe contributes [co-wrote] a song (“Both Sides Of the Line”) and some backup vocals. Lost and Found / 1985 / EMI America Of the Scorchers’ three full-length LPs, this is by far the best. There is so much pent-up energy and excitement on this record, it sounds as if it will fly off your turntable (assuming you still have a turntable) at any moment. With Hodges (as usual) driving this machine, Ringenberg’s wild-eyed country-punk persona is here in full fury, and the good times never let up. This should have been the album that made them stars, but it did solidify their audience and place them in larger concert venues, where they tore it up. Still Standing / 1986 / EMI America * Produced by veteran hard rock producer Tom Werman, Still Standing is a fine record, but also shows subtle signs of the band in decline: the hard rock is stiffer, Hodges’ guitar is smoother and more akin to the anonymous hard rock/heavy metal guitar sound that defined AOR radio in the ‘80s. That notwithstanding, there are still songs like “Golden Ball and Chain”, which sounds like an outtake from Exile On Main Street and, continuing with the Rolling Stones motif, a ripsnortin’ cover of “19th Nervous Breakdown”. A teensy bit disappointing in comparison to Lost and Found, but by no means a bad record or one to ignore. If you’ve liked the Scorchers up to this point, you’ll want Still Standing. Thunder and Fire / 1989 / A&M * Essential, Vol. 1 (Are You Ready For the Country) / 1992 / Capitol ** © 1995 -2005 — Matrix Software. — All Rights Reserved
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