ROB K'S FIRST US RELEASE SINCE WORKDOGS KICK OUT! THE JAM MESSENGERS Time: the last day of 1999 in New York City. The setting: an un-named Penthouse high above Manhattan's grit and glitter, it's sugar and slush. The Powers That Be were gloating over their recent gains: Bill Clinton marginalized by a simple blowjob - who knew THAT would be so easy? Why so much Time and Money wasted killing Vince Foster? As bikini clad babes (unaware they were enjoying their last hours of existence) refreshed the Krystal a smattering of claps went around the table. 'But what about The Kennedys?' called out a red porcine face near the table's end. 'Well marginalized, Karl.' came the reply, ' For all intents and purposes Teddy is one of us. Bobby Jr. has a new dope connect that'll keep him busy for a few years. John-John now swims with the fishes -not that he was ever much of a threat. That leaves only Marilyn and Bobby's bastard, the ludicrous but effective entertainer, Rob K., now 'retired' in the middle of the Pacific. I doubt we'll hear a peep from that nuisance ever again.' A heartier round of applause circled the table and the talk turned to Diebold and the coming Bush presidency. At this very same time in the jungles of Brazil a thin swarthy figure dressed entirely in black stared into a steaming cauldron being stirred by a Bruja - witch - smoking a choking stogy. After mumbling incantations unknown to any civilized tongue the Bruja threw a handful of Something into the pot causing it to rumble and shake ominously. 'The Kennedy you desire is in Hawaii.' said the Witch, turning toward the thin man as orange steam billowed around her, 'Retired from music but still possessing all his skills. For a few more Reis I can 'supplement' those skills if you wish,' she cackled, turning a wrinkled open palm to her supplicant. Who was this little known Kennedy? Who was the undernourished Brazilian in black? What is the real story of the Jam Messengers? Rob K's rock pedigree is extensive: from his beginning in the Mid -70s on the early DC punk scene with Da Chumps through his glory years in NYC as frontman for the legendary and highly influential Workdogs, he has brought The Word - hit records for In The Red and Sympathy For The Record Industry, not to mention a five year residency at Gotham's hippest dive, MaxFish. The Workdogs, famous rhythm section for hire were employed by Half Japanese, The Velvet Monkeys, Maureen Tucker and Purple Jesus. Rob K recorded with all these bands as well as The Gibson Brothers, Jon Spencer, Popa Chubby, Marcellus Hall and too many others to mention. Marco 'Uncle' Butcher is a mainstay of the Sao Paulo music scene - literally growing up in that city's low down funky rock clubs like a favella Little Walter. He is best known for The Butchers' Orchestra who brought kick ass Brazilian rocknroll onto the International stage with their incendiary shows, extensive touring and hot recording for the Voodoo Rhythm label. He's a talented slide guitarist, songwriter and versatile one-man band. How these two dynamic forces recorded their first LP over a 10,00 mile and 6 time zone distance before they had even met, how they discovered their love of performing together on multiple European, US and Brazilian tours over the last several years, the mission that they have made of returning spontaneity and excitement to live performance as well as the crazy tales behind the recording of their earlier LPs are all stories that have been told elsewhere. For now our concern is KICK OUT. This 'brilliant, sexy, witty and smart' (to quote Mr. Kennedy himself) disc should garner the Jam Messengers the accolades and attention they have merited all their careers. The Thick Syrup CD is the first US release for the duo (altho they can boast of 3 earlier LPs on Scottish, Portuguese and Brazilian labels). The songs are all Kennedy originals, some of his finest ever, propelled by the explosive punky Delta slide of Mr. Butcher. Kick Out is voodoo gumbo of the tastiest.
