J.D. Stooks is a local artist of mythic proportions condensed into the smallest of frames.
Stooks, pronounced like books, began his musical career as a punk rocker in No Gimmick, but his solo efforts are mellow, and more Ryan Adams than Ramones.
Stooks is set to release a brand-new, two-track single titled “Maker’s Mark” — a follow-up to his full-length “Women & Gold.”
The single’s title track opens with acoustic strumming. Piano wades into the mix and Stooks proceeds with business as usual: what he refers to as “sad bastard music.”
With about a minute left, record producer Bob Hoag’s drums clash into the song like a storm, certainly an element making it a leap from the quiet repertoire of Stooks.
“I was in a punk band for 9 years, and I'm starting to feel that coming out more and more,” Stooks said. “It's been locked away for five years or so, and I feel it boiling under the surface. Definitely something more rocking is coming.”
“Bad Love Anthem” is the other half of the single, a cover credited to Georgian musician Ben Trickey. While touring in Buffalo, NY, Stooks was introduced to Trickey’s work.
“I played with some people he went to school with, and they gave me his CDs, and I loved them,” Stooks said.
This track doesn’t pack the same aggressive punch of “Maker’s Mark,” but lyrically it’s seeped in acrimony.
“I’d still die a slow death before I’d see you again,” Stooks repeats throughout the song, with some vocal backing of twanged Dakota Jeane, formerly of Dakota and The Black River Bandit.
Stooks will host a show at Modified Arts on June 20, and he will be offering 150 handmade copies of the single with original artwork and some extra touches like hand numbering, a puzzle piece and doodles.
“I don’t think I’m ever going to make these again so it’s a pretty limited edition thing,” Stooks said. Admission to the venue, $8, includes a copy of “Maker’s Mark.”
Rounding out the bill are a never-before-seen mix including Tempe’s Gospel Claws, led by Joel Marquard, previously of Dear and the Headlights; Snow Songs, whose vocalist Yolanda Bejarano sang back ups on “Women & Gold”; and Saddles, on the local River Jones Music Label roster.
“I was just tired of playing with the same group of bands and thought I would try stirring up the pot a little bit. It gets boring when the same bands always play together,” Stooks said of the lineup, adding that he has never played a show with the bands on the bill.
As for potential show-goers’ plans on June 20, Stooks advises, “Before the show go grab a drink at Star Swim [at The Wyndham], towel off and hop on the light rail. Modified is like two stops away. Afterwards go to Lost Leaf, or I might have a little fiesta at my new place … who knows.”
Reach the reporter at rebecca.bartkowski@asu.edu
