Jah Paul Jo
Encyclopedia
Jah Paul Jo is a guitarist, bass player, singer and producer best known for creating the novelty band, Dread Zeppelin
. From 1983 to 1988, Jah Paul Jo, as Severs Ramsey, was the singer/bass player in The Prime Movers. Ramsey is also the owner of independent record label, Birdcage Records, famous for launching the careers of Dread Zeppelin
and The Prime Movers and for releasing titles by Stan Ridgway
, Ron Asheton
, In Vivo (Johnette Napolitano
of Concrete Blonde
) and The Mystery Band (Members of Captain Beefheart
's Magic Band) and many others.
.
The Prime Movers first garnered attention with the Mini-LP, “Museum,” released in 1984 on Jah Paul Jo's indie label, Birdcage Records. It’s brooding songs, post punk energy and Putman’s eclectic guitar flourishes (played on a variety of homemade guitars) earned the band glowing critical notices.
Indeed, Cashbox Magazine wrote in their Aug 6, 1988 edition, "Gary Putman weaves an ethereal tapestry which blends technical wizardry with pure emotion to create one of the most stylistically unique guitar sounds ever (Did you hear that, Les Paul?)."
While playing the Southern California club circuit, the band landed a major label deal with Island Records
. A&R reps saw The Prime Movers at the legendary nightclub, Madame Wong’s Chinatown and immediately signed the band to the label.
Island Records
UK released two singles and a self-titled EP that found favor with the English record buying public and were critically acclaimed by the British press. A song from the EP, "Strong As I Am," was selected by film-maker Michael Mann to be the featured song in his movie, “Manhunter
” (the prequel to “Silence Of The Lambs”). The song was included on the “Manhunter
” soundtrack LP as well as being released as the A-side of a single on MCA Records
. A well-received UK tour with Big Country
followed with Big Country’s guitarist, Stuart Adamson
, contributing an emotional E-Bow guitar part to their single, "Dark Western Night."
In 1987, The Prime Movers fell from favor with their label, Island Records
, and Jah Paul Jo hatched the bright idea to record new music under an assumed name - the crazier the concept the better. While recording demos for A&M Records
as part of a songwriting publishing deal, Jo, along with Carl Jah, Curt Lichter (Cheese) and Gary Putman recorded two demos, "Memphis Of The Mind" and "Earshot" that laid the groundwork for what would soon become Dread Zeppelin
.
Ramsey and Putman, as Jah Paul Jo and Put-Mon, recruited some old friends and entered their own, self-induced Musical Witness Protection Program: Dread Zeppelin
was born. After selling over a million copies of their classic first album, Un-Led-Ed
, success of a different kind consumed them.
Jah Paul Jo, along with Rasta Li-Mon (R. Lee Manning), produced all titles by Dread Zeppelin through JPJo's 1995 finale, No Quarter Pounder
. The band released eight CDs between the years 1989 - 1995, toured the world several times, appeared on television shows and portrayed themselves in the motion picture, "National Lampoon's Last Resort
."
(Wall Of Voodoo
) who contributed his most personal, and well-reviewed solo album, Black Diamond
.
Next up was a live/studio release by the legendary guitarist of Iggy Pop
And The Stooges
, Ron Asheton
. "Thin Slm And None/Flunkie" caught Asheton at his best, featuring twelve new originals and a blistering live set of Stooges, Destroy All Monsters
and MC5
covers. Jah Paul Jo accompanied the band on their European tour of 1996 that featured guest bassist, Michael Davis
of the MC5
.
1996 also saw the release of titles by Hecate's Angels (Drywall
, Wall Of Voodoo
), A Thousand Other Names (Shadowfax
, Nels Cline
), Ed's Too Short (Produced by Jah Paul Jo and Rasta Li-Mon), The Mystery Band featuring members of Captain Beefheart
's Magic Band, Ghosthouse (Paisley Underground, Steve Wynn
) and others.
Dread Zeppelin
Dread Zeppelin is an American band best known for performing the songs of Led Zeppelin in a reggae style as sung by a 300 pound Vegas Elvis impersonator. Over the years they would also perform songs originally by Elvis Presley, Bob Marley and The Yardbirds. The group toured extensively around the...
. From 1983 to 1988, Jah Paul Jo, as Severs Ramsey, was the singer/bass player in The Prime Movers. Ramsey is also the owner of independent record label, Birdcage Records, famous for launching the careers of Dread Zeppelin
Dread Zeppelin
Dread Zeppelin is an American band best known for performing the songs of Led Zeppelin in a reggae style as sung by a 300 pound Vegas Elvis impersonator. Over the years they would also perform songs originally by Elvis Presley, Bob Marley and The Yardbirds. The group toured extensively around the...
and The Prime Movers and for releasing titles by Stan Ridgway
Stan Ridgway
Stanard 'Stan' Ridgway is an American multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter known for his distinctive voice, dramatic lyrical narratives, and eclectic solo albums and was the original lead singer of the band Wall of Voodoo...
, Ron Asheton
Ron Asheton
Ronald Frank Asheton was an American guitarist and co-songwriter with Iggy Pop for the rock band The Stooges.Asheton is ranked as number 29 on Rolling Stones list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time....
, In Vivo (Johnette Napolitano
Johnette Napolitano
Johnette Napolitano is an American singer, songwriter and bassist best known as the lead vocalist/songwriter and bassist for the alternative rock group Concrete Blonde.- Solo career :...
of Concrete Blonde
Concrete Blonde
Concrete Blonde is an alternative rock band based in the United States. They were initially active from 1982 to 1995, and again from 2001 to 2004, and once again in 2010.-Biography:...
) and The Mystery Band (Members of Captain Beefheart
Captain Beefheart
Don Van Vliet January 15, 1941 December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter and artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band, active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 12...
's Magic Band) and many others.
The Prime Movers
Hailing from Sierra Madre, California, The Prime Movers - Gary Putman on guitar and vocals, Severs Ramsey on vocals and bass and Curt Lichter on drums - formed in 1983, adapting their name from a favorite episode of the science fiction TV series, The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone is an American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. Each episode is a mixture of self-contained drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist...
.
The Prime Movers first garnered attention with the Mini-LP, “Museum,” released in 1984 on Jah Paul Jo's indie label, Birdcage Records. It’s brooding songs, post punk energy and Putman’s eclectic guitar flourishes (played on a variety of homemade guitars) earned the band glowing critical notices.
Indeed, Cashbox Magazine wrote in their Aug 6, 1988 edition, "Gary Putman weaves an ethereal tapestry which blends technical wizardry with pure emotion to create one of the most stylistically unique guitar sounds ever (Did you hear that, Les Paul?)."
While playing the Southern California club circuit, the band landed a major label deal with Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
. A&R reps saw The Prime Movers at the legendary nightclub, Madame Wong’s Chinatown and immediately signed the band to the label.
Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
UK released two singles and a self-titled EP that found favor with the English record buying public and were critically acclaimed by the British press. A song from the EP, "Strong As I Am," was selected by film-maker Michael Mann to be the featured song in his movie, “Manhunter
Manhunter (film)
Manhunter is a 1986 American thriller film based on Thomas Harris's novel Red Dragon. Written and directed by Michael Mann, it stars William Petersen as Will Graham and features Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecktor...
” (the prequel to “Silence Of The Lambs”). The song was included on the “Manhunter
Manhunter (film)
Manhunter is a 1986 American thriller film based on Thomas Harris's novel Red Dragon. Written and directed by Michael Mann, it stars William Petersen as Will Graham and features Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecktor...
” soundtrack LP as well as being released as the A-side of a single on MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. A well-received UK tour with Big Country
Big Country
Big Country are a Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife in 1981. They were most popular in the early to mid-1980s, but they still release material for a cult following...
followed with Big Country’s guitarist, Stuart Adamson
Stuart Adamson
Stuart Adamson , born William Stuart Adamson, was an English-born Scottish guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, described by legendary music journalist John Peel as “Britain’s answer to Jimi Hendrix”...
, contributing an emotional E-Bow guitar part to their single, "Dark Western Night."
Dread Zeppelin
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
, and Jah Paul Jo hatched the bright idea to record new music under an assumed name - the crazier the concept the better. While recording demos for A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
as part of a songwriting publishing deal, Jo, along with Carl Jah, Curt Lichter (Cheese) and Gary Putman recorded two demos, "Memphis Of The Mind" and "Earshot" that laid the groundwork for what would soon become Dread Zeppelin
Dread Zeppelin
Dread Zeppelin is an American band best known for performing the songs of Led Zeppelin in a reggae style as sung by a 300 pound Vegas Elvis impersonator. Over the years they would also perform songs originally by Elvis Presley, Bob Marley and The Yardbirds. The group toured extensively around the...
.
Ramsey and Putman, as Jah Paul Jo and Put-Mon, recruited some old friends and entered their own, self-induced Musical Witness Protection Program: Dread Zeppelin
Dread Zeppelin
Dread Zeppelin is an American band best known for performing the songs of Led Zeppelin in a reggae style as sung by a 300 pound Vegas Elvis impersonator. Over the years they would also perform songs originally by Elvis Presley, Bob Marley and The Yardbirds. The group toured extensively around the...
was born. After selling over a million copies of their classic first album, Un-Led-Ed
Un-Led-Ed
Un-Led-Ed is the debut album by Dread Zeppelin. Released in 1990 to a skeptical public, the album became a sensation on the strength of glowing reviews and a public endorsement by Led Zeppelin vocalist, Robert Plant, who claimed he preferred Dread Zep's version of "Your Time Is Gonna Come" to Led...
, success of a different kind consumed them.
Jah Paul Jo, along with Rasta Li-Mon (R. Lee Manning), produced all titles by Dread Zeppelin through JPJo's 1995 finale, No Quarter Pounder
No Quarter Pounder
No Quarter Pounder is a studio album by Dread Zeppelin, released on September 12, 1995. Its title is wordplay on the Led Zeppelin song "No Quarter" and the name of a hamburger made by McDonald's, a Quarter Pounder ....
. The band released eight CDs between the years 1989 - 1995, toured the world several times, appeared on television shows and portrayed themselves in the motion picture, "National Lampoon's Last Resort
National Lampoon's Last Resort
National Lampoon's Last Resort is a 1994 direct-to-video comedy film directed by Rafal Zielinski...
."
Birdcage Records
After leaving Dread Zeppelin, Jah Paul Jo started assembling what would soon prove to be an impressive independent record label roster. First signing was fellow IRS Record alumnus, Stan RidgwayStan Ridgway
Stanard 'Stan' Ridgway is an American multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter known for his distinctive voice, dramatic lyrical narratives, and eclectic solo albums and was the original lead singer of the band Wall of Voodoo...
(Wall Of Voodoo
Wall of Voodoo
Wall of Voodoo was an American New Wave group from Los Angeles best known for the 1983 hit "Mexican Radio". The band had a sound that was a fusion of synthesizer-based New Wave music with the spaghetti western soundtrack style of Ennio Morricone.-Formation:...
) who contributed his most personal, and well-reviewed solo album, Black Diamond
Black Diamond
-Minerals:* Anthracite* Carbonado, a natural diamond that is black in color* A black synthetic diamond, specifically CVD polycrystalline diamonds or HPHT polycrystalline compact diamonds...
.
Next up was a live/studio release by the legendary guitarist of Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
And The Stooges
The Stooges
The Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
, Ron Asheton
Ron Asheton
Ronald Frank Asheton was an American guitarist and co-songwriter with Iggy Pop for the rock band The Stooges.Asheton is ranked as number 29 on Rolling Stones list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time....
. "Thin Slm And None/Flunkie" caught Asheton at his best, featuring twelve new originals and a blistering live set of Stooges, Destroy All Monsters
Destroy All Monsters (band)
Destroy All Monsters were an influential Detroit band existing from 1973 to 1985, with sporadic performances since. Their music touched on elements of punk rock, psychedelic, heavy metal music and noise rock with a heavy dose of performance art. Their name likely came from the Godzilla film Destroy...
and MC5
MC5
The MC5 is an American rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan and originally active from 1964 to 1972. The original band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson...
covers. Jah Paul Jo accompanied the band on their European tour of 1996 that featured guest bassist, Michael Davis
Michael Davis (bassist)
Michael Davis is a bass guitarist, singer, songwriter and music producer.- MC5 :He replaced original MC5 bassist Pat Burrows when singer Rob Tyner and guitarist Wayne Kramer decided that they liked Davis' style and wanted him in the band.MC5 comprises:*Michael Davis, bass,*Wayne Kramer,...
of the MC5
MC5
The MC5 is an American rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan and originally active from 1964 to 1972. The original band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson...
.
1996 also saw the release of titles by Hecate's Angels (Drywall
Drywall
Drywall, also known as plasterboard, wallboard or gypsum board is a panel made of gypsum plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper...
, Wall Of Voodoo
Wall of Voodoo
Wall of Voodoo was an American New Wave group from Los Angeles best known for the 1983 hit "Mexican Radio". The band had a sound that was a fusion of synthesizer-based New Wave music with the spaghetti western soundtrack style of Ennio Morricone.-Formation:...
), A Thousand Other Names (Shadowfax
Shadowfax (band)
Shadowfax was a new age/electronic musical group, best known for their albums Shadowfax and Folksongs for a Nuclear Village. In 1988 they won the Grammy for Best New Age Performance for Folksongs for a Nuclear Village...
, Nels Cline
Nels Cline
Nels Cline is an American guitarist and composer, currently the lead guitarist of alternative rock band Wilco. David Carr of the New York Times describes Cline as "one of the best guitarists in any genre."-Career:...
), Ed's Too Short (Produced by Jah Paul Jo and Rasta Li-Mon), The Mystery Band featuring members of Captain Beefheart
Captain Beefheart
Don Van Vliet January 15, 1941 December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter and artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band, active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 12...
's Magic Band, Ghosthouse (Paisley Underground, Steve Wynn
Steve Wynn (songwriter)
Steve Wynn is a songwriter based in New York . He led the band the Dream Syndicate from 1981 to 1989 and afterward began a solo career.- Career in bands :...
) and others.
Dread Zeppelin's 20th Anniversary
January 8, 2009 marked the 20th anniversary of Dread Zeppelin's first gig. To commemorate, Birdcage released "Pure Inner-Tainment," the first DVD collection that compiled the best of the original band's video output. Jah Paul Jo launched a new Dread Zeppelin web site, Dread Zeppelin Dot TV, to promote the early band with the accent on their Birdcage releases.Present
Jah Paul Jo continues to perform sporadically while still running Birdcage Records. The Prime Movers, with new drummer, Gary Falasco, had a short-lived reunion and re-released their first album, 1984's "Museum," for the first time on CD.Singles
- Chances/In Touch With You - The Prime Movers (1983) 7" Vinyl, Birdcage Records
- On The Trail/Strong As I Am - The Prime Movers (1986) 7" Vinyl, Island Records
- Dark Western Night/Lost In Your World - The Prime Movers (1987) 7" Vinyl, Island Records
- Strong As I Am - The Prime Movers (ManhunterManhunter (film)Manhunter is a 1986 American thriller film based on Thomas Harris's novel Red Dragon. Written and directed by Michael Mann, it stars William Petersen as Will Graham and features Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecktor...
Soundtrack) 7" Vinyl MCA (1987) - Immigrant Song/Hey Hey What Can I Do - Dread Zeppelin (1989) 7" Vinyl, Birdcage Records
- Whole Lotta Love/Tour-Telvis: A Bad Trip - Dread Zeppelin (1989) 7" Vinyl, Birdcage Records
Albums
- Museum - The Prime Movers (1984) 12" Vinyl, Birdcage Records
- On The Trail/Strong As I Am/Kahlua House/She's Got Pages/The Outsider - The Prime Movers (1986) 12" Vinyl EP, Island Records
- Dark Western Night/Lost In Your World/On The Trail (Live)/In Touch With You (Live) - The Prime Movers (1987) 12" Vinyl EP, Island Records
- ManhunterManhunter (film)Manhunter is a 1986 American thriller film based on Thomas Harris's novel Red Dragon. Written and directed by Michael Mann, it stars William Petersen as Will Graham and features Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecktor...
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - The Prime Movers (Strong As I Am) 12" Vinyl MCA (1987) - Spooked - The Prime Movers (1988) 12" Vinyl, Birdcage Records
- Naked Lady Guitar - The Prime Movers (1989) 12" Vinyl, Birdcage Records
- Un-Led-EdUn-Led-EdUn-Led-Ed is the debut album by Dread Zeppelin. Released in 1990 to a skeptical public, the album became a sensation on the strength of glowing reviews and a public endorsement by Led Zeppelin vocalist, Robert Plant, who claimed he preferred Dread Zep's version of "Your Time Is Gonna Come" to Led...
- Dread Zeppelin (1990), I.R.S. Records - 5,000,000* *Tortelvis Fans Can't Be Wrong - Dread Zeppelin (1991), I.R.S. Records
- Rock'n RollRock'n Roll (Dread Zeppelin album)Rock’n Roll is a limited Dread Zeppelin album from 1991 available only in Japan . The album contains both studio recordings and live performances...
- Dread Zeppelin (1991) JVC (Japan) - It's Not Unusual - Dread Zeppelin (1992), I.R.S. Records
- Hot & Spicy BeanburgerHot & Spicy BeanburgerHot and Spicy Beanburger, released in 1993, is the fourth studio album by Dread Zeppelin. This album marks the return of Tortelvis, the lead singer who left the band and was not on the previous album, It's Not Unusual, which was criticized by many fans due to its focus on disco songs.On Hot and...
- Dread Zeppelin (1993), Birdcage Records - The First No-Elvis - Dread Zeppelin (1994), Birdcage Records
- No Quarter PounderNo Quarter PounderNo Quarter Pounder is a studio album by Dread Zeppelin, released on September 12, 1995. Its title is wordplay on the Led Zeppelin song "No Quarter" and the name of a hamburger made by McDonald's, a Quarter Pounder ....
- Dread Zeppelin (1995), Birdcage Records - The Song Remains Insane - Dread Zeppelin (1998)
- Museum - The Prime Movers (2005) CD, Birdcage Records
- Pure Inner-Tainment DVD (2009)
Production (With Rasta Li-Mon)
- Un-Led-EdUn-Led-EdUn-Led-Ed is the debut album by Dread Zeppelin. Released in 1990 to a skeptical public, the album became a sensation on the strength of glowing reviews and a public endorsement by Led Zeppelin vocalist, Robert Plant, who claimed he preferred Dread Zep's version of "Your Time Is Gonna Come" to Led...
- Dread Zeppelin (1990), I.R.S. Records - 5,000,000* *Tortelvis Fans Can't Be Wrong - Dread Zeppelin (1991), I.R.S. Records
- Rock'n RollRock'n Roll (Dread Zeppelin album)Rock’n Roll is a limited Dread Zeppelin album from 1991 available only in Japan . The album contains both studio recordings and live performances...
- Dread Zeppelin (1991) JVC (Japan) - It's Not Unusual - Dread Zeppelin (1992), I.R.S. Records
- Hot & Spicy BeanburgerHot & Spicy BeanburgerHot and Spicy Beanburger, released in 1993, is the fourth studio album by Dread Zeppelin. This album marks the return of Tortelvis, the lead singer who left the band and was not on the previous album, It's Not Unusual, which was criticized by many fans due to its focus on disco songs.On Hot and...
- Dread Zeppelin (1993), Birdcage Records - The First No-Elvis - Dread Zeppelin (1994), Birdcage Records
- No Quarter PounderNo Quarter PounderNo Quarter Pounder is a studio album by Dread Zeppelin, released on September 12, 1995. Its title is wordplay on the Led Zeppelin song "No Quarter" and the name of a hamburger made by McDonald's, a Quarter Pounder ....
- Dread Zeppelin (1995), Birdcage Records - Ed's Too Short - Everything's Small (1996), Birdcage Records
- The Song Remains Insane - Dread Zeppelin (1998), TWA Records (Australia)
Soundtrack
- ManhunterManhunter (film)Manhunter is a 1986 American thriller film based on Thomas Harris's novel Red Dragon. Written and directed by Michael Mann, it stars William Petersen as Will Graham and features Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecktor...
(1987) - Abraxas: Guardian of the Universe (1990)
- National Lampoon's Last ResortNational Lampoon's Last ResortNational Lampoon's Last Resort is a 1994 direct-to-video comedy film directed by Rafal Zielinski...
(1994)
External links
Related Artists
- Dread ZeppelinDread ZeppelinDread Zeppelin is an American band best known for performing the songs of Led Zeppelin in a reggae style as sung by a 300 pound Vegas Elvis impersonator. Over the years they would also perform songs originally by Elvis Presley, Bob Marley and The Yardbirds. The group toured extensively around the...
- Stan RidgwayStan RidgwayStanard 'Stan' Ridgway is an American multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter known for his distinctive voice, dramatic lyrical narratives, and eclectic solo albums and was the original lead singer of the band Wall of Voodoo...
- Ron AshetonRon AshetonRonald Frank Asheton was an American guitarist and co-songwriter with Iggy Pop for the rock band The Stooges.Asheton is ranked as number 29 on Rolling Stones list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time....
- The StoogesThe StoogesThe Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
- Concrete BlondeConcrete BlondeConcrete Blonde is an alternative rock band based in the United States. They were initially active from 1982 to 1995, and again from 2001 to 2004, and once again in 2010.-Biography:...
- Captain BeefheartCaptain BeefheartDon Van Vliet January 15, 1941 December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter and artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band, active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 12...