Thursday, December 31, 2009

Jones For Revival records 'Leaving Ohio'

By Katie Libecco

YOUNGSTOWN - Jones For Revival saxophonist Fredo Burazer says they're excited to play shows in Youngstown, where they got started.

"We're glad to be back playing for the people we love," he says.

Frontman Jim DeCapua says the band got a house in the area, and have been recording non-stop.

"The end result is seven songs," he says.

Bassist Dave Lynn says the songs are all new recordings, though two of the songs have been "stage-tested."

The new album is called "Leaving Ohio" and was first released on Christmas Day on their MySpace. Following a Southern tour and a mini-tour to promote their new album, Jones For Revival is playing two local shows, Dec. 31 as part of First Night Youngstown and Saturday at Barleys.

The mini-tour included Clarksburg, W. Va,; Lexington, Kent.; Cincinnati and Ashville, N.C., which Burazer says is an important stop for Jones For Revival.

"That's the stop for jam bands. You have to stop there and lay your tracks down," Burzaer says.

Their extensive touring schedule in 2009 meant playing 15 outdoor music festivals and other gigs across the Midwest and East Coast.

"You have to find the right audience that's receptive to your message you're trying to get across," Burazer says.

The bandmates say they prefer to play outdoor music festivals where camping is involved.

"Time is less of a concern," DeCapua says.

"We'd play a gig at these outdoor festivals and we'd stay up until sunrise and jam away," Burazer says.

Even though they prefer the festivals, members of Jones For Revival say they also think bar gigs are great and say, "Obviously, Youngstown is a great town for that."

"We haven't played everywhere we'd like to, but we're trying," DeCapua says.

Lynn says the current form of Jones For Revival, Burazer, DeCapua, Lynn and drummer Gino West, has existed for about a year.

"Obviously Jones For Revival has a history, but this line-up is a year old," Lynn says.

Tonight they'll be among a number of local bands performing at First Night Youngstown. They'll play for all ages in 20 Federal Place at 6 and 7 p.m. Come Jan. 2, they'll have a CD release at Barleys, featuring a different set of music, which is an 18 and over venue.

When you're talking to Jones For Revival, they're not shy about offering their opinions about their music and the local music scene, but are modest and even polite. They know who they are: DeCapua describes some of their shows as "outdoor, weekly hippie-type conventions."

But they mostly talk about what they are trying to do with their music, their goals - including not being boring. To them, it seems, music can be equated with spirituality.

"I try to find enlightenment through my instrument, reaching goals and being onstage," Lynn says. "I don't go to church, I go onstage."

He describes Jones For Revival as "four craftsmen working at our craft, trying to achieve perfection."

"We're trying to obtain this ultimate prayer," Lynn says.

But it's not vain. DeCapua says they hear and listen to criticism, but try not to take it personally. And even if they love the music they're making, Lynn says they never expect to make everyone love them or their music.

"We're pretty passionate about what we do...When we're onstage, we hope that shows," Burazer says.