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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 9, 2012)
street roots Nov. 9, 2012 ■ J f P H O T O B Y M IC H A E L L A V IN E Judah B auer (far right) with his Jon Spencer Blues Explosion bandmates, Russel Sim ins (left) and Jon Spencer (center). As a fo u n d in g m em ber o f the Jon S p e n c e r B in e s -Exp losion, Judah B auer knows how to deliver a punch BY SUE ZALOKAR S T A F F W R IT E R hen The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion formed in New York City in the early ‘90s, it was like they threw a bomb in the middle of the indie-rock and blues-punk scene - a non-lethal bomb with no bass. The combination of a cacophony of distorted guitars of Jon Spencer and Judah Bauer, the driving, syncopated beats of Russell Simins and the eerie sounds of the Theremin set the stage for a band that would forever be emblazoned in the minds and hearts of an audience that would follow them on their 20 year journey. Make no mistake, were it not for the pioneering of these three visionaries, the road to fame might have been more rocky for the bands that would follow their lead: W Sleater-Kinney, The White Stripes and The Black Keys to name a few. I spoke with Explosion lead guitarist and NYC resident Judah Bauer just hours before landfall of Hurricane Sandy. Bauer, seemingly unphased by the impending devastation that was barreling toward the East Coast, tidied his West Side apartment while we talked about — among other topics — the band’s latest studio album, “Meat and Bone.” The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion will hit in Portland on Nov. 12 with an appearance at the Doug Fir. Sandy be damned. was out last night and it was completely deserted. Everything closed at six except for the people that wanted to see the spectacle. Some stuff has been blown over. It looks like the cops are out right now. Maybe they are shutting down a tunnel or something. I don’t know. It sure seems like nothing is gonna happen, but who knows? It will all change in the next six hours. S.Z.: Are you aware o f any services in place for the homeless population in NYC? J.B.: Yeah. There are like 70 shelters set up in the city. And there is free transportation. The city seems to be well S u e Zalokar: Where are you? Judah Bauer: I’m on the West Side I See BAUER, page 9 TlieTaft Hom e Where senior and disabled adults receive the care and respect they deserve. Call us for more information YOU SAVE. STREET ROOTS BENEFITS. (503)223-2144 (Especially if you or your business are a frequent traveller!) 1337 S.W. Washington, Portland, OR 97205 www.tafthome.org Check out the Hotels4Change Sink on the Street Roots home page: w w w .streetroots.org ' ■ '. . . ■ ' ■ ■ ' ■ .'■■■■ ■ : ' : ■ >■' . . . . . . •■■ ■ . ■ . . . • . . . . . . . Many thanks to all of our volunteers who contribute their time and energy toward Street Roots’
