the latest and the greatest from el jezel

DEAN & BRITTA’S “You Turn My Head Around”

Look for George and Jess making out at 2:51-2:53.  Disgusting.

etc. and otherwise

So God help us.  A band that still thinks there’s a point in releasing a full legnth album.  An LP, a long-player.   It seems that in these days of an ailing music industry and the death of the record store, it’s impossible to expect people to digest 10 of your songs at once.  Sadly, El Jezel almost fell prey to this disturbing viewpoint when we decided to release our new album as cell phone ringtones, but we came to our senses and stuck to the plan.  AN ALBUM.  Our second album that is in some ways bigger and many ways better.   

We don’t have a title yet, but we are starting to kick some names around.  Our wunderful producer and ass shaker Travis felt strongly about naming it in an old fashiony way ala “A Walk in the Park with El Jezel” or “A Night on the Town with El Jezel”.  Not quite winners, but good suggestions Trav!

And hey, since we’re multimedia and everything with this blog, why not go full visual?  That’s what we’re hoping to do with Paul Rondeau and Chris Brunelle as they assist us in the filming of our first video.  It’s for something on the new album and the next day we’re shooting is Sunday, April 6th.  That’s the day after our show on Saturday, April 5th.  Talk about a sweet “Jezel Weekend”!  Initial footage has been very cool looking and a great visual testament to what we’re about.  Especially the shots where we dress up like pirates and ride go-karts down the street. 

Speaking of videos, did ya the sweet Dean and Britta in the last post that features two seconds of me and Jess?  We filmed it last Spring, and despite us being in it, it’s really a beautiful looking video for a great song. Ok, that’s all.

-george

the story behind el jezel

Ah, the story of El Jezel’s name, you ask. 

We may have told those of you who have asked about the myth of the Mexican boogey man, often know as El Chupacabra but who is lesser known as El Jezel by the locals in a small town off the west coast of Mexico.  Here is more to that story:

Centuries-old legends say that more than 3,000 years ago the God of fire looked down from the volcano, Nevado de Colima, to advise and give solace to the inhabitants of this region.  This God is known as El Jezel due to it’s glowing, cool azure eyes amidst the red glow of the volcano that engulfs it. 

-jessica

I am obsessed with taking pictures of cloud formations.  This is a favorite.  -george

I am obsessed with taking pictures of cloud formations.  This is a favorite. 

-george


This is the cover of Fascination Street that we pulled off one night in the rehearsal studio.   It was done as part of a collection of cover songs a bunch of friends/bands did for our friend D’s birthday.  We still play this one out from time to time.

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
This is our dimly lit video for “Obsessive” that our friends Dan and Don filmed.  Yes, we really are playing a concert for elementary school kids and they are really getting their fisty taste of moshing.
Oh, how we’ve grown.  This is a classic shot of us at Trash.  I’m always amused by my stance in this picture, like I’m bracing myself for something terrible.  Dan and Jess both have short hair in this picture, and Jess is sporting a rare short skirt.  Probably just as well since the lights at Trash are/were notoriously hot.  The sweat always flows as freely as the beer at Trash.
Oh, how we’ve grown.  This is a classic shot of us at Trash.  I’m always amused by my stance in this picture, like I’m bracing myself for something terrible.  Dan and Jess both have short hair in this picture, and Jess is sporting a rare short skirt.  Probably just as well since the lights at Trash are/were notoriously hot.  The sweat always flows as freely as the beer at Trash.

THE SECOND ALBUM...is coming.

The newest album is well on it’s way to being completed, and we’re getting excited!  We’re booked for mastering the last week of February with the competent ears of Alan Douches at West West Side Music.  This guy is pretty awesome and has lastered albums by Trans Am, The Chemical Brothers,  Damon and Naomi, Olivia Tremor Control, Ben Folds Five, Oneida, The Dismemberment Plan and Run DMC just to name a few.  I’ll definitely be asking him to give us that RUN DMD sheen in order to take the record to the next level. 

We’re also working on some crucial details, like deciding on the artwork, getting photos, and deciding on a title.  There are a few contenders, but we haven’t quite locked it in yet.