Jane Lee Hooker received rave reviews from fans and music press around the globe when they released Jericho in January 2021 – the band’s first new music since 2017. They’re now following up that track with brand new single Drive – set to hit digital music outlets worldwide on Friday, May 28th via Symphonic Distribution.
While Drive still retains Jane Lee Hooker’s signature blend of bluesy, rock ‘n’ roll soul that can be heard throughout their catalog, the song represents a bit of a sonic evolution. With last year’s COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing requirements in effect in NYC, the band found themselves locked out of their Brooklyn rehearsal room – the creative space where they write and rehearse with amps cranked up at maximum volume. Out of necessity, band catch-ups were moved to the grapevinefilled backyard of singer Dana Athens’ family home in Brooklyn – with tiny practice amps, acoustic guitars and drummer Ron Salvo keeping the beat on upturned plastic garbage cans and recycling bins.
The first song to come out of those acoustic backyard sessions was Drive, with lyrics penned by Athens. “I was not intending to write about travel, the song is really about long-standing plans to see a friend and how you can still feel connected to someone no matter the distance between you.” She continues, “Lockdown made these friends seem even further away, so I guess the song also contains a bit of escapism and fantasy – wishing that you could be together.”
Guitarist Tina Gorin adds “Not being able to see friends and family in any normal way during that period of time, hearing Dana sing those words really made the lyrics hit home.”
“hearing Dana sing those words really made the lyrics hit home”
Matt Chiaravalle (Joe Bonamassa, Warren Zevon, Courtney Love, Spacehog, Kittie) produced and mixed Drive, having previously worked with the band on their Jericho single as well as both Jane Lee Hooker full-lengths: “Spiritus” and “No B!” A new album will follow later this year – and singles Drive and Jericho are a first taste for fans of what’s to come.
Jane Lee Hooker exploded out of New York City in 2015, with members having spent time playing in Nashville Pussy, Bad Wizard, Helldorado, Lez Zeppelin, punk rockers the Wives and Plasmatics offshoot New Hope. The band won international acclaim with their debut album of revved-up blues covers “No B!” and were soon signed to legendary German blues label Ruf Records. The follow-up album “Spiritus,” was released by Ruf in 2017 to glowing reviews and featured original material written by the band.
Jane Lee Hooker toured extensively behind these records, and performed to packed venues across the US and Europe, including Germany, France, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Luxembourg.
While Jane Lee Hooker’s blend of rock, blues, punk, R&B and soul pays respect to the greats of the past – this band lives fiercely in the present tense. JLH’s fiery performances, featuring the muscular lead guitars of Tracy Hightop and Tina Gorin, the heavy rhythm section of bassist Mary Z and drummer Ron Salvo and soul scorching lead vocals courtesy of Dana Athens, have made them a must-see live act. In a world full of manufactured bands and live shows backed up by hard-drives, Jane Lee Hooker play rock ‘n’ roll the way it’s meant to be played – loud and with passion.
Jane Lee Hooker love to play live and are looking forward to hitting the road to share their new music with their fans around the world. US dates are underway through the remainder of 2021 with a European tour to follow in early 2022 – check janeleehooker.com for live show info and tour updates.
