$13.00 LP BLM0223

Depending on whom you ask, Jack "Oblivian" Yarber is either a rock legend or an absolute unknown. This dichotomy is well-understood by Memphis musicians, as underground "fame," for all its rewards, has, with a few exceptions, been the ceiling for local acts for decades. And no one knows this dichotomy better than Yarber, who may be Memphis' most influential active rock musician. The list of noteworthy bands Yarber has been a member of over the years is massive and includes Johnny Vomit & the Dry Heaves (a high school punk project that also featured future Squirrel Nut Zipper Jimbo Mathus), new-wavers the End, '68 Comeback, Knaughty Knights, and Tav Falco's Panther Burns. Two of Yarber's former bands — the Compulsive Gamblers and the Oblivians — have seen their reputation and following swell in the decade since their demise, especially the Oblivians, whose international fan base borders on rabid. Due largely to his stint in these bands, both partnerships with Greg Cartwright, now of the Reigning Sound, Yarber has been an acknowledged influence on artists such as the White Stripes, the Hives, and Jay Reatard."I just do the best I can," Yarber says. "Those Oblivians records may not be on mainstream commercial radio, but they will always find new fans who are looking for something outside the bland formulas that are pushed on them by the people who think they know what rock-and-roll is all about." In the years since, Yarber has toured and released a string of successful solo albums under the Jack O & the Tennessee Tearjerkers moniker. Originally conceived in 2000 as a partnership with former Impala and current Bo-Keys bassist Scott Bomar, the band quickly morphed into Yarber's solo incarnation after Bomar became too occupied with film scoring and production work. The band has had a revolving door for side players ever since, at different times including current River City Tanlines John Bonds and Terrence Bishop, Neighborhood Texture Jam guitarist John Whittemore, the Reigning Sound's Greg Roberson, Bluff City Backslider Adam Woodard, and a host of other recognizable local musicians. The current lineup that's (largely) includes lead guitarist John Paul Keith (whose own band, the One Four Fives, released their debut album last month), enigmatic songwriter/performer Harlan T. Bobo on bass, and journeyman drummer Paul Buchignani, who has backed everyone from Amy LaVere to the Afghan Whigs. "I like different things about all the lineups," Yarber says. "Harlan and Paul are a great rhythm section because of their dynamics. They've been playing together in Harlan's band for a long time and have good chemistry. John Paul has sonic attack, but he also knows when to pull back and let the song come through. It's great to have him and Harlan, because they're both band leaders on their own and know from top to bottom what goes where."

Jack Oblivian
Rat City

Rat City
Mass Confusion
Old Folks Boogie
Dark Eyes
Kidnapper
Crime of Love
Girl on the Beach
Moses and Me
Girl With the Bruises
Lover Please!
Jealous Heart
Caboose Jump


Rat City Press Release

 

 

 

 

 

Tearjerkers
Bad Moon Rising

Side One
1. White Lie, Black Eye
2. Stupid Cupid
3. Wire Tapper Calling
4. Dollar To Death
5. Teeny Weeny Little Bit
6. Make it Hard (MP3)

Side Two
1. Bank, Gun, Jail
2. Head of the Class Clowns
3. Earthquake Date (Pretty Bad Baby)
4. Devil's Border
5. Bottomless Purse

Jack Oblivian (Double 10-Inch Vinyl)`
So Low / American Slang

1. Intro/Midnight Hour Queen
2. Shake It Off
3. Trash
4. So Low
5. Downtown
6. Let Me Be Your Chauffeur
7. Mama Don't Get Off
8. You Made Me Crazy
9. Human Being
10. All Your Lovin'
11. All The Way Down

1. American Slang
2. 2,000 Man
3. Hustler
4. Honey, I'm Too Old For You
5. Robot Lover
6. Got The Funky Blues (pt. 1)
7. Got The Funky Blues (pt. 2) MP3
8. Out Of Tune
9. a.m. slang (reprise)

Jack-O & The Tennessee Tearjerkers
The Flip-Side Kid

1. Flip-Side Kid
2. 'Til the Money Runs Out MP3
3. Dirty Nails
4. Golden Age
5. Knick the Knife
6. Hong Kong Girl
7.Chills & Fever
8. Black Boots
9. I Live For Today
10. John Holmes Blues
11. The Man Who Loved Couch Dancing
12. I Can't Find My Way Back Home
13. Night Owl
14. I Want You (Bonus Track)

Jack Oblivian
Saturday Night Part 2

1. Mad Lover - Part II
2. Put Your Love on Me
3. Cigarillo
4. Milkshake Baby
5. Make Your Mind Up - Part II
6. Against The Wall - Part II

Tour Dates

U.S. Dates

Sept. 2 in New Orleans at DBA on Frenchmen, with Harlan T. Bobo and King Louis.

Sept. 3 in Tuscalossa, Ala at Eagen's club on University, with SDX (Sweet Dog Experience)

Sept. 4 in Atlanta, Ga at a Garage Rock fest held at a drive-in theater, not sure of the name of the fest, jack-o plays at 7:00 PM.

Sept. 9 in Jackson, Miss. with Harlan T. Bobo and Limes.

Sept. 10 in Memphis at Hi-Tone, Poplar Ave. record release party w/ special guests.

Sept. 22 Goner Fest kick-off party, Memphis on the street corner of Cooper and Young Ave. around 5:00 PM

thu Oct 27
fri Oct 28 Nijmegen -- Merleyn
sat Oct 29 Den Haag -- Impolite Festival @ SuperMarkt
sun Oct 30
mon Oct 31
tue Nov 1 Hamburg -- Komet
wed Nov 2 Helsingor -- Elvaerket
thu Nov 3 Oslo -- Revolver
fri Nov 4 Stockholm --
sat Nov 5 Kobenhavn -- tbc
sun Nov 6 travel
mon Nov 7 Kortrijk -- the Pit's
tue Nov 8
wed Nov 9 
thu Nov 10 Nantes -- Michelet
fri Nov 11 
sat Nov 12 
sun Nov 13 Montpellier -- Mojomatic
mon Nov 14 travel
tue Nov 15 Burgos -- Estudio 27
wed Nov 16 Gijon  
thu Nov 17 Vitoria Gasteiz -- Helldorado
fri Nov 18 Madrid -- Wurlitzer Ballroom
sat Nov 19 Valencia -- El Loco
sun Nov 20 Barcelona -- Monasterio
mon Nov 21 travel
tue Nov 22 Torino -- United *
wed Nov 23 Savignano sul Rubicone -- Sidro Club
thu Nov 24 Castiglion Fiorentino -- Velvet Underground
fri Nov 25 Roma -- Sinister Noise
sat Nov 26
sun Nov 27 Ins -- Schxenhaus
mon Nov 28 
tue Nov 29
wed Nov 30 Koln -- Sonic Ballroom *
thu Dec 1 Munster -- Gleis 22
fri Dec 2