"Langered" is the sophomore E.P by Brussels' Glam trash rock'n'rollers The JENKINSES. The quartet is currently featuring James Neligan, probably the best rock'n'roll guitar slinger in town: Lead Vocals and Guitar; Juliette Drumel, his female alter ego and sweetheart: Guitar and backing vocal; Vinnie "The Enforcer" D'Aguanno: Bass and Daniel Wang: Drums and Production
The band has considerably improved since their first E.P released in 2014 and "Langered" displays great vocals, driving guitars and an ever pulsating rhythm section. James is telling the viewers of this blog everything they ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask.
3 Down
A song about labour relations. First verse covers the atavistic teenage slacker instinct to lie down on the job and stick it in your employer’s face ‘cos they’re only looking to exploit you anyway. Second verse specifically deals with a job I had at a well known multinational that was downsizing. The chorus concerns that sinking feeling you get 3 hours into your shift when you realize with horror that the day’s not even half done yet.
No Shame
I wrote this one originally in about 2007 for the band I was in at the time. It’s about owning who you are and making no apologies for it, even while knowing you have no place in a globalized society where freedom to consume is passed off as freedom. Yes, the « Dreaming of Babylon » line is a Richard Brautigan reference. Great novella whose protagonist feels detached from the world he inhabits and takes refuge in his daydreams. I can relate. I love the interplay between the 2 guitars on this one, it reminds me a little of the MC5, though we weren’t consciously aiming for that.
Cheesy Speech
Also written about 10 years ago, but it didn’t reach its full potential until I brought it to the Jenkinses. A cowpunkish track with a fatalistic streak, but that’s where I was at at the time. Thematically it’s about people of standing who think it entitles them to tell you what’s best for you, as if they would know. A vainglorious, grandstanding pompous fuck who tries to manipulate your emotions in an unsubtle way, not realizing that being lower down on the socio-economic food-chain doesn’t automatically make you stupid.
That Was My House
I co-wrote this one with my good friend Gyle Waddy. I put music to his lyrics, which I guess are about nostalgically yearning for another time and place that hindsight has colored pretty for you and that your current circumstances don’t seem to compare too favorably to. I think we’ve all been there. Musically it’s a faster one. Can’t really say we were trying to channel anything, but you’ll hear echoes of some of our classic influences - Gun Club, Ramones, Buzzcocks, NY Dolls etc. Btw, Gyle also co-wrote the song Muddy Waters on our first e.p.
Such A Clown
Another « nostalgic yearning » song, but in the context of a long-lost relationship rather than a place you used to live. Again, I wrote it a while back, probably 2008. It’s bittersweet but rocking. I’m quite proud of this one. Play it loud with the windows wide open !
Purchase a digital copy here :
https://thejenkinses.bandcamp.com/album/langered-2
For a physical copy, send a mail to the band :
jenkinsesbrussels@gmail.com