Jump Back Heart Attack!

"Jeff Gonzales (III) was up next, plucking an acoustic guitar covered with writing. He stomped his feet and begun with an upbeat song he called "Black Balloons." Soon the crowd was clapping along. His voice was raspy, but crisp; somewhere between early Tom Waits and Jeff Tweedy. I was surprised I had never heard of him, though I later found out he played bass and sang vocals for Skybox. After a thirty minute set, it is obvious Gonzales is an authentic songwriter and lyricist. In the haunting "Singing to the Silence," he muses 'I can't build it like I break it/ I can't sing it like I feel it/ She's been singing in the shower/ While I've been living by the hour.' His songs are raw, yet interesting. His music bounces along the lines of Lucero and Wilco, or Iron & Wine with a smoker's cough. His guitar work was mostly simple, but effective. In the song "Optimism vs. Apathy," however, he showcased his chops on guitar with a beautiful intro that brought to mind a mix of Radiohead's Ed O'Brien and Spanish flemenco music. He wowed us with a raspy, fearlessly intimate performance. He mentioned he doesn't play his solo music too often. I can't understand why, this young man's music has soul."
-Kate Moore - A New Leak (L.A. Music Blog, 02/06)

'Distance Come True (Low-Fi Lullabies)' by Jeff Gonzales (III)(Jump Back Heart Attack!), Winged Victory Records 2007.

Once in awhile a vocalist's voice surprises you. It comes out of nowhere, seemingly an apology for the mediocre singers and Eddie Vedder/Scott Weiland wanna-be's that dominate radio airwaves nowadays. Jeff Gonzales (III)'s voice is just that.

Strong, yet not overpowering, raw and raspy, evoking emotion with just the sound of it. 'Midday Epilogue' is a depressing, yet somewhat comical look at addiction. The chorus rings out with longing 'sing it from the rooftops/ I won't follow you old friend/ but the way the clouds are rolling in today/ we might make up and start again.' He follows with 'New Noose,' on which his voice actually gave me goose bumps, no easy task for a dinosaur like me. 'Distance Come True's lyrics blew me away; 'I have burned so many bridges before they were built/ feasted on truth and spit up filth/ thawed my heart from her cold winter chill/ then wasted my youth on my stubborn will.'

The e.p. has tones of early acoustic Brian Jonestown Massacre, Wilco, and Willy Mason. I'm told it was done in one-take, all the more amazing. Though it's a bit raw, if his debut gives any indication, Jeff Gonzales (III) writes refreshing, strong, yet subtle songs with a voice as unique as it is powerful. I'm not sure how often he's playing or recording, but I'm definitely looking forward to his upcoming 'electric' record.
by Rob Shannon - S.O.S (Dallas Zine, 06/07)

"Jeff gonzales (III) is a valley veteran musician and (former) bassist and background vocalist of SKYBOX. the former member of noise-rockers the LOUD AMERICANS and the late 90's cult melodic pop-punk band THE DIRT BIKE KIDS, now 23, has switched gears, and has been performing solo occasionally since early 2005. My first time catching his solo show at THE TRUNK SPACE, I must say I was thoroughly impressed with what I heard.

Blending traditional and modern styles, Gonzales delivers an authentic, powerful, and soulful voice. His rich, weathered vocals weave longingly around loose, flowing chords reminiscent of Willie Nelson, Neil Young and Jeff Tweedy, though his particular sound is his own. His lyrics are moving, drifting from lonely and seemingly desperate, to indifferent and cynical, as illustrated in his song 'Wolverine:' 'I'll stop drinking I swear/ when it stops raining/ and my kidneys and my liver then will surely stop complaining/ but it's been pouring down for days/ maybe I want you dear or maybe I'm a wolverine/ they hunt more than they need/ just to keep it from anyone else.' He continues: 'clarity comes so slowly these days but i found a bit in santa fe/ i'll be your sleepless lullaby on lonely tossing turning nights/ so goodnight baby goodnight.' His song subjects seem to range from "Midday Epilogue's" seeming bouts with addiction to the uplifting, yet melancholy "Melody," in which Gonzales pleads 'Melody get out of my head!' Social and political themes are present on his upbeat "Black Balloons," he refers to leadership; 'out drunk on power and we pick up the tab again/and down sick with greed while we pick up the bill again.' On the whole, Gonzales' music possess a vital yet increasingly rare characteristic these days; real, tangible depth.

A tour and move to Chicago with Skybox is upcoming, and a solo debut acoustic ep is in the works, with a few friends from Phoenix twangers TIERRA DEL FUEGO adding some accompaniment.
I asked him a few questions after the show.

ST: Why did you decide to record an acoustic e.p?

JG3: "I've always done loud rock & roll, put out rock & roll records, and wanted to do something more stripped down and intimate, and I've always wanted to do an acoustic e.p. We ended up doing everything in one-take, which was cool. We recorded in a somewhat limited timeframe, so I made it a point not to be a perfectionist with it, to keep it loose and raw. As live-sounding as it could possibly be."

ST: When I lived in Mesa, I remember seeing the Dirt Bike Kids at The Nile & Tempe Bowl. Your shows were always a blast. It seemed like there were shows all the time back then. How do you think the Phoenix music scene has changed?

JG3 "I loved playing with the Dirt Bike Kids. It showed me how much fun playing in a band could be. It was sad to see The Nile, Tempe Bowl, and Nita's Hideaway go. The good thing is, they're starting to bring live music back to downtown Phoenix, here on Grand Ave. First Fridays I think has helped, and the light rail (scheduled completion late 2008) will help. The city's very spread out, so I think more public transportation will help connect everything."

ST: What are some of your major influences?

JG3: "Early on, I was heavily influenced by J Church and Jawbreaker, especially lyrically. As time has gone on, I've been increasingly influenced by traditional american music; folk, blues, gospel, country & western, and jazz. Also 50's, 60's and 70's rock n'roll. I'm a big Bowie fan, a big Lou Reed and Brian Eno fan. Spacy stuff. I'm also really into bands like Spiritualized, TV on the Radio, Godspeed You Black Emperor!, Psychic TV, and Radiohead. I even like some hardcore punk rock and metal. It just depends on my mood. I guess my goal is to incorporate a broad spectrum of sounds and ideas. I don't want all my songs to sound the same. I respect musicians whose sound evolves over time. Soon I'll be getting back to playing noisier music, but the acoustic thing has been fun."

The e.p, titled 'DISTANCE COME TRUE (LOW-FI LULLABIES)' will be released "sometime in 2007" (available at cdbaby.com and on itunes soon!) on local upstart WINGED VICTORY RECORDS, followed by what he describes as "a bit more electronic-friendly, noisier, multi-instrument album, sometime in the next couple of years."
-S. Thatcher, Sweet Tooth Zine (Tucson, AZ)

- Sweet Tooth Zine (04/06)

"We're taking a break from the indie rock music that is mostly featured here to bring you Jump Back Heart Attack, or Jeff Gonzales III. Jeff is a singer songwriter with soul! Expect to hear soulful, meaningful lyrics when you click that green play button above! Jeff's style is somber, which is kinda where the "soulful" comes in. His vocals and acoustic guitar will make your heart sink... in a good way. Yes, sinking can be good. The music is raw, real, and simple. He almost has a Johnny Cash like quality. With that weary "twang" in the vocals. Sometimes you've just got to crank the stereo down instead of up, close your eyes, and listen to the sultry sounds of Jump Back Heart Attack! So do it! Kick back, and enjoy. - Indieshows.net (01/08)

Jump Back Heart Attack!
Okay, sweet name, but do they deliver the sweet rock goods? With a name like Jump Back Heart Attack! you better be the kind of band who throws themselves around the stage, does power slides and ends their set by diving head-first into the drum kit. Not that I judge a book by its cover or anything… So did I call it?

Nope. Far from it. Jump Back Heart Attack! is on some lo-fi indie folk shit….and he is killing it anyway! Great lyrics, appropriately hoarse and coarse voice, way good shit right here. I would totally hang with Mr. Jeff Gonzales III and trade porch jams and puffs of marijuana cigarettes. Look into this guy, he’s worth your time.

Author:
Spencer, Synthesis Magazine
- Synthesis Magazine