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Founded in 1983 by guitarists Billy Rowe and Fernie Rod, JETBOY continues to carry their style of Rock N’ Roll into the 21st century with the same fury that existed 34 years ago. Long recognized as one of the perfecters of the glam genre, JETBOY was one of a handful of acts that got the attention of music fans and record executives alike. While Hollywood was loaded with musical talent, San Francisco had but one true leader at the time, and that leader was JETBOY. Now a cross-generational powerhouse, JETBOY is experiencing a resurgence in popularity that can only be attributed to their musical relevance. Rock N’ Roll fans the world over are beginning to revisit the music that helped to shape a generation, and is now becoming the soundtrack for their offspring. Songs like Feel the Shake, Heavy Chevy, Stomp it (Down to the Bricks), and their up rocked up version of Folsom Prison Blues have struck a chord with an increasingly more discerning audience.

 

Celebrating their 25th anniversary In 2008, the founding members of JETBOY (Billy Rowe, Fernie Rod and Mickey Finn) are dedicated to bringing the party atmosphere back to Rock N’ Roll. Having finished a triumphant reunion tour that saw the band playing major stages like Rocklahoma, The South Texas Rock Fest, Rock the Bayou and M3. In 2010 JETBOY entered the studio to record new material for the first time In 19 years. Off Your Rocker was released on March 2,
2010 via iTunes and Amazon.com and as critics noted Is their best work yet. 

 

On June 1st 2012 JETBOY cellebrated their 25 year reunion for their debut album ‘Feel The Shake’ at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood. On January 25th 2014 during NAMM weekend JETBOY co-headlined the Whisky A Go-Go with pals Faster Pussycat to a sold-out crowd to celebrate the clubs 50 year anniversary.

 

In June 2017 the band signed a deal with Italian based label Frontiers Records. The band will record a

On November 5th 2016 the band played the Roxy in Hollywood for the 30th anniversary and final Cathouse celebration. On June 30th 2017 29 years after it's original release, Rock Candy Records reissued 'Feel The Shake' special deluxe collectors edition CD album for the first time in over 20 years, Release date scheduled for 2018.  full length

 

Twinmusix got to speak to Billy Rowe from Jetboy about their new upcoming album and more.

 

TM - How have fans responded to your new album Born to Fly?

BR -The response has been overwhelming, I haven't read or heard anything negative at all it surprises some people and blows some people away.

TM - What was your writing and recording process for Born to Fly?

BR -  We've written songs in the same way for a long time. Ececpt for this one we approached a bit differently because we all live in different places. Mickey writes all the lyrics so be delivered him demos of the songs that were nearly musically all done and he would write lyrics to them we would move stuff around. If he had to or shorten a song/ verse or chorus we demoed everything before we recorded this album down to drums and shakers so when we recorded this album we knew exactly what we were doing.

TM - You got back together after 28 years to record a new album what made you want to get back together to record again?

BR -  In 2010 we got back together to do this Hollywood rock release party. After that we started playing some festivals and some shows here and there. In 2017 our booking agent shot me an email saying would you be into doing a new record Frontiers just offered a deal if you are into it.

TM - How do you think your style has changed from when you first started to now?

BR -  Our style has changed like many bands have Through the Years. Our club days were a little more punk and loose around the edges, by the time we did Feel The Shake album we were getting a feel for everything. Then we did Damned Nation we really pulled in our style I think this new record comes across like our third album but there's a lot of growth from all these years behind us it's straightforward simple fun catchy rock and roll.

TM - Can you run us through brands and model numbers of your instruments and pedals?

BR - I have my own guitar company called rock and roll relics. I make vintage guitars I use a Double Cut TV model and a single cut Blackheart melody maker and humbuckers. I didn't use any peddles I ran through a sixties plexi head and a 60s Marshall cabinet 4×12 and a Friedman dirty Shirley like a JTM45 Marshall on most of the tracks I use an Overdrive Pedal, soloDallas pedal.

TM - What got you into building your own guitars for Rock and Roll Relics?

BR - I've been into building guitars since I was a kid. I always tinkered and did stuff with my guitars when I was growing up I built a guitars. When I was in high school and years later I just got back into it for fun and one thing led to another and it turned into my company rock and roll relics.

TM - When building a guitar do you use standard hardware in your guitars or does it differ from the artist on what they want?

BR -  It all depends I stick to a lot of basic brands, I go all over the place with pickups customers and stores or have their favourite that they like I like classic style Bridges the wrap around vintage Bridges, Tone Pro bridges, AVR bridges on carved top Les Paul style guitars it's modernised ones but they look vintage.

TM - You played with Dean Delray on the Bon Scott tribute show, how did this come about?

BR - Dean and I go back about 35 to 40 years since either kids' we've known each other and we have grown up on all things from the 70's kiss Aerosmith and AC/DC. Were the one band we connected with the number one guitar player that influenced me was Malcom Young. We used to do this 20 or so years ago back in San Francisco on his birthday every year we used to do a party at a club and a bunch of guys would get together and play a bunch of AC/DC songs. Dean started doing the show a couple of years ago and we just felt a band around us with Dean and it took off to a super big level with last time Nikki Sixx, Scott Ian and Marc Maron did it so people are super in to doing it we hope to do it again.

TM - You are playing Monsters of Rock cruise this year what can fans expect?

BR -  It's our first time playing on their boat so hopefully we don't get seasick we are going to try and bring as many new songs as we can Tudor set because this album is so new and fresh and we will do some classic old stuff.

TM - If you could have any bands play one of your songs which band would it be which song would it be and would it be in your style or their Style?

BR - AC/DC doing one of our songs in their style.

TM - If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be and why?

BR -  I would go to my heroes I grew up with Rick Nielsen, Angus Young, Joe Perry, Steven Tyler, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and I'd write with the Brewster Brothers and on the Punk rock side of things someone like Billy Idol.

TM - Anything else you want to say to your fans?

BR - I hope we can over there to play some shows because that would be a highlight for me to see everyone.

 

TM- Thank you for the interview today.