Jucifer

2008 was a big year for Jucifer. In April, the band's most ambitious album to date was released: the 21-track epic L'AUTRICHIENNE, on Relapse Records. May 2008 saw the release of the feature-packed live DVD, VETERANS OF VOLUME: LIVE WITH EIGHT CAMERAS, as well as the band's first-ever European tour.

In recent years Jucifer has amassed accolades from such disparate entities as 'Interview', 'Guitar Player', 'Blender', 'Modern Drummer', 'Seventeen'; the Fox Sports network, 'Rolling Stone', Britain's 'Rock Sound', and punk legend Mike Watt.

The band has enjoyed an ever-increasing buzz.

Chosen by 'Alternative Press' in 2004 as one of the top 100 bands to watch, Jucifer has a rare ability to bring together fans of almost every genre.

Pop, doom, noise, punk, jazz, hardcore, emo, indie, trip hop, art metal, goth, glam, grunge, rock, surf, classical- all are elements that seethe within the Jucifer oeuvre.

While such inclusiveness probably reads like chaos, when wielded by Jucifer it is cohesive, distinctly their own and completely devoid of falseness.

As a result of their unique sound, subtle recordings and commanding live show, Jucifer has been embraced by critics as well as fans. they've played with such diverse artists as Vic Chesnutt, the Melvins, Chimaira, and High on Fire, as well as Mike Watt, Man or Astroman, Mark Arm and Royal Trux.

The list of bands to whom Jucifer has been compared reads with similar diversity: from Minor Threat to the Carpenters, Slayer to Sleep, Hendrix to Malmsteen, Veruca Salt to My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Pantera, Portishead, Nirvana and Napalm Death.

As stated by Athens, Georgia's 'Flagpole' magazine early in the band's career, Jucifer is 'not for the faint of heart'!

Their devotion to intensity and disdain for stylistic rules tends to inspire strong reactions.

The dichotomy between Jucifer's lulling, melodic passages, high-volume sludge and brutal machine gun off-time (not to mention the contrast of female vocals alternately siren and banshee) may not appeal to those who like hearing the same old rock music recycled again and again.

The sheer individualism of the band may prove disconcerting to those who prefer neat categories to explain their world.

And the colossal, floor-shaking 'wall of sound' (approximately 15 speaker cabinets and 7,000 watts of power) which bolsters their live show will be daunting to those accustomed to lighter fare.

But for the brave; for the musical omnivore: enjoy!

TIME LINE:

late 1993- In Athens, Georgia, the band which will become Jucifer is formed.

early 1994- Third member (original drummer) quits.

mid 1994- First show with just Amber and Edgar.

mid 1995- Jucifer's first studio recording

late 1995- Fans help to release a 7" ('Superman' b/w 'Licorice')

1996- Jucifer begins touring (in a 1977 Chevy van) and completes 'Calling All Cars on the Vegas Strip'. Outtake song '77 Chevy Supreme' is featured on a kindercore records comp called 'Treble Revolution II'.

1997- Jucifer tours, writes, works those restaurant jobs.

1998- A friend helps to release '...Cars' which is poorly distributed, but charts high on college radio. labels come sniffing.

1999- Jucifer signs to Capricorn- of the labels they met with, the only one which had both financial prowess (Capricorn was a major label, affiliated with Universal/Polygram/Def Jam) and a history of allowing its bands total control of their art.

July-December 1999- The bulk of 'I Name You Destroyer' is recorded.

2000- Capricorn releases a re-mastered version of 'Calling All Cars on the Vegas Strip'. Jucifer tours the U.S. more thoroughly than ever before. Capricorn begins a business metamorphosis, leaving them temporarily without distribution.

2001- Capricorn continues to be without distro. They agree to allow Jucifer to record the 'Lambs' E.P., planning to have it available only on tour. As 'Lambs' is released, distro falls into place and the record is in stores. '...Destroyer' sits on the shelf. Jucifer tours most of the year, in fall acquiring the winnebago that will become their only home.

2002- Almost two years after completion, 'I Name You Destroyer' is finally released, to critical acclaim and band's relief. Jucifer tours all but 2 months of the year.

2003- Jucifer's rented house (in Athens) is sold while they are on tour. They scramble to save their most precious things (mostly music gear and their approximately 5,000 vinyl records) and accept that they now formally, as well as physically, live in their tour vehicle. In July, Jucifer records another E.P., 'War Bird', as they await a go-ahead from the label to begin their next album.

2004- Jucifer records a new album, planned for fall release. 'War Bird' comes out in March. A live cut of 'Amplifier' is included on the Kill Rock Stars comp, 'Tracks and Fields'. The band tours through the southwest, up the west coast, and throughout Canada from west to east. Alas, Velocette (the new label emerged from the ashes of Capricorn) now has distribution problems.

2006- Jucifer is signed to Relapse Records, and the new album, 'If Thine Enemy Hunger', is released in early September. The band continues touring and plans to tour Europe in the near future.

2008- The 21-song epic double-album 'L'Autrichienne' is released on Relapse Records. The live DVD 'Veterans of Volume: Live With Eight Cameras' is released by Bare Ruined Films. The band embarks on their first-ever European tour with pals Today is the Day.

BEHIND THE MUSIC (TRIVIA):

Jucifer plays every instrument on their recordings as well as writing, producing and arranging their own music. They also do most of the photography and album art.

Unlike many 'two-piece' bands, Jucifer's live show does not include other musicians or pre-recorded tracks.

Jucifer has no house! They jettisoned most of their belongings (circa 2001) to live in their tour vehicle.

Yes, they are married. They are proud parents of two beautiful dogs, ages 2 and 9.

She drives. He reads the map!

DISCOGRAPHY:

1995 'Superman' b/w 'Licorice' 7" (independent)

1998 'Calling All Cars on the Vegas Strip' album (independent)

2000 'Calling All Cars on the Vegas Strip' remastered version (Capricorn)

2001 'Lambs' E.P. (Velocette)

2002 'I Name You Destroyer' album (Velocette)

2004 'War Bird' E.P. (Velocette)

2006 'If Thine Enemy Hunger' album (Relapse)

2008 'L'Autrichienne' (Relapse)

2008 'Veterans of Volume: Live With Eight Cameras' (DVD, Bare Ruined Films)