Press

NZ Musician February/March 2002
by Brian Gibson

It's Wellington Anniversary, January 21, and the first day of summer. A groove emerges through the late afternoon heat as hundreds of reddening Wellingtonians bask by the sea at the Whopper Chopper festival. Soon, the loping rhythm section is accented with melody. Heads turn as acoustic guitar, banjo and Celtic pipes flesh out the sound. Gaelic dub, Irish groove, call it what you will, it's Jacky Tar, the most bottom heavy traditional group in the land.

Formed in 1996 by relocated Irishman Andy Kerr, Jacky Tar have become an institution in traditional music circles in this country. The last five years have been spent frequenting Wellington institutions like Molly Malone's and Kitty O'Sheas, as well as making weekend trips to other centres around the country. Unlike many bands with ties to the home nations, these fellows also frequent venues not usually linked to Irish influenced music, turning up regularly at Bar Bodega and events like the Whopper Chopper summer series.

With their second album 'Defenestration' (meaning among other things, the act of throwing someone out a window) Jacky Tar have pooled their varied nationalities and experience into a very big sounding recording. The first thing that hits you upon listening to this little gem is the rhythm section. It's got more balls than Braveheart in a gale, which was surprising for a listener expecting 16th-laden deedly-doodly. (Erm, Irish music has never been a foot stomp'er for me).

'Defenestration' was recorded at Inca Studios in Wellington, literally moments after the studio was rebuilt, produced with Mike Gibson and David Long of Muttonbirds and Six Volts fame. The fact that these guys had almost no experience with traditional music, coupled with the broad backgrounds and influences the band brought with them probably explains the unique sound that emerged. Andy professed to being partial to fellow Kiwis Salmonella Dub and Trinity Roots at the time of recording and this almost-dub influence is apparent. The on-the-heels restraint seems at odds with stereotypical tripping over yourself Irish trot, but the grooves speak for themselves.

While the band had initially lined up a squad of extra players to flesh out the studio sound, after they had laid their respective tracks the sound was deemed full enough already. Long and Gibson were given free licence to "fuck up" the sounds as much as they wished, which gives the record a contemporary, more electronic feel.

While the band workload has ground through a number of members over the years (four fiddle players alone!), Andy reckons the different players have all left an imprint on the sound. The various nationalities of members - Irish, Scottish and colonial - have also had an impact.

The Jacky Tar lineup as it stands consists of Andy Kerr, guitars and vocals with Nick Swan on banjo and mandolin. Grant Shearer covers the highland pipes, small pipes, whistles and bodhran. The latest fiddle player is Sarah McFadyen with the rhythm section being Manu Scott on bass and Mo supplying the beat.

Hard living is synonymous with Irish culture and Jacky Tar are no different. Liver and septum abuse stories abound . . .

The new album has been financed and recorded by the band, and is distributed by Global Routes. Their first album (1999's 'Poor Man's Labour') sold out three pressings on the back of constant touring and Andy says the band enjoys the position they are in, controlling the artistic product yet having international distribution through Australasia and Europe.

With the release of 'Defenestratian' the band are looking towards another European jaunt, starting in June. Last year they spent five months there touring relentlessly, mainly playing pubs and small venues (not Irish ones either). Sly glances ensue as reminiscences of transporting vast sums of Finnish money across Scandinavian borders and rubbing shoulders with Russian mafioso emerge. Hard living is synonymous with Irish culture and Jacky Tar are no different. Liver and septum abuse stories abound when they recall the European tour and at home the band show the same commitment. None have day jobs, instead they earn a crust playing most nights of the week.

Pressed about future plans, the most coherent answer I can extract is "to avoid winter". It seems this hard as nails band don't seem to look past the next load in, the next beer or the next reel - a highly commendable quality in today's industry.

-ooOoo-

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