The JJJammers

Sounds

Dazed Elephant

Tribute To Flex

Overview

The JJJammers hold the distinction of being the second most important band in the history of the Ted Chain. They joined with Ted to form the legendary Buttocks II/III which held the chain together for 3 years and provided a pattern from which future Ted Chain groups would be molded.

The earlier JJJammers recordings (Original Parts I & II) were primarily avant-garde acoustic covers of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin tunes. JJJammers Volume 1 and Volume 2 include more original material, better arrangements, and a new electronic-pop sound. Even with the new sound, the avant-garde influences are very clear. Soundtrack to Hell represents the beginning of the Jammers' Devil-Metal Avant-Garde era. Returning to their roots as avant-garde musicians, the Jammers really put the listener's ears to the test with a continuous assault of demonic sounds and wailing guitars on Side 2. Side 1 of the album presents a set of songs that are Devil-Art-Metal at its best. The Jammer's Black Sabbath album continues the Devil-Metal focus of the previous album, and includes several Black Sabbath covers. These covers show J.J.'s rapidly improving guitar technique, and "Little" Dick Beater's rapidly improving production skills. The Jammer's final album, Narrow Escape, takes us away from the previous themes of Satan, and brings us into new territory with the introduction of the Cow People. On this album, the Metal is loud and rancorous like the previous two albums, but there is a new emphasis on instrumentals and animal effects. The haunting cries of the Cow People are particularly effective at helping the listener identify with their plight.

Throughout their illustrious yet short-lived career, the Jammers drew on many literary influences while creating their own unique art form. The "Possession" series of songs featured such literary masterworks as LeFanu's Green Tea and the Bible (most notably Isaiah Chapter 47 and the very fitting Book of Revelation, particularly the bit about the vials and the seat of the beast). This was continued in J.J.'s later work with Sudden Urgence where Emily Dickinson's timeless classic "A Bird Came Down the Walk" was transformed into a Death-Metal anthem. Like Sting of the Police, the Jammers deftly combined literature with music to great effect.

The Jammers are sorely missed, but their music lives on in the hearts and minds of those who have experienced it.

History

By Jefferson Jackson "J.J." Jammer

• Formed August 18, 1983 at J.J.Jammers Studio, Rockville, MD.
• Original recording sessions yielded Hey Joe, Dazed Elephant, Sudden Absence, Tribute to Sad Attempt, and Unintelligible Trash. These tapes were not released until October 1984.
• First album with J.J. on acoustic guitar, vocals, organ, and "Little" Dick Beater on drums, vocals, and sound fx yielded the hit "Hey J.J." as well as "Noises in the Air", "Bang on My Drum" and others. Released August 1984.
• Volume Two was a double album and yielded some all time Jammers classics like "Narrow Escape", "Polyester Face", "Romping Madmen", "Willow Hill", "Pathetic Government", and "Lunchroom". Released November 1984.
• Due to the intense problems the next sessions were not recorded until March 1984. This month yielded 2 albums, "Black Sabbath" and "Soundtrack to Hell". These showed a depth of musicianship not seen on earlier releases.
• The final sessions were recorded until August 1984, the last month of existence for the Jammers. The album "Narrow Escape" featured re-recordings of almost all the Jammers classics "Narrow Escape", "Polyester Face", "Possession Chronicle", as well as new classics like "Cow People", "Tribute to Xomax", and "Vision of Two Sticks".

More of the history of the JJJammers can be found on the J.J.Jammer Bio page, and in Jack's interview with J.J..

Discography

The Original (Parts 1 & 2)

Recorded: 8/15/83    Released: 10/84
Songs: Hey J.J., All Along the Watchtower, Sudden Absence, 
       Heartbreaker, Dazed Elephant, Noises in the Air, Tribute to Sad 
       Attempt, (Side 2), Dazed Confusion, Bang on My Drum, Another 
       Drum Bites the Dust, Unintelligable Trash, Drum Solo.  
       Part 2: Hey J.J., Dazed Confusion, Bang on My Drum, Noises in 
       the Air 

JJJammers, Volume 1

Recorded: 11/83    Released: 
Songs: Willow Hill, Romping Madmen.

JJJammers, Volume 2

Recorded: 11/83    Released:
Songs: Hey J.J., Polyester Face, Interstellar Distress, Spellbound, Our 
       Pathetic Government, (Side 2), And the Wind Cries Mary, 
       Lunchroom, Tribute to Flex, Narrow Escape.  

Soundtrack to Hell

Recorded: 3/19/84    Released:
Songs: Tribute to Vomit, Morbid Transmutation, Possession III: Deep 
       Subversive Impulse, Washing Machine, (Side 2), Soundtrack to 
       Hell.  

Black Sabbath

Recorded: 3/31/84    Released:
Songs: Black Sabbath, Washing Machine, Paranoid, Feedback, Tribute to 
       Insanity, Possession I, (Side 2), Bar-B-Q, Tribute to Gang Bang, 
       Iron Man, N.I.B., Possession II (Life Without a Soul).  

Narrow Escape

Recorded: 4/84-8/10/84    Released: 8/12/84
Songs: Narrow Escape, Tribute to Xomax, Revenge of the Cow People, 
       Recovery of the Last Axe, Vision of Two Sticks, Possession IV: 
       The Burial, (Side 2), Cow People: Rebuilding of the Temple, 
       Polyester Face.