The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion “Jukebox Explosion: Rockin’ Mid-90s Punkers!” 2007. In the Red Records. Yesterday, June 18th, was JSBX guitarist Judah Bauer’s birthday (b. 1971). Please enjoy this picture of Judah from about 40 years ago via our mutual friend Cristian (Judah on the left, Cristian in the middle, I don’t know the kid on the far right but guessing maybe I knew them since this is from early 80’s Appleton, WI):

 Jukebox Explosion: Rockin’ Mid-90s Punkers! is a compilation of mostly releases from 7″ singles and rarities from the 90’s. We have a fair number of the singles from JSBX’s Jukebox series but a few of the selections on this comp are über-rare or are totally unavailable elsewhere. That would include the tracks “Caroline” and its b-side “Curfew Blues.” The story behind these two tracks is pretty great – to quote directly from the liner notes: “Caroline” – “Independent record label Caroline was the accurately rendered subject of what was originally intended to be the A-side of Jukebox single number three. The single made it as far as the test pressing stage (only four exist) before the humorless pussies at Caroline threw a hissy fit and began to threaten the band and label with legal action. Now this sneering stomper can finally be given a proper release.” From “Curfew Blues” – “This super-charged number was the B-side to the aborted “Caroline” single. Recorded at a VPRO session during a tour of Europe. On the trip, while under the impression that it was a particularly rarified variety of European cheese, Judah happened to eat an entire bar of soap that belonged to the Devil Dogs.” (🤣🤣🧀 – you can take a boy out of Wisconsin but he’ll still look for cheese) Also of note on this comp, though not nearly as hilarious, are the tracks “Naked” (again from the liner notes: “This ultra-frantic monster was the A-side to a limited edition giveaway single, inspired by avid nudist David Yow of the Jesus Lizard, who the Blues Explosion toured with early in their career. 100 copies were pressed and given to the lucky attendees at the Blues Explosion’s Third Anniversary show at Maxwell’s in Hoboken, New Jersey), “Push Some Air” (“Side A of a rare single released in 1995 on the short-lived Brazilian label Barulho del Mal, to coincide with the band’s first tour of Brazil. The single was only available on the band’s merch table, and all copies were sold out by the second date, an outdoor show in Fortaleza. Unfortunately the majority of the pressing was warped and only a handful are presently in playable condition.”) and “Dig My Shit” (“…recorded as a backing track for a planned Blues Explosion appearance on the television program Saturday Night Live. Due to a miscommunication between the band and NBC’s representatives regarding the use of profanity, the whole performance had to be scrapped. The song was later included on an otherwise completely worthless compilation on Matador Records.”). My top tracks, which are still interesting! are “Shirt Jac” (the first In the Red jukebox series, produced by Steve Albini), “Bent” (the B-side to the second jukebox single “Son of Sam“) and “Get With It” (Jukebox single #4, recorded during the Now I Got Worry sessions).