Jason and the Scorchers

Description: alt.country band

Comparisons: Considering Jason & the Scorchers were one of the first alt.country bands to really make a stink back in the early 80s, the closest comparisons include Uncle Tupelo and its offspins like Wilco and the Gourds. Jason and the Scorchers could also be compared to the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.

Starter CDs: Reckless Country Soul (Mammoth, 1982). Thunder and Fire (A&M, 1989). Clear Impetuous Morning (Mammoth, 1996).

Jason and the Scorchers Biography: Jason and the Scorchers formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1981, and were among the first alt.country bands of their kind. According to their Web site, founder Jason Ringenberg was "raised on a hog farm in Northern Illinois." After college, he moved to Nashville to form a rock band. There, he happened upong the already formed The Scorchers: Jeff Johnson, Warner Hodges, and Perry Baggs.

Three years later, they signed a deal with EMI Records, releasing their debut album, Fervor, followed by Lost and Found. They would release another album before being dropped by EMI in 1987 and having Jeff Johnson leave the band.

In 1989, they released a more rock-infused album called Thunder and Fire, which was even further from their alt.country beginnings. Around this time, Braggs was diagnosed with Diabetes and Hodges decided to leave the band, as well.

From there, the band scattered as its members moved to different cities and Ringenberger tried releasing a solo album. Then, in 1993, the band reunited for a tour. After signing a contract with Mammoth Records, the band released another record in 1995, A Blazing Grace, which was well-received accross the board.

Two years later, Johnson left the band for good and was replaced by Kenny Ames. When, in 1999, Mammoth sold to Disney, the band fizzled a bit again, although Ringenberger has released his solo work independently.
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