An introduction to… Jools

Welcome to an introduction to Jools. The Leicester-based sextet have hit the ground running since their debut single last year, so we’ve caught up with frontman Mitchell Gordon following new track ‘Spineless’.

Now you may have seen last week they started their first ‘Isolation… with Jools’ track covering Wolf Alice’s ‘Moaning Lisa Smile’ from their own homes. Bringing out their post-punk and gothic rock influences Jools really make the track their own.

It’s been a little tough to be consistently creative,” said Mitchell. “But it was refreshing to be able to record, play and share music with people again. We’re also releasing our third single next week, which should provide some entertainment.”

Titled ‘Almost Famous’ the third single is due for release on May 22nd expect to see more of the same from Jools with impressive and riotous punk-rock. The snarly vocals of ‘Spineless’ echo the fuzzy and aggressively distorted guitar work, delivered with venom in a fearless manner of commitment. Keeping you on your toes from start to finish, the tempo changes and different rhythm arrangements jump in out of nowhere surrounded with a wall of sound, allowing the passionate chorus to shine through, it all adds up to pack one hell of a punch.

Jools

Speaking on the recording process, Mitchell commented: “Spineless is quite personal. It portrays my relationship with an oppressive hierarchy in my first place of employment

“The song is a toast to the idea of fascist dictatorship being overthrown and is very much inspired by Allen Ginsberg’s literature. Recording it was like lifting a huge weight off my chest, it was cathartic.”

This leads nicely onto Spotify and how important it is to a band pushing through the ranks. Having amassed over 20,000 streams from ‘Spineless’ and debut single ‘Hysterical Starving Naked’, the band have reached audiences as far as Los Angeles and closer to home in Paris, which has a heavy punk-rock scene.

“We’re extremely grateful for Spotify and it’s playlist curators,” explained Mitchell. “They’re using their platform to showcase new talent and I think it’s incredibly important for artists to utilise what Spotify has to offer.”

And that’s something they’ve certainly done in terms of getting on playlists. From our own ‘The Indie Playlist’ to Rattler Radio and Pop Indie Rock Hits, Jools are getting noticed which is the ultimate goal.

There’s a place in Leicester called … and they genuinely serve the best curry you’ll ever try. – Mitchell Gordon

With a range of differentiating influences for Chris Johnston, Ellis Crowson, Sam Shooter, Tom Selby, Peter Mcleod and Mitchell Gordon the one thing that brings them together is punk.

“I think our influences differentiate for each individual. We’ve brought together a love for post-punk, shoegaze, gothic rock and new wave to create a sound that embodies chaos.”

I’m very much inspired by literature from Charles Bukowski and Allen Ginsberg too,” Mitchell adds. You can hear the emotion-filled lyrics in their songs encapsulating their stance on socialism and political values.

In their downtime, and when not in lockdown, Mitchell gives us a low-down on their favourite place in Leicester.

“We love going for a curry. There’s a place in Leicester called ‘Paddy’s Marten Inn’ and they genuinely serve the best curry you’ll ever try. If it wasn’t closed we’d be there now, unreal.”

You heard it here first, if you’re ever in the city check out the best curry in town. In the year ahead for Jools, there has been lots of material earmarked for release and they’ve managed to record “half an album’s worth” of new material. Once the get back on the stage, Mitchell hints they have a “special show” up their sleeve.