March 2010
L Kent Wolgamott

In 1981, Jason Ringenberg and Warner Hodges put together a band in Nashville that kicked the doors down for "alt-country/no depression/Americana." For most of a decade, they tore up clubs and studios by combining country, Stones and punk influences. Joined by a new rhythm section and "fifth Scorcher" Dan Baird (of Georgia Satellites fame), the revived JATS cut Halcyon Times live in the studio, and they haven't missed a beat. Starting with "Moonshine Guy" ("Likes the Stones, hates the Doors / Thinks the Beatles sing for girls"), JATS deliver cut after cut of what they once called "reckless country soul," combining evocative lyrics with smoking, slashing guitar and a rhythm section. That's called rock 'n roll, boys and girls, and nobody's done it better lately.