Daily Ncbraskan
Tuesday, April 3, 1934
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By Donna SIsson and Tish Modder
If you're tired of the long cold winter, there is an
alternative tonight, as Jason and the Scorchers
warm up Lincoln with their burning Nashville music.
Jason and the Scorchers are nationally renowned,
not just for their unique sound, but also for the
energy and spontaneity they bring to each show.
Jason and the Nashville Scorchers formed in Jan
uary of 1 982 and consists of Jason Ringenberg, lead
singer; Perry Baggs, drums; Warner Hodges, guitar;
and Jeff Johnson, bass.
Ringenberg was raised on an Illinois farm and
began by teaching himself to play harmonica. From
there, he played in several bands ranging from rock
abilly to country and found his way to Nashville,
where he met the others. At the time, Johnson and
Hodges were members of innovative new-wave bands
and Baggs was playing in garage bands.
They have produced two EPs, Reckless Country
Soul and Fervor. The latter was initially released on
the Praxis label, but was recently re-released by
EMI. With the re-release, they changed their name
to simply "Jason and the Scorchers."
One change in the new release of Fervor, is the
addition of Bob Dylan's "Absolutely Sweet Marie,"
done in the forceful Scorchers style.
A personal favorite, "Pray for Me Mama (I'm a
Gypsy Now)," is about a struggle between every per
son's desire for carefree abandon and the desire to
be tied to the earth. It has an honest mama's boy
quality, very much like Jason himself.
The rest of the EP contains everything from pining
country ballands to rompin', stompin' get-up and
get-crazy country tunes.
As a live act, they actually do get up and get crazy.
Ringenberg drolls out lyrics in an honest, heart
wrenching voice while he weaves around the stage
like a human slinky. When the music shifts into
fourth gear and the stage can't contain him, he sings
on the bar or any place else he can find to sing the
music he obviously lives.
Hodges' act consists of sticking cigarettes up his
nose and chugging full beers while playing. While
he's driving the band with his guitar, he also drives
an inescapable insanity into the audience. When he
takes a break to play his lab steel guitar, he simply
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Jason and the Nashville Scorchers. From left to right: Perry Baggs, Jason Ringenberg, Jeff Jonson
and Warren Hodges.
twists the music right down to the bottom of your
emotions.
Though not as outrageous on stage, Johnson con
tributes an endearing quality that makes the deca
dence of the band seem like an everyday occurrence.
Just to make sure these guys don't forget they're
making music, Baggs pounds out an unstoppable
rhythm on the drums. "
Judging from their reckless energy, the world is
lucky the band has their instruments to keep them
off the streets and to breathe life back into rock and
roll.
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At the same time, the music they play is more than
rock and roll. It is more than country and more than
punk it's a collaboration of them alL It is the
traditional form of American music reincarnated
for this generation.
The Southern fire they bring with their show will
make you glad it's still cold in Lincoln.
. . The Scorchers will be playing tonight only at the
Drumstick. Charlie Burton and the CutOuts will
open for them. Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at
the door. .
Profundities overfloiv
in new drama on ice
Allister Cooke: Good evening. Welcome to Master-'
piece Theater. Tonight, we bring you a drama by the
young American playwright, Edward Lee Smith,
known for his uses of dramatic irony. This piece,
entitled World On The Brink, features the struggle
Tom -.'Modeler and
Glenn Stuva
The Fabulous Thunderbirds will be appearing toni-t at the Royal Grove, MO W. Cernhusker
Highway. For more details, see Around Town.
Television
Cable television subscribers are in for a treat
tonight. KSHB (cable Channel 2) will be running The
The Wild One featuring a very young Marlon
Brando. The 1954 film, which chronicles the ex
ploits of a motorcycle gang, begins at 7 p.m.
n&dio
KUCV (90.9 FM) will broadcast a special con
cert, featuring the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and
Minnesota Orchestra, beginning at 8 p.m. The ensem
ble is being conducted by Neville Marriner. Cellist
Yo-Yo Ma will be the featured soloist.
At the Sheldon
Generations of Resistance will be screened
today at the Film Theatre. Screenings are at 3, 7 and
9 p.m. . -
Around Town
When it rains is pours. Two majortouring bands
will be putting in appearances in Lincoln bars
tonight. Jason and the Scorchers will be at the
Drumstick, 547 N. 48th St. Cover charge is $6 at the
door. An article on the band appear! elsewhere on
this page.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds will appear tonight
at the Royal Grove, 340 W. Cornhusker Highway. The
T-Birds' aggressive blend of blues and rock music
ha3 made them cadre of fans. The band has record
ed several albums, the most recent produced by
Nick Lowe. Current band members are Jimmie
Vaughn (Stevie Ray's younger brother), Kim Wilson,
Keith Ferguson and Fran Christina, Lincoln's Back
beats will open the show. Tickets are $5.50 at the
door.
between three earnest colleagues coming to grips
with the modern world. Now, without further adieu,
we bring you World On The Brink, by Edward Lee
Smith. '
(A single spotlight on three men. All are dressed in
white body leotards and seated on three chairs fac
ing each other. The stage is otherwise bare, with the
exception of the silhoutted images of ice machines,
refrigerators, glasses, soda fountains and an assort
ment of sizes of cans and bottles of Coke.;
Robert: You know, I worked at McDonald's for six
years. Cleaning up after customers. Cooking on a
hot grilL Filling drinks and making shakes. It's been
hell. And you know what? After six years, the only
thing IVe learned is that if you put too much ice in
your soft drink, it's going to get diluted.
Mitchell: Oh, come on. You need lots of ice in your
drink. The more the better.
Robert: No you don't. You should put in only
enough ice to keep it cold. No more. No less.
Stephen: Well I think your'e both wrong. Coke
should be drunk cold, but with no ice.
Roberts: Your'e crazy. The ice helps keep the car
bonation in the Coke. If you don't put ice in your
glass, youH lose your carbonation.
Stephen: Call me a fool, but I like pop with no ice.
Robert: FooL
Mitchell: But what's wrong with ice? I like ice. The
more ice you use, the colder your drink stays. That's
why I like lots of it in my soft drinks.
Stephen: But it makes it taste watery.