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"Initial J was more of an evolution rather than a deliberate formation," lead singer Jarret Burr says. "Jen was playing in another band with Joe Bauman(lead guitar) and she was doing lead vocals but that wasn't where she was comfortable. We met at a party where people were sitting around playing music and I gave her my number. Three months later she called me and I didn't ever remember who she was," he chuckles. "I just wasn't ready to take on the responsibility of lead singer," she recalls. "I knew I would be much more comfortable on rhythm guitar and backing vocals and when I saw him sing I was impressed. I really enjoy watching acoustic players but after a while I crave a little percussion. He played in a way that was very rhythmic and the lyrics were really good, very thoughtful, especially Someday. The songs stood up by themselves with no backing. Plus they got stuck in my head. I knew it was a good thing." Jarret joined the band but it broke up shortly thereafter when the drummer and bass player got engaged. "That shook everything up. Jarret brought in Justus to play drums and I took on the bass temporarily. A year later, I'm still here," she laughs. Is that enough J's for you yet? "We'd been through several name changes and nothing seemed to fit right," says Justus. "We were in the process of recording our cd and the engineer had nothing to write on the reels because we just didn't know what to call ourselves. Jen, Joe, and Jarret went to a bar after a session and just sat there and wrote everything that came into their heads on napkins. They tried to work with the Jarret, Jen, Joe, Justus angle. Initial J was on there. We tried it out for a couple days and it stuck." So much so that when Joe Bauman left the band shortly after recording the cd to go back to school that he was replaced with another Joe. Planned? "Not at all. It just worked out that way," smiles Jarret. "The new Joe, that's what we call him, Joe Johnson and I have been best friends for years. It's fun playing with him. He brings an edgier feel to the music. We all have a really good time." The good time they're having really comes across in the music. Mostly upbeat, the songs are catchy and fun with a rock n' roll flare. Justus says, "when we first starting playing these songs we'd be packing up or something and we'd catch each other singing our own songs and laugh. It seems silly but they really get in your brain." On the local Phoenix scene, a lot of people compare them to other AZ bands, The Refreshments and The Gin Blossoms, but they refused to completely submerge in the label. The have a list of over forty original songs ranging from hard rock to punk to some 80's retro-style rock tunes. "We delve a little into other genres but it all has an Initial J stamp on it. We never stray too far from our style but we do like to keep it interesting." A local favorite? Mullet, which has gotten some local radio play. "We all used to have mullet wigs that we wore when we performed that song but now Jarret wears the only one we have left. Of course, it's the nastiest one." Nasty wig or not, it's a hilarious site that gets audiences roaring for more. With all the changes Initial J has been through it's a wonder they're still together. Jarret shrugs, "we'll do this until we can't do it anymore. It's a lot of fun." There's that word again. Check these guys out......the "fun" is infectious. Check out the artist's website: http://www.initialj.com Track List: 1. Stripper Song 2. Carlita 3. Downtown 4. Frozen Walls 5. Crossin' Over 6. Someday 7. Far Away 8. The Letter 9. Wiggley Fingers 10. Mullet 11. Frozen Walls (acoustic) Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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