Pullin’ ‘Tubes: Jesse & The Rippers
Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter got their first mention here on Hidden Track back in January of 2007, during HT 1.0, when we had a reoccurring feature around these parts called Listen To This Shit, which featured a mix of music that former E-i-C Slade Sohmer had advised to shove in your ear holes. While that initial post made mention that Sykes sounded eerily like a female version of Widespread Panic front man John Bell, it appears as if a lot has changed in the three and a half years since.
While Sykes’ vocals still channel her inner JB, the band has traded in their alt.country sound in favor of dark, swirly psychedelia that would have been right at home in San Francisco during the mid 1960s. Last week, Sykes & Co. released their third studio album, Marble Son, which oozes with sticky acid-drenched tunes that borrow equal parts from Jefferson Airplane and Quicksilver Messenger Service. Let’s check out this live in-studio performance of the album’s opening track – Hushed By Devotion – that the band turned in for Seattle’s KEXP…
Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter are in the midst of a West Coast tour that brings them to The Crepe Place in Santa Monica, CA tomorrow night.
Jeffrey Greenblatt
Jeff joined the Hidden Track team full-time in 2008 and helps guide the site in his role as Managing Editor and Social Media Coordinator. Each week Jeff pens Pullin' 'Tubes, Tour Dates and Bloggy Goodness in addition to features, video posts and more. Jeff is a graduate of The George Washington University ('98), with a degree in Journalism, and has worked in the media and technology industry for the likes of MTV, VH1, A&E and Joost.
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Phenomenal! This video captures a band that is almost certain to become legendary at a key moment in their evolution–the point when they’ve fully unleashed their musical potential and it’s began taking on a life of its own. They’re playing as if half possessed, channeling something intangible that no amount of money can buy. It’s a rare and inspiring musical moment that all music fans and music-maker should see. Thanks!