There are, at least, five bands named One Eyed Jacks: 1) A English melodic post-rock / indie rock band (founded 2009). 2) An Illinois rock band (aka The One Eyed Jacks), which released Die Today (active 1967 to 1969). 3) A dance band (active 1999 to 2004). 4) A band from Germany, that released Falling (1991). 5) A Texas rock band. 6) Oneyedjacks - Punk rock & blues band from North Vancouver, BC, Canada (founded 2004) www.oneyedjacks.ca
1) An enigma of beautiful contradiction and discordant harmony. OEJ are part of a new wave of London bands in search of something most transcendental and visceral. Formed in the summer of 2009 and taking their name from David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, the last year has been a turbulent one for the band. Whilst battling their own personal tragedies, the band have developed a dense sound that combines vast soundscapes with beautifully crafted songwriting.
Mike Goward, an old friend of songwriter and guitarist Chris Douch, would become singer and lyricist, introducing drummer Luke Graham. Douch would invite Mark Levin, his flatmate of three days to share guitar duties. The near fatal stabbing of bassist Dan Blatchford delayed his arrival but ensured that reflections on the darker side of London are not lost in their music.
Underpinned by tragedy and bound by an unlikely brotherhood, recording of the bands debut EP, Mint.Gun.Club. started in October 2009 and was completed the following month, a meagre budget of nothing saw the band create a true DIY record. In April 2010 One Eyed Jacks entered Fortress Studios in Shoreditch to begin work on their second record. In Memory... is a far darker affair than the bands debut, dealing with vivid images of personal isolation and the premature loss of life.
The last 6 months have seen One Eyed Jacks play headline slots at Proud, Punk and 229 as well as 333 Motherbar, Water Rats and Tommy Flynns. Live, they are able to channel a frenetic outpouring of raw power and a fragile display of glass heart delicacy.
Taking influence from Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky, The Velvet Underground, Nick Cave, Grizzly Bear and Yo La Tengo, One Eyed Jacks can be mapped across art rock, post rock, alt folk and shoe gaze. Sonically composed by Douch and embellished by Levin’s soundscaping and production, it’s Goward’s bitter-sweet vocal lament which captures all that there is to be loved, lost and gained in the city.
1) An enigma of beautiful contradiction and discordant harmony. OEJ are part of a new wave of London bands in search of something most transcendental and visceral. Formed in the summer of 2009 and taking their name from David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, the last year has been a turbulent one for the band. Whilst battling their own personal tragedies, the band have developed a dense sound that combines vast soundscapes with beautifully crafted songwriting.
Mike Goward, an old friend of songwriter and guitarist Chris Douch, would become singer and lyricist, introducing drummer Luke Graham. Douch would invite Mark Levin, his flatmate of three days to share guitar duties. The near fatal stabbing of bassist Dan Blatchford delayed his arrival but ensured that reflections on the darker side of London are not lost in their music.
Underpinned by tragedy and bound by an unlikely brotherhood, recording of the bands debut EP, Mint.Gun.Club. started in October 2009 and was completed the following month, a meagre budget of nothing saw the band create a true DIY record. In April 2010 One Eyed Jacks entered Fortress Studios in Shoreditch to begin work on their second record. In Memory... is a far darker affair than the bands debut, dealing with vivid images of personal isolation and the premature loss of life.
The last 6 months have seen One Eyed Jacks play headline slots at Proud, Punk and 229 as well as 333 Motherbar, Water Rats and Tommy Flynns. Live, they are able to channel a frenetic outpouring of raw power and a fragile display of glass heart delicacy.
Taking influence from Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky, The Velvet Underground, Nick Cave, Grizzly Bear and Yo La Tengo, One Eyed Jacks can be mapped across art rock, post rock, alt folk and shoe gaze. Sonically composed by Douch and embellished by Levin’s soundscaping and production, it’s Goward’s bitter-sweet vocal lament which captures all that there is to be loved, lost and gained in the city.