Bands  |  Burning Jet Black

 

Burning Jet Black is not the new name of The Whiskey Saints. Burning Jet Black is a completely new music project by a 4 pieces band from Santa Monica, CA. Renovate or die? Not really. It is not even a renovated project. This is about the same people with new ideas and new inspirations. A change of direction because they really feel like doing it and the result is brilliant. Good bye The Whiskey Saints. Welcome Burning Jet Black.

 

   Band Members 

  • David Sparrow (Vocals, guitar)
  • David Bloomfield (Guitar, vocals)
  • Rob Hughes (Bass, vocals)
  • Jeff Bell (Drums)

 

   Influences

Guided By Voices, The MC5, Kings Of Leon, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Stooges.

 

   Biography

In the future, robots will perform all the music we listen to.  Thumping bass and electronic blips will destroy all the pure emotion and visceral experience of the music we once knew. Meanwhile, in the here and now, Burning Jet Black is fighting hard against this automatic (re)/(de)volution. Fingers dancing on the fretboard, legs shaking on the kick drum...and sweat dripping off their brows, and the genuine heat of the crowd. This is music with a pulse...and the heart to keep it beating.

"While your friends are growing up and taking vows, you're still giving all your body will allow..." is the declaration that ignites Magazine Girl, their first single. An apt observation of the tragic heroine of the song and of Burning Jet Black themselves. The industry is that model past her prime, desperately whimpering for your attention, but not offering anything in return. This band, however, is offering something real, something that screams for you to be immersed in it, and they're on the fast ascent, keeping in mind: "We come TOGETHER, or we fall apart."

Assuming it would be possible to start over again, knowing all the things you know now, would be a no-brainer. The band functions with this hypothetical ethic; only using the experience of the past to look forward, instead of back. Comprised of David Bloomfield (lead guitar), David Sparrow (vox/guitar), Jeff Bell (drums), and Rob Hughes (bass) you get a band that clicks. You'll hear it, it will sink down into the depths of your soul, and then you'll know. Burning Jet Black is alive and kicking and they will not quiet down.

 

   Discography


EP's

  • Rascals (Burning Jet Black/Unemployed Records, 2013)
  • The Modern Egotist (June, 2012)

Singles:

  • The Queen of Hot And Cold (November 2014)
  • Chemical (September 2014)
  • The Brutal Beyond (Unemployed Records/Burning Jet Black, 2013)
  • Magazine Girl (Burning Jet Black/Liquid Citizen Music, 2012) 

 

   Videos


Videos as "The Whiskey Saints":


 

   Interview with Burning Jet Black

1. How did the band begin?

 

David Sparrow (lead singer/guitarist):  A long time ago...in a galaxy far, far away.  But seriously, Burning Jet Black is actually a rebirth of our original band The Whiskey Saints.  After many years under this name we had some moderate success and played some great shows, but it was a time for a change.  So, about 5 months ago, in response to the new tunes we've been writing we embraced the name "Burning Jet Black."  (Oh, if you want the details on The Whiskey Saints, you'll have to find our original bass player.  He "might" be willing to tell you the story).  

 

Jeff Bell (drummer):  Going back 7 years ago, Sparrow, Bloomfield, and I found each other on Craigslist.  Thinking back on this, it's kind of incredible that we all had the same outlook on our approach to music considering Craigslist is patrolled by a majority of crazy people.

 

David Bloomfield (lead guitarist):  I'd like to think the new band was a long time in the works, at least in my mind.  We picked The Whiskey Saints initially because we had gone through a million names and couldn't decide on anything, it was just thrown out there.  We're all sort of down to earth, normal guys, so maybe we thought it reflected the sort of working man attitude in the band.  However, that name The Whiskey Saints never really fit us in the long run; we've just evolved too much over the years to sound like anything resembling a bar band.  Recently Sparrow warmed up to the idea of starting over with a new name and I jumped at the opportunity.

 

2. How would you define the sound of the band? 

 

Bloomfield:   The heart of our music is dirty, high energy rock n roll, very accessible but also constantly changing and hopefully challenging the listener a bit.  I've always highly respected musicians that are willing to try something new, even if it's to their detriment commercially.  I don't think it's in our blood to make two records that sound exactly the same.


Sparrow:  In my opinion we are really a great sum of our influences.  We're kinda garage, kinda pop, kinda indie, with a little bit of Americana and blues sprinkled in.

Jeff:  Yeah, we come from a wide range of influences and through the writing process, it is always exciting what our songs come to be.  I always find it interesting to hear what other people think of our songs by saying "You guys sound like...".  A lot of the time it throws us for a loop.

 

3. Talk us about your last work.

 

Sparrow:  Our most recent endeavor is an EP called "The Modern Egotist."  I think it's captured us "live" in the studio better than any other recordings have done before.
Bloomfield:  We really liked the idea of releasing an EP because we are constantly writing new songs and finding new influences, and the EP allows you to get your newest and best material out to your fans quicker.  It also keeps us from going crazy sitting on songs for a year before releasing them.  And as Sparrow said, all we really set out to do was capture the energy of our live shows on record, so the mentality was get in there, get an awesome live performance of each song, get out and release it.  We spent 18 months on the last record, the whole process was mentally and physically draining.

Rob Hughes (bassist):  In comparison, we were able to get all of the recording for this EP and 6 other songs done in a weekend at Studio-Rev in Culver City.  We all played together until we got one solid take.  We anticipated small imperfections but we were content with them because it helps to make a record sound more human.  We got some pointers on some basic editing and worked on that ourselves before sending it away to Joe McGrath for mixing.  We're really happy with the sound that we achieved on this record.

Jeff:  Getting in the studio with the goal of recording these songs to try and capture the energy of our live shows was a new concept to us, but we feel as though we accomplished what we set out to do.  The songs ooze of pure energy.  Each and every time we release new material, we feel we have put our best foot forward.  This time is no different as it is our best recording to date.  I would describe it as energy infused indie rock with a splash of pop influence. 

 

 

4. How are your concerts? What can we find there that we wont find on your studio records?

 

Bloomfield:  I know a lot of bands say this, but I'm willing to admit to the detriment of our previous recordings with The Whiskey Saints that our live shows have always been better.  Hence why we recorded "The Modern Egotist" live in studio this time around; I think we finally captured some of that energy on tape, minus the spinning guitars and "rock offs" we like to have between members.  You'll just have to use your imagination, or see us live at some point.

Sparrow:  Buena pregunta.  I think the very best way to hear us is to see us performing live.  Although our crowds aren't record breaking these days, we bring an energy to our performances no matter how many people are in the audience.  I've said it before, but if you're having fun on stage and exuding an amazing energy, the audience is going to feed on that.    

Jeff: We definitely have fun on stage.  It's cliche, but that energy we give out feeds the crowd, and thus their energy feeds us.

 

Rob: We've been playing together for so long that it's easy for things to get stale and I think one of the best things that happened to us during this change is that we're completely re-engergized.  We're excited to be on stage every time we play and, like Sparrow said, the audience does feed on that.

 

5. What do you think about the music industry and what do you think is your place within it?

 

Sparrow:  Hmmm.  The best place to be in the music industry right now is probably not to be involved with it at all.  Ha!  

I definitely think at the moment we are not at the lowest point as a whole, because we've been playing together a long time and we recognize how much the business is shifting.  In one respect, if the opportunity presented itself to move to the next level, we have all this experience under our belt and we'd be ready for it.  On the other hand, the most important thing a musician can do is sell his/her music, and that's just not happening anymore.  Since we're not really making any money at all, it's difficult to get outside of our local scene to present the music in a live setting to new audiences.  Even the local scene is rough; since everyone in Los Angeles is out to make it, it's tough to create a community that nurtures bands together.

The bottom line is that we're willing to keep working towards music as a career.  It's a long shot, but the payoff will be huge.  Every little bit counts towards more recognition (especially when a blogger who is all the way in Madrid is interested in what we're doing!)  

Jeff: To be blunt, the music industry sucks.  If you're in it because you think you'll be on the cover of Rolling Stone and pull in millions each year, you're in it for the wrong reasons.  Personally, I want to make music I enjoy playing and hope my friends and other people enjoy listening to it.  Anything else on top of that is a bonus. 


Bloomfield:  Besides the fact that even less musicians are making money these days, I don't think the industry from a band's perspective has changed all that much.  You still have to be willing to give away something truly valuable to yourself and expect nothing in return.  I'm sort of in agreement with Jeff here that you have to want to do it for your own self-worth, and maybe share whatever ideas you have burning a hole in your brain to benefit your fans and just culture as a whole.  If some sort of financial return comes, good for you, just don't forget where it came from and use it to continue trying to make good music.  I think this truly sums up why Burning Jet Black gets up on stage and steps into the studio as an independent band.

 

   Further Information

  • Tour Dates: Check Burnign Jet Black's events for new updates
  • Contact: For any question contact Burning Jet Black
  • Links: Support Burning Jet Black by following their links

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