Agnus Jackson

It was a cool Saturday night in downtown Byron, but it was blazin' hot at the Fifth Alarm Firehouse Pub because Agnus Jackson was on the stage. This trio was rockin' the house with a mixture of high-energy rock and blues.

Agnus Jackson is Larry "Elwood" Hill on bass and lead vocals, Prezell "PD" Davis on guitar and vocals, and Mike "Animal" Armato on drums. The band agrees that it's hard work being just a three piece band, but these guys pull it off with exceptional ability and a "magic" that is hard for bands to find.

They got their name through one of those odd circumstances that legends are made of. An elderly woman brought her car in for service where Mike worked. While working on her car, he came upon a collection of hard rock/heavy metal music. Of course he was curious, so when she came to pick up her car Mike asked about the selection of music in the car. She said that it was hers and the she was just a "rock n' roll" grandma. Her name is Agnes Jackson. Mike asked if they could use her name for the band, and she agreed. The guys just switch the 'e' in Agnes to a 'u' and Agnus Jackson was born.

Agnus Jackson plays a cross section of rock and blues tunes from classics to modern day in addition to playing their own material. You can hear songs from Bon Jovi all the way to a remake of a classic Tom Jones hit, "She's A Lady". About 40 percent of the bands music is made up of original compositions of which each member contributes. The band agrees that having the crowd get up and dance to their original music is one of the things that makes an evening great.

So what do guys have coming up in the future? They are back in the recording studio in July and August and they have a full schedule of dates set for the next few months. Some of the highlights for Agnus Jackson in the near future include:

"A Concert Party Bus Trip" to their show at the U.S Beet company. You can sign up for the "Concert Party Bus" that will take you to their show at Chicago's U.S. Beer Company on Friday, May 30, 2003. Besides Agnus Jackson, Crimson Tyde and One Little Sin will be playing at the show. Check out http://www.agnusjackson.com/tour/bus/bustour.htm for all the details.

On June 6th, the band will be playing at Hog Fest to celebrate Harley Davidson's 100 birthday.

Then on July 12th, the guys will be opening for the legendary Jimmy Van Zant at Croc's Pub.

Get all the details about upcoming shows at www.agnusjackson.com.

One thing you can say about Agnus Jackson is that they can definitely rock the house. Their energy and passion for their music permeates the crowd and that gets them up and dancing. Their namesake Mrs. Jackson would be proud.
- by Gregory C. Johnson

Wednesday, October 4th, 2006


Artist: Agnus Jackson
Release: Mesmerized

Agnus Jackson delivers high energy, emotion-driven, real life, in-your-face metal. The band is nspired by Alice in chains, STP, Shinedown, Bush, Marilyn Manson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Weezer, Jimmi Hendrix, Greenday, Sammy Hagar, Lenny Kravitz, AC-DC, Blue Oyster Cult, The Cult, Nickelback, Aerosmith, Metallica, Buck Cherry, Poison, Saliva, Cheap Trick, to name just a few. They have graced the stage with Shinedown, Uncle Kracker, Warrant, Great White, Joan Jett, .38 Special, and Jimmy Van Zant, and won the 2006 Rockford Area Music Industry (R.A.M.I.) Award for Best Hard Rock Band.

IndiePro Comments: Strong bass licks and driving guitars provide the ideal backdrop for lead vocalists’ in-your-face style. Musically, slightly reminiscent of Iron Maiden, Great White, and Shinedown.

- Indie Productions

Hailing from the heart of the midwest, comes one of the most original rock acts - Agnus Jackson. Originally formed by Mike Armato and Prezell Davis then known as Ground Control. Without a true full time bassist, Armato and Davis began the search. It was in 1999 the search was over. Larry Hill joined the duo and Agnus Jackson was formed. In early 2000 the band was ready to be unleashed on the local music scene with Hill becoming not only the full time bassist but also the voice of Agnus Jackson. The band continued to work on their originals and playing in as many venues as they possible could gaining quite a solid fan base. With numerous press releases in the Midwest over the next few years Agnus Jackson worked countless hours in the studio and on stage becoming a fan favorite.

The band has been recognized by many different medias having a song used in a television commercial and receiving airplay on local radio stations. In 2004 was the band strongest year to date. Opening for numerous national acts, being nominated for their first R.A.M.I. Award, releasing their first CD “Mesmerized” and playing in many new venues.

In late 2004 Agnus Jackson made one final change to the line up. Jesse Sacia was asked to become a full time member and has added the rhythm guitar fill to the unique sound that is Agnus Jackson. Sacia also has an extensive background in playing the drums, so it gives Armato a nice change of pace to be able to come out front to please the crowd. Agnus Jackson is looking to be the new standard for the future of Rock n’ Roll and will be a sound that can’t be ignored.

Agnus Jackson has already opened, and taken the stage with many veteran rockers such as: Uncle Kracker, Warrant,
Great White, Joan Jett, .38 Special, Head East, Jimmy Van Zant, Lonnie Brooks, April Wine, and many others. Thier live shows are incredible to say the least, and have been known to upstage larger acts in which they have opened for. Current concert dates are available via: www.AgnusJackson.com. For information on purchasing their latest release click here!

Their first radio single "Dismissed" broke the airwaves on WXRX-FM, and WZOK-FM as well as thousands of mp3 downloads via DSN Music, and affiliate music sites - http://www.digitalsyndicate.net/agnusjackson.html