Strange Jerome
Seattle, Washington, United States
Music
Press
Very powerful, downright addictive. - Thom Fiegle, Reel Sound Chicago
Dynamic music, very nice harmonies. - Guy Farris, FOX News, Las Vegas
The name Strange Jerome sounds like a punk band but oh contraire, the Seattle-based quartet is an alt-country ensemble with more twang than Bob Wills and Lefty Frizzell put together. Comparable to Neko Case and Her Boyfriends in style but as rough and ready as Lucinda Williams, the band doesn�t water down its brand of Americana roots music, but rather pours Jack Daniels on it to fuel the fire. - Weekly Volcano
Strange Jerome belong to the best of the Americana roots music. - www.rootsville.be
"The first CD of 'Strange Jerome appeared in 2006 under the title "Vicious Tattoo" and consisted of a beautiful collection of songs in different styles. The new album "Guns - Ammo - Jewelry - Coins" is a perfect continuation of that album with pure Americana-songs steeped in country and rock.This quartet from Seattle is an example of the recent craze of Americana bands that American city has delivered...by contributing this excellent album, 'Strange Jerome' deserves close monitoring.” - Rootstime.be - Rootstime.be
This Seattle based band adopt a fairly straight ahead rock approach in a Texas / Pretenders vein..." Shaved your head and went to Rome " is a promising opener, with Jerome initially in sultry French chanteuse mode, before embarking on various mood and tempo changes with a shifting chord sequence underpinned by some discreet accordion. - Americana UK
Gun's Ammo, Jewelry Coins' (Strange Jerome, 2009) is a life retrospective. The album carries the slightly aching and very honest melody of love realized (and not), choices revisited and ambitions rekindled. Sherri's dark vocals fit perfectly with the mood and ambiance of the record.
One of my favorites from the new album is Bourbon Street. The track has a deep, guttural sound to it; and while it's rolling melody does an impressive job as the proverbial roller-coaster, the music stays true to the album's sad, rock gypsy feel. In short, it's beautiful.
Sedro Wooley, from which the album takes it's title "She was the pretty girl from Sedro Wooley. Her name was Mildred, they called her Milly. She came from a place that sells guns, ammo, jewelry coins...." has a Jerry Jeff Walker feel to it as a drunken bluesy story telling of the times, the "young lovers" and the choices made along the way.
This is an album to keep. I highly recommend it to fellow Achtung listeners everywhere. Strange Jerome, thank you for all the work you put into creating this record, it has been thoroughly enjoyed. -Rachael
author: Rachael P
published: September 24th, 2009 - The Levee Breaking
Discography
GUNS, AMMO, JEWELRY, COINS - 2009
VICIOUS TATTOO - 2006,
STRANGE JEROME, EP- 2003
Available at CDBaby.com, Apple itunes
Photos
Bio
Seattle based Strange Jerome combines the right amount of grit and edge with dynamic harmonies and gripping melodies. By blending alternative country, shadowy folk and blues influences, this clever roots rock band has crafted a provocative sound that has been described as Lucinda Williams and the rockin' side of Neil Young meets the Pretenders.
The Strange Jerome story began when eight year-old Sherri Nudelman discovered a guitar belonging to a friend's older brother in their basement. Inspired and obsessed, she began to incessantly harass her parents for a white electric guitar. Despite her disappointment with the small child's acoustic that actually showed up one Christmas, Sherri demanded guitar lessons. An early fixation with the likes of Elvis and the Beatles fueled her desire and she was determined to become a rock star. Sherri, born and raised in New Jersey, started writing songs at unknown early age and performed them for her babysitters. It wasn't until her late teens that she began a serious attempt at songwriting. Countless hours spent alone in her room yielded songs which lead to her experience playing in the band The Animators. Sherri teamed up with a variety of other musicians and singer songwriters and played the NYC circuit. She had always wanted to change her last name to something that was a little more performer friendly, but with her father deceased she felt a bit guilty abandoning the family name. The solution, she decided to take his first name as her last.
Sherri Jerome headed to Seattle in the mid 90's. After collaborating with many musicians and doing solo performances, Sherri joined forces with guitarist Michael Beckworth. The two met while networking at a popular Seattle open mic night. The partnership has proven to be one that works well. Michael's definitive, gritty guitar sounds and tasteful phrasings bring a distinctive essence to Sherri's songs.
As the driving force behind Strange Jerome, Sherri and Michael still perform as a duo but most often with a variety of other musicians as a full band. The current line up consists of Sherri Jerome - lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, Michael Beckworth - back up vocals, electric guitar, John "Johnny Cat" Ramsdell- bass, and Jon Hedges- drums.
Strange Jerome's new CD, "Guns, Ammo Jewelry, Coins", delivers a diverse yet cohesive collection of songs. The follow up to the bands debut CD "Vicious Tattoo", "Guns, Ammo, Jewelry, Coins", delivers dreamy eclectic singer/songwriter infused Americana. The opening track "Elvis, Please Advise", a quixotic, introspective country song poses the question, "How will you make it to the other side?" While the album's 3rd track "Bourbon Street" rocks the hardest of the 12 song CD with its infectious almost pop/punk drive. "Sedro Woolley", where the album's title comes from, is reminiscent of a Jim Jarmusch movie with its vignette-like storytelling.
The album was co-produced and engineered by Seattle's legendary Conrad Uno (The Presidents of the United States, Mudhoney).
SOME NOTABLE SHOWS:
--Rails to Ales BrewFest 2009
--West Seattle Summer Fest 2009
--Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon 2009
Links
