2005 was quite an eventful year in my life. A year that brought lots and lots of new people into my world. I think if we all look back at that year, we can agree that 2005 was an electric year. Things were happening, and in our world we were the people that were making them happen. The music industry had not yet reached the low point that it’s at today, and there seemed to be more bands than ever putting on some great live shows not just in LA but all around the US. They were determined to get noticed and many were actually putting forth the effort to take their act to the next level. Obviously, I’m not talking about the musical mainstream, I’m talking about the local bands from all around the world. It seemed that every town had it’s own clutch of bands that were working hard to leave their hometowns to make an impression on the rest of the population, taking risks left and right.
This year of taking chances, was also the year that I met the members of the band Jealousy Curve hailing from Philadelphia. As I was re-organizing some stuff around my home about a month back, I actually came across an advanced copy of what would become their “Life as an Addict” freshman release in a box full of EP’s that I’ve accumulated over the years and have yet to part ways with. Jealousy Curve was a finalist in a “Best Unsigned Band Search” that a company I was a part of put on via their website. The votes poured in for this band, and we around the office agreed that they were definitely deserving of this status after listening to a few of their tracks. Part of their prize was to play a set during our SXSW showcase, where the winner would be decided.
None of us had seen their live show, nor any footage of it. I will mention though, that these guys were on a lot of industry people’s radars due to their own hard work and merit. It was safe to say we weren’t sure what to expect that drizzly March day in Austin. Our expectations (if we had any) were completely blown away as soon as this band hit the stage and started their first song, the music from their instruments filled the room and none of us could move. We were completely enraptured as their lead singer Leavy (Mike Leavy) not only belted out their songs (for me standouts had to have been “Selfish Thing,” “The World is You,” and “Gravity”) but also proved to be an amazing front man unexpectedly turning the bar counter into a stage, not an extraordinary thing, but a move that caught all of us off guard. For the duration of their set no one moved, no one ordered drinks, we all just watched as Fash’s (Steven LaFashia’s) guitar made sounds we may not have heard before and Mike O’ Brien’s (this was pre-Dave Sikorski time) bass filled the room. I think we were all a little scared that somehow Shane Rozum was going to kill his kit with the intensity with which he was drumming, I’ve met a lot of drummers in my life and I have to admit
that Rozum has got to be one of the best technically that I’ve seen, possessing a mastery on the kit that only comes from a combination of natural talent and lots of sweat equity. As if that wasn’t enough they closed with an amazing (signature) cover of “Purple Rain.” So, it’s safe to say the band was declared our Best Unsigned Band in the U.S. for 2005. Even the venue’s staff and owners all ended up crushing hard on this band, inviting them back to play whenever they wanted. I’m positive that no one that was at this show ever forgot this live performance. This was the type of performance you hope to witness during events like SXSW.
The best part of this band was that all of these guys were just the nicest guys. I recall after this show somehow, Rozum’s splintered drumsticks ended up with a confused me. As I recall he wanted to give me something, anything to commemorate our meeting and also to I guess say thanks for the show. I say confused because I thought he was showing me the damage he’d done to them not realizing he was giving them to me. That’s the kind of guys they are, they always want to give back to those who give to them. Humility is an underlying theme amongst each of Jealousy Curve’s members (just watch the video below, that’s exactly what they are like in real life). Super- talented down-to-earth, unassuming, completely professional, and intelligent guys that we ended up having play our CMJ Showcase in NYC (see photo at upper right taken that evening) that fall on another rainy day as well where they once again blew everyone away.
Since our initial meeting the band went on to also win the Zippo Hot Tour Contest, tour with the All American Rejects, Rooney, The Academy Is…, and share the stage with Stone Temple Pilots among many others. Their song “Black Widow” also won them the Rockline Great American Band Song Contest and their music was featured on the Dane Cook’s “Tourgasm” soundtrack. They actively continued to play shows in local venues (Grape Street, World Café Live, etc.) and not only becoming a band their fans loved, but also friends to those fans. The Philadelphia area has brought us many bands (Dead Milkmen, Pepper’s Ghost, Valencia, and recently Jealousy Curve friends’ Innerpartysystem) however, when I hear Philly mentioned, I’ll automatically think of these guys. Plus, I don’t think any of those other bands have been brave enough to cover Faith No More (“From Out of Nowhere”). Although, we’ve broken our tradition of our annual reunions and I haven’t caught them in a while, it’s always been great to get updates on what they’re up to and exchange friendly emails/messages or hellos/greetings via mutual friends.
Jealousy Curve has truly been the definition of the word exemplary, “worthy of imitation,” in this world of rock ‘n’ roll.
I don’t typically write much up in this vein about individual bands that I know personally on this site, as it wouldn’t be fair. I know way too many at this point and most of them are comprised of great people. I prefer to let bands tell their own stories or let you get to know them via Q & A’s, rarely sharing my own personal associations with them. Plus, I like to keep my personal life personal.
So why did I share this story with you this time?
Well, this Saturday May 22nd will be Jealousy Curve’s final show as a band at World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.–see flier at right/click on image to enlarge) in Philadelphia, PA. When I first learned of the news it saddened me, because I know this is truly a band of brothers who share a mutual respect for each other’s talents. However, I know that they will all continue to do something with music even if it is separately, because if you’ve ever caught them live you’ll know that making music is exactly what each of them are supposed to be doing. So I’ll think of this as not a good-bye so much as a chance for new beginnings, we can all use a fresh start from time to time, right? Our bi-coastal friends of The Shakers will help them close out this chapter of their lives as will their friends Ike and Camille Peruto. So if you are anywhere near Philly for that night’s show you should do yourself a favor and go check this show out. I’m sure it will be sold out as they’ve gathered quite a following along their journey, so you may want to try to get your tickets now. Visit www.facebook.com/jealousycurve for more info. If you can’t make it to the show, but find yourself in Philly at some point look these guys up– not only do they make great music, they also make great friends.
If you want to learn more about the band, here is a recent interview conducted with Guitarist Steven LaFashia.
On that note I leave you with some footage of what to expect from their live performance via this video of them performing “Selfish Thing” (my favorite song from “Life as an Addict”) at World Cafe Live back in ‘06.
