Love Jones (band)
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Love Jones was an American band, formed in Louisville, Kentucky in spring 1990 by Ben Daughtrey (drummer) and Barry Thomas (bassist), with Chris Hawpe (singer/guitarist), Stuard Johnson (drummer) and Jonathan Palmer (singer). It is considered to be one of the "cocktail nation" groups of the early '90s. In some ways a reaction to the grunge/alternative wave that swept through America in 1992, cocktail nation members celebrated the aesthetics and music of the '50s and early '60s -- lounge jazz, crooning pop, and martinis. Love Jones played any sort of pop music that could fit that label -- pop, blues, R&B, bossa nova, doo wop.
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[edit] Albums
The group moved to Los Angeles in 1992, where they received a contract with Zoo Entertainment. They released their first record, Here's to the Losers, in late 1993; the second album, Powerful Pain Relief, was released in 1995.
1993's Here's to the Losers (co-produced by the band and Rod O'Brien) contains a wide mix of sound, including disco, blaxploitation film soundtracks, samba, soul and funk. Key tracks include "Central Avenue," "Li'l Black Book," "Custom Van," "Drive-In," "Ohio River" and "Fragile".
1995's Powerful Pain Relief (co-produced by Paul du Gré) reveals more of Love Jones' inspiration, including Isaac Hayes, early Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire and Chic. Key tracks include the title track, "'World of Summer," "You Don't Know Me," and "The Thing," the latter a single that was made into a short form video directed by Liz Friedlander.
[edit] Impact
During its mid-'90s heyday, the band drew crowds at Hollywood's Largo, where they played a standing gig. They also gained fans across the United States through touring, often in support of alternative rock bands of the day, such as Afghan Whigs and The Presidents of the United States of America.
In addition to their recording work and live performances, Love Jones appeared in the made-for-TV film Since You've Been Gone starring Teri Hatcher, and the indie French Exit starring Jonathan Silverman. The band also appeared in the film The Sweetest Thing as the wedding band, and the Love Jones signature song "Paid for Loving" is featured in the film Swingers and on its accompanying soundtrack album.
[edit] Alumni
Drummer Stuart Johnson appeared in the film Austin Powers as part of Austin's fictional band Ming Tea, which also featured Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet. He now drums in the alternative rock band Simon Dawes.
