Interview by John Wisniewski for MK ULTRA Magazine Photos courtesy Gene Loves Jezebel
Gene Loves Jezebel are a British alternative rock band formed in the early 1980s by identical twin brothers Jay (born John) and Michael Aston. Gene Loves Jezebel’s best-known songs include “Heartache”, “Desire (Come and Get It)” (1986), “The Motion of Love” (1987), “Jealous” (1990), and “Break the Chain” (1993), as well as alternative club hits “Bruises” (1983), “Influenza (Relapse)” (1984), and “The Cow” (1985). “The Motion of Love” was the band’s most successful UK single. The name of the band is a reference to rock musician Gene Vincent and his song “Jezebel”. As the result of a rift between the Aston brothers in 1997 and ongoing legal issues, there are currently two incarnations of the band.
From Wikipedia:
In December 2016, Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel announced that they were recording a new album via a Pledge Music campaign. The album, entitled Dance Underwater, was completed in April 2017 and was released on 30 June 2017[ via Westworld Recordings/Plastichead.
In September 2018, Jay Aston, James Stevenson, and Peter Rizzo were named as defendants in a lawsuit brought by Michael Aston for infringement of his trademark at the end of Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel’s first US tour in ten years. Jay Aston’s band argued that they had complied with the agreement with Michael Aston to the best of their ability. At the hearing on 7 January 2019 in Santa Ana, California, before the judge The Hon James Selna, the judge found in favor of the defendants on all of the five counts that Michael Aston had brought and ordered him to pay the defendants’ legal fees. Case 8:808-cv-00181-JVS (RNBX)
On December 1, 2023, Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel released their tenth studio album, Love Death Sorrow, on Cleopatra Records to critical acclaim. In his review of Love Death Sorrow for Goldmine Magazine, Dave Thompson wrote “It not only sounds like a classic Jezzies album, it feels like one as well — at the same time as dodging any accusation of treading water or restating old ground. The band have already lived through their glory days. Now they’re celebrating their most glorious. Guitarist Stevenson is simply blazing. Indeed, anyone who thought his recent (2021) solo album The Other Side of the World was the cat’s pajamas has just been introduced to its dressing gown. In terms of (re-)establishing Stevenson’s credentials as the hottest guitarist to emerge from the new wave (he was first sighted in Chelsea, in the first wave of punk), Stevenson is playing some of the most grandiosely incisive guitar of his life right now. A lot of unexpected names have turned up new albums this year, and most of them have been a let-down. Gene Loves Jezebel compensate for all of them. “
This interview is with Goth legends Gene Loves Jezebel, who are currently on tour in support of a new album. Here Jay Aston speaks about the tour, the hit album “Promise” that made them Rise to the top of the charts, and their favorite music artists.
John Wisniewski: Tell us about the upcoming tour. Where will you be playing?
Jay Ashton: It’s a quick visit. We’ll be joined by Slim Jim Phantom & Belouis Some. It’ll be hot & sweaty.
8 Philadelphia City Winery
9 NYC Sony Hall
10 Pittsburgh, PA – Jergels
12 Cincinnati, OH – Ludlow Garage
13 Detroit, MI – Magic Bag
15 Hightstown, NJ-Randy Now’s Man Cave
16 Pawling, NY – Daryl’s House
17 Roslyn, NY – My Fathers Place
18 Norwalk, CT – District Music Hall
20 Boston – City Winery
JW: Any favorite bands?
JA: I like so many. I love Warpaint & Tame Impala at the minute.
JW: How did Gene Loves Jezebel form in the early 80s?
JA: I was hitching around Europe & decided I should return to Wales & form a band. It helped that I had a twin & a fantastic guitarist that could bounce off my ideas. I decided to move to London as it was the centre of the universe & get an agent & record deal. All those things happened. Some might call that “manifesting” these days.
JWL What inspires you to write your music?
JA: Longing & anger.
JW: Did you expect the “Discover” album to be as popular as it was?
JA: We were on a rollercoaster, things were moving so fast & we couldn’t digest it at the time. Writing & singing “Desire” was a pivotal moment.
JW: What was it like touring and recording with John Cale?
JA: Memorable. First time in NYC & I have many stories (Danceteria, Iroquois Hotel & Ornette Coleman). Unfortunately the recording didn’t go well, but it was an awesome experience.
JW: What do you think of the current “goth” scene in UK and US?
JA: I live in a bubble.
JW: What was the reunion like, getting back together after you had been apart for a few years?
Well we never split, but we just didn’t tour as much as we used to. Recording the last two albums (“Dance Underwater” & “Love Death Sorrow X) reignited the fire. We loved making both those albums & we all enjoy touring.
JW: Any new videos you could tell us about?
JA: Nothing new with band, but I post a ton of solo stuff on instagram. @jezebel_jay
JW: Any plans and projects?
JA: I’m planning on a solo record. I write all the time, so I have a lot of songs.