Old Man Jenkins

Funky bass lines, Anthony Kiedis style vocals, jazzy horns, and Super Mario references? Is it possible to get all that out of one band? Why, yes, it is. And lucky for you, they’re today’s focus. Today, everydaymusic gives you Fletcher’s own Old Man Jenkins.

I got Old Man Jenkins’s album No Jelly, Just Jam last week, and I have to say, I was very impressed with what I heard. “Dolphins with Goggles” is my favorite track off the album, and Brett (the lead vocalist of OMJ) allowed me to put it up for free download, so swipe that shiz right here. You can listen to six of the seven tracks from the album on OMJ’s MySpace page. They used to have a Wikipedia page, until they were deemed “not notable enough” by the Wiki gods. I’m fairly sure they promote musical freedom, so hit me up on the e-mail if you want a copy of the album.

What I like about OMJ is that there’s actual talent there. It’s easy to get together and call yourself a band (see Phase 3), but when you’ve really got talent, even the most immature of efforts sound pleasant. That’s most evident on “Badass”, where the lyrics are just ridiculous, and while some listeners don’t appreciate that kind of stuff, I think it’s all part of the maturation process.

Speaking of which, Brett told me that their second album is about half-written, but it’s not recorded yet. I’m fairly sure that, with school starting up again, the album will see a bit of a delay, but I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be worth the wait. I hope it’s not too much of a departure from the sound of this album, with the traces of Arctic Monkeys and Red Hot Chili Peppers influences. Brett said the next album is already looking “more progressive”, and that sounds just like what they need. OMJ has a working formula right now, and with a little more maturity (which seems to be on the way), this group could easily become one I listen to regularly.

And don’t forget to download “Dolphins with Goggles” right here. Have a good weekend!