soundCHECK 87 – February 24th 2011

The idea of naming a band might strike the layperson as an exercise riddled with fun and excitement. But I can personally assure you that the reality the polar opposite. The brain-contortion required to conjure up suggestions for a name that simultaneously means everything and nothing furrows the brow. It’s an enterprise that ushers moments of such soul-crushing indecision that it’s a wonder skinny indie kids don’t cry out their entire insides before they’ve even written a riff.

The task is harder now than it has ever been before. With every day that passes another decent band name is thought up, snapped-up and banished from availability. What’s more, the dawning of the digital age has meant that not only must a band name be memorable, it must be able to be googled, twittered and facebooked. It must appease all binary gods. Because if a band takes longer than 20 seconds to hunt down on the internet, they’ll have to work that little bit harder to make people care.

It’s a truism of the modern-age and it has resonated strongly with North Devon’s acoustic troubadour Jim Jones.  “If you’ve ever googled ‘Jim Jones’ you may be aware that I might not be that easy to find,” said Jones recently to one of the proper journalists at your favourite regional paper.

He’s right. And the recent stratospheric ascent of The Jim Jones Revue has done nothing to help his cyber-cause. “Not wanting to be out googled [sic] by the many Jones’ out there I have been convinced that a change would do me good.”

So, Jim Jones is no longer ‘Jim Jones’ but ‘Small Town Jones’. “As well as the Google bit it also kind of addresses the whole playing as a collective of musicians issue as well as on my own.”

Those familiar with North Devon’s modern musical heritage will recognise that this name also references Small Town Mentality, a former local band fronted by Jones. (To delve a little further, Small Town Mentality were the rebranded Carbon 14. ‘member them? They once supported Reef in Exeter’s Great Hall.)

But hell, Jones deserves to be on Google’s radar. His poignant acoustic riffs and heartfelt husky vocal delivery capture an honesty of songwriting that it’s hard not to be affected by. You can catch him and his new name tonight (24th) at Broomhill with Peter Bruntnell and Dave Little at a night in aid of Shelterbox. Doors are 7.30pm. Tickets are £10. There’s a buffet.

Or check him out at the gig of the week on Saturday (26th) at Pilton Village Hall. The bill is completed by Central Casting, Jog On Robot and North Devon Festival regulars The Caves. The Peter Bruntnell Band take the headline slot. Doors are at 7pm. Tickets cost £7 and are available from Pilton Stores or this phone number: 01271 373392. Guests are instructed to bring their own refreshments. Presumably that means booze.

Elsewhere this week, wistful London folk types Ahab (myspace.com/ahabmyspace) play at The Palladium on Saturday (26th).

By the way, Jim Jones hinted at a Carbon 14 reunion gig in his press release. Yes! Watch this space.

Hit me up with your local music news at jharper@northdevonjournal.co.uk or @testforpulse on twitter.