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Mikey Jukebox

by Mikey Jukebox

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  • Streaming + Download

    "Mikey Jukebox" is the debut solo effort from former Longwave drummer and Mercies frontman Mike James.

    This is the digital master, and the initial release of the record. Mastered by Jay Franco at Sterling Sound.
    This is a wav file download version for superior quality!
    Purchasable with gift card

      $9 USD

     

1.
I’VE LIVED IN THE VALLEYS BELOW AND DROWN BY THE OBVIOUSLY FLOW SAID SOUND AND VISION HERE WE ARE YOUR DREAM AS A ROCK ‘N’ ROLL STAR AND CRASH IN A FABULOUS CAR YOU’RE AN EASY LOVER WHERE’S THE CROWD? HELLO DREAMER YOU’RE A BELIEVER YOU SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT WHO YOU ARE IF YOU SHOULD SEE HER AND DO RECEIVE HER AND SEE THE WORLD FOR WHO YOU ARE THEN YOU’VE GOTTA KNOW IF YOU THINK, YOU CAN SHAKE IT ONCE YOU’RE ON, THERE’S NO BREAK UP WAKE UP, YOU CAN SEE THE SKIES COLLIDE WITH YOUR DREAMS THE KING FOUND IT HARDER TO SLEEP THERE’LL BE ONLY ONE JERRY LEE AND THE MUSE HAS HUNG UP ALL THE STARS HELLO DREAMER SO YOU STILL FEEL HER BETTER TELL YOUR MAMA SEE HER ‘ROUND THERE’S NO RELIEVER THERE’S NO DISEASE WORSE THAN IMAGINATIONS VAIN AS OURS AND YOU’RE GONNA KNOW
2.
New Radio 03:16
I’VE BEEN A ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MAKER WALKING MY WALK FOR A LONG, LONG TIME THEY SAY THAT EVERYTHING COMES THEN EVERYTHING GOES THEN THEY PUSH YOU OUT WE’RE THE ROCK N ROLL MAKERS ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK AND WALK THE LINE IF YOU’RE A PRETTY YOUNG FACE LOOKING FOR YOUR OWN PLACE YOU COULD BE DOING TIME RIP IT UP DON’T FEAR STRAIGHT AHEAD I’LL STEER BOOGIE DOWN AND YOU’LL HEAR I’M A ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MAKER GONNA COME TO YOUR TOWN THEY WERE THE ROCK N ROLL MAKERS TALKING THEIR TALK IN A BRAND NEW LIGHT THEY HAD THE WORLD IN AN UPROAR MIXING THEIR COLORS FOR A BRAND NEW SHINE IT WAS JOHNNY B. GOODE WITH LUCILLE AT THE WHEEL KEPT YA UP ALL NIGHT RIP IT UP DON’T FEAR STRAIGHT AHEAD MAMA I’LL STEER BOOGIE DOWN AND YOU’LL HEAR I’M A ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MAKER GONNA COME TO YOUR TOWN SO JUMP UP ON THE STAGE & LET IT GO (LET IT GO) THIS IS THE NEW RADIO (RADIO) AND YOU CAN’T HELP BUT START TO DANCE CUZ THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL’S WHERE IT’S AT A WASTE OF TIME, YOUR WRINKLED EYES AND YOU’VE NOTHING LEFT TO SHOW YOU DID YOUR BEST, YOU PASSED THE TEST MAMA, I’M A ROCK N ROLL MAKER COMING INTO MY SOUND (GONNA COME TO YOUR-- TOWN)
3.
I KNOW THAT YOU’LL TAKE ME FOR IT ALL LIKE YOUR LAST CIGARETTE YOU JUST STEP ON I RELENT AND THEN LET YOU HAVE IT ALL YOU CONTEST THAT YOU’VE HAD IT ALL ALONG CAUSE YOU COULD HAVE ANYTHING YOU COULD HAVE ANYTHING AMERICAN BOYS, AMERICAN GIRLS AMERICAN NOISE, AMERICAN TOYS (AMERCIAN LUST, AMERICAN BUST) AMERICAN BOYS, AMERICAN GIRLS YOU JUST SWELL..... I KNOW THAT YOU’LL TAKE ME FOR IT ALL A BABY BOOMER WITH A LARGE TRUST FUND THERE’S SOMETHING GOOD IN EVERYONE TODAY IT’S TOO BAD THAT IT FELL OUT OF YOUR HANDS HAVEN’T WE BEEN PERFECT ALL ALONG THERE IS ANY MONUMENT TOO TALL RACE A CAR, DO A DRUG, IT’S YOUR OWN SPACE BUY A LEADER LUNCH, OR A BRAND NEW FACE AMERICAN BOYS, AMERICAN GIRLS AMERICAN LUST, AMERICAN BUST AMERICAN GIRLS, IN AN AMERICAN WORLD AMERICAN TOYS, WELL AREN’T YOU ANNOYED AMERICAN
4.
OH BABY, BABY, BABY TELL ME HOW IT’S GONNA BE YOU LOST YOUR HEAD ON ME BABE YOU KNOW WE’RE LOSING THE MYSTERY AND IT’S THE TWO OF US TO BLAME AND I KNOW WE COULD MAKE IT BETTER THE TWO OF US TO BLAME WHOA, OH WHOA, OH CAN’T ACT THIS WAY ON ME BABE IT’S TURNED OUR HOPE TO A MISERY DON’T NEED NO QUESTIONS ASKED BABE AND I DON’T LIKE SYMPATHY (CHORUS) YOU’RE A TWISTER AND TURNER AND ALL FULL OF KNOTS YOU THINK I’M JUST WALKING YOU’RE IN FOR A SHOCK A WHOLE LOT OF TALKING HAS NEVER DONE MUCH FOR MEEE WHERE WOULD WE START WELL WE WON’T FIND A STOP JUST WHEN THERE’S A LIFT THERE’S ALWAYS A DROP ON ME
5.
LISTEN TO THE WORDS I HOLD YOU KNOW FOR SURE YOU CAN’T BE STANDING AROUND NO ONE TO BE WAKE UP FROM THE SLEEP, LET’S GO YOU’RE ASKING FOR MORE, BUT THERE’S NO WHERE TO GO IN THIS TOWN SO LET’S ALL DREAM CAUSE I AM HERE FOR YOU YOU KNOW I, JUMP IN THE FIRE FOR YOU YOU KNOW I’M STANDING AROUND NO FEET ON THE GROUND SO DEAD TO A START OPEN UP YOUR HEART FOR ME EVERYONE’S SO DULL AND LOW THERE’S NO ROCK ‘N’ ROLL THEY’RE ALL JUST RUNNING AROUND WITH OUR BLEEPS AND CREEPS TIRED OF THE SAME OLD CROWD THEY DON’T DANCE, THEY POUT AFRAID OF THE FUN TO BE FOUND AFRAID TO BE (WHO ME?) THAT’S WHY I’M HERE FOR YOU YOU KNOW I, STAND IN THE FIRE FOR YOU YOU KNOW I’M STANDING AROUND NO FEET ON THE GROUND SO DEAD TO A START OPEN UP YOUR HEART FOR ME I’LL BE HERE FOR YOU YOU KNOW I, SING IN THE CHOIR FOR YOU YOU KNOW I’M STANDING AROUND NO FEET ON THE GROUND LET’S GO, LET’S START OPEN UP YOUR HEART FOR ME
6.
I DON’T WANNA WAIT TO SEE IT THROUGH SCREAMING ALOUD WITH A WILL TO DO I’M SICK OF THIS TIRED OLD CLASS WIDE AWAKE UNDER THEIR ATTACK SO C’MON, C’MON ALONG DISGUISE THE EVENTS SO I CAN’T SEE STRAIGHT LET’S DRILL A HOLE IN THE WALLS THEY RAISE IF I’M JUST A BRICK THEN I WANT MINE BACK FIND A CLIQUE BUILD ANOTHER STACK SO COME ON, C’MON ALONG— SO WHY CAN’T YOU BE FOUND WHY CAN’T I MAKE YOU GO THIS WAY NOW IT’S ASSURED THAT I WON’T TURN BACK THE EGO IT CRIES WHEN IT’S NOT ATTACHED I’LL BE READY WHEN I GET THE CHANCE LIGHT A FIRE WATCH IT ALL TURN BLACK SO C’MON, C’MON ALONG— SO WHY CAN’T YOU BE FOUND WHY CAN’T I MAKE YOU GO THIS WAY
7.
Song For Chuck Berry (free) 01:06
WE LOVE TO ROCK ‘N’ ROLL WE LOVE TO ROCK ‘N’ ROLL WE LOVE TO ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SPIRIT STUCK INSIDE A CEMENT CRACK SHOE COMES BY BREAKS MY BACK DOWN SO LOW ALL YOU SEE IS BLACK AND YOU DON’T KNOW... HOW YOU’LL GET BY IN A WORLD TURNED FLAT SO SURREAL YOU NEVER COULD SIT BACK HIGH AND DRY SO YOU MAKE A PACT WITH THE DANCE FLOOR WE LOVE TO ROCK ‘N’ ROLL WE LOVE TO ROCK ‘N’ ROLL WE LOVE TO ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
8.
WELL, YOU KNOW ALL THE THINGS I LIKE AND YOU KNOW ALL THE WAYS I PRY WELL SOME HAVE HEART AND SOME HAVE SOUL SOME OTHERS HAVE NOTHING TO HOLD OOH, BABY, BABY, THERE’S NOWHERE TO GO I’M GONNA HAUNT YOU, I’M THE GHOST OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL IT MADE THE JUNIORS WANT TO SCREAM MADE THE SENIORS SHAKE THEIR KNEES AND YOU CAN ASK THE JAPANESE CAUSE THEY STILL LOVE A TRICK THAT’S CHEAP OOH, BABY, BABY, LET’S ROCKET TO THE SHOW I’M GONNA HAUNT YOU, I’M THE GHOST OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL IMAGINE ALL THE THINGS I’VE SEEN AND PICTURE PLACES I HAVE BEEN NO TELLING WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS BUT YOU CAN TELL THE END IS CLOSE..... AND WITH A STRING OF YOUR GUITAR YOU CAN MELT THE PEOPLES HEARTS AND WITH THE BEATING OF THE DRUM YOU TURN THE HURT AND MAKE IT NUMB OOH, BABY, BABY, THEY LINE UP WITH THEIR SOULS I’M GONNA HAUNT YOU, I’M THE GHOST OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
9.
WELL YOU’RE STUCK IN THE CLUB OF THE LONELY HEARTS WAITING FOR A BREAK IN THE MOOD AND IT’S TEARS YOU’LL LOSE EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU EVEN TRY AND SEE IT THROUGH YOU NEVER SEEM TO HAVE YOUR DUE WHEN YOU HEARD THAT CALL TO THE ROCK ‘N ROLL BALL YOU WERE STANDING ON THE EDGE OF THE ROOF AND YOU BROKE DOWN AND BOWED, TO THE HOLY CROWD OF SPARKS THAT LIT INSIDE OF YOU BETTER THAN YOU EVER KNEW WE’VE BEEN WAITING WE’VE BEEN WAITING DON’T YOU DARE STALL NOW, OR THINK TO STOP OR YOU’LL NEVER, EVER, EVER HAVE THE GROOVE WE DON’T STOP UNTIL THE KIDS ARE DANCIN’ THERE’S A DEE JAY IN YOUR SOUL THAT WANTS TO TAKE CONTROL AND FIND THE ACTION, REACTION WHERE THE FLOOR HAS TRACTION SO MOVE YOUR FEET AND LET’S GLIDE THERE IS NO NEED TO FEEL SHY WITH AN AERIAL HEART AND SOUL BOOGIE ‘TIL YOUR BODY CAN’T TAKE NO MORE WE’VE BEEN WAITING WE’VE BEEN WAITING DON’T YOU DARE STALL NOW, OR THINK TO STOP OR YOU’LL NEVER, EVER, EVER HAVE THE GROOVE WE DON’T STOP UNTIL THE KIDS ARE DANCIN’ EVERYBODY LOVES THE SATURDAY NIGHT EVERYBODY WANTS TO PARTY TONIGHT
10.
TOGETHER, TOGETHER YEAH, WE COULD HAVE IT ALL WE’LL GO THIS WAY AND THAT WAY BABY WE’LL SEE IT ALL CAUSE WE’RE HERE DON’T TRY TO BREAK THIS WEATHER OOH, OOH, OOH DEAR DON’T TRY TO BREAK THIS WEATHER TOGETHER, TOGETHER YEAH, WE WILL SEE THE SIGHTS WE’LL GO RACING YEAH BLAZING BABY, ON THROUGH THE NIGHT CAUSE WE’RE HERE DON’T TRY TO BREAK THIS WEATHER OOH, OOH, OOH DEAR PLEASE DON’T CHANGE THIS WEATHER CAUSE YOU KNOW IF WE ARE TO CARRY ON YOU KNOW THAT WE’VE GOTTA BE STRONG TOGETHER TOGETHER

about

In an era where too many indie-pop groups sound like they’re merely pursuing a peer-approved lifestyle, one listen to Mikey James’ estimable and growing catalog bears the heart of an artist who writes, sings, and makes music because he has to. Edgy melodic music is in his blood; there’s a beat, a tune, and a sound in his head at all times that must be liberated, or, like the also prolific Robert Pollard, he will all but explode in creative expression looking for release. In short, James lives the music, and his energy, drive, and desire are products of that lifelong quest for a hook that won’t quit.

Mikey James started out playing drums in clubs when he was only six. After learning guitar at the age of 16 with the help of his “pops” and Steve Schiltz (Longwave), he started writing and performing all the instruments on demos around the age of twenty. He’s since learned guitar, bass, drums, keys/synth, and percussion and spending years on his four track recorder, eventually coming into own as a producer of his own music as well as other bands, most recently The Demos.

After playing drums for New York City’s post-punk band Longwave (for whom he wrote a few songs), and fronting The Blood, DJ Dick James/Footage, and, most recently, The Mercies, James has taken on the pseudonym Mikey Jukebox and hand-crafted his self-titled solo work Mikey Jukebox.

In October 2007, James began recording and mixing with Bill Racine (Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Sparklehorse, Phantom Planet, Mates Of State, etc). However, he scrapped the project and started from scratch with John Hampton of Ardent Studios in Memphis mixing this time, and then scrapped it and started over again (for the last time) at GFI in James' hometown with Sam Polizzi. Such fastidiousness is typical of James, who has been known to accumulate 90 different tracks for one song and then start madly stripping everything down, and who will often tweak and re-tweak until the cows come home. Such is the blessing/curse of one who writes, records, and produces all of his own music.

The musical references of Mikey Jukebox are too numerous to list, but suffice it to say that James is so skilled at synthesizing the disparate that the listener will be taken on a virtual tour of production values ranging from 1955 to today. And James is clear: he wants the kids to hit the dance floor. Dynasty-era Kiss, for example, rubs crotch with David Bowie's Let's Dance. Devo flirts with Tommy Bolin. Michael Jackson circa Off The Wall feels the body heat of a bleary-eyed Martin Gore -- all to a soundtrack of handclaps on, “Song for Chuck Berry”, straight out of an Elvis Costello rev-up. Much of the songwriting was also influenced by a “50’s Memphis/Rock ‘N’ Roll” phase (Haley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Sun Elvis, Orbison, Jerry Lee) combined with a passion for Klaxons, CSS and a love for French House music and early Source Records.

The song that is the biggest example of Mikey Jukebox’s perfectionism and smorgasbord of influences is “!Hello Dreamer!” There are four recorded versions of this song that James considers “some 70s teen idol song.” Of the song, James remarked, “I consider myself by all means a glam rocker at heart (T.Rex, Bowie, Roxy, Sweet, Kiss, Dolls, Transformer, Mott), and the song really lent itself to it in ways. In the end I was trying for an epic “Station to Station” (Bowie) thing production wise. A lot of the lyrics on the record have to do with being trapped with this idea of a needing to be a star and being trapped in surroundings that are unfit to compel yourself. This song sets the record up.”

After a set up like that, it’s hard to ignore Mikey Jukebox.

credits

released June 11, 2010

Produced, Written & Performed by Mike James
Recorded by Sam Polizzi, Rochester
Additional Recording by John Hampton & Adam Hill
Mixed by Jon Gray for Big Life Management, London
Mastered by Jay Franco, Sterling Sound, New York

Backing Vocals and Additional helps from:
Callan Saunders, Jason Milton, Tara & Kristina Polito


Mikey Jukebox is: Mike James
Produced, Written, & Performed by Mikey
Recorded by Sam Polizzi
Recorded at GFI, Rochester
Mixed by Jon Gray for Big Life Management, London
Mastered by Jay Franco, Sterling Sound, New York

Additional Recording

Bill Racine at Mirror, Rochester;
Adam Hill & John Hampton at Ardent, Memphis

Guest Performance

Callan Saunders- backing vocals (1-6, 9,10)
Jason Milton- piano (2, 7); backing vocals (1-6, 9,10)
Sam Polizzi- synthesizer (8), backing vocals (1, 2, 6, 7, 9)
Tara & Kristina Polito- backing vocals, attitude (1-10)
Devon Tramell- horns (5)
Brandon Lown- percussion, backing vocals (1)
Bill Racine- treatments (1, 4)

Additional Productions

Sam Polizzi (2, 5, 7, 8, 9); Steve Schiltz (3, 4, 8, 9);
Callan Saunders (1, 2, 5, 10); Jon Gray (1, 8, 9);
Bill Racine (1, 4, 9); Arthur Brand (1, 3);
Gene Cornish (2); Antonio Gross (2);
Jason Milton (3); Joel Giannone (9);
Alisa Strassner (9)

*numbers indicate track selections


Thanks & Gratitude to:

Antonio Gross at GFI; Jill Hollywood at Big Life Management; Armand & all at Mirror; Jay & Erica at Sterling; Jody Stephens, John Hampton, Adam Hill, Dan Russo & all at Ardent; Peter Shershin, Bill Racine & Dave Fridmann; Dave Marchese; Mori Ninomiya, Jack Rabid & all involved

“Jukebox Boombox” photo by Dinh La
“Young Lion” by Roger DeMuth
Layout by Dinh La & Mikey


All songs written & published by Rocknrollarama Publishing (sesac)
except (4, 10) Deejay Dick, Action Kid (ascap)

www.mikeyjukebox.com

The copyright in this sound recording & artwork without
limitation, all text, sound recordings, artwork contained in this product is owned by Young Lion of the West Recording Company. Marketed, manufactured & distributed by Young Lion of the West Recording Company. Unauthorized copying, hiring, lending, public performance, transmission and broadcasting of this product, including the text, sound recording, artwork contained is prohibited. All rights reserved.

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Mikey Jukebox Rochester, New York

In an era where too many indie-pop groups sound like they’re merely pursuing a peer-approved lifestyle, one listen to Mike James’ estimable and growing catalog bears the heart of an artist who writes, sings, and makes music because he has to.

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