We are devastated by the death of Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., aka Jay Reatard. Jay was as full of life as anyone we’ve ever met, and responsible for so many memorable moments as a person and artist. We’re honored to have known and worked with him, and we will miss him terribly.
I was on a flight to NY this afternoon and when I landed there were about two dozen text messages about Jay Reatard’s passing. It is the height of understatement to say I’m upset, confused and deeply saddened by the loss of one of the more amazing people I’ve been fortunate to know. In record company parlance, yeah, we’ve lost (let’s go down the checklist) a phenomenal performer, songwriter, and insatiable music lover. But we’ve lost a great friend as well, and that’s the part that hurts the most.
We’re not the only ones feeling that way right now, obviously. Jay’s friends all over the country, heck, all over the world are dealing with this. I know his various scrapes over the years have made for cheap internet fodder, but the people who cared about him are gonna remember a real person that mattered to them. Our thoughts are with that very large group of people this evening.
Things got a little out of hand during a Criminal Records (ATL) instore earlier this week when dozens of shoppers were whipped into a frenzy by one of the more controversial, polarizing performers of our era. But enough about Wyclef Jean’s visit to Euclid Avenue, Jay Reatard’s performance yesterday was yet another public demonstration of genius-level songcraft. And there’s more to come along the tour route. (‘Watch Me Fall’ – available on LP, CD and digital files from The Matador Store)
As much as Jay enjoys hanging out in record stores, he apparently loves playing OUTSIDE of them even more.
Stop by Vinyl Richie’s Wiggly World at 2:30pm this Saturday for a very special out-store by Jay and his new band as they take over Richie’s parking lot for a free, all ages rock show.
Anyway, next Thursday December 3rd Jay Reatard and his brand-spankin-new band will stop in Criminal Records in Atlanta for a very awesome, very free, very all-ages instore… come kick it.
Thursday December 3 @ 4:30pm
Criminal Records
1154-A Euclid Ave.
Atlanta
404 215 9511
Starting Saturday, Jay Reatard is back in the States shredding clubs from Chicago to Dallas and everywhere in between (and East of the Rockies to be totally clear). And on a couple of key dates, Jay will be sharing the bill with The Pixies. For all of them though he’ll be sharing the stage with Anders Thode (bass) and Jacob Elving (drums) of Cola Freaks fame. The three of them just finished touring Europe together and if the video above (filmed by our very own Natalie Judge) is any indication, they’ve taken to one another quite well. Be sure you check them out for yourselves when they roll through a town near you. And if bringing in 2010 with Jay Reatard seems right up your alley (apparently it’s up Spoon’s) then make sure you’re in Milwaukee on Dec 31st.
Sat, 11/21 – Chicago IL – Aragon Ballroom (with THE PIXIES)
Sun, 11/22 – Columbus OH – The Summit
Mon, 11/23 – Pittsburgh PA – Brillobox
Tue, 11/24 – New York NY – Hammerstein Ballroom (with THE PIXIES)
Wed, 11/25 – Northampton MA – Pearl Street Nightclub
Fri, 11/27 – Boston MA – Wang Theatre (with THE PIXIES)
Sat, 11/28 – Philadelphia PA – Johnny Brendas
Mon, 11/30 – Wash DC – Constitution Hall (with THE PIXIES)
Tue, 12/1 – Chapel Hill NC – Local 506
Wed, 12/2 – Athens GA – 40 Watt Club
Thu, 12/3 – Atlanta GA – The Earl
Fri, 12/4 – Orlando FL – Backbooth
Sat, 12/5 – Tampa FL – Crowbar
Sun, 12/6 – Mobile AL – Alabama Music Box
Mon, 12/7 – New Orleans LA – One Eyed Jacks
Tue, 12/8 – Houston TX – Walters on Washington
Wed, 12/9 – Austin TX – Emo’s (Harlem supporting)
Thu, 12/10 – Dallas TX – Granada Theater
Thu, 12/31 – Milwaukee WI – The Riverside Theater (with SPOON)
