Love Jones (band)
| Love Jones | |
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Love Jones live in Louisville, Kentucky on May 3, 2007.
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Luv Jonz |
| Origin | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Genres | Pop, Lounge |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | Zoo Entertainment |
| Website | www.lovejones.net |
Love Jones is an American band from Louisville, Kentucky, formed in Spring 1990 by Ben Daughtrey (drummer) and Barry Thomas (bassist), with Chris Hawpe (singer/guitarist), Stuart Johnson (drummer) and Jonathan Palmer (singer). According to Entertainment Weekly, Love Jones was the leader of the "cocktail nation" groups of the early 1990s. These groups, which included Combustible Edison, Nightcaps, Squirrel Nut Zippers and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy were a reaction to the grunge/alternative wave that swept through America in 1992. Cocktail Nation members celebrated the aesthetics and music of the 1950s and early 1960s — lounge jazz, crooning pop, and martinis. Love Jones played any sort of pop music that could fit that label — pop, blues, R&B, bossa nova, doo wop.
Love Jones started in Louisville in 1990 along with bands like Slint and Palace Brothers, showing the diversity of the Louisville music scene. In 1992 Love Jones moved to Los Angeles and took up a Thursday night residency at the nightclub Largo for a weekly show that featured guest performers like Jon Brion and Mark Flanagan, who eventually performed on Love Jones recordings.
Personnel
- Ben Daughtrey (singer/percussion)
- Jonathan Palmer (singer)
- Barry Thomas (bass)
- Chris Hawpe (singer/guitarist)
- Stuart Johnson (drummer 1990-2003)
- Phil Gough (lead guitar)
- Scott Lankford (drummer 2003–present)
Albums
In 1992 Love Jones received a contract with Zoo Entertainment/BMG shortly after releasing a 45 single on Minty Fresh Records. Their first full-length record, "Here's to the Losers", was released internationally in late 1993; the second album, "Powerful Pain Relief", was released in 1995.
1993's Here's to the Losers (co-produced by the band and Rod O'Brien) contains a wide mix of sound, including disco, blaxploitation film soundtracks, samba, soul and funk. Key tracks include "Central Avenue," "Li'l Black Book," "Custom Van," "Drive-In," "Ohio River" and "Fragile".
1995's Powerful Pain Relief (co-produced by Paul du Gré) reveals more of Love Jones' inspiration, including Isaac Hayes, early Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire and Chic. Key tracks include the title track, "World of Summer", "You Don't Know Me", and "The Thing", the latter a single that was made into a short form video directed by Liz Friedlander.
2010's FOREVER (produced by Love Jones) reveals that the guys have not lost a step in the 15 years since their last release. Key tracks include "Charm City" and "Hey California."
Discography
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Live At Jerry's | Self Released - Cassette only |
| 1992 | I Like Young Girls b/w Lil' Black Book | 45 RPM Single on Minty Fresh Records |
| 1993 | Here's To The Losers | Track 4 is Tool covering "Paid For Loving" |
| 1995 | Powerful Pain Relief | Jon Brion plays keyboards |
| 1995 | Love Jones - Live In Hollywood | Vinyl only release on Classic Records |
| 1996 | Swingers Soundtrack | |
| 2010 | FOREVER... |
Impact
The Love Jones signature song "Paid For Lovin" was featured in the Miramax film Swingers after the band developed a relationship with Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn who frequently attended Love Jones' shows at the Mondrian Hotel and Largo. Love Jones Bassist Barry Thomas was a Music Consultant on Swingers.
They also gained fans across the United States through touring, often in support of alternative rock bands of the day, such as Afghan Whigs and The Presidents of the United States of America.
In addition to their recording work and live performances, Love Jones appeared in the made-for-TV film Since You've Been Gone starring Teri Hatcher, and the indie French Exit starring Jonathan Silverman. The band also appeared in the film The Sweetest Thing as the wedding band. They can also be seen in the Pedro Zamora tribute episode of The Real World: San Francisco.
The band continues to perform a few times a year in Los Angeles and Louisville. They have finished a new album slated to be released in October 2010.
Timeline
Alumni
Drummer Stuart Johnson appeared in the film Austin Powers as part of Austin's fictional band Ming Tea, which also featured Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet. He also played drums for the New Radicals. He now drums in the alternative rock band Simon Dawes.
External links
- Official website
- Love Jones at AllMusic
- Love Jones discography at Discogs
