C.C. Jones and The Forgotten (Fun Lovin' Criminals)
New York City, New York, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Mississippi born Steve Borgovini soaked up the southern culture hanging out at “juke joints, blues bars and grocery stores” all while living in the back of a vintage Lincoln. One night while listening to Skynard on the car’s 8-track deck Steve decided to take on the pseudonym of C.C. Jones and start writing songs about his unique experiences and view of life, restlessness, booze and women. C.C. got the tunes together, recorded and self produced them to create a rock music recording. The result is Goodbye Demons, a collection of songs that are as stylistically varied as the haunts the ole’ white vinyl roofed Lincoln that showed C.C. the town.
Goodbye Demons will appeal to fans of Blue Cheer as well as Love and Rockets. I did say varied, eh? The record’s opener, Bad News Jim, is a vintage garage guitar heavy tune that would find it’s home with underground ‘gunk’ bands that would have typically opened for the late and still great Link Wray. What’s gunk?! Gunk is the genre that merges 60's garage, minus the skinny ties, Vespas and moptop hair dos, and the rough tumble blues of the delta as performed by underground bands such as Thee Devil Dogs, The Oblivions, The Gories, and Billy Childish. The offspring of these bands is the White Stripes, the Dirtbombs and the The Black Keys. History lesson aside, Bad News Jim is a bluesy rock tune.
Deuces Wild starts with a Ron Asheton distorted guitar and rocks like the Stooges, lyrically and vocally, all the way through. Heck, this tune could have been written for Iggy. Goodbye Demons’ fifth song, Ms. Mindles, is one of my favorites. It is a clangy pop jangle that can best be described as the Shins singing a song written for them by Liz Phair. It’s fun. And strangely, his voice lends itself to Lenny Kravitz. I know, faithful reader, that you are wondering what the hell this reviewer is writing. Well, let me just say it’s a fun little ditty.
C.C. covers the Rolling Stones’ Playing with Fire. It is a dark, even Gothic, take on the song. A dirge of acoustic and bass guitar push the song at a eery pace. This sound is complimented with ominous electric guitar riding in and out of the song. It really is a great take on the song that would be appreciated by fans of Sisters of Mercy as well as the Stones. It is a walk through a Mississippi swamp late at night with vampires lurking just beyond reeds.
By now you are probably asking why are the good people at Brooklyn Country reviewing a rock record. Certainly, Goodbye Demons, is not a country record. It does, however, draw on American music. Whether it be gooey blues slide guitar licks or straight up clingy Everly songwriting, Goodbye Demons points to the past where all great music begins. I would enjoy seeing C.C. Jones opening for some of our other genre bending acts such as Wrench or the Defibulators. I’m sure it would be a hell of wild night. Take the needle off of the Buck Owens for a minute or two and listen to Goodbye Demons. You’ll be glad ya did. - brooklyncountry.com
A LETTER FROM WAYLON JENNINGS .COM!!!!!
Dear C.C.,
Congratulations on a job well done with your new CD. All of us here at Waylon.com enjoyed hearing it. My co-worker said it made her feel like she "should have a pool cue in one hand and a beer in the other." I think that is a relatively positive compliment coming from someone who knows Waylon fans. David, who runs the website and was on the road with Waylon for over ten years, said he thought it had major potential and it was something Waylon himself would have enjoyed.
Again, I'd like to thank you for sending us a copy of your CD. I think, you're very talented, and gearing towards a particularly receptive audience. Please let us know if there is anything we could do to help you along your career path. We may be adding a section for original Waylon-like music on the website, and you'll be the first to hear about it.
May you do well in all your ventures,
Alyson,
Waylon.com - Waylon.com
Goodbye Demons by CC Jones
Reviewed by Stacey Lynn Silliman
If you're in the mood for old school rock styling, look no further than the
latest release by CC Jones titled Goodbye Demons. CC Jones is actually
Steve Borgovini, former drummer of Fun Lovin' Criminals and member of
Needledrop. Unlike Needledrop, CC Jones places less emphasis on
atmospheric music. The tracks are all primarily old school inspired rock
tunes, complete with a funky groove.
Steve's vocals conjure up images of all the major rock vocalists as he
takes on a true rock star sound that varies from track to track. In one
cut, you hear a voice that sounds a bit like Elvis; in another like Bono.
But, for the most part, the vocals are smooth.
There are a number of stellar tracks that stand out on Goodbye Demons
including "Bad News Jim", "Lucky 13", "Boss", "Lil Diddy", "CC's Song",
"Deuces Wild", and "Ms. Mindles". "Lucky 13" features a great beat
accented by a stand-out guitar solo at the end of the song. "Boss" is a
classic FU song with the lyrics, "If you don't like me, I don't give a
damn" - enough said - and a great title too! "Lil Diddy" is an acoustic
treat - a classic boot-skootin' boogie song that could go on forever.
There are a number of tracks that sound as if they were intended for other
artists. For example, "CC's Song" sounds like a Sheryl Crow hit with its
country/rock undertones. The background vocalist harmonizes well with CC
Jones, providing amazing sounds. "Deuces Wild" should be pumped up loud on
the stereo system with its Rolling Stones sound and Lenny Kravitz-like
guitar lick.
Perhaps one of the strongest tracks on the record is "Ms. Mindles". Hand
claps make this one cook. You can't help but take to the dance floor as
it's just a great feel good song. The chorus brings about a great vibe as
well as CC (aka Steve) sings, "Everything's gonna be alright."
There is plenty of humor to be found in most of the tracks, making the
listening experience a pleasurable one. "Bad News Jim" tells a story of a
guy and a girl in love who dispense of Jim since he's into the girl. It's
reminiscent of the lyrics heard in country and western ballads, but much
more upbeat. The hidden track is perhaps the most comical moment as the
singer laments, "If you left me, I would like to kill myself". He goes on
to explain the ways in which he would take his life - black comedy, indeed.
The music holds up well against the new batch of rockers out there at the
moment such as Kings of Leon and Arcade Fire. Any one of these tunes makes
for a great iPod commercial!
CC Jones is deserving to be heard on national radio. This particular
writer has heard a lot of music throughout the years, and this is one of
those good-time records with great, timeless tracks. This throwback to old
school rock is a welcome treat to any listener who is tired of the
manufactured pop music of the moment. If you want to listen to pure
talent, purchase CC Jones' Goodbye Demons. This is the start of something
good, and kudos to Steve for reinventing himself and for producing a fine
record that holds its own. - Stacey Lynn Silliman - cdbaby.com
Goodbye Demons by CC Jones
Reviewed by Stacey Lynn Silliman
If you're in the mood for old school rock styling, look no further than the
latest release by CC Jones titled Goodbye Demons. CC Jones is actually
Steve Borgovini, former drummer of Fun Lovin' Criminals and member of
Needledrop. Unlike Needledrop, CC Jones places less emphasis on
atmospheric music. The tracks are all primarily old school inspired rock
tunes, complete with a funky groove.
Steve's vocals conjure up images of all the major rock vocalists as he
takes on a true rock star sound that varies from track to track. In one
cut, you hear a voice that sounds a bit like Elvis; in another like Bono.
But, for the most part, the vocals are smooth.
There are a number of stellar tracks that stand out on Goodbye Demons
including "Bad News Jim", "Lucky 13", "Boss", "Lil Diddy", "CC's Song",
"Deuces Wild", and "Ms. Mindles". "Lucky 13" features a great beat
accented by a stand-out guitar solo at the end of the song. "Boss" is a
classic FU song with the lyrics, "If you don't like me, I don't give a
damn" - enough said - and a great title too! "Lil Diddy" is an acoustic
treat - a classic boot-skootin' boogie song that could go on forever.
There are a number of tracks that sound as if they were intended for other
artists. For example, "CC's Song" sounds like a Sheryl Crow hit with its
country/rock undertones. The background vocalist harmonizes well with CC
Jones, providing amazing sounds. "Deuces Wild" should be pumped up loud on
the stereo system with its Rolling Stones sound and Lenny Kravitz-like
guitar lick.
Perhaps one of the strongest tracks on the record is "Ms. Mindles". Hand
claps make this one cook. You can't help but take to the dance floor as
it's just a great feel good song. The chorus brings about a great vibe as
well as CC (aka Steve) sings, "Everything's gonna be alright."
There is plenty of humor to be found in most of the tracks, making the
listening experience a pleasurable one. "Bad News Jim" tells a story of a
guy and a girl in love who dispense of Jim since he's into the girl. It's
reminiscent of the lyrics heard in country and western ballads, but much
more upbeat. The hidden track is perhaps the most comical moment as the
singer laments, "If you left me, I would like to kill myself". He goes on
to explain the ways in which he would take his life - black comedy, indeed.
The music holds up well against the new batch of rockers out there at the
moment such as Kings of Leon and Arcade Fire. Any one of these tunes makes
for a great iPod commercial!
CC Jones is deserving to be heard on national radio. This particular
writer has heard a lot of music throughout the years, and this is one of
those good-time records with great, timeless tracks. This throwback to old
school rock is a welcome treat to any listener who is tired of the
manufactured pop music of the moment. If you want to listen to pure
talent, purchase CC Jones' Goodbye Demons. This is the start of something
good, and kudos to Steve for reinventing himself and for producing a fine
record that holds its own. - Stacey Lynn Silliman
- Stacey Lynn Stillman
Discography
Goodbye Demons (2005)
Hardcore-Unemployed (2011)
Fuck The World and Fuck You Too. (2012)
Photos
Bio
THE C.C. JONES STORY*
Approximately thirty-four min after C.C. Jones put his lips to the mic to record his first song, the power in the Northeastern United States and Lower Canada shut down for twenty -nine hours.
Occurrences like these would prove to be “not out of the regular” for Jones.
Growing up in southern Mississippi, C.C. perfected his craft by hanging out in juke joints, blues clubs and grocery stores. It wasn’t so much that Jones was studying the musicianship of these players, it was more about, well he would say “the women and the booze,” but we’ll call it experiencing all (he thought) southern life had to offer.
“Right around the age of I dunno say twenty-two er twenty-three I fell on hard times. I was livin’ in the Lincoln, and none of my women were havin’ it.”
C.C. lived in his car for a good part of the late nineties. “Thought I might move to the city durin’ those times but then I listened to Lynyrd Skynyrds “I’m a country boy”. You see I had an 8 track in the Lincoln, well I heard that song and I changed my mind….hell, it changed my life…I guess it was that very same night, when I first decided to put pen to paper. I wrote “”MURDERIN’HEATHEN,” that night .Yup, wrote it right there in the Lincoln usin’ the light of the glove compartment.
My main girl Sally, was the first to read it. She said it was “cute” what I wanted to do, really, was belt her one, but I kissed her instead.”
Sally must have seen something in those lyrics and in C. C. himself. After that night she asked him to move in with her.
“Being with her at that time was good. It was REAL good for about 3 weeks. I wrote “If YOULEFT ME” me during that time. ( I ) used her guitar and tape machine, guess you could say I wrote it for her.”
C.C. is reluctant to acknowledge the fact that Sally was the one to convince him to perform his songs live.
It was at a frequent haunt of his called the “BULLET BAR”, that Jones took the stage for the first time. He opened up with “IF YOU LEFT ME” and he dedicated it to “the one who let me borrow her guitar” he pointed to Sally.
By the end of the second verse the jeers and laughter from his friends quickly subsided. C.C. followed it up with “MURDERIN’ HEATHEN”. “Well I guess you could say the drink started flowin’ again and in a way I guess C.C. Jones was born.”
C.C. Jones - Vocals and Guitar
The Forgotten :
Gina Rebel- Bass
(Mississippi)
-Daisy’s kid sister.
-Hasn’t paid for a drink since she was 16.
-Likes to watch guys fight.
-Has a tattoo of a Champion spark plug.
-Sunbathes with a shotgun on her front porch.
Morgan Doer- Guitar
(Mississippi)
-Turned his back on the family cattle wrangling business to be “self employed”.
-Is great to know if you’re in need of a gracious woman's company in the state of Mississippi.
-Is more than happy to argue the redundancy of frets (Morgan was trying to pry the frets off C.C’s guitar when they met.)
Dave Tucker-Drums
(Mississippi)
- C.C.’s mechanic
- C.C. settled a bill for repairs made to his chopper with a old drumset.
-Davey turns out to be as much of a badass on the drums as he is tuning a carburetor.
* C.C. Jones is the alter-ego of Steve-O original member of Fun Lovin' Criminals, holder of multiple gold and platinum albums for the U.S. as well as Europe. His writing/production credits include hits such as "Scooby Snacks", "Fun Lovin' Criminal" and "King of New York."
Links
