The Jason Robert Band visits the Boise area for a performance in the Treasure Valley when they play at Big Mic’s in Kuna on Saturday, July 13. Jason is making many appearances at major music festivals such as the prestigious Long Beach, CA New Blues Festival and the Bud Light Kern River Rock and Blues Festival. This tour, in support of his most recent album, The Death of Stone Stanley, bring some highly creative and yet traditionally based music to the Treasure Valley.
With his previous album, Mudstomp Tapes, coming in under his previous Stone Stanley moniker, Jason explored blues and how it serves as the root music for Americana, country, delta, rock and other genres of music. With his new band, the Jason Robert Band, he further goes into music that is both highly creative, sometimes highly personal and yet rooted in the sounds of traditional blues. He’s received lots of critical acclaim and his video of Mr. Bell from the Death of Stone Stanley album was nominsted for “best video” by the Los Angeles Music Critics Awards in 2018.
When asked by The Boise Beat to describe how he came about doing this music, Jason replied, “I would say it’s a collection of all my influences surfacing in my music. When I was a teenybopper Seattle Grunge (early 90’s) was the soundtrack of my life. All those alternative rock bands had a major impact on me musically speaking. After my high school days I immersed myself in the history of the Delta Blues of the 20’s and 30’s. The content of the songs from that era, combined with the element of slide guitar really hooked me from an early age. Many musical influences have played a role in my music through the years, but I would have to say my love of 90’s grunge and 30’s delta blues with a heavy reliance on slide guitar is my primary sound, and definitely accounts for my blend of all these elements into Americana music.”
Even though this is Jason’s first time in the Treasure Valley, he is no stranger to Idaho. He told The Boise Beat, “I’ve been playing shows in Idaho since 2010 off and on for CTTouring. I’ve played the amphitheater in Idaho opening for major acts these past 6-8 years. I also played the McCall Festival in Idaho opening for Pat Benatar a few years back…
The reason we will be in Idaho is to play a string of private shows at the Revolution Center in Boise the week of July 10-13. It seemed like a good idea to play a free public show in the Idaho area for any fans who are unable to catch us at the Rev. We are happy to bring our sound to Big Mic’s in Kuna Idaho to serve as somewhat of an after party.”
Big Mic’s of course has gained quite a reputation as not only a great bar, with excellent cocktails and many local beers, but as a wonderful place to enjoy “Big Mike” Larson’s delicious BBQ. The menu includes brisket, ribs and pulled pork smoked for many hours every day. A new item, Tomahawk Chicken, takes the smoked bird one delicious step further. The Smoked Burger on a Bagel is amazing. There is even a smoked hot dog with chili and cheese and sliders too. For a side, there are Smoked Taters that are highly addicting.
A new experience there are a number of creative cocktails, some actually smoked too. When top-shelf bourbons like Basil Hayden and Maker’s Mark are smoked, it is amazing with a difference there to the flavor profile. They are well worth trying when available. Sitting in the historic building that houses Big Mic’s in Kuna, standing on the beautiful wood floor that once formed the gymnasium floor at Kuna High School just makes for a excellent place for drinks, great food and great music.
When asked the reason behind the name of the album and tour, The Death of Stone Stanley, Jason answered, “I formed a new band with a new lineup with a very different sound from the Stone Stanley days. It was important to kill Stone Stanley so that Jason Robert could come alive. Out with the old and in with the new. Stone Stanley was a great musical idea, but what I’m doing now is a closer depiction of who I am, musically speaking. Stone Stanley was more of a hippy jam band with heavy reggae elements. What I’m doing now with The Jason Robert Band is more representative of the delta grunge sound mentioned before.”
Having the Jason Robert Band at Big Mic’s in nearby Kuna should make for a remarkable evening. Jason said that guests at “Big Mic’s can expect a high energy hard driving blues rock performance. We are on the bill for 3 plus hours so we will pull out all the stops at Big Mic’s. Our set will be laden with originals old and new as well as a handful of fun covers from artists who have influenced us throughout the years. There will be a lot of fiery slide guitar blistering through the air. Electric guitars, Resonators and acoustic lap guitars will compose almost the entire show. We are very excited to play Big Mic’s and hope that our Idaho fan base can all be with us for special evening that rarely comes to the Idaho area.”
The Jason Robert Band consists of Jason on guitars, Scott Longnecker on bass and Dominick Camera on drums. Jason closed out the interview with The Boise Beat by adding, “My favorite quote comes from Lightnin’ Hopkins….’Songs should tell the truth!'” Expect that to be true in the upcoming show at Big Mic’s in Kuna. Truthful, handcrafted music that will move you, rock you and entertain you.
Jason Robert Band Live At Big Mic’s In Kuna
Saturday, July 13, 2019 8pm to 12am
Big Mic’s Bar and BBQ
459 West Main Street
Kuna, ID 83634
(208) 922-9494
Jason Robert Band website
Photos of Jason Robert Band courtesy of Doug Deutsch PR. Photos of Big Mic’s by Ed Simon for The Boise Beat.
