1994: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Lounge Ax, Chicago, IL, US
w/ Silkworm, Crain and Mule

1997: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Square, Madrid, Spain
w/ Demolition Doll Rods

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – La Riviera, Madrid, Spain

Live Photo: Belén de Santiago
Ticket Image: MetroSoul Gallery (https://www.instagram.com/ladismont/)

2000: Boss Hog – Espárrago Fest, Andalucía, Spain

Photo: Jose Navarro (https://www.instagram.com/katacroker/)

2005: Blues Explosion – Le Zenith, Paris, France
w/ The Hives

2007: Heavy Trash – Molotow, Hamburg, Germany

2008: The Child Ballads – Cheekbone Hollows (Pop. 1/2 Life) EP – released
Features Judah Bauer playing lead guitar on Cheekbone Hollows (Pop. 1/2 Life) and Blackbird Trax.

2008: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – Warfield Theatre, San Francisco, CA, US

2009: Heavy Trash – SESC, Bauru, Brazil
Photos: Crunchy Frog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/crunchyfrogdk/)

2011: Dorit Chrysler – Sea of Negligence – released
Features Judah Bauer playing bass and guitar on Lee Hazlewood cover Come On Home to Me.

2011: Jon Spencer [DJ Set] – New York Night Train / Shakin All Over Sideways Down @ Home Sweet Home, New York City, NY, US

2013: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Mosquito – released
Includes the track Buried Alive on which Russell Simins has a writing credit.

2014: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Blank Club, San Jose, CA, US
w/ Shockwave Riderz

Live Photos: Photos: Anthony Batista (http://www.toniomodio.com)

2015: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Moog Sound Lab, Asheville, NC, US

Photo: Moog Sound Lab (https://twitter.com/MoogSoundLab/)

2015: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC, US
w/ Bloodshot Bill

Live Photo / Ticket: Shayne Hutch (https://saturdaynighthutch.blogspot.com/)
US Freedom Tour ’15 poster: Malleus

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Le Printemps de Bourges, Bourges, France

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Paradiso, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2007: Heavy Trash – Motel Mozaique, Rotterdam, Netherlands

2008: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR, US

2012: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – I’ll Be Your Mirror @ Studio Coast, Tokyo, Japan – CANCELLED

2014: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Slim’s, San Francisco, CA, US
w/ Shockwave Riderz

Live Photos: Anthony Batista (http://www.toniomodio.com)

2015: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC, US
w/ Bloodshot Bill

Live Photo: Dan Kulpa (https://www.concertaddicts.com/media/photos/the-jon-spencer-blues-explosion-bloodshot-bill-cats-cradle-april-14th-2015)

US Freedom Tour ’15 poster by Malleus

Happy Birthday Kurt Wolf!

1997: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Kafe Antzokia, Bilbao, Spain
w/ Demolition Doll Rods

“Sonaban engrasadísimos, se notaba que estaban en su momento. En la atmosfera se palpaba esa flipada, para todos los allí presentes creo que fue un viaje brutal, personalmente tuve la sensación de ver a un semidiós. El sonido, la ejecución de la banda, la actitud de Jon, todo fue la hostia. Lo recuerdo como algo verdaderamente salvaje, pocas veces se unen todos los factores como ese día para que el espectáculo fuera histórico.” – Joseba Irazoki (Atom Rhumba) (https://www.ruta66.es/2018/03/meeting-point/meeting-point-joseba-irazoki-atom-rhumba/)

2003: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Nyabinishi Dance Hall, Youngstown, OH, US

2007: Heavy Trash – Spitz, London, UK
w/ Jim Jones Revue

“Jon Spencer has a punk blues pedigree that is beyond reproach. His bands, collaborations and side-projects are a roll call in rock’n’roll and punk blues innovation. Heavy Trash is Jon’s latest project with fellow NYC resident Matt verta-Ray from Speedball baby. Heavy Trash is a hip shaking celebration of rock ‘n’ toll’s primary elements, namely rock-a-billy – the blues hillbilly Southern cousin. Support from The Jim Jones who play supercharged back to basics rock ‘n’ roll and sound like a collison between Little Richard and the MC5!”

2008: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR, US
w/ Appaloosa

2014: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Center For The Arts Grass Valley, CA, US
w/ Shockwave Riderz, Black Cat Grave and DJ Chappy

Live Photo: John Taber (https://liveshots12.smugmug.com/TheCenterForTheArts/Jon-Spenser-Blues-Explosion/)

2017: S-E-R-V-I-C-E – PREserker, Small’s, Hamtramck, MI, US
w/ Homewrecker, Nucleus, Empathy, Lt. Dan, No/Breaks, Exploding Zombies, Great Reversals, Nemesis and Grimjob

Live Photo: Kenny McNabb (https://www.instagram.com/kennethmmcnabb/)

2018: Jon Spencer (DJ Set) at The Gories – Elsewhere Brooklyn, New York, US

Photo: P Squared (https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-gories-chorizo-dj-jon-spencer-elsewhere-pics/)

2019: S-E-R-V-I-C-E – Third Man Records, Nashville, TN, US

Band Photo: S-E-R-V-I-C-E (https://www.instagram.com/gimmesomeservice/)
Live Photos: Vittorio Bongiorno

1996: Cibo Matto (w/ Russell Simins & Sean Lennon) – Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC, US
w/ Pipe

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Hof ter Lo, Antwerp, Belgium

2007: Heavy Trash – Engine Room, Brighton, UK
w/ The Jim Jones Revue

2008: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – McDonald Theater, Eugene, OR, US

2014: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Beauty Bar, Las Vegas, NV, US
w/ Shockwave Riderz and The Lucky Cheats

2015: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Southern Café & Music Hall, Charlottesville, VA, US
w/ Daddy Long Legs

2019: S-E-R-V-I-C-E – Kaiju, Louisville, Kentucky, US
w/ GRLwood, Old City and Parlour

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Brixton Academy, London, UK
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The (International) Noise Conspiracy

Live Photo: Hayley Madden

2008: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – Showbox, Seattle, WA, US

2014: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Indio, CA, US

2015: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Cat, Washington, DC, US
w/ Daddy Long Legs

Photo: Rafael Suanes (via https://www.instagram.com/rsuanes/)

2019: S-E-R-V-I-C-E – Northside Yacht Club, Cincinnati, OH, US
w/ Black Planet and Crime of Passing

Happy Birthday Jens Jurgensen!

1994: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Howlin’ Wolf, New Orleans, LA, US
w/ Neutral Milk Hotel

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Manchester University, Manchester, UK
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The (International) Noise Conspiracy

“…people should get there early and check out the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They’re another fine band from New York City; they’re a really great band. It’s going to be a great show, so don’t miss it. I tell you, it’s going to be the rock ‘n’ roll show of the year!” – Jon Spencer, Kerrrang! (April 2002)

2007: Heavy Trash – Piano’s, New York City, NY, US

2008: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, BC, Canada

2014: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ, US

2015: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, US
w/ Daddy Long Legs

Show Poster: Jeremy Zombie
US Freedom Tour ’15 poster: Malleus

1997: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Evening Session, Maida Vale, London, UK

SET LIST:

All Aboard
2Kindsa Love
Flavor
Blues Explosion Attack
The Feeling of Love
Down Low
Soul Typecast
Chocolate Joe
Son of Sam

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Plastic Fang – released in the US

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Queen Margaret’s University Union, Glasgow, UK
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The (International) Noise Conspiracy

“…people should get there early and check out the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They’re another fine band from New York City; they’re a really great band. It’s going to be a great show, so don’t miss it. I tell you, it’s going to be the rock ‘n’ roll show of the year!” – Jon Spencer, Kerrrang! (April 2002)

2007: Scientists – Sedition – released in the UK

*Includes contribution by Jon Spencer in the sleeve notes*

2008: Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues – Washington Univ. @ Performing Arts Cente, Bellingham, WA, US

2012: Perrosky – Todos Quieren Llegar – released

Recorded with Jon Spencer and Matt Verta-Ray at NY Hed.

2015: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Boston Rock Talk, Norwell, MA, US

2015: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Brighton Music Hall, Allston, MA, US
w/ Daddy Long Legs and DJ Carbo

“Given the stripped down to the bone trio of two guitars (Judah Bauer, fresh off from a multi-year consignment duty with Cat Power) and drums (the inimitable Russell Simins banging away in a most kinetic manner) it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that it would be all mid- and high-range frequencies blasting out of the PAs and amps, but the band’s always been influenced by hip-hop culture, and somewhere Simins had access to a device that would send out depth-charge blasts of full bass every once in a while.” – Tim Bugbee / BigTakeOver.com

Photo (Judah): Tim Bugbee (https://bigtakeover.com/concerts/jon-spencer-blues-explosion-with-daddy-longlegs-brighton-music-hall-boston-thursday-april-9-2015)

US Freedom Tour ’15 poster: Malleus

2017: Boss Hog – Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, US
w/ The Tough Shits and Taiwan Housing Project

Live Photo: Louie Lopez (https://www.instagram.com/badseed_phillie/)

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Plastic Fang – released in the UK

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Bristol Academy, Bristol, UK
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs

“…people should get there early and check out the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They’re another fine band from New York City; they’re a really great band. It’s going to be a great show, so don’t miss it. I tell you, it’s going to be the rock ‘n’ roll show of the year!” – Jon Spencer, Kerrrang! (April 2002)

2015: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA, US
w/ Daddy Long Legs

US Freedom Tour ’15 Poster Design: Malleus

2017: S-E-R-V-I-C-E – Pioneer, Indianapolis, IN, US
w/ Uh and Bonesetters

1998: Pussy Galore – Right Now! / Sugarshit Sharp / Dial ‘M’ For Motherfucker – released in the UK

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Le Trabendo, Parc de la Villette, Paris, France
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2007: Tiny Masters Of Today (w/ Russell Simins) – World Domination League @ The Windmill, Brixton, London, UK

w/ Kid Carpet, Nemo, Tim Ten Yen, etc.

2015: Heavy Trash – Noir! – released in the UK

1994: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Dallas, TX, US*
w/ The Breeders

*exact date / venue unknown, possibly April 5, 1994

Live Photos: Joe Dilworth

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – possible European tour date

2004: Blues Explosion – Empire View Studios, New York City, NY, US – recording Damage

2007: Tiny Masters Of Today (w/ Russell Simins) – Another Music Another Kitchen @ Proud Camden, London, UK
w/ The Rain, Desert Hearts and The Invention

2010: Harper Simon – self titled album released in the UK
*Russell Simins has played with Harper Simon as part of live band and appears on the album track Cactus Flower Rag*

2014: Jon Spencer (DJ Set) at Fat White Family – The Acheron, Brooklyn, New York, US
w/ Fat White Family, The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger and Jeffrey Lewis

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Offshore Festival, Torquay, Australia

Poster Artwork: Jason Jacenko

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Supersonic @ MTV, Milan, Italy
Performing: She Said / Calvin / Mean Heart / Sweet N Sour

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Magazzini Generali, Milan, Italy
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2007: Tiny Masters of Today (w/ Russell Simins) – Underage Club, Venue, London, UK

2008: Heavy Trash – I.D.E.A.L. Festival, Nantes, France

Live Photo: Jim Chris (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimchrismedia/)
Marquee / Atomic Child + Jon Spencer Photo: Courtney Sexton (https://www.flickr.com/photos/evilsigntist/sets/72157604438275750/)

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Muffathalle, München, Germany
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2007: Tiny Masters Of Today (w/ Russell Simins) – Artrocker @ Highbury Corner, The Buffalo Bar, London, UK
w/ Tigerforce, Bono Must Die & MIT

2008: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – 50th GRAMMY Celebration Concert @ The Vic, Chicago, IL, US
Live Photos: Barry Brecheisen

2015: Jon Spencer for DJ Set for Midnight In A Perfect World / KEXP via Cutting Room, New York, US
*Broadcast May 22, 2015*

Photo: “Halo Of Kitten vs The Fall” – https://twitter.com/JSBX_1

“NYC’s Jon Spencer is a veteran of the alternative music world, best-known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, in addition to playing a key role in the now-defunct bands Pussy Galore and Boss Hog. Spencer still remains enthusiastic as ever with the recent release of the Blues Explosion’s 10th album, Freedom Tower: No Wave Dance Party 2015, showcasing the fun, party-starting blend of blues, rock, and funk that he creates both in the studio and throughout his eclectic DJ mixes.” – KEXP

Tracklist:

Artist, title, label

01. Tav Falco Panther Burns, Ditch Digging, New Rose
02. The Customs, Long Gone, Shake It
03. Scientists, Swampland, Au Go Go
04. I Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Is In, Sharon Jones, Daptone
05. Yello, Bimbo, Ralph
06. The Gun Club, The Fire Of Love, Animal
07. Elvis Presley with the Jordanaires, Spinout, RCA
08. Buddy Love, Heartbreak Hotel, Hent (reissue?)
09. Deutsch-Amerikanische-Freundschaft, Kebabtraume, Mute
10. The Fall, Pat-Trip Dispenser, Beggars Banquet
11. Halo Of Kitten, I Hate Porn, Amphetamine Reptile
12. Devo, Working In The Coal Mine, Warner Bros
13. Rufus Thomas, The Breakdown Part II, Stax
14. The Dirtbombs, Possession, In The Red
15. ?/unknown, I’m Gonna Destroy That Boy, Munster (reissue?)
16. Dub Narcotic Sound System, Fuck Shit Up, K
17. Gil Scott-Heron, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, BGP (reissue)
18. Junior Kimbrough and the Soul Blues Boys, I Feel Good Little Girl, High Water
19. Gibson Bros., Broke Down Engine, Siltbreeze
20. The Drags, I Like To Die, Resin
21. Magnetix, Nulle Autre Que Toi, Slovenly
22. Laughing Hyenas, Here We Go Again, Touch & Go
23. Rene Hall’s Orchestra featuring Willie Joe, Twitchy, Specialty
24. Cabaret Voltaire, Nag Nag Nag, Rough Trade
25. The Otis and Carla Band, Tramp, BGP (reissue)

1994: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Palace, Hollywood, California, US
w/ The Breeders and Th’ Faith Healers

1997: Jon Spencer Live Chat / MTV Arena via America Online

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Blues Festival, Byron Bay, Australia
w/ R.L. Burnside

Photos: Gerald Jenkins
Tour Poster: Jason Jacenko

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Columbiafritz Club, Berlin, Germany
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2009: The Pierces (w/ Russell Simins) – Lavomatik Session, Paris IX, France

2010: Heavy Trash – Garorock, Marmande, France

1994: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Palace, Hollywood, California, US
w/ The Breeders and Th’ Faith Healers

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Arena, Brisbane, Australia

Poster Artwork: Jason Jacenko

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Grünspan, Hamburg, Germany
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2008: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – The Late Show with David Letterman, Ed Sullivan Theatre, New York City, NY, US
Performing Metal Heart

2010: Heavy Trash – Freakland Festival, Ponferrada, Spain
w/ Acapulco Gold Diggers, The Nu Miles and Chris Casello Trio

Poster Artwork: Leviathan

2015: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Freedom Tower: No Wave Dance Party 2015 – released in Japan

2017: Boss Hog – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, Cleveland, OH, US
w/ Archie & The Bunkers

Bands Photo: https://twitter.com/hifiorganpunk
Ticket Photo: Craig Wilson https://www.instagram.com/craigwilsonfoto/
Live Photo: Brian Kelly https://www.instagram.com/iamthepod/

1988: Pussy Galore – Drums, New York City, NY, US*
w/ B.A.L.L. (and possibly The Gun Club)

*The exact date of this show is unconfirmed. The New York Times article would make the date March 31, 1988 but The Gun Club show at this venue is recorded in many places as March 29, 1988 with Die Monster Die supporting and the band are documented in Canada on March 31, 1988.

Although Pussy Galore did play with The Gun Club in March 1988 it is not known exactly at which shows both bands performed.

“The group grooved with split-second agility from one odd, off balanced rhythmic pattern to another. The drummer, Bob Bert, with a gas tank strapped to his bass drum, a car spring on top of that and sheets of metal attached to his snare drum, slammed out industrial, stamp-press beats. In its rock extremism, Pussy Galore is trying to squeeze meaning out of rock, when much of rock’s original power has been drained away. It’s a tough job, but the group does it well.” – Peter Watrous, New York Times (4 April 1988)

Live Photo: Macioce Photography (https://www.instagram.com/maciocephotography/)

1994: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Warfield, San Francisco, CA, US
w/ The Breeders and Th’ Faith Healers

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Studio 22, ABC, Sydney, Australia
*Broadcast on 15 July 1999*

“We love rock ‘n’ roll, we love country, we love blues, we love soul, we love funk, we love rap, we love free jazz, we love all different kinds of music but the thing is it wouldn’t mean anything if we weren’t doing something new with it, if we weren’t putting some kind of twist or spin on it, if there wasn’t some kind of…something coming from each of us, if there wasn’t some kind of stamp of us as individuals, as us as people, something that makes we we do special and unique.

You know, and that’s it. Yeah, you can dig all you want in the past but if you’re just doing the same old thing, that’s boring, you’ve got to do something new, you’ve got to do something special. There’s got to be something from the person, something of the people.” – Jon Spencer

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Empire Theatre, Sydney, Australia

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – 18. Osterrocknacht, Philipshalle, Düsseldorf, Germany
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2007: Jena Malone And Her Bloodstains (poss w/ Russell Simins) – Gramercy Theater, Manhattan, New York City, NY, US
w/ Birdmonster and Mason Proper

2010: Heavy Trash – Lux, Lisbon, Portugal
w/ The Legendary Tigerman and Bloodshot Bill

2017: Boss Hog – The Waiting Room, Buffalo, New York, US
w/ Mallwalkers

Ticket Image: Kris McCulley

1996: Boss Hog – Bogart’s, Cincinnati, OH, US
w/ Cibo Matto and Idaho

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Palais, Melbourne, Australia
w/ Matt Walker

Tour Poster Artwork: Jason Jacenko

2008: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Melkweg Oude Zaal, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Ticket Image: Arne

2010: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Dirty Shirt Rock ‘n’ Roll: The First Ten Years – released in the US

2010: Heavy Trash – Plano B, Porto, Portugal
w/ The Legendary Tigerman and Bloodshot Bill

2017: Boss Hog – Mercury Lounge, New York City, New York, US
w/ Surfbort

Live Photo (b/w): Vivian Wang (https://www.instagram.com/lithophyte/)
Set List Photo: St. Toof Van Der Flooffase (https://www.instagram.com/tuffafluff/)

1996: Boss Hog – The Metro, Chicago, IL, US
w/ Cibo Matto

Poster Artwork: Kozik

2011: Joseph Arthur (w/ Russell Simins) – Bootleg Theater, LA, CA – released
*Recording of show on 15 February 2011*

2014: Jon Spencer / Cristina Martinez (DJ Sets) – New York Night Train Soul Clap & Dance-Off @ Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn, New York, US