
Jack Brag’s take on pop music is a clear departure from what you’ll hear in the mainstream. By fusing orchestral cello, vaudeville piano, and catchy pop/rock hooks, Jack Brag delivers a sound that’s well beyond the expected. The phrase “energetic chamber pop” is a good way to describe the collaborative output, much of which owes itself to the orchestral-stringed undertones simmering throughout each song.
Jack Brag got its start in the summer of 2007, when primary songwriter/bassist Tony Donato partnered with vocalist/keyboardist Jim Robertazzi. Together, the pair quickly realized a shared fascination in musical theater-inspired aggressive pop/rock. Tony’s interest in 19th century idioms, expressions, and culture ultimately led him to label the project “Jack Brag,” a 19th century expression meaning “a pretender who ingratiates himself with people above him.”
But don’t make the mistake of thinking that Jack Brag is some kind of “intellectual exercise.” The band punches along with the ferocity and style you’d expect from such influences as The Who, The Pixies, Queen, REM, Talking Heads, and Husker Du.
After enlisting cellist Jay Varga, guitarist Rich Ferreira, and drummer Bill Quinn, the quintet put all of the elements together to arrive at a unique style of high-energy music that captures the dynamic of today’s pop music scene while subtly hinting at vaudeville and whimsy theatrics.
In the fall of 2008, Jack Brag completed its 13-song debut album, and as you might expect, it pulls out all the stops, blending elements of pop/rock, theater, and hints of chamber orchestration. In late 2008, Jack Brag recorded its interpretation of “Hyacinth Girl” for “A Few Uneven Rhymes, A Tribute to Winter Hours,” distributed by Main Man Records. Other contributors to this two-CD tribute included members of Nada Surf and former members of The Feelies, Violent Femmes, and The Cucumbers. In late 2009, Jack Brag contributed its rendition of “Fat Bottomed Girls” to “Horse Feathers & Animal Crackers – A Tribute To Queen,” on Main Man Records. Other contributors to this two-CD tribute included members from The Alice Cooper Group, New York Dolls
In early 2010, Jack Brag recorded its interpretations of “Praying Hands” and “Girls on Film” for upcoming Devo and Duran Duran tribute CDs slated for release on Main Man Records in 2010. The band also continues to write and record new songs for its sophomore release, which it plans to have ready for distribution by fall of 2010.
Jack Brag’s self-titled debut CD and “A Few Uneven Rhymes, A Tribute to Winter Hours” are available iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon.com.
Instrumentation
JIM ROBERTAZZI – vocals and keyboards
TONY DONATO – guitar and bass
JAY VARGA – cello and vocals
RICH FERREIRA – guitar
BILL QUINN – drums
Visit the band’s offical website at www.jackbrag.com