Album Notes

Everything Changes is J.W. Blackout's first recorded effort. The title, Everything Changes is derived from a lyric in the first song on the album, Bumper Cars, a poignant look back at love that has long since died. This collection of songs is a rockin', roughhousing ensemble leading the listener into the destructiveness of self and situation with songs like Crazy and Blue Sky Blues. After this blackout, the songs depart into the slow weight of living with Lullaby and the power of those not so unlike us, with Birds and Stumble.

J.W. Blackout is the brainchild of Jamison Wilkins, no stranger to change; leaving Salt Lake for Boise - Jamison played drums with ex-members of The Tree People. The project never took off so Jamison left for New York. During his years in New York, Jamison became involved with J Majesty (some records) playing drums on their self-titled album. He gained the reputation as not only a hard-hitting drummer, but as an inventive and versatile musician. Jamison performed with various experimental and traditional projects all over the lower east side of Manhattan, Williamsburg, and Brooklyn. After three months on the road with J Majesty, Jamison wanted a change of pace. He moved back to Salt Lake City, and began his efforts with singing and guitar in the fall of 2000.

In the spring of 2001, Jamison approached long time friends, Pat Young (drums) and Jason Rock (bass, vocals), with a handful of songs. A few months later David Prill joined as the lead -guitarist and utility player.After the record was finished, when David moved to the Utah desert, Herc (engineer/producer) decided he liked the project so much that he joined the band. To experience the band play live is to witness the dedication of four guys who love to play rock and roll. Pat brings the stoic rhythmic foundation, Jason brings the honest soul and heart throbbing lyrics with Fortress, Herc, the off-the-cuff riffs and bluesy leads, and Jamison the wicked humor, urgency and love. All of these guys heighten and quicken the audience's blood flow while ripping into wild and free country influenced rock. J.W. Blackout does what they do because each can feel that steady pull of playing music that leaves no better way to live their lives. This combination of combustible performers explodes onto stage with high energy and emotional appeal so strongly that the audience is blasted into rock 'n' roll outer space! Each live razor-sharp performance; whether in a dive bar like Beatniks or Poll Star venues such as D-V8 and The Zephyr; lead these musicians into the studio where the songs were well-honed and still on fire.

Local recording legend Herc, with his precise ear for live sounds and laid back recording style, was the obvious choice for J.W. Blackout. In Salt Lake, August of 2001, Everything Changes was recorded. Most of the songs are first takes, adhering to the notion of maintaining the high-energy and electrical rawness of J.W. Blackout's live performances.

With the recording finalized, the live show brash and ass-stomping, intoxicating new songs are in the process and J.W. Blackout is amped for tour in the spring of 2003.

Thanks,
Jamison Wilkins
J.W. Blackout