Jawbone declared themselves the self-proclaimed "most sporadic band you'll ever encounter" during their live performance at Kings Cross Water Rats. This show marked the support for their long-anticipated second album, ‘Jawbone II’, which was released a mere seven years following their debut. Formed by seasoned solo artists Paddy Milner (keyboards, vocals) and Marcus Bonfanti (guitar, vocals), the band later welcomed a distinguished rhythm section, each member being a highly regarded musician in the industry.
They have shared the stage with a vast array of music legends. Recently, Marcus collaborated with several famous artists, including Mark King, at the Jam for Jack Bruce event. Jawbone’s unique sound is characterized by the harmonious and distinctive voices of Paddy and Marcus, who alternate lead vocals throughout their songs. The bass lines and falsetto vocals of Rex Horan contribute to the signature three-part harmony that defines their music.
Marcus and Paddy spoke with Clash about their return, the creation of their second album, their live comeback in London, and the release of their impressive new single ‘Horizons Of Hope’. After years in the making, their album ‘Jawbone II’ features a textured sound infused with psychedelic imagery, folk influences, and classic rock while preserving their bluesy essence. The album is expected to resonate beautifully in live performances, exuding a raw quality that enhances its authenticity. As the band expressed upon its release at the end of May: "'Jawbone II' features songs that are written and performed with honesty, addressing themes like loneliness, mortality, and hope, all conveyed with a smile and an optimistic wink."
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How was the Jam for Jack Bruce for you? It seemed very emotional and personal.
Marcus: It was a really lovely way to honor him, and I appreciated how they showcased the bass, too. A lot of wonderful things happened that evening. I really enjoyed it.
Paddy: I was meant to perform at that gig, but unfortunately, I couldn't make it.
I have to ask about your band name, as Jawbone has a punk connotation. There are other bands, like Kneecap, that also use body parts in their names. What’s the story behind your name?
P: It originates from a song by The Band from their 1969 album. The Band serves as a shared interest among all four of us, a group we all admire. When it came to making the tough decision regarding the band's name, Jawbone was simply one of the suggestions that surfaced. It also carries various other meanings; it’s an organic material associated with life, and in American vernacular, it refers to persuading someone. So, if you jawbone someone, you're giving them a strong argument.
Your latest single, ‘Horizons of Hope’, features a lyric that resonates with me: ‘The choice of another beginning, looking to the horizons of hope’. In these challenging times, what message were you aiming to convey with that line and the song title?
M: I'm glad you highlighted that lyric; we've discussed it often.
We wrote it while transitioning from 2021 to 2022, coming out of the lockdowns. We had many conversations about what the future might hold. It felt like a lot of the discourse at that time was rather pessimistic.
Both Paddy and I, as well as the entire band, have a positive outlook.
We decided that the future would improve, which inspired the song. It’s always possible to start anew and find the strength within yourself to change not just your future but the world’s as well. If you want to think positively, you can; it depends on how you approach your perspective.
Your new album ‘Jawbone II’ sounds as though it was recorded live; was that raw live sound a deliberate choice?
P: Absolutely, it was very intentional. We aimed to capture that sound and also to record in a way that we could reproduce live on stage.
Thus, there are no excessive overdubs; the only ones applied were mainly for keyboard parts since I couldn’t physically reach the piano while also managing the organ or electric piano they had in the studio. So that was the extent of it.
Regarding your upcoming live performances, your next show is at The Water Rats, a legendary venue where many great bands have performed. Have you played there before, and what can fans anticipate?
M: We realized today that our last show in London was about four or five years ago, and it was fantastic. This time, we’re collaborating with Green Note, a venue in Camden that’s presenting the show. They have a venue on Parkway, but they also host external events, which we’ve been involved with for years.
Fans can expect a mix of greatest hits along with some deep cuts.
Back in 2018, you participated in the Paul Jones charity gig alongside Eric Clapton, Tom Jones, and Van Morrison. How was that experience?
M: It was incredible,
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45,000 people were present to witness an event that will undoubtedly establish the iconic Irish band as leading headliners at major festivals.
Jawbone proclaimed themselves as the self-declared “most sporadic band you’ll ever encounter in your life” during their live comeback at Kings Cross Water Rats. The performance