Finally, “college rock radio” has awakened from its long sleep and given us The Jans Project, a “Midwestern rock project” featuring Ex-B Lovers/Turning Curious members Nick Rudd (vocals, guitar), Jeff Evans (drums) and Steve Scariano (bass). Steve Lindstrom rounds out the lineup on second guitar.
In the early ‘80s, Champaign, Ill., was ground zero for college rock and one of the finest examples, a local band simply called B-Lovers, released a great single called “Everything is Falling.” They soon morphed into Turning Curious. The band was on their way. In 1983, Turning Curious decamped to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and recorded a wonderful 6-song EP (Soul Light Season) with Let’s Active front man Mitch Easter at his Drive-in Studios – the man responsible for giving REM’s its sound.
Flash forward 25 years or so and the core of the band has decided to start making music again. The band has started gigging and recording. This self-titled EP is their first release. Featuring four songs, spanning 32 minutes, one would not immediately classify it as college rock ready. However, the first three songs click by in about 10 minutes. It’s the final track, “For Shame Unknown,” that blends alternative peppiness with trippy psychedelic overtones for a 22-minute romp that holds your attention.
The EP kicks off with the unreleased Turning Curious track “Torn Between.” It’s such a welcome return and its familiarity to fans of the genre is greatly appreciated. Tracks two and three (“High Noon” and “Hall of Accidents”) continue the exciting momentum. This EP is truly a reassurance that Rudd and Co. still knows what we want to hear and have the ability to deliver. Bring on the full length!
