Melbourne (via Perth) five piece Jack On Fire are today releasing I Am Animal, the follow up to 2012 EP Sermons From The Eastern Seaboard. An incredibly solid amalgamation of dark country, folk, Aussie rock, psych and everything in between, all the songs on I Am Animal were written since the band’s relocation to Melbourne from Perth in 2008. To celebrate the release, vocalists and guitarists Ben Blakeney and George Hyde have given us a track by track rundown of this local gem of a record. Be sure to catch these guys in action on Saturday 5th July at the John Curtin Hotel when the band launch the album alongside special guests Howl At The Moon and Greta Mob
I Am Animal
I have no idea where we as the human race are going or if we’ll last another 50 yrs. The fact that a country can elect someone such as Abbott to be their leader in this day and age mind boggles my mind. I think the lot of us need to take a good hard look at ourselves. [Ben Blakeney]
Blood On The Mountain
The age old question of a higher power. This is a hypothetical conversation with her. [BB]
We’ll Both Forget
“Take a good hard look at yourself” and “You’ve changed”; all good fuel to stoke the songwriting fire. Things are better now, thanks for asking. [George Hyde]
Take Me Home
Past relationships. [BB]
Suzanne
I’ve always had a fascination for the old murder ballad. Murder ballads are steeped in tradition and have been around since story telling began. I truly believe we find a little piece of ourselves buried in those stories. [BB]
Old Love
Brimming with an unhealthy amount whimsy and a heavy dosage of nostalgia for days gone by (wasted) and love squandered. [GH]
I’ll Wait For You
Current relationships. [BB]
Alberta
Think you’ve heard this song before? You probably have, I may have subconsciously lifted this straight from the delta blues cannon of yore. Originally penned by Bo Carter and re-imagined here by my fellow JOF cohorts. [GH]
Easy Money
A cautionary tale of one individual’s gradual descent into wickedness and depravity. Based on a seedy fella I knew once, but nevermore. [GH]
See Through the Rain
Trying to convince myself that there may be some silver lining over yonder. I’m still not convinced. [BB]
Jack On Fire Album Launch
Saturday 5th July John Curtin Hotel, Carlton For tickets and more info visit: www.johncurtinhotel.com
