Tommy Jay

about

Tommy Jay is legendary - writing songs and playing drums for Mike Rep and the Quotas or The True Believers farther back, collaborating on a number of Nudge Squidfish self-releases -- but even as an equal in the now legendary Ego Summit, his contemporaries main projects (V-3, Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments, Bassholes) out shined Jay's dark horse status. Only now does one realize that his "Novocaine" was the fulcrum of the entire project. He was the poignant, coherent, folkie among a barn full of well-medicated genius. The balance between these crisp psych-folk nuggets and direct contact with the lunatic fringe (be it "little black jelly beans," blotter, and blue oyster cults) make cult record tall tales of trauma a rewarding time warp through twelve years of Central Ohio lore. In the record's earliest documents (circa '74, Timberlake) The Velvet Underground's influence is obvious, not just on the cover of Ocean but also in i was there a jangly, kaleidoscope of bittersweet pop that never edits his repeated guitar freak-outs. Into the 80's the specter of Lou Reed (or perhaps more referentially precise, the echoes of Mayo Thompson) loomed large in Jay's voice, phrasing, and tragic moods evoked, still the mysticism of Harrisburg is the overwhelming resonate. May I be crucified for such statement, but 'Tall Tales' is infinitely more colorful and strange than any Reed solo venture (save berlin ), because it's the quirky folk record Reed never made. It tip-toes around Indian bu

top songs

albums

Tom's Tall Tales of Trauma

Tall Tales Of Trauma

Tommy Jay's Tall Tales Of Trauma

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Skulls Without Borders

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Tall Tales Of Trauma '86 LP [2008 Reissue]

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WFMU presents: Selected Sounds from the Free Music Archive Vol. 1

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The Harrisburg Players Vol. 1

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Nashville Rockabilly 1957-1987

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Rare Rock N' Roll Tracks Of The '50s & '60s Vol. 1

The Electric Coffee House

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SXSW 2008 Showcasing Artists

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Tom's Tall Tales Of Trauma (2008 Reissue W/ Bonus Tracks)

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