UPDATED ON 01/15/10

JAY REATARD

1980 - 2010 RIP

 

01/15/09: I'll never forgot the night of January 22, 2003. It's hard to believe but just one week from now seven years will have passed since that night. That date is so important in my life because it marked the first time that I would see the Lost Sounds live. Fate had tried it's hand at keeping me from making the trip as the temperature dropped to a mere 10 degrees and my brother's car (my car was unreliable) broke down the day before. Nothing could stop me from going so a phone call later I was able to secure my sister's minivan. I remember being so excited to get to the show that the three hour drive seemed like an eternity. Even though I had prepared a list in advance I pondered what questions I would ask the band if they agreed to an interview.

The first part of the night is a blur, check in to hotel, get some food, watch one opening band, and finally meet the band. I run through the standards: introduce myself, ask band if they're interested in conducting an interview, make small talk, and finally get permission to videotape. I don't remember much about the bands that opened the show but the Lost Sounds were on fire that night. "Rat's Brains And Microchips" had been out less than three months and the band was as tight as ever. After the show I interviewed Jay & Alicja while they took turns selling merch and helping the other band members load out. Once the interview wrapped we talked some more and I tried to convince them that they need to play in Lawrence, Kansas. That show will forever be remembered as one of the best that I have seen in my life.

Fast forward four months to May and I was on my way to see the Lost Sounds play the Blackout in Chicago. My brother and I had stayed up late the night before putting together a limited one off photocopied issue of the zine so we could spread the word. Inside that issue were interviews with the Spits & the Lost Sounds. I gave Jay a copy right before they took the stage that night and he played with it rolled up in his back pocket. After the show I again pestered them to come to Lawrence to play a show. A few months go by and I finally get the call--Lost Sounds want to play Lawrence! So long story short I book my first show ever with one of my favorite bands ever.

August 7, 2003, the band made it to town early so I invited them over to my house for a BBQ & chance to relax before the show. I can still remember standing in my kitchen talking to Jay about music. Outside my five year old nephew verbally threatened to shoot Rich Crook with a shotgun, keep in mind he was obsessed with video games at the time & no actual gun was involved. We were all too drunk to remember much about the show and afterwards the band stayed at my place.

Since 2003 I have been lucky enough to have seen Jay perform live in the following bands: Lost Sounds, Reatards, Final Solutions, Bad Times, Angry Angles, Persuaders, Barbaras, Jay Reatard, & Useless Eaters (I'm sure there were others as well). Every time that I saw him in Chicago or Memphis we would exchange a few words, some conversations were longer than others but he always acknowledged my presence. The last time that I spoke to Jay was at Gonerfest 6 back at the end of September. I tried to convince him to come back to Kansas to play another show but he shrugged off the idea. Jay was always nice to me and I enjoyed the brief times that we were able to talk.

I can not say enough about how his music has affected my life. I am deeply saddened by the loss of such a prolific and unique individual. ---Mike Fungus

 

11/06/09: So I haven't finished editing our new video interviews but they're coming. One week from today The King Khan & BBQ show are back in town so don't miss out. Have a look at who's coming in December, I think you'll like it.

9/29/09: Just updated our contact email as it has been out of whack for quite some time I guess. If you have been trying to contact us and got no response please write again and we will get back to you. We just did four interviews in the last two weeks and should have them posted as soon as we get done editing and typing. Got back yesterday from our third trip to Gonerfest and we had a blast, look for pictures and video up soon. Check the upcoming shows, I added some new ones and a few next week you might not have known about like The Intelligence on Monday & Cheap Time on Thursday!!!

8/01/09: Tons of great shows headed our way! Two new(er) interviews when I decide to type them. And possibly an update to our You Tube page. I know, we're lazy....

 

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all dates subject to change and/or misspostings from me