ALBUM PROFILES BY JAY MAZEFFECT



Jon Caspi And The First Gun - "strange situation"


Jon Caspi & The First Gun's "Strange Situation" immediately jumped out at me for one reason: John's voice. Before I realized that I was tapping my foot, nodding my head, and thinking to myself, this is a ROCK N ROLL record, even with the alt-country-isms so tastefully thrown into the mix, Jon's voice jumped out of the speakers at me. This guy has what I look for in a vocalist. Do I look for technical perfection? No. Do I look for an eight octave range, a la Mariah Crazy? No. I look for IDENTITY. No matter what they are singing, you know it's that vocalist. They may not be great (or even all that good in some cases - Michael Stipe I'm looking at you) they are identifiable. Stipe's got it (and I love him for it), Bob Dylan has it, Paul Westerberg's got it, and so does Jon Caspi. That's what makes this record so much more enjoyable. Aside from great songs, and playing that earns the right to be called a ROCK N ROLL record (in caps, ON PURPOSE), I know I'll be able to pick out Jon Caspi from a random play list from here on out. Identity. He has it. That puts him in some great company.

Rating 8/10
- Jay Mazeffect







Jon Caspi & The First Gun share the roots of other Asbury Park, NJ notables such as Bruce Springsteen, the Gaslight Anthem, and The Bouncing Souls. The trio has just released their first album, Strange Situation, with a sold out multimedia show in an Asbury Park theater in early October, 2010. They plan on a vinyl release and to begin touring in 2011.

Lead singer Jon Caspi has been a longstanding figure on the U.S. national college radio scene. His latest project is The First Gun and is a return to his punk/indie roots. His music has charted on CMJ Top 100, and has appeared on TV, MTV, in films, and on stage (in musical theater productions). He has performed with Bruce Springsteen and opened for many international acts. He has been nominated for multiple Asbury Music Awards, has received much critical acclaim, and had a sandwich named after him by a diner in his hometown.

His third solo CD, EDDIE KNOWS! A NOVEL is unusual in that it is a "rock novel that tells a complete story with each song a chapter of the tale. It was released in early 2009 and is available for purchase. Recently, The ShowRoom Theater in Asbury Park, NJ invited Jon to stage the album which was done successfully with two sold out shows and a cast of actors, musicians, videographers and others for a very unique multimedia event. Also in 2005, Jon's song "Eight Days" was listed as the best Hanukkah song of the year by the Boston Herald, the only non-major label artist selected on the list of best holiday songs for that year.

Drummer Jimmie Mizell has played drums for stars such as Rob Thomas, Jason Mraz, and Southside Johnny, and has also played percussion with Springsteen. Not traditional indie/punk rock creds but this dude can play!

Doug Lane, a well known producer/musician in NJ joins the band on killer rock solid bass.