When you are talking about indie bands of the eighties, you often hear how this band or that band were soooo close to getting that coveted major label record contract or some sort’ve development deal fronted by a major label. New York’s JAX actually did it. They hit the lottery and were signed to CBS out of Germany.
Right On!!! JAX did it…or did they.
It all started in 1987 when JAX, a solid group from New York, USA recorded a 6 song demo with free studio time from having helped set up the studio. The demo was recorded by Danny Caccavo (Kiss, David Johansen), and things looked very promising.
The band consisted of Thom Jack on guitar and vocals, Patrick Conlon on drums, Robert Agnello (Spencer Davis, Carmen Sandiego) on bass, and Al Maddy on keyboards (Nitecaps) with keyboards by Bob Kinkel (Trans Siberian Orchestra).
In January of 1988, Thom took the songs to the annual international music industry conference at MIDEM, Cannes, in the south of France. There was immediate interest from many labels, and JAX eventually signed with a very successful music production company out of Frankfurt, Germany, and recorded their first album there at Hotline Studios (White Lion), with Erwin Musper producing (Def Leppard, Bon Jovi).
A major label deal was struck with CBS Records in Germany for a worldwide release. There was going to be around the world promotion and tours to follow…the red carpet was going to be rolled out for JAX; except for one small unexpected glitch. CBS New York got pissed that CBS Germany signed a band from their home state right out from underneath them…and infighting began. We could talk about all the details, but the ultimate outcome eventually killed the record deal and high-hopes. That red carpet was literally pulled out from underneath their feet.
Eventually, the album would see a release by a small indie label, and would cause a minor uproar – the fans loved the music and so did the press; it looked as if JAX were going to be given a second breath of fresh air. However, when things started rolling after all the passed time, radio was changing its format and a new sound from Seattle was becoming prominent. Even, One time manager, Jay Jay French (Twisted Sister lead guitarist), couldn’t help the band to charter the changing landscape.
The album would make it to the hands of a few of the most serious collectors of collectors and soon became a highly valued collectible.
While you may not have been able to get one of those extremely limited copies, FnA Records is digging up the dirt and covering that hole with the allusive red carpet.
Now titled Live The Life You Love (Previously called Half-Cocked and Fully Loaded), this one-time gem will now be available to every 80’s hard rock fan to obtain. Come listen to what all the magic was about and why JAX was good enough to have scored a major label deal.
Live The Life You Love, is an 18 track album, with catchy melodic rock hit after hit. The original album was comprised of 15 tracks, but lead vocalist/guitarist, Thom Jack, has chosen to add 3 of his personal solo tracks to round out a CD filled with tracks that will help you Live The Life You Love!
FnA Records will be releasing the Live The Life You Love on silver pressed CD and digital downloads. Additionally there will be autographed Fan Packs.
Get your JAX on!!!
