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JET W. LEE

Rank #405 Chicago, IL Rock / Alternative / Indie Rock

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About

Members: Jesse W. Johnson - Vox, Guitar, Patrick Mangan - Drums, Vox, Pierre Achille - Bass

Sounds Like: Neil Young, The White Stripes, Husker Du, Dinosaur Jr., The Replacements

Label: Unsigned

Bio: One of Chicago's most exciting rock bands, JET W. LEE continues a tradition of original rock that alternates between fast, fiery diatribes and atmospheric short stories. From the raw indignation of "Bridesmaids, Babies" to the thick sarcasm of "Stay Thin," debut album Who Shall Remain Shameless c... See Full Bio

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Status

Posted a new song: "Down for the Bounty" http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/135531696 #music

Press

“The band, that loves performing live, thinks it’s important to fill their live set with “passion and positive energy.” In order to do that, they needed to create a record that could easily translate to the stage. “We recorded our album in a way that will be as easy as possible to play in a live setting, without losing spontaneity,” Johnson said. A good live show isn’t enough though. While many bands can play a good live show, JET W. LEE wants to do something more than that. “We want to create something positive with our music,” Johnson said. “Sometimes the sound can be dark, but we hope that also comes off as inspirational.” Priding themselves on being “honest, fire-breathing, rock and roll,” the album is representative of both their love of the genre as well as a passion for what they’re doing that they hope to convey to the crowd at each performance.”

— Amy Armstrong, The Buzz

“On Friday, Oct. 23, on the main stage at The Canopy Club, rock trio Jet W. Lee previewed songs from their forthcoming album Who Shall Remain Shameless. They opened their third local show with “Bridesmaids, Babies,” two minutes of indignation with wild guitar. Frontman Jesse Johnson salvaged the next song, “Anticipation High” from another band, but it was almost unrecognizable —less glee club, more anabolic steroids. The song that people danced to was quite a strange surprise — “How I Mutilated Susan.” For me, the highlight was “Amelia,” introduced as “a song about traveling out in the cornfields.” Six minutes long, the song was cut from the set at the band’s prior Urbana show. Closer “Dirty Love” was also noteworthy, mainly for fast drumming by Patrick Mangan that gave the feel of a chase on horseback.”

— Todd Hunter, The Buzz

“What’s in a name, really? Too many commercial bands have made it with obscure names based off cartoons, books or movies. So what can you make of a band whose name is Jet W. Lee? It sounds like a mode of travel for Civil War generals. The band’s sound? Nineties alternative rock like Superchunk or Local H mixed with a bit of eighties punk a la Minutemen. “We did everything as live as possible and just tried to let things happen,” Johnson says. The recording turned into album “Who Shall Remain Shameless,” all materialized over the fall of last year.Yet the album has a feel that seems polished beyond such a short stint in the studio.”

— John Wawrzaszek, Newcity

“JET W. LEE With their jangly guitars, bombastic drums, earnest vocals, and citified touches of country, local comfort-rock trio Jet W. Lee sound like they've spent a lot of time listening to mid-80s Husker Du and R.E.M. Jet W. Lee seem like they're still able to feel the glamorous glow of in-the-know cult adoration that accompanied such groups in their indie-label days. They've managed to give their self-released debut album, Who Shall Remain Shameless, a peculiar angsty charge that helps me feel it again. On "Starry State of Mind" front man Jesse Johnson sings, "When all your life's a stage / And you get confused by the parts that you are playing / The corporation's gone and made the change / And you don't fit in," stirring up existential questions that he pretends to answer with a simple "Don't worry." Uh, sorry, I'm still gonna worry, and you guys know it damn well.”

— Ann Sterzinger, Chicago Reader

“For a band with a brand-new album for sale, JET W. LEE played surprisingly few songs off it the other night. JET W. LEE headlined the last night of Exit 182 festival, a showcase at Mike 'n Molly's of local bands and bands en route to South by Southwest Music and Media Conference. Hank Williams cover “You Win Again” dates to 1952, but four out of eight originals were new, and two were true debuts: quickie “Children Don't Choke,” with strident backing vocals by drummer Patrick Mangan, and set highlight “Forty Below,” an epic rocker. ”

— Todd Hunter, The Buzz

“Who Shall Remain Shameless has a definitive Side A and Side B and plays as such. Whereas Side A (tracks 1-5) is upbeat and quick, filled with repetitive, catchy choruses and memorable guitar parts, Side B (tracks 6-10) takes a more mellow route, recalling the previously mentioned elements of classic rock. My personal favorite is track 4, "New Mexico." Over the course of the four-minute number, vocalist Jesse W. Johnson's drawl calls to mind R.E.M.-era Michael Stipe while the surprisingly infectious harmonies of Johnson and Patrick Mangan beckon to be "shown the way." Along with the instrumental heavy closer "Amelia," the two tracks are standouts on an already positive album. To put it simply, Jet W. Lee's Who Shall Remain Shameless is a solid work of straightforward rock. Who Shall Remain Shameless works because of, not in spite of, a lack of frills and exaggerations, remaining true to a credible format of drum, bass and guitar (and harmonica!)”

— Amanda Shively, Smile Politely

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Recent Blogs

GO HERE for all JWL News & ...
Oct 28, 2012
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Songs

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No Hell on Earth

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World of Blur

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Gas on the Grave

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Down for the Bounty

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The King's Nightmare

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Videos

Jet W. Lee - Anticipation High [Official Music Video]

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Shows

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Fri
Jun 28

Subterranean
Chicago, IL, US | 8:30pm
Subterranean
Chicago, IL, US
Fri Jun 28 8:30pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Fri
Jun 28

Reggie's Rock Club
Chicago, IL, US | 9:00pm
Reggie's Rock Club
Chicago, IL, US
Fri Jun 28 9:00pm
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Sat
Aug 31

Mike 'N' Molly's
Champaign, IL, US | 9:00pm
Mike 'N' Molly's
Champaign, IL, US
Sat Aug 31 9:00pm
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Wed
Sep 11

Happy Dog
Cleveland, OH, US | 9:00pm
Happy Dog
Cleveland, OH, US
Wed Sep 11 9:00pm
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Fri
Sep 20

Buzzbin Art & Music Shop
Canton, OH, US | 8:00pm
Buzzbin Art & Music Shop
Canton, OH, US
Fri Sep 20 8:00pm
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