Columbus’ Jeff German has a new single and video out, and he’s celebrating the release the Saturday at Natalie’s in Grandview. “Blindside” is a pocket-groove americana number that flows on the strength of a captivating vocal, tight rhythm section, and lean arrangement – dropping out and coming back in, floating and flowing like a leaf on the Scioto River, anxiously awaiting the changing of the colors and the milder temperatures that signal autumn.
Originally from downriver Detroit, Jeff’s been a fixture on the Columbus scene for a few decades now. He’s got a few records with his band The Blankety Blanks (a literal placeholder to accommodate a once-rotating cast of members) and stints with other outfits around town too. His roots-rock sits perfectly in your collection next to your Westerberg, Old `97s, Whiskeytown, and early REM albums.
We recently had Jeff up to the Pencil Storm compound where he answered five questions about what’s new and what’s coming up!
Jeff! Been a while man! I think last time I saw ya was at a pre-pandemic guitar show in Columbus on a freezing January morning. How was your pandemic? What's new? Did you sell that `79 MusicMaster?
The pandemic was great. How about you? I wasn't sure if that was rhetorical or not. So the pandemic was manageable and like most people somewhat terrifying.
I thrive in isolation, so mine wasn’t bad - except rock and roll. I hated not playing and not going to shows!
During the pandemic, I wrote these songs based on this character. So that came out of it I suppose. I reconnected with my friends over at Slothtrop Records and did some zoom writing over the pandemic. That's how we arrived at putting out another record on their label. It was easy and "the devil you know".
Sorry Jeremy, that Music Master belongs to my dear friend Matt Wilson, who plays pedal steel in the band. I think he may still have it, so ping me if you want to buy it. I'll take a commission on the sale!
Aah I’ll think about that! I’ve got one that I paid $60 for in 1991 that I’ve been playing again lately. It has great mojo!
The new single (and video) are great! How did this come about? Is there a record coming?
As I mentioned, the pandemic gave everyone a reason to find an escape. So I started with the idea of writing a record based on a character who has his life together, but can't fight the fact that he's a loser and is built to be just that. It stems from my old song "Sit and Think" and "Long Road to Nowhere" on my first record. It's essentially the same guy. “Blindside” is the first song of the saga and sets the stage for his complete unraveling, one thread at a time.
The record will come out next spring. Six songs on 10" vinyl.
You have Detroit roots (where I am based) and are now in Columbus (where Pencil Storm is based). How did you end up in Columbus and what kinds of similarities do you see between the two cities?
I moved to Columbus in 1989. I was in the Navy and wanted a duty station closer to my young (at the time) son who lived, and still lives, in Detroit. So I moved here, got in a band (The Flyin' Saucers) and we were pretty popular. It's really tough to draw too many similarities except the music scene is really good in both towns, and has been good for decades in Columbus. Like Detroit, there are a lot of songwriters of enormous talent in the area. Open mic's are pretty intimidating at times. What I miss most is the ethnicity of Detroit. Just the way it is laid out. I miss not having little bars in the neighborhood like we have in Wyandotte or Hamtramck. It's just a different vibe. Still great, just different.
You have a show this weekend yeah? Is this your first show back since Covid? Let's get all the details!
I do. It's the first full band show since Covid. Really in about 4 years. We are really sounding great. The current lineup is extraordinary. Chris Jones on Bass, Jeff Passifiume on guitar, (6 and 12 string). Matt Wilson on pedal steel. Matt is the most consistent blankety blank. He's been my confidante for 10 years now. Great musician and friend. And lastly, drummer extraordinaire, Adam Darlin on drums.
It'll be a great night. We are playing Natalie's in Grandview, Saturday, April 29th. Natalie's is, in my opinion, the best music venue in town. It's a supper club/listening room. Tickets are presale $15 and we are selling pretty good right now so it may be a sellout. Let's hope.
We will be playing all 6 new songs including the new single "Blindside". Should be a great night. Fingers crossed.
(Stock JP Question): Any fond memories or great stories about playing Detroit over the years?
I only have great memories playing in Detroit. I do remember playing a show at Corktown when the Blankety Blanks just formed. You were on the bill along with Dupe and maybe Matt Dmitts(?). Anyway, I had a Matchless lightning that had a tube issue and I got WJR radio coming through about 3/4 through my set. I just remember hammering it with my headstock and then we launched into "Death or Glory." I tried it to make it blow up. It never did, but The Clash seemed to fix it.
JEFF GERMAN AND THE BLANKETY BLANKS
Saturday July 28 - 7PM
Natalie’s - Grandview, Ohio
Jeremy Porter lives near Detroit and fronts the rock and roll band Jeremy Porter And The Tucos. Follow them on Facebook to read his road blog about their adventures on the dive-bar circuit.
www.thetucos.com
www.facebook.com/jeremyportermusic
www.rockandrollrestrooms.com
Twitter: @jeremyportermi | Instagram: @onetogive & @jeremyportermusic
