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Jon Spencer Blues Explosion played Bowery Ballroom (pics ++ updated tour dates)

photos by Christina Domingues

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

MCEVERS: I’m wondering if this record in some ways is a love note to a city that no longer exists. I mean, you kind of came up from kind of, you know, the down-and-dirty Lower East Side. Are you sort of pining for an old, gritty New York on this record?

SPENCER: Not really. I mean, I’m not – I’m not 20 years old anymore. I’m – you know, the city’s changed a lot, but I’ve changed a lot as well. So I don’t mean this record to be a nostalgia trip. I don’t mean it to be a complaint that, you know, the city’s not the same as it used to be and that’s a terrible thing. Of course, there are things about the New York City from 20, 30 years ago that I miss, most definitely. But, you know, no way do I want to turn back the clock.

MCEVERS: Yeah. I mean, do you feel like a city makes a musician who he is? You know, I mean, like, you know, could Lou Reed have happened anywhere else other than New York City? I mean, do you think New York City is – is in you?

SPENCER: Yes, I think so. And I guess that’s the – part of the point we are trying to make with this album. We’re trying to pay respect to our home and to the great artists that have come before us and have paved the way and that have lived here, you know, in whose, you know, footsteps we’re walking. – [WABE]

On the road promoting their extremely entertaining new album, Freedom Tower – No Wave Dance Party 2015, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion brought their tour back to their NYC hometown at Bowery Ballroom on Thursday night (5/28). Pictures from their set, and one of opener Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens, are in this post.

The JSBX wrap up this leg of the tour tonight (5/29) at Woodstock’s new Bearsville Theatre (tickets) and will then resume their tour in about a week. Updated dates are listed below.

Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens

Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – 2015 Tour Dates
May 29 Bearsville Theater Woodstock, NY
Jun 08 Showcase Lounge South Burlington, VT
Jun 09 THEATRE FAIRMOUNT Montreal, Canada
Jun 10 Lee’s Palace Toronto, Canada
Jun 11 Huma Room at Hopcat Detroit, MI
Jun 12 DRILL Festival Chicago, IL
Jun 13 High Noon Saloon Madison, WI
Jun 14 Turf Club w/ Daddy Long Legs – St Paul, MN
Jun 15 The Waiting Room w/ Daddy Long Legs – Omaha, NE
Jun 16 Record Bar w/ Daddy Long Legs – Kansas City, MO
Jun 17 Rose Music Hall w/ Daddy Long Legs – Columbia, MO
Jun 18 Old Rock House w/ Daddy Long Legs – St Louis, MO
Jun 19 Woodward Theater w/ Daddy Long Legs – Cincinnati, OH
Jun 20 123 Pleasant Street w/ Daddy Long Legs – Morgantown, WV
Jun 25 Salle Embarcadère MontluÇon, France
Jun 26 Garorock Festival 2015 Marmande, France
Jun 27 Le Rock Dans Tous Ses Etats Festival Évreux, France
Aug 15 Summer Sonic Chiba, Japan
Aug 16 Summer Sonic Osaka, Japan
Oct 14 Debaser Hornstulls Strand Bar Brooklyn och Calexico’s Stockholm, Sweden
Nov 04 LA GAÎTE LYRIQUE Paris, France
Nov 05 Le Rocher de Palmer Cenon, France
Nov 09 Le Bikini Ramonville-St-Agne, France
Nov 10 L’EPICERIE MODERNE Feyzin, France
Nov 11 La Belle Electrique Grenoble, France