Jon Spencer (born February 5,[1] 1965) is an American singer, composer and guitarist. He has been involved in multiple musical acts, such as Pussy Galore, Boss Hog, Heavy Trash and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.
Jon Spencer | |
|---|---|
 Jon Spencer performing with Heavy Trash in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jonathan Spencer |
| Born | February 5, 1965 Hanover, New Hampshire, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, theremin |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouse | Cristina Martinez |
History
editJon Spencer was born on 5 February 1965[1] in Hanover, New Hampshire, to a university professor and a cardiology technician.[2] He attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he was part of the noise rock band Shithaus, which included future Cop Shoot Cop vocalist Tod Ashley.[3] The band was short lived and had a musical style reminiscent of the industrial music of Einstürzende Neubauten.[4] He moved to Washington, D.C., and formed Pussy Galore, who quickly relocated to New York.
He is also known for bringing attention to and popularizing the blues artist R. L. Burnside, who started touring and working with The Blues Explosion in the mid-1990s after playing and living in obscurity for three decades.
In 2022, he announced the end of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and the debut of his new band, Jon Spencer & the Hitmakers, which includes Quasi's Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss.[5]
He joined up with bassist Kendall Wind and drummer Macky Spider Bowman of The Bobby Lees in 2023[6] and released Sick Of Being Sick! in 2024.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b Mander, Gerry (1995–1996). "TJ's, Newport / Cristina Martinez Interview 31/10/95 / Boss Hog [Album Review]". S&M Magazine 002. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
Jon was born on February 5th 1965.
- ^ Contemporary Musicians: Profiles of the People in Music. Vol. 64. Gale. August 12, 2005. p. 107. ISBN 9780787680671. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
- ^ Black, Art; Sprague, David (2007). "Cop Shoot Cop". Trouser Press. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
- ^ Kugelberg, Johan (July 1992). "Punk Rock Anthems". Spin. Vol. 8, no. 4. SPIN Media LLC. p. 81. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
- ^ Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (February 15, 2022). "Jon Spencer & The Hitmakers Announce New Album, Share Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ Baillargeon, Patrick. "Jon Spencer has another new band and is ready to rock". PAN M 360. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ Sterdan, Darryl (September 5, 2024). "Albums Of The Week: Jon Spencer | Sick Of Being Sick". Tinnitist. Darryl Sterdan. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
External links
edit- Jon Spencer at AllMusic
- Jon Spencer discography at Discogs