No one can be a rock star forever,
unless of course, you’re undead, as the members of Dracula
Jones claim to be. Over the past three years, Dracula
Jones has sought solace from the doomed existence of immortality through its powerful
sound, while garnering itself significant attention from fans, critics, and radio stations
across the state. As the name suggests, Dracula Jones’ sound mixes dark,
brooding melodies with familiar blues, rock, and metal convention. Guitarist Edmond Ordez
provides the gothic tinges, sometimes wielding a violin bow; while bassist Scott Schimpff
and drummer Lee Waters lay down solid, heavy grooves. The deep wail of singer/guitarist
Jeff Jones rounds out a sound he says resembles "new age redneck."
"We’re not interested in politics; we’re interested in people," he
explains. "I’m like the restless man of the ‘90s: I don’t know what I
want to do, who I want to do it with, and why those people don’t want to do it with
me. It’s a matter of finding ourselves in the music. But we realize if we
weren’t doing this, we’d all be fixing cars or tarring roofs for a living."
Jones and Ordez started working together in the spring of ’90, recruited a bassist
and a drummer, since replaced, and took to the local club circuit. With a retooled lineup
that includes Schimpff and Waters, the band’s strong live show has earned it a
significant fan base from Buffalo to Binghamton to Albany, while here at home it
consistently packs local clubs with more than 500 sweaty fans. Many fans showed their
devotion by starting up a Dracula Jones fanzine called "The Impaler", which has a
circulation of more than 1,200. Last fall, the band decided to invade the studio and
recorded a potent four-song EP, "Speak." The set has sold 2,000 copies in three
months and has garnered the band airplay at college and alternative stations across the
state. In light of Dracula Jones’ success, several record labels recently
have bitten by the infectious band, and the Jones hope one will soon be ready to join
their flock for eternity.ate. In lighten by
the infectious
Underground TV's Back Flash Vol.1 No.3
May/June 1994
Dracula Jones
"Children Of The Night" by Tricia Truax
Venturing out to
Syracuse on a Saturday night to see a fantastic line-up of bands is a great time in
itself. Playing this night was Rochester's own Dog's Life and Nerve Circus, headline
was Dracula Jones, followed by Westin from Pennsylvania. Sitting down to
talk to the members of Dracula Jones and catching them live was the highlight of
the night. With a name like Dracula Jones you could conjure up
some image of the band, but to these guys the name has no hidden meanings, they simply
like the way it sounds. It has a mysterious feel. Dracula creates evil
facets while Jones cancels them out, so the image one draws from their name is
left up to the imagination.
To look at Jeff Jones, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist,
alongside of Dez, lead guitarist, the mind questions how these two began doing open mike
in the clubs of Utica. However, this was the scene where Dracula Jones was
created, and where they hooked up with Buddha, bassist. Buddha stayed with the band
for a while but then took a brief hiatus. He is now with Dez and Jeff along with
Frank Henyack, the drummer and newest member of the band. Although Dracula
Jones has gone through many lineup changes throughout the past five years, it has not
affected their strong following. As far as their sound, the band feels that unless
you're their sound man or a seasoned musician who has followed the band's career, these
lineup changes go unnoticed, for each member brings forth true Dracula Jones
style.
Seattle-esque is how Dracula Jones has once been
described, but categorizing their sound is not cut and dry. Their music is not
grunge, according to guitarist Dez. It has been call Gothic and metal; however not
one of the members wanted to put it into words. Jeff explained that he felt none of
the past descriptions fit Dracula Jones and that each fan has a different
favorite song. Jeff is rather fond of their latest efforts.
Dracula Jones is in the process of distributing their third release, a
thirteen-song CD entitled "Prepare To Unload". The title was something seen and
remembered by Jeff from his days when working at a ski resort. A sign near the end
of the chair lift displayed the words that became the appropriate title. It heeds a
warning to be prepared because the Dracula Jones plans to unload new,
hard-driving, original tunes and them dump them into your mind.
For the past six months Dracula Jones has been working
in the studio, and still have managed to play out a few dates. In their free time,
they still dedicate themselves to composing new material and practicing, between their
jobs, recording and gigs. In the band's history, Dracula Jones has played
out often. When asked about his favorite show, Dez had cool memories of when they
opened for Concrete Blonde in 1990 at the Lost Horizon. Jeff still remembers the
night when a moshing fan struck his microphone which knocked him in the face and broke his
two front teeth. The Dracula Jones dream gig would be performed on top of
the mountain from Close Encounters with the UFO's providing lights and Dez would invite
each and every person he has ever met in his life; an interesting venue, to say the least.
Enthusiasm and experience ooze from each member into the audience at a Dracula
Jones show. Dez commented "Everybody gets something from our shows, like
one big orgy". They enjoy playing out and some of their favorite gigs are out of
town, such as Rochester and Ithaca. Jeff feels that Dracula Jones is four
guys playing together and that the audience should get into what they hear but that visual
effects are also important.
Dracula Jones has had several label interests, but when it came time to sit down
at the drawing board and negotiate contracts, the two sides disagreed. The band felt
they wanted to keep their freedom of creativity and have some input on production.
Thus the band will continue to consider themselves on their own label. "The
music scene is growing rapidly, getting cool," explained Jeff. "It is a
progression in time, it takes hard work and dedication, and bands should work
together." Dez feels that any New York State city has the same scene as Seattle, but
stressed "Unity is all."
As for Dracula Jones' future plans, the guys tend to
keep it simple. They want it all. If you would like to follow their goals be sure to
catch their shows. They will be at the Horizontal Boogie Bar on May 20th. When you
are there sign up for the bands publication called "The Impaler," that is mailed
out as often as possible, where you can find thought-provoking passages such as
"Remember that your life is not made of one long life; it is made up of things you
remember in your life, so you better get off your ass and do something you'll
remember." -Jeff Jones P.S. "I don't sleep at night"
The Herald Hobart/William
Smith College September 25, 1992
Drac Jones Bites Into Syracuse
by Nick Goldstein
" and now, ladies and gentlemen, the bastard sons of
Syracuse!"
Well, at least that's
what the announcer said, and let me tell you, I really didn't know what to expect. I
knew I was going to the Lost Horizon club in Syracuse, I knew there were going to be an
array of bands, I knew the headlining band was called Dracula Jones. But what I
didn't know was that I was in for the concert experience of a lifetime. All in all,
I was pretty skeptical of the show at the start, but that soon changed. The opening
band, "Smokey Junglefrog", started off the show surprisingly well. They
had a sound that was sort of like what Pearl Jam and the Spin Doctors might be if they
actually had any talent. I bought their tape "Crumble" and had a nice
mini-conversation with the band, but there will be more about that in another article. The
second band, "Planet Dread," was truly and experience...a BAD experience. I
listened to a couple of songs and took the rest of the time during their performance to
notice the architectural oddities of the Lost Horizon.
Next up was Dracula Jones, the headlining act. Not
being a local of New York, I had never before heard of the band, but there was certainly
many people there that had. The band started performing, and from the opening song I
knew that this was going to be a concert experience that I would never forget. I had
heard the band once before on a demo tape that I borrowed from a friend (this was mere
hours before the show), but they sounded nothing like the tape, rather they were
many times better. Standing in front of the stage, the entire crowd was literally
spellbound by the music. No one stood still, not even for the slightest moment.
The entire performance was actually one constant, flowing slam-dance session.
The effect that Dracula Jones had on the audience was remarkable compared
to the bands that had preceded them. Actually the audience response was greater that
quite a few big-name groups that I have seen as well.
Just so you readers don't think I am the only one who was
impressed by this performance, I took the liberty of getting comments from others who saw
the show as well. Jason Smith ('95). who has been following the band's career for
some time said,"Everytime I see the Jones boys they get better and better, which
amazes me since I always leave their shows never thinking they could get any better...To
see Dracula Jones live is one of the greatest musical experiences there is, and Dracula
Jones fans are the greatest mosh crowd there is." Jeb Buchman ('95) said
that,"The show was one of the greatest concert experiences in my life, second only to
having 3rd row seats for the Stones." Jeb even mentioned that he enjoyed Dracula
Jones more than such big-name performers as Styx and Steve Miller. Another
anonymous source even said, "The show was more fun than getting laid for the first
time." What more could possibly be said?
The band is made up of Jeff Jones on lead vocals and guitars,
Edmond Ordez on the lead guitar, Scott Schimpff on bass, and Lee Waters on the drums.
Among the songs played in concert were '12 O'Clock Haircut', 'I'm Falling',
'Speak', and 'Realworld'. 'Realworld' even featured Edmond using a bow with this
guitar much in the fashion of Jimmy Page, and the bow was used quite well. In short,
it was a truly amazing show by a truly amazing group of musicians. They have
played quite a few concerts so far, and have even played at the Rum Runner before.
They have an upcoming show in Ithaca this Sunday, and will be playing in Rochester
sometime next month. It's only an hour to travel either way, and the performances
are more worth the effort and the price of admission. Trust me folks it's only a
matter of time before these guys are signed by some big name record executive and
plastered all over MTV, so you had better catch them while you can. Also, people remember,
"Support local music...while it's still local."
Syracuse Herald-Journal
December 3, 1992
Dracula Jones shows its teeth
by Larry Hoyt
Invariably, new
rock bands say they reject putting labels on their original music. Inevitably, music
journalists search for phrases that will give readers some clues as to what is going on
with a new band's sound. "Hard alternative" is an apt description-offered
somewhat reluctantly- by band manager Scott Sterling when pressed to describe the music of
one Central New York's hottest bands, Dracula Jones.
"They're totally original," Sterling says, "But
their sound has been compared to Pearl Jam meets Soundgarden." For older
Central New York rock fans, still confined within the boundaries of the predominant
"classic rock" mentality, such a description may seem alien. To the new
generation of younger rock fans, who thrive on MTV's more varied playlist; such a
description translates as; the driving energy of hard rock meets the hypnotic drone of a
mystical chant. On Dracula Jones' newly released four-song cassette,
"Speak," the band members let their music do all the talking. "Wanna
Be" kicks things off with some Clash-like riffs from guitarist Dez Ordez, played over
the steadily invigorating beat of drummer Lee Waters and the pumping rhythm of bassist
Scott Schimpff. Guitarist and lead singer Jeff Jones has the vocal power to grab the
listener's attention and hold it, while Ordez adds a pleasing echo of backing vocals.
The combined effect makes for one of the most commercially viable sounds to come
out of any Central New York rock band in quite awhile.
The cassette's title track, "Speak," alternates between
being a gentle ballad and an all-out hard-rock assault. "Drive A Train" is a
faster-tempo version of the ride R.E.M. gave listeners with its song "Driver 8."
"Shove" rounds out this mini-set with an explosion of thrash energy,
Goth-rock sound effects and heavy metal guitar licks. Since performing at a Thursday
showcase night at the Lost Horizon two years ago, Dracula Jones has progressed
musically, and it's earned a large Upstate New York following with regular appearances at
clubs across the state. The band recently showcased for music industry
representatives at the Atlantis Club in New York City, and it'll be back in the Big Apple
for a show at CBGB's on Dec. 14. The band's next gig in Syracuse is Dec. 26 at the
Lost Horizon.
Albany Buzz Magazine
Show Review from Bogie's by
John Moore Neighborhoods/Dracula Jones/Can't Say
I knew zilch about Syracuse's Dracula Jones and they ended up being a most pleasant surprise. I caught no song titles, but none sounded bad and a couple seriously cooked- basically four 70's looking shaggy freaks playing great load-as-fuck rock. Apparently they visit Albany-land frequently so me thinks I must see them again and hear some recorded shit.
Albany Metroland
Show Review
by Tom Flynn
Spin Doctors/Dracula
Jones
Dracula Jones opened the show with a briskly shredding and somehow psychedelic Dixie sound. The pounded out-to-strobe-light meter in the song "Shove" is undeniably plain metal. But the smooth vocals in the almost searing "Rainmaker," the occasional lick of pop guitar, or momentary lunge into Jim Morrisonean vocals in several songs, lift the Joneses to someplace new.
The New Haven Advocate December 3,
1992
Music Notes
by Christopher Arnott
Badbob's the opening act for Dracula Jones, a band from the Vampire State-or I guess we mean Empire State. Drac J. apparently never sleeps, since their four-song tape Speak was recorded live in a single marathon 14 hour session, their worldly newsletter "The Impaler" is going out to over 1,500 fans, they sell out shows all the time in those upstate cities like Schenectady, they've opened for Concrete Blonde, The Neighborhoods, Spin Doctors, and Warrior Soul, and just last month they got mentioned in Billboard magazine's up-and-coming profile series Continental Drift. Gooood eeeeee-vening! Stacey Hughes, bartender and now booking consultant at Poco's, knows the Jones boys from her days at Syracuse University and got them this Friday gig, which they're sandwiching in among some NYC showcases. Stacey's been hard to shut up about this appearance, but the Dracula Jones themselves are leaving nothing to chance and called up The Advocate office to answer questions. Since their brand of straight-ahead rock & roll is self-explanatory, we really only had one query: Why is there a dog's body with a human head on the demo tape's cover? "That's Dog Boy," we were told by DJ manager Scott Sterling. "He's in another Syracuse band called Bone China." And indeed there he (it) is, listed in the liner notes.
Syracuse New Times Sometime
in 1991
Dracula Jones
author unknown, but I have a view guesses
This quartet,
recently bolstered by the addition of former Unholy Wives' bassist Scott Schimpf, embodies
Gothic rock. From their monstrous moniker to their eerie guitar work, the band
achieves an attitude based on wild abandon. Less commercial than Marilyn Chamber and
less rhythmic than the Z-Bones, Dracula Jones comes closest of the three to the true
devil-may-care attitude essential to an anti-establishment art form such and rock 'n'
roll.
Heavy Pop, the Jones boys' four song cassette, shows the foursome
following firmly in the footsteps of the original Masters of Reality, mixing psychedelic
blues roots with an atmospheric tension and an overriding sense of iconoclasm. "Real
World" shatters grunge rock expectations, with its slow motion arrangement depicting
a world spinning off its axis, out of its head. The opening cut, "12
O'Clock Haircut," starts off with a lulling acoustic sounding guitar intro
interrupted by a drum roll and jangly guitars. The arrangement is filled with
tension, a staple of Dracula Jones.
