They list influences including Big Star, Smokey Robinson and Dion and The Belmonts, but see one of their incendiary live shows and it becomes clear that this band channel the spirit of every rock ‘n’ pop giant of the last 50 years through their suavely attired frames. The band formed in 2006 when Joe, then juggling drumming duties with The Pipettes with a rather promising acting career (check his appearances in the likes of Nathan Barley and Peep Show), decided he needed an outlet for the effervescent pop symphonies that he had been writing. Luckily he didn’t have to look far - ”I realised I knew the three best guitarists in the country and managed to get one of them to play bass”. After nearly a year of intensive writing and rehearsal, Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong played their first show early this year. After only a handful more gigs the buzz on London’s music scene was deafening - a truly special band had arrived. The band split in 2009 and never released the final version of their album. (See also Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong) |
