Jason and the Scorchers FAQ

Q: Those guys? Are they still around?
A: Well, sort of. The band is not officially broken up. But they play together infrequently these days, only four or five times in 2000 and none so far in 2001.

Q: What's the likelihood that they'll tour in 2001 or 2002?
A: Jason and Warner have said in interviews that the band's 20th anniversary year is something to celebrate. Now, just when that will be is a matter of conjecture. The 'classic' lineup to the band first played together on New Year's Eve, 1981-1982. So New Year's Eve 2001-2002 could be a 20th anniversary show, and that could be a hell of a gig. They could also celebrate the 20th anniversary year during the fall of 2001, or all through the spring and summer of 2002. Of course, a lot of it depends on the individual schedules and desires of the guys involved.

Q: What's up with Jason's solo album? Would his touring support of that get in the way?
A: Jason has a solo album that he is supporting, but he isn't touring with a band, so it's not as though he would have to dismiss anybody if they came back together. As far as the Scorchers getting together and playing a show, it's just a matter of having the right gig, the time and the inspiration to do so. Now, as far as recording another studio album, that's a dicier proposition. Mammoth Records, their last company, is no more.

Q: If tour dates are announced, how can I find them?
A: We'll have them here, or you'll be able to get them at www.jasonringenberg.com. Or www.pollstar.com might also carry them, although sometimes bands like the Scorchers fly under the Pollstar radar, so to speak. Sign up with Pollstar to receive updates if Scorchers tour dates are announced - this is a stable option if you have email but not ready internet access.

Q: What happened to Mammoth anyway?
A: There's a link to a good Chapel Hill, NC article in the links section that will tell you a good part of the story.

Q: Is it still the original four guys?
A: No. Original bassist Jeff Johnson helped organize the reunion in 1993, but he quit the band in 1997. The bassist is Kenny Ames.

Q: What happened to Jeff Johnson?
A: Jeff quit the band in January 1997 to retire from the music business. Reportedly, he has some other personal ventures that are more stable than the music business, and he was tired of the volatility of the business side of the music business.

Q: Where do I get some Scorchers CD's and memorabilia?
A: There is a section of the links page that is devoted to vendors. My best two suggestions are www.ebay.com and www.li.gemm.com.

Q: What about re-releases of some of the Scorchers' eighties albums? I hear all sorts of rumors about how "Still Standing" or the whole EMI catalogue will be re-released.
A: There's some info about that in the News Archive section, under the heading Spring 2001. Most of what I wrote there is conjecture, but it's conjecture from a very informed source. My best guess is that "Still Standing" will be re-released, in part because it's so hard to find. "Fervor" and "Lost and Found" have been re-released twice, so I'm not that sure that someone will believe the third re-release will sell better than the first two. The other rumor, about a one-disc "Best Of" from the eighties, is very intriguing. Of course, I'd like to believe it will happen.

Q: What Scorchers CD's are actually in print now?
A: That's a good question. I'm not even 100% sure myself! Obviously, "Rock On Germany," the new bootleg release, is available through CDNow and Courageous Chicken. I think "Clear Impetuous Morning" is available, but I've had some difficulty getting that one, too. The real shame is that "Midnight Roads and Stages Seen" is currently out of print. That seems to be direct fallout of the Disney-Mammoth fiasco. All the others are long OOP.