Phoenix, Arizona garbage pop veterans AJJ (Formerly Andrew Jackson Jihad) return to Australia this September, armed with their unique collection of scuzzy punk screeds. Since touring Australia with The Smith Street Band in 2015 they’ve released their sixth album The Bible 2 out through SideOneDummy Records.
The album’s mantra is placed at the centre: “No More Shame, No More Fear, No More Dread”. The Bible 2 finds the band choosing intimacy over isolation, gravity over the vacuum, the stage instead of the scene. Album opener ‘Cody’s Theme’ rings like Jay Reatard distorted with Neutral Milk Hotel neuroses (“I set the mommy on fire / I set the baby on fire / not even Jesus could stop me”).
Singer Sean Bonnette’s narrative skills, and the band’s growing nuances have never been more heartbreaking than on ‘Junkie Church’, a tender acoustic tale about affection and companionship on the lowest rung of society (“I used your rubs as ladders / and I climbed up your chest / and I jumped up and down just like a trampoline” Bonnett sings.) The bands synth, cello and bass are employed to haunting Leonard Cohen-like production ends, staccato plucks and serrated chords hiving like gnats then quickly dissolving into darkness.
Former touring partner Wil Wagner from The Smith Street Band recently said “Sean might be my favourite living lyricist and we’re all lucky to have his songs in our lives. His songs get better and more polished every album but still maintain all the weird beautiful qualities that made me fall in love ten years ago”.
Playing the already announced and sold out Yours & Owls Festival in Wollongong alongside At The Drive In, AJJ have announced a huge Australian tour, taking in most capital cities and a big chunk of regional areas.
Pool House Records & Jackknife Music Present
AJJ (formerly Andrew Jackson Jihad)
Wednesday September 27th – Crowbar, Brisbane
Thursday September 28th – Hamilton Station Hotel, Newcastle
Friday September 29th – The Lair, Sydney
Saturday September 30th – Transit Bar, Canberra
Sunday October 1st – Yours & Owls Festival, Wollongong
Wednesday October 4th – Ed Castle, Adelaide
Thursday October 5th – Club 54, Launceston
Friday October 6th – The Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
Saturday October 7th – The Reverence Hotel, Melbourne
Sunday October 8th – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne (All Ages)
Sunday October 8th – The Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne
Tickets at www.poolhouserecords.com.au
On sale from Wednesday July 19th 9:00 am
