Jacks (usa)
English E.p.
The story of The Jacks begins in the Summer of 1971, although its creators, Walter K and Mitch G had no idea at the time. Hey! They were 15, and what does a 15 year old know? With many permutations throughout the '70s, the boys started to develop a "sound". Four trips to a little studio helped as did the many high school dances they played. 1977 was when the name, The Jacks was tried on, although they waffled between that and The Cardigans. (Take that Sweden!) In the early months of 1978 Walter and Mitch headed east, initially to arrive in NYC. They had a tacit invite from Hilly Kristal, hey, who didn't, but ran out of the do-re-mi in CLEVO USA! Luck and lots of it resulted in an 8 months residency as Tulsa Jacks. Recordings were made and were to lay dormant for 40 plus years. Back in Tulsa on the cusp of 1979 the boys pondered the next step. 1980 was the debut of The Jacks mk1, they considered previous versions as prototypes, and their debut single, 'Just Like Yesterday' b/w 'In My Time.' Meanwhile Mitch had found fertile musical soil in Minneapolis, Minnesota to bang his drum loudly. In the waning days of Summer 1981 Walter came northward and the two recorded 'Walter's Vacation' as Tulsa Jacks with the help of friends, Bob, Tommy, and Chris. Released in 1982 as a cassette to several peoples acclaim. Meanwhile, in Tulsa The Jacks were up and running. Growing from a trio to quartet with the addition of the poptastic Jerry Casey on guitar and vocals. Recording off and on through 1983-1985 many served... 2 Brians, a Barry, a David, and a Stan. Then the long sleep, only to be awakened in 2020 by interest in a compilation (available on Reminder Records) that was being assembled at Shaggy Manor by studioEGG. Once issued in 2021 the boys set about to entertain themselves once again. This recording is the result. Two new songs, a cracking Jerry Casey tune excavated from a Jacks session from 1983, a cast off Jacks instrumental from 1985 with newly recorded drums and vocals added in 2022 and an orphan track from 'Walter's Vacation' sessions. Remixed with added vocals and other such fuss. So there you have it. 52 years condensed in too many words with so much unsaid. Yours truly, Weird Rogers.