1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Rockfabrik, Übach-Palenberg, Germany

1997: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Akasaka Blitz, Tokyo, Japan

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Rubb, Tampa, Florida, US
w/ Andre Williams and the Countdowns
Live Photo: Kick Start Myart (https://www.instagram.com/kickstartmyart/)

2007: Tiny Masters of Today (w/ Russell Simins) – Union Hall, Brooklyn, New York
w/ Kimya Dawson, Hayes Peebles

2008: Heavy Trash – Cafe Atlantik, Freiburg, Germany

2010: Heavy Trash – Spazio 211, Torino, Italy
w/ Bloodshot Bill
Poster Artwork: Scrape Labs

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans, LA, US
w/ Cheap Time
Live Photo: Timothy Paris

2017: V/A feat. Boss Hog – Battle Hymns – released in the US
Includes ‘Save Our Soul’ featuring Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss

2019: Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – 3TEN ACL, Austin, TX, US
w/ Hey Jellie

HITmakers show #49

1986: Pussy Galore – The Beach, Austin, TX, US
w/ Texas Instruments, Peach of Immortality and Jaguars
nb. Last show of the PG/Peach of Immortality “Fuck Sky Bear” trek.

“During the Peach Of Immortality days, you ended up sharing a DC space with Pussy Galore and briefly became a member in the band. How did that transpire?

TS: I found some cassettes in a trash can at an apartment. One was Pussy Galore, which sounded like Jesus And Mary Chain meets Test Department. Amazing. Good sleeve. Jon Spencer wrote everything in this horror font. He was a good illustrator. There was a number on the tape, I called, and they invited me over to their space. They needed a drummer, which I wasn’t but I could count to four. I went to visit them at their massive house in Georgetown. I went down the stairs into the basement, and there was Jon and Julia Cafritz. That’s how I got in Pussy Galore. I contributed a few ideas, but Jon pretty much wrote everything. And then we toured with both Pussy Galore and Peach Of Immortality, which was bizarre. After the tour I got kicked out of Pussy Galore because Jon and Julia thought I was trying to be their own Malcolm McLaren. Which was probably true to an extent.” – Tom Smith interview from thequietus.com

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Negativ, Frankfurt, Germany

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Club at Firestone, Orlando, FL, US

2003: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Showplace Theatre Buffalo, New York, US

2008: Heavy Trash – Werkstatt, Köln, Germany

2010: Heavy Trash – Manufaktur, Schorndorf, Germany
Set List Photo: Tobias Sauer

2012: Joseph Arthur (with Russell Simins) – Travel as Equals live on the Late Show with David Letterman, Ed Sullivan Theatre, New York City, NY, US

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Bottletree, Birmingham, AL, US
w/ Cheap Time

2019: Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – Skyline Sessions / Houston Public Media, Houston, TX, US

HITmakers show #47

2019: Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – House of Blues, Houston, TX, US
Set List / Ticket / Live Photo: Greg Rabel (https://www.facebook.com/greg.rabel/)

HITmakers show #48

1986: Pussy Galore – Bone Club, San Antonio, Texas, US
w/ Peach of Immortality, Raging Woodies and Uvula
Poster Image: Thanks to Shane

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – KFZ, Marburg, Germany
Poster: Thanks to Sha Rivari (https://www.instagram.com/sha_rivari/)

2003: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Little Brothers, Columbus, Ohio, US
Poster Artwork: Mike Martin / Engine House

2008: Heavy Trash – Hebel Theater, Gerlin, Germany

2010: Heavy Trash – Mousonturm (Theatersaal), Frankfurt, Germany

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The EARL, Atlanta, GA, US
w/ JD Wilkes & The Dirt Daubers

“Jon Spencer is older and wiser, but still a bad ass.”

“…Judah Bauer, the bassist, was who people were referring to. I recently saw a meme that read, “You’re not a fan if you don’t know the bassist’s name.” – Target Magazine

2019: Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans, LA, US
w/ Chicken Snake
Live Photo / Set List Photo: Brian Jones (https://www.instagram.com/mrteagarden/)

HITmakers show #46

1986: Pussy Galore – Cabaret Voltaire, Houston, TX, US
Live Photos: photographer unknown / full band photo posted online by Tom Smith
Posters: Thanks to Royal Trux Chronicles

“This was the penultimate gig of the Peach of Immortality / PG Fuck Sky Bear tour. I took acid in New Orleans three shows earlier, stayed up most of the night, caught a cold, and was pretty wiped out when we hit Texas. (I was the only member of the road company pulling double duty – as soon as Pussy Galore would finish, Peach would clamber on stage and ramp up the static. You can hear Julie berating me for being out of it on one of the live cuts from the Corpse Love compilation.)” – Tom Smith

1988: Pussy Galore – Effenaar, Eindhoven, Netherlands
w/ AC Temple and Swingen

Poster measures 60cm x 42cm

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Circus, Gammelsdorf, Germany

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Echo Lounge, Atlanta, GA, US
w/ Andre Williams and the Countdowns

Poster Artwork: Methane Studios, measures 18 1/4″ x 24″ in a numbered edition of 40 copies.

2003: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH, US
w/ Reigning Sound

Poster Photo: dubdvl (https://www.instagram.com/dubdvl/)

2010: Heavy Trash – Melkweg Oude Zaal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Ticket: Thanks to Arne

2010: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – O-East, Shibuya, Toyko, Japan

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC, US
w/ JD Wilkes & The Dirt Daubers

2019: Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – Saturn, Birmingham, AL, US
w/ Dan Sartain

HITmakers show #45

Quote from a preview for this show:

“Why was now the time to release your first “solo” record?

I wanted to get back on the road. I wanted to get back to work. I didn’t have a band of my own anymore; both Blues Explosion and Heavy Trash had kind of run their course. I was working with Boss Hog, and we made what I think was a really great record; the album Brood X, which came out a couple of years ago. And we did some touring, but I missed having a band of my own. Rather than search around for players and put something together and start practicing, I thought I’d make the record first and then start playing.

So, yeah, I wanted to get back to work. And it’s not like this is a huge shift. The reason I used my name is because it was a shortcut; the quickest and easiest way to tell people what to expect when they put the needle to the record.” – Jefferson County Journal

1986: Pussy Galore – “W.C. Don’s”, Jackson, MS, US
*The band played in someone’s house because the person booking the show couldn’t find a venue.*

1988: Pussy Galore – Possible European Tour Date (any ideas? there’s a few gaps in the PG listings for 12 – 24 January 1988)

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Bern, Switzerland

1996: Cibo Matto – Viva! La Woman – released in Japan
Features Russell Simins on ‘Sugar Water Remix’ and ‘Aguas De Marco’.

1998: 20 Miles – The Corner, Melbourne, Australia
w/ Doo Rag

2010: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – Big Cat, Osaka, Japan

2011: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Mona Foma Festival, Hobart, Australia

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC, US
w/ Dex Romweber Duo and Shockwave Riderz

Live Photo: Agatha Donkar (via flickr.com).

2019: Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – Fish Centre Live, Atlanta, GA, US

HITmakers show #43

2019: Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – The Earl, Atlanta, GA, US
w/ Subsonics
Photo: Hillery Terenzi (https://www.instagram.com/hillymonster/)

HITmakers show #44

1986: Pussy Galore show in Tuscaloosa, AL, US – CANCELLED due to problems with the bands van.

1988: Pussy Galore – Possible European Tour Date (any ideas? there’s a few gaps in the PG listings for 12 – 24 January 1988)

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Salzburg, Austria

1997: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Shinsaibashi Club Quattro, Osaka, Japan

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Ziggy’s, Winston-Salem, NC, US
w/ Andre Williams
Ticket Photo: Daniel Niece (https://www.instagram.com/nieced123/)

2005: Blues Explosion – The Cherry Blossom Clinic (WFMU-FM), Jersey City, NJ, US
Blues Explosion Man from this session was released on the Crunchy CD single.

2007: Little Barrie – Love You – released in the UK
Russell Simins and Dan The Automator play on the B-Sides ‘Yeah We Know’ and ‘If I Don’t Have To Answer’.

2007: The Child Ballads – Cheekbone Hollows (Pop. 1/2 Life) EP – released in the UK
Judah Bauer plays on ‘Cheekbone Hollows (Pop. 1/2 Life)’ and ‘Blackbird Trax’.

2008: Heavy Trash – Shibuya Duo Music Exchange, Tokyo, Japan

2010: Heavy Trash – Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, Belgium
Photo: Kmeron (flickr.com/photos/frf_kmeron/)

2011: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne, Australia

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Pilot Light, Knoxville, TN, US
w/ Shockwave Riderz

2019: Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC, US
w/ Uncle Kurtis

HITmakers show #42

1986: Pussy Galore – Jed’s, New Orleans, LA, US

1988: Pussy Galore – Vera Club, Groningen, Netherlands

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Arena, Wien, Austria

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC, US

1999: Andre Williams & The Countdowns – Local 506 Bar, Chapel Hill, NC, US
Photos: Todd Carey (Posted by Brian Waters)

2008: Heavy Trash – Club Quattro, Osaka, Japan

2010: Heavy Trash – Effenaar, Eindhoven, Netherlands
Poster Artwork: Tijsco

2011: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Esplanade Hotel, Melbourne, Australia
w/ Beaches and Frowning Clouds

Live Photo: Mary Boukouvalas
Show Preview / Interview: Danielle O’Donahue / Inpress Magazine (Issue 1156 / 12 January 2011)

“I respected JSBX before this gig, but my initial respect trebled during the night, and by the end of the gig I realised that I had witnessed one of the best shows I’ve seen, performed by three humble guys who have more talent than most of us could ever hope for.” – Sharon Brookes / The AU Review

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Jefferson Theater, Charlottesville, VA, US
w/ Shockwave Riderz

Live Photo: Jack Looney

2017: S-E-R-V-I-C-E – Comet Bar, Cincinnati, OH, US

2019: Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – Motorco Music Hall, Durham, NC, US
Live Photo: Dan Kulpa (flickr.com/photos/clashdan/)

HITmakers show #41

1986: Pussy Galore – Wuxtry Records, Birmingham, AL, US

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – 9:30 Club, Washington, DC, US

2010: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – The Esplanade, Singapore

“It was all bluesy soul, devoutly gospel-tinged, as she led her band, the Dirty Delta Blues, through a 90-minute set of sultry, triumphant covers and originals like Metal Heart.

…the artiste ended her show by handing out flowers (lisianthus blooms, to be exact) and copies of her set list to those in the front rows.” – Jill Alphonso / My Paper

2011: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Rosemount Hotel, North Perth, WA, Australia
w/ Felicity Groom

“JSBX played a very lucid set, one hit after another blending together like a smoothie. It was filthy and delectable with profanities flying in every direction till the meaning was lost. Blues-rock fans gathered round the stage, some happily throwing around their heads and stamping their feet to anthems like Fuck Shit Up, I Wanna Make It Alright, Blues Explosion Attack, Sweat and Afro; while others took a more extreme approach to dancing as if to wake the dead (and put fear into the people around them).” – FasterLouder.com.au

“The man knows rock ‘n’ roll, and if you even want to pretend you do too, there’s only one place you need to be tonight…” – Drum Media Perth

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Bell House, Brooklyn, New York, US
w/ The Relatives, Dot Wiggin, Di Dionyso and DJ Jonathan Toubin

2017: S-E-R-V-I-C-E – Melody Inn, Indianapolis, IN, US
w/ Brother O’ Brother
Poster: S-E-R-V-I-C-E
Live / Hand Written Board Photos: Melody Inn

2019: Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – Richmond Music Hall (Capital Ale House), Richmond, VA, US
w/ The Ar-Kaics
Live Photo: Stephen Smith

HITmakers show #40

RVA Mag Show Preview:

“He’s been blowing the minds of rock n’ rollers around the world with his unique brand of down n’ dirty, booty-shaking rock n’ roll noise fuckery for going on 40 years now, and his currently on tour with a group he’s calling the HITmakers. They’re here to revel in the fact that, after four decades of trash-rock excellence, Spencer has finally released an album as a solo artist, cleverly entitled Spencer Sings The Hits!” – rvamag.com

Interview / Show Preview:

“RM: After all these years, do you still enjoy touring?

Spencer: The main thing is the performance. It’s almost like a religious experience that I have with the audience. It’s still important and something that I want to keep doing. It’s why I wanted to make this record, because I want to keep trying to create those moments. It’s nice to travel around through rock ‘n’ roll and play in bands. I get to see different places and meet all kinds of interesting, different people. It’s really a wonderful thing. Everybody should try it.” – Don Harrison / RichmondMagazine.com

1986: Pussy Galore – 7:30 Club, Jacksonville, FL, US

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – European Tour / Unknown Location

1997: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Club Quattro, Tokyo, Japan

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Bohager’s, Baltimore, MD, US

2011: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Becks Festival Bar, Sydney, Australia
w/ Super Wild Horses

Live Photo (Jon in Silhouette): Jayda Tham for News.com.au (flickr.com/photos/jaydedmedia/)
Live Photo (“Feature Gig”): Linda Heller-Salvador / Drum Media
Live Photos (All Others): Jamie Williams for Sydney Festival (flickr.com/photos/sydney_festival/)
Set Times / Ticket Image: Nick Peters

Drum Media Sydney Review:

“The twin guitars wound gracefully around Russell Simins’ powerful drumming, giving the set a shuddering, shamanic energy. The swampy, electric blues the band played was further set alight when Spencer turned around to drag an eerie wail out of the theremin set up behind him.

…there were obviously a lot of long-time fans in the crowd grateful for another chance to see such a charismatic performer.” – Danielle O’Donahue / Drum Media Sydney, Issue #1043 (January 17, 2011)

MusicFeeds.com.au Review:

“The Blues is Number One! Yes, indeed – The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion are Number One.

This was a killer performance; to break it down into details would dilute its magic grandeur – why go on about the blast of Wail, Fuck Shit Up and She Said? It would be too easy to fawn over Russell Simins’ intense prowess on the drums and the assaulting axe-work of Judah Bauer. Jon Spencer led the charge as always and demonstrated age shall not weary him…

What started out as a gig with the usual crowd reaction (you know, everyone up the front going berserk and those at the back nodding and stroking their chins “Yes, very impressive.”) gradually evolved into a total house party atmosphere as more and more of the crowd were infected by this rock n’ roll dynamite. By the end of this exciting show it was a bit of a free for all, and we all loved it – what more could you ask for from a rock band.” – Shane Arnold / MusicFeeds.com.au (January 18, 2011)

2019: Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – Black Cat, Washington, DC, US
w/ The Ar-Kaics
Live Photo: Rachel Lange (https://www.instagram.com/sneezyphd/)

HITmakers show #39

1988: Pussy Galore – Mean Fiddler, London, UK
Poster Image: Sam Knee / https://www.instagram.com/sceneinbetween/

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Rätschenmühle, Geisslingen, Germany

2008: Heavy Trash – Glasslands, Brooklyn, NY, US

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Late Show with David Letterman, Ed Sullivan Theatre, New York City, NY, US
*Broadcast January 11, 2013 / Recorded January 10, 2013*

2019: Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – Indie Rock Hit Parade Live Session / XPN, Philadelphia, PA, US

Photos: Katie Tapman

HITmakers show #37

2019: Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, US

Poster Design: FugScreens Studios / https://www.facebook.com/fugscreens/

HITmakers show #38

1986: Pussy Galore – Ca Labs, 812 S. Macomb St, Tallahassee, FL, US

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Jazzhaus, Freiburg, Germany

2010: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – Days Like This 2010 – Moore Park, Moore Park, NSW, Australia

2011: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Linear, Sydney, Australia – recording Black Betty

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Late Show with David Letterman, Ed Sullivan Theatre, New York City, NY, US
*Broadcast January 11, 2013 / Recorded January 10, 2013*

2015: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Saint Vitus, Brooklyn, New York, US
w/ Daddy Long Legs, DJ Jonathan Toubin and DJ Phast Phreddie

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Sonneck, Kempten, Germany

2010: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – Panthers, Newcastle, Australia

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Zirzamin, New York City, New York, US

w/ Dylan Maida and ‘Special Guests’

This was a secret show announced at very short-notice via facebook and twitter. “Live tonight in the island of Manhattan! (A Jack Martin Production.)”

1988: Pussy Galore – CBGB, New York City, NY, US
w/ Dig Dat Hole, Killdozer and Gibson Bros.

“However, if you think r’n’r means rest ‘n’ relaxation, well then, this was a caterwauling descent into hell that served no purpose at all.”

“If rock ‘n’ roll is a journey, or even if it’s just about motion, then Pussy Galore can take you places you’ve never been before.” – Joe Levy, Cashbox

Poster Image: Jim Hayes
Venue Listing Image: Royal Trux Chronicles

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Schwimmbad, Heidelberg, Germany

1993: Boss Hog – CBGB, New York City, NY, US
w/ Unsane w/Clint Ruin, Juan Canary (Eric & Jason from Sebadoh), Azalia Snail, Supreme Dicks and Rodan

Poster Image: Skeleton Boy

2010: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – Waves: Towradgi Beach Hotel, Wollongong, Australia

2011: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Bodega, Wellington, New Zealand

1986: Pussy Galore – Possible tour date with Peach of Immortality – UNCONFIRMED

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Börse, Wuppertal, Germany

2011: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Radio New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand

Live Session: Interview + Burn It Off / 2Kindsa Love / Blues X Man

Stream Here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/nat-music/audio/2532850/jon-spencer-in-session

2011: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Kings Arms, Auckland, New Zealand

1986: Pussy Galore – Possible tour date with Peach of Immortality – UNCONFIRMED

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Line Club, Braunschweig, Germany

2007: Tiny Masters of Today (w/ Russell Simins) – Studio B, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York, US
w/ Matt & Kim and BiG A little A

2010: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – Astor Theatre, Perth, Australia

1986 (3pm): Pussy Galore – The Fallout Shelter, Raleigh, NC, US
w/ Peach of Immortality and Resist

1986 (10pm): Pussy Galore – The Fallout Shelter, Raleigh, NC, US
w/ Peach of Immortality and Resist

Poster Image: http://www.toliveandshaveinla.com

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Fabrik, Hamburg, Germany

2010: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Adelaide, Australia

1986: Pussy Galore – Nightshade Cafe, Greensboro, NC, US
w/ Peach of Immortality
Image: Image: “…soundchecks from an obliterative gig in Greensboro, North Carolina during our inharmonious, unprecedented, absurdly chaotic January 1986 tour” – Tom Smith

1992: Honeymoon Killers (w/ Judah Bauer) – Kulturfabrik, Krefeld, Germany

1994: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Whisky A Go-Go, Hollywood, CA, US

“Songs don’t last more than a minute or two, rarely climaxing in choruses, and usually end with Spencer’s James Brown-like declaration “blues explosion.” The brew is powerful, though, taking traditional blues licks and stacking them up in the strangest order imaginable.”

“There’s nothing like this band anywhere, as they are the distillation of perhaps 20 years of New York new wave music.” – John Carmen / Variety (January 10, 1994)

1997: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Wail [Promo] (CD, US) / Radio Promo Spots [Promo] (7″, US) – issued by Matador Records

2010: Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast, Australia
w/ The Middle East

2013: Joseph Arthur (w/ Russell Simins and Kraig Jarret Johnson) – On The Beach: A Sandy Relief Concert – Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ, US
w/ My Morning Jacket / Preservation Hall Jazz Band / Nicole Atkins / River City Extensions / Tangiers Blues Band