Name: Adam Bernard Home: Fairfield, Connecticut, United States About Me: Entertainment journalist with 15+ years of experience. Supporter of indie music. Lover of day baseball, fringe movies, & chicken shawarma. Part time ninja. Nerdy, but awesome. See my complete profile
The first time I saw J and the 9s was at last year’s Warped Tour. Even in that unique setting it was tough not to notice J9, with her blue and purple hair and makeup, and Beatz, shirtless and in his trademark sunglasses.
At the time the band was a trio from NYC. Since then they’ve become a duo, and made the move 3,000 miles West, now calling Southern California home.
A few weeks ago J and the 9s made a return trip to NYC for a show at Otto’s Shrunken Head in the LES. Armed with her flute and pink glitter guitar, J9 and her partner in crime were ready to rock their hometown, and rock it they did.
If you’ve never experienced a J and the 9s show, here are three reasons you should see them live.
1. You’ll hear rad rock n roll flute solos
How often do you hear a rock n roll flute solo? Unless you’re a huge Ian Anderson aficionado, the answer is probably almost never. J and the 9s provide that rarity during their sets as frontwoman J9 works a number of flute solos into the band’s blistering rock songs.
My guess is, one time at band camp she took a flute and melted people’s faces with it.
2. Beatz truly beats up the drums
Beatz is a beast on the drums. With an energy level just short of Animal from The Muppets, he pounds on the drums like Red Bull is flowing through his veins. On this particular night he rocked so hard a cymbal came off during a song. Being a pro, he didn’t miss a beat – literally, or figuratively – and the cymbal was put back together in-between songs.
3. The crowd becomes part of the show
Whether it’s J9 working her way into the crowd to interact with the audience during a song, or her popping open a confetti cannon and showering everyone with shimmering stars and strips of paper, J and the 9s want to make sure everyone knows that while the duo are the ones performing, the audience is also part of the show.
Both J9 and Beatz routinely spend time in the crowd during the other bands’ sets, supporting the acts they’re on the bill with, and giving time to anyone who wants to say hi, take a picture, or get a hug.
To find out when, and where, J and the 9s will be performing next, check out their Facebook page for show dates.
