Artist Spotlight/Jimbo and The Soupbones
Posted by B NAC
Today’s artist spotlight is Jimbo and The Soupbones. I have seen this band more times than I can remember. They have become Pittsburgh’s best party band having seemingly played almost every bar, club, seafood restaurant, and street fair in the 3 Rivers Area. A few months ago they played the small and understated Consol Energy Center opening for some Indie Shoegazer band, Bon Jovi.
Playing a satisfying mixture of jam, funk and R & B the band is a non-stop fun machine. They kind of remind me of what moe. would sound like if they were fronted by a 6 ft 4 in, 240 lb (I’m estimating) Marvin Gaye/Prince combo. Jimbo Jackson missed his calling to be either a carnival barker or a children’s TV show host. He constantly engages the crowd and if you are lucky a dance party might break out during the set of originals and covers (my favorite is their take on Men at Work’s “Land Down Under”).
Artist Spotlight: Jimbo and the Soupbones
By: C.D. O\’Leary -ThePittsburghScene.com
At this point it seems like just about everyone in the city of Pittsburgh has heard of JIMBO and the SOUPBONES.
Monday Night at AcoustiCafe, we had the opportunity to interview singer/song writer/guitarist Jimbo Jackson and bassist Sean Clements in Club Cafe’s upper room.
Jackson has a truly unique story – very out in left field – one that makes this recent success even more miraculous. The man has zero music history. Never played in any other bands. Has no hard knocks stories about working his way through the industry, begging for gigs and playin’ for peanuts. The man only started playing guitar…”as a hobby” in 2005! He learned 2 songs and went to play his first open mic in January 2006! “I loved the attention” he confessed.
Mr. Jackson works in welding supplies for a company called AIRGAS, a business that also employs Sean Clements. They grew up in New Kensington, and were thrown together because of their sons wrestling. Sean tells the story that one day he was over Jimbo’s house and Jimbo played his 2 songs… Sean wanted to learn to play something too…and decided to buy a bass because he figured it only had 4 strings… “how hard could it be”. This was the crude beginnings of what is now known as THE SOUPBONES. They acquired an amazing guitarist, another New Kensington resident, that they met at an open mic. Jason Caliguiri, who came with a great deal more experience .
Jimbo then won his first contest at Molly Brannigan’s, where the prize was a gig! …but they had no drummer. It was suggested by an employee that they use the drummer from Corn beef and Curry at that time, Nate Vagias, who now plays percussion for them. The final acquisition was found on craigslist, where Jimbo advertised for a permanent drummer with “funk who could stay in the pocket”! Nick Tolkacevic is the “the funkiest white boy I know” says Jimbo who replaced their short lived original drummer with what turned out to be the perfect fit! “Everyone gets along, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
In this incredibly short amount of time Jimbo has never had to solicit shows, things have just fallen into place. They released their first full length CD last year, and called it “SELF TITLED” Some of which has received air play on WYEP. Already Voted “Best in the Burgh”, Their most memorable gig to date has been a Showcase at the Pepsi Roadhouse last summer.
What is it that has catapulted this band into the public eye? Its Jimbo’s fun loving, no BS, easy going personality. His music is what might be described as FUNK’ N FOLK, where his lyrics reflect his big heart and quick wit, while the music shows his funky, R&B roots. The man is a funny dude! He is completely at ease on stage and makes you feel good just listening to him. Humble but honest, Jimbo explains, “I don’t want nothin’ more than to keep doin’ what I am doing…. playing music and making people smile.” When asked how he felt about playing at Console Energy Center…He said, “ I’m just gonna do what I do…but for a WHOLE LOT MORE PEOPLE.”
Check out Jimbo and the Soupbones for future events, on their facebook and myspace pages. Pick up their debut CD entitled, “Self Titled”, or order yourself a T-Shirts at Jimboandthesoupbones.com Keep on the lookout for samples of their music right here on The Pittsburgh Scene!