Some images and words on this impressive power-trio from Alan Dearling
John J reminds me more than a little of a growling, Crawling King Snake, by which I mean, late-period Jim Morrison from The Doors. Jim’s one-liner, “I am the Lizard King. I can do anything”, is a fit match for John J too. Not for the faint of heart.
Darker…especially performing live as the trio: the John J Presley Band. That’s John, Hannah and Danielle. A one hell of an awesome outfit:
John J Presley – Vocals, Guitar; Danielle Presley – Fender Rhodes, Harmonium; Hannah Feenstra – Drums.
There’s something epic about the band performance and many of the songs from the new album. A whiff of Nick Cave’s incendiary cataclysmic gothic, and maybe a hint of the power and charisma reminiscent of Led Zep back in their halcyon days of power-pomp. This is definitely not just a trio fronted by a bearded geezer. It’s a noisesome BAND, featuring two assertive, charismatic ladies, one photogenic guy, who together create a blanket of wild, challenging ,but ultimately uplifting soundscapes.
Here’s a track, ‘silhouettes’ from his new album, ‘Chaos and Calypso’, which is where the line, ‘Verging on the impossible’ comes from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIQkDJwVlfQ
And here’s an older video of him live in Oporto, Leeds:
John J Presley is a singer, wordsmith, guitarist, bassist and pedal steel player and is now based in Brighton. He toured last year with Radiohead’s Philip Selway, alongside Gaz Coombes and Duke Garwood.
His publicity blurb tells us that: “He writes and produces sweeping, rich and compelling records that balance a dazzling display between the darkness and the beautiful.”
I totally concur. He’s also a musician’s musician, in-demand as sidesman too, in recent times with Nadine Shah, Duke Garwood, Laura-Mary Carter, Juanita Stein and the Smoke Fairies.
After the live gig I witnessed at the Golden Lion in Yorkshire, the band was immediately whisked off to Germany for a short tour there.
He is garnering many plaudits and accolades including one I particularly like:
“MUSIC NEEDS A NEW DARK LORD…” Radio 1
“…A FEROCIOUS, BELLY-DEEP SOUND, BUT SOMEHOW TENDER WITH IT.” The Guardian
“…A BEAUTIFUL NOISE THAT AT ONCE GRIPS AND BEGUILES, AS BEFITS A NATURAL-BORN STORYTELLER.” The Quietus
“LOUD, LASCIVIOUS AND RAW” Classic Rock’s The Blues Magazine
“A FUZZY, HOWLY ‘NEW BLUES’ FEST, WITH A TOUCH OF WOOZY PSYCH FOR GOOD MEASURE.” Classic Rock
“…A SEARING, SOULFUL TOUCH, AN OASIS OF CALM AMID THE TORRENT OF NOISE” The Times
‘Delicate thread (blue eyes)’ live captures the sensory and audio collision and concussion provided courtesy of Mister Presley and his band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRW4_kZ2Am4
Local musician, Fat Frances, provided support on the night. He was billed as: “An underground artist known for his distinctive alternative sound. Positioned between rock, pop, and 60s/90s revivalism, his music defies easy categorization, standing out as a unique and captivating blend.”
John is an idiosyncratic musical performer, but offers a post-punk blend of discord, quirkiness and miserabilis. Of his latest album, ‘OYSTER’, John says, “My good friend Ginny describes it as, ‘…like reading an old gothic classic on the beach.’ ”
New single: ‘It’s not rock and roll’: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1183351219304345