Big Jerks

about

Big Jerks™: Brian Sisson-guitar and vocs; Karl Grossman- guitar, trumpet and vocs; Mark Baertshi- drums; Tony Alvarez- bass. Based in Hermosa Beach, California. Big Jerks started in 1980 in the frenetic new wave club scene of Los Angeles. Playing on bills with Suburban Lawns, Jerry's Kids and Oingo Boingo among many others, Big Jerks brought rock/jazz chops and strange comedy into the music and they played some epic early eighties gigs and parties. Original bassist Peter Carreiro was replaced by Tony Alvarez in the early 90's. After a few years, the quartet switched to studio projects and experimenting with Improv Rock™ (yes they trademarked it!). Improv Rock mixes rock jam music with improv vocals while attempting to make the results sound planned. Songs may have a few chords or no structure at all, and some songs are in several "competing" time signatures at once. Big Jerks records their gatherings on digital machines, edits out the crap and talking between jams, and then creates a master CDR for each event. Online they feature over 150 unique CDs available for sale, with over a thousand "songs" covering every topic. They sing about current events, weird topics and personal observations. More than 30 years and still going strong, Big Jerks as a band represents the musical freedom all 4 members need as they play in other "normal" situations to make a living. Listening to all-improv music is a wild ride, as the listener goes on a journey with the players with NO ROAD MA

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