MUSIC . Music Picks

Jay Reatard

Thu., July 26, 9 p.m., with Clockcleaner and Home Blitz, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave.


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Published: Jul 25, 2007

rock/pop

(CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

As a high school teacher who regularly finds himself telling students that calling somebody a "retard" isn't nice, I've been reluctant to endorse Jay Reatard for quite some time. Yet here I am. However, since I was not able to speak with Mr. Reatard about this prior to deadline, and I really like a lot of his stuff, I'd like to fabricate a quote from the man and, in doing so, justify my endorsement: "It's a misunderstanding. Reatard is a name that dates back to my ancestor's entry at Ellis Island where an immigration agent misheard my actual last name, which is Leotard." There. Guilt allayed.

Jay Reatard has been recording music by himself and with others since he was 15 years old. He started off as the sole member of the Memphis garage-snot-punk band The Reatards, whose early songs were allegedly recorded in his bedroom, by himself with a guitar and a bucket to provide the bumpin' rhythms. The Reatards absorbed a few more members and broke up, while Jay's route back to soloville passed through often awesome and aggressive punk-wave band Lost Sounds and tons more side projects. Jay's recent solo record, Blood Visions (In the Red Records), is simply magnificent. It reflects the trashy mood of Jay's early output, but is adeptly recorded, which accentuates its creatively tuneful nature. Blood Visions is sharp and infectious, bringing to mind what a more hyperactive Wire would sound like.

Sources on the interweb claim that The Reatards' (for those having this article read aloud to them, I mean the band, not the guy; see introductory paragraph) stage antics got them banned from many countries in Europe. While I am not sure exactly how such legislation gets passed — and it's possible Jay has mellowed with age — I'm still wearing shin guards, a whistle and a football helmet to the show, as usual.

Thu., July 26, 9 p.m., $10, with Clockcleaner and Home Blitz, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, www.r5productions.com.