I Love Memphis

When I was driving back to midtown from East Memphis this afternoon, Jack O. and the Tearjerkers’ “I Live for Today” came up in my iPod’s shuffle. The sun was shining, the windows were down, and the electric hum of Jack Oblivian’s fuzzed-out guitar was totally making my afternoon.

Flip Side Kid - Jack O. and the Tearjerkers

“I Live For Today” is from the Tearjerkers’ 2006 release “The Flip Side Kid”.  I picked my copy up at Goner sometime last year (partially because I was taken by the handwritten “Greasy!” in the bottom left corner of the sleeve).

“Flip Side Kid” is a great record, though. Its 14 tracks are noisy and soulful and reference Memphis’ musical past without directly mimicking it. I’m a big fan of “Chills and Fever” – it sounds like what would happen if  ? and the Mysterians were the band at a zombie prom.

The Tearjerkers have less of the in-your-face garage punk sound that Jack O.’s past band (the Oblivians) had. It’s still a decidedly rock’n'roll record, but with a bit more melody and less screaming.

Last year, Jack Oblivian was featured in Craig Brewer’s web series “$5 Cover”and in “$5 Cover Amplified”, the series’ companion documentaries.

Jack O. and the Tearjerkers will be at the HiTone on Saturday night, playing the annual WEVL benefit show with Mouserocket and the New Mary Jane. Cover is $10, and it goes to support Memphis’ only volunteer radio station.