Music Glue - The Band Is The Brand

The JB Conspiracy

  • Guildford, United Kingdom
  • Website

"We play music we'd like to listen to, although as is the nature of being in a band, I don't think any of us do listen to it. Recently we discovered the sax player of Voodoo Glow Skulls listens to our album daily ("I listen to This Machine like every day man" - Eric Fazzini) so some people obviously do listen to it" says Johnny of The JB Conspiracy. 

 

Formed from the core unit of school friends Johnny (trumpet), Joe (keys and alto sax), Henry (tenor) and Lank (guitar/vocals), and completed by the addition of twins My (bass) and Sam (drums), and Spitzy (alto), The JB Conspiracy are a modest yet vital band, standing head and shoulders above the current crop of faux "third wave ska" revivalists. A band who prefer to look back to the earlier days of two-tone as well as referencing their peers, rather then relying on gimmicky lyrics or kiddy friendly colours, The JB Conspiracy mean business in a genre where many bands end up becoming caricatures of themselves. That same ideal can be found in their latest album 'This Machine', with songs like 'Time To Leave' and 'Pipe Down' possessing the kind of force and passion that other bands would struggle to match. Tight rhythms, quick fire vocals and one of the most robust and satisfying horn sections combine with the other major essential of good rock music (good songs) to create a solid unit of sometimes 6, sometimes 7 people ("when Henry feels like showing up") that'll never fail to kick up a storm.

 

Touring with other well respected bands such as Capdown, Voodoo Glow Skulls and Sonic Boom Six have meant that The JB Conspiracy can easily hold their own and sound just as good live as they do on record. They are also focused on progression, both live and through writing new songs. "Our more recent material is formed from an idea from one person, maybe a horn line, chord structure, lyrics or a combination, and we write as a band. This never used to work, but our most recent tunes have been done this way and personally i think it brings everyone's talents in and is basically a better way of doing things, until you get hung up on how a particular part goes exactly, which can cause trouble!" says Joe. 

 

And the name? What exactly is the JB in The JB Conspiracy? Many things it seems: "Sometimes jelly babies, Jogging bottoms, James Brown, Jim Beam, JB brandy, James Bond, Johnny Bravo. One day we'll undoubtedly reveal all." says Johnny. "I will give one hint, non-official detective...". Answers on a postcard... 

 

"More serious than Lightyear, more varied than Howards Alias and arguably better than Capdown, the future is certainly very bright". - Punktastic

 

The mix of guiding vocals, choppy strings and beats over a big brass sound makes you want to skank like your life depends on it. Listening to their music is almost like attending a political rally. Like The Redskins, they really mean it. Promoting the refreshing sentiments of belief, love and unity, it's a call to arms for the apathetic. - subba-cultcha.com

 

"JB Conspiracy are on course to take the ska world by storm." - Room Thirteen

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