Newspaper Page Text
These risks don't discourage Jones' acrobat
ics. In fact, the crowd-pleasing stunts from '40s
jump-blues era battles-of-the-bands inspire his
performance. Two bands would play simultane
ously, and whoever captured more of the crowd
won. Musicians would march through the crowd,
crawl on the floor, roll on their backs, stand on
their heads—whatever it took to get the crowd's
attention. "All of this made the events really
incredible musically and visually inspiring," says
Jones. "That's the spirit we apply ourselves."
T hat spirit impressed the band's greatest pa
tron, Little Steven Van Zandt. "Little Steven
is certainly a patron who is able to recognize
our special talents and allow us to try and reach
more people than we ever have before," says
Jones. "We are very appreciative of that."
After hearing glowing reports about the
Woggles' powerhouse show, he finally tracked
them down in 2004 opening for the Detroit
Cobras at the Southpaw in Brooklyn. "I'm para
phrasing now," says Jones.
"But he said something like, 'I've seen the
Beatles at Shea Stadium. I saw the Who with
Keith Moon, Eric Burdon and the Animals, Sam
with Dave, and I'm telling ya, you guys are right
there with it! You totally fuckin' blew my mind!
And I got no reason to blow smoke up your ass.
I'm standing here because that's one of the most
incredible rock and roll shows I've ever seen
in my life!' So the next thing I said was, 'Man,
thanks a lot Steven! So what are we gonna do
about it?' He obviously wasn't expecting an an
swer like that!"
The encounter has proved fruitful- The
Woggles have received regular air play on both
the "Underground Garage" syndicated radio show
and the Sirius network channel. Months after
their meeting, Van Zandt invited them to play
the Underground Garage Fest on Randall's Island
in New York. The extensive lineup featured the
New York Dolls, Bo Diddley, Stooges, Lyres, Pretty
Things, Fleshtones, and many more of what Jones
calls "a veritable who's who of fantabulous rock
and roll."
Since then, Jones & Co. have snared the
noon-to-3 p.m. time slot—"That's Eastern
Standard Time," he points out—on the Sirius
satellite network's Underground Garage chan
nel. They have signed to Wicked Cool, Little
Steven's brand-new record label, and opened for
'60s psych rock act The Zombies on a nationwide
tour this past September. "That was pretty phe
nomenal!" Jones raves. "[It's] not often when
your heroes can meet your expectations, but
these guys surpassed them. Very easygoing guys.
Absolutely no ego."
T hree years after Walls replaced Holton, Rock
And Roll Backlash is the first album on which
Walls contributes as a full-fledged member of
the band. Dan Hall (drums) and Patrick "Buzz"
O'Connor (bass) round out the ever-shifting
Woggles line-up. Recorded at Rick Miller's Kudzu
Ranch just outside of Chapel Hill, NC, and mas
tered at Rodney Mills' Masterhouse in Ncrcross,
this album reflects a refreshing sophistication in
the songwriting that blows away earlier releases.
Moody folk-rock jangler "Porridge" stands
out, as does the pounder "It's Not About What
I Want." Individual songs stand out, yet all of
the material fits under that wide umbrella that
encompasses the Woggles' party-rock sound that
has been coalescing over two decades.
"We are very happy to have a good homecom
ing," says Jones. So let it be heard: the Woggles
are back! The band has been traveling the world,
spreading the good news of the boogaloo gospel,
charming audiences far and wide. Count on the
same happening here.
Gretchen Wood
WHO: The Woggles, TheTickity-Splits,
DJ Kurtwood
WHERE: 40 Watt Club
WHEN: Thursday, February 8
HOW MUCH: $7
V /
atiofis
Completely Cupid
Red Hot SALE!
25% Off
Select Red Heart
Labeled Items!
Sale Ends 2/15/07. d
Register To Win
A $ 1 oofcift Card!
Simply/The BEST In.
K/xxk Movies
^xTVdijlt Toys
* k ^Tobacco Pipes & Ace's
kw Detoxification
Body Oils 6i Lubes
Bondage 6. Fetish Gear
* I
Candles 6. Incense
Valentine Gift Cards
Alternative Party Gifts
We vc PuLThc Big O
Brick In Love!
Plus So Much MORE!
50% OFF
Stdt'c t Adult
iMt j n hktridise!
XXX DVD
With W« li
| I't it i I wSr!
rv// A'i
V/Ar*
706.552.1492
NEWS & FEATURES I ARTS & EVENTS I MOVIES I MUSIC I COMICS & ADVICE I CLASSIFIEDS
FEBRUARY 7,2007 • FLAGPOLE.COM 33