JJ and the Rogues
July 16, The Wild Rooster Bar
3204 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth
This week found me making my way to the West Seventh Street area in search for some live music. I'd been hearing about JJ & the Rogues for a long time now, but I just never managed to cross paths with them.
When I saw that they were playing a gig at the Wild Rooster Bar, one of my favorite little clubs, my decision was clear.
I really like the Wild Rooster because it has invested in a great sound system (and a great sound guy -- Ben Napier), decent lighting and tables. Far too many local venues have cleared out the furniture so that they can cram as many people into the place as possible -- college dive-bar style. I'm sure it makes money, but I like to kick back and enjoy the show.
When I walked in, the place was pretty packed, but after a few minutes at the bar, I was able to snag a table right off the edge of the stage. The band members are Joshua Townley (keyboards, guitar, vocals), Jameson Cockerell (guitar, vocals), Chris Carfa (bass, vocals) and Eric Navratil (drums). At first, they were playing something that seemed just a little too popish for me. There was a Van Morrison vibe to the whole thing, and these guys seemed way too clean and happy to be evoking Morrison.
But it didn't take long for these guys to embrace their inner-rogues. They did a cover of Steely Dan's slam on Bard College (My Old School) that made me smile, and when the crowd demanded Radio Radio by Elvis Costello, they nailed it. They did Take Me to the Pilot by Elton John, and Hey Bulldog by the Beatles; can't argue with any of those, now can we?
The originals, well, they are anything but fluff.
"We try to have a point to our songs," Cockerell told me, "not just meaningless entertainment. One of my new songs, called A Young Pretender, it's a song we haven't recorded yet. I was reading a biography, at one point it referred to a young pretender who was Bonny Prince Charlie, an historical figure, who was compelled to go back and try to take the English crown from the Protestants."
Genres aside, I've always categorized music by how it leaves you. Some bands make you want to go out and turn over a car, some make you want go home and contemplate the mysteries of life. But others, like JJ & the Rogues, really just make you feel good -- and while we need music to inspire us to great heights, I can't think of anything much more important than just inspiring the audience to enjoy the ride. The band has a new EP out, for free no less, at jjandtherogues.bandcamp.com, and it has a full-length project it plans on having out next year some time. I'm glad I finally made the band's acquaintance, and I think you will be, too.
On another subject, last week, someone made off with local music hero Luke Wade's guitar and all his gear. Luke is a fine musician and an all-around a great guy, and that gear is how he makes his living. If you have enjoyed his music (as I have), take moment to go to www.lukewadeandnocivilians.com/news and make a PayPal donation to help get him back on stage.
