November 13, 2010

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Jesus Jones - one of the first bands to be successfully played to death on commercials hawking cars and food.


It is very possible these days to be an artist no one has ever heard of, with no label deal, a moderately successful MySpace or Facebook page and be recognized instantly by millions because of a popular TV commercial you've become associated with.

It seems to be happening more frequently now and that's good news for a lot of struggling musicians - not good news if you're one of those people who made a living writing those catchy (and sometimes really annoying) jingles for TV commercials. Or sometimes a feeling of violation if you're a viewer who has just witnessed a song you've held sacred from your youth now turned into a testimonial for a tennis shoe or brand of mouthwash.

Art versus commerce and I suppose we have to get used to it, even though I hate the idea.

Case in point is tonight's band Jesus Jones, a band that got together in 1986 and turned out a few albums and several memorable tracks which have wound up becoming the soundtracks for the likes of Walmart and Ford.

Tonight's track, International Bright Young Thing was the follow up track to Right Here, Right Now and did very well on the charts here and in the UK.

Perhaps you remember it? Fortunately, it's not helping sell anything - at least not that I know of, anyway.

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