Merle Jagger
Los Angeles, California, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
“Mark Christian of Merle Jagger found himself in an en enviable position…Steve Anderko...[of] LPJ Records was looking to sign artists...‘I [Mark] knew if we signed with them they’d give us a lot of attention’....Merle Jagger got its biggest help [getting signed] from MySpace.com...‘They [LPJ] liked our music and came out to see one of our shows after which they were convinced that they wanted to do business with us’...LPJ Records releases Rancho Los Angeles March 2006.”
-Rob Putnam, Music Connection Magazine Signing Story, March 2006
- Music Connection Magazine, Signing Story March 2006
“Possessing one of the most rock ‘n’ roll names in recent history, LA’s Merle Jagger doesn’t actually have anyone with either name in the band, but it sure sounds like they do. This may seem obvious – and it kind of is – but if you take Merle Haggard’s dry, wise, tough-guy country and the Stones’ sense of playful rock show campiness, you’re pretty dead on with these guys. Bouncing through bluegrass, Buck Owens’ pop Bakersfield sound, lap-steel shredding honky-tonk, and a wee bit of roadhouse rock, the band’s new instrumental-only CD, Rancho Los Angeles, is pure, amped-up fun.”
-JP, “Music – Up & Coming,” Portland Mercury, 23 May 2006
- Portland Mercury
“All hail the new kings…(chant) Merle Jagger, Merle Jagger, Merle Jagger ! Merle Jagger is an instrumental band that plies their trade with skill, finesse, and a healthy dose of blistering guitar/banjo picking by Mark Christian. and a rhythm section (bass Patrick Flores and drums Brandon Goldstein) that hold their own pace like a set of wild horses alluding capture.At times Merle Jagger are reminiscent of bands like Blood on the Saddle, Southern Culture on the Skids and Bad Livers. Merle Jagger combines traditional country and breakneck bluegrass rather than country pop patter thus giving them the winning formula for success, critical praise and acclaim.10 Stetsons out of Ten!”- Christopher Duda (SugarBuzz Toronto)SugarBuzz Magazine, 2006 - Christopher Duda, SugarBuzz Magazine, 2006
" Imagine blues guitarist Ronnie Earle sitting in with legendary country picker Chet Atkins, with surf pioneers the Ventures backing them both, and you've pretty much got the vibe of Merle Jagger. It's instrumental country surf blues performed with enthusiasm and virtuosic excellence. Crisp arrangements, solid chops, and a driving beat give the L.A.-based trio a sound unlike anything else going today. The only band that ever even came close to this melding of various American styles into an all-instrumental stew was the Tailgators, a ate '80s/early '90s vehicle for former LeRoi Brothers guitarist Don Leady. Here the star is guitarist Mark Christian. Not to downplay the absolutely firm foundation laid down by bassist Patrick Flores and drummer Brandon Goldstein, but Christian's near-bluegrass speed picking while organically working various pedals and effects boxes is what makes this CD such a unique listen. Having him turn in passages on banjo and mandolin, too, only adds to the whole experience.
Merle Jagger performs Saturday at O'Connell's at 1310 Morena Blvd. in San Diego."
-Jim Trageser, August 8th 2006 - North Country TImes, San Diego
“A power trio of pros…The combination of musicianship and flair make Merle Jagger explosive to watch…Mark Christian is one of the best guitar players I’ve ever seen, in any genre.”
-AZNightbuzz.com
- AZNightbuzz.com
“Merle Jagger is a descendant of neither Mick Jagger nor Merle Haggard. Instead, this Los Angeles band is something of an oddity: an acoustic country rock trio, with roots in both classic rock and classic country. They call their music a ‘progressive hillbilly experiment,’ and it sounds like something you'd hear in a chase scene of an old silent Western flick … maybe they're onto something new with this acoustic country business.” - -“Bumper crop,” Fresno Bee, 18 May 2006
“When most people think of the Southern California music scene, they think of rock ‘n’ roll or rap music. But Mark Christian notes that country music has always been a big part of the music scene … Local promoter Aaron Gomes booked Merle Jagger on the recommendation of a music-industry friend, Gomes said. The band’s music is a more ‘abstract version of very old-roots country music.’ ‘They definitely have some old-country influence, but calling them a country band is selling them very short and doesn’t properly represent them,’ Gomes said. ‘They are a progressive rock band that uses old-country as a springboard to create their own tweaked instrumental progressive country-esque instrumental compositions.’” - -James Ward, Visalia Times-Delta, 19 May 2006
"Perhaps this L.A. based trio of sessionaires called their exuberant electric hillbilly experiment "Merle Jagger" because "Mick Haggard" didn't have the right ring to it, but the hybrid idea is clear and brilliant—fusing bluegrass, hard country rock and jazz into an instrumental cauldron that is unlike anything any of those individual genres has heard before. Driven by Mark Christian's blazing, lightning fast electric guitar, banjo and mandolin, Patrick Flores' bubbling bass and Brandon Goldstein's explosive drumming, this disc is a s***kicker's dream, a near hour of fast paced, raucous party music that flies in the face of much of today's ultra slick pop country. Think Johnny Cash on speed, and you're off to a good start on the slammin' opening track "Ranchero" and "Ranch Party." They crank it up even more for the appropriately titled "Hillbilly No. 9," which makes you wonder how incredibly rockin' the other eight were. "In Through The Out Take" is a little more conventionally bluesy, but "Trash Tornado" is a place where surf guitar wears a cowboy hat that just won't stay on. Even when "Granny Takes A Trip," she's flyin' off her rocker. Anyone who's ever loved country rock, modern or classic, will enjoy the trip; these guys do their namesakes, Mick Jagger and Merle Haggard, very proud."-- Jonathan Widran, Aug 7th, 2006 - All Music Guide
“MERLE JAGGER - Rancho Los Angeles (LPJ Records) Twangy instrumental country-rock from LA locals... I like what I hear.”
-Eric J. Lawrence, KCRW Host of Dragnet & Station librarian 89.9 Santa Monica, CA - KCRW e-newsletter
"MERLE JAGGER RANCHO LOS ANGELES (3.5 stars) (para) OPENING FOR CROSS CANADIAN RAGWEED Where: House of Blues. When: August 3, 8 p.m. Price: $15-$18. Info: 632-7600. (para) This LA trio is more Merle than Jagger, twangin' through 12 instrumental tracks with the playful flair of Los Straitjackets and the throwback country chops of The Derailers. Toss in a little jam-band-style noodling for the hippie crowd and just enough balls-out rock, and you've got 53 minutes of fun for the whole family."
-Patrick Donnelly, August 3td, 2006 - Las Vegas Weekly
Discography
Rancho Los Angeles
Ranch Party Records / LPJ Entertainment 2006 Release Bunside Dist & Iris Dist
Photos
Bio
MERLE JAGGER music is now on the I PHONE radio app "RADIOLICIOUS" with over 100,000 subsribers. We also have our own radio station profile where you can hear all of our tracks. www.radiolicious.com
CURRENT UPDATE: Merle Jagger will be working during Winter and Spring of 2011 on writing and recording a new CD. We have been performing for 4 years in support of our debut CD, Rancho Los Angeles. Please see past shows for tour resume.
THE LEGEND OF MERLE JAGGER; There's a modern day wild bunch shooting it out in the greater Los Angeles area, playing blistering riffs that were inspired by the guitar slinging ghosts that pioneered the twang of electric guitar and progressive rhythms. Boiling out of the stills of LA’s underground is MERLE JAGGER, an instrumental trio ready to blaze a new trail of amped up Country with a mix of Bluegrass and Rock. Long time sessioneer guitarist Mark Christian, a native of Southern California, has teamed up with barnyard pals bassist Patrick Flores and drummer Brandon Goldstein for the ultimate progressive Hillbilly experiment. Mr. Christian's eclectic electric guitar style is fueled by a kaleidoscope of banjo and flat picking treasures that emulate a round-up of influences including Jimmy Bryant, Roy Clark, Jimi Hendrix, and Joe Maphis. Bass slinger Patrick Flores, (Southern California) thumps out a wagon yard of melodic western soundscapes while Brandon Goldstein, (born in California as well, but raised in the great state of Virginia) explodes with progressive expressionism reminiscent of Keith Moon and Mitch Mitchell. The name MERLE JAGGER is a derivation of the band's crossover sound of classic country to classic rock creating a cascade of notes that would make Johnny Cash walk the line.
Merle Jagger's track "Hillbilly No 9" will be in the soundtrack for an up coming movie on Warner Curb distribution for 09 called "Short Stack"
MERLE JAGGER LATEST REVIEWS! (for a more complete press overview go to 'press' page)
"Perhaps this L.A. based trio of sessionaires called their exuberant electric hillbilly experiment "Merle Jagger" because "Mick Haggard" didn't have the right ring to it, but the hybrid idea is clear and brilliant—fusing bluegrass, hard country rock and jazz into an instrumental cauldron that is unlike anything any of those individual genres has heard before. Driven by Mark Christian's blazing, lightning fast electric guitar, banjo and mandolin, Patrick Flores' bubbling bass and Brandon Goldstein's explosive drumming, this disc is a s***kicker's dream, a near hour of fast paced, raucous party music that flies in the face of much of today's ultra slick pop country. Think Johnny Cash on speed, and you're off to a good start on the slammin' opening track "Ranchero" and "Ranch Party." They crank it up even more for the appropriately titled "Hillbilly No. 9," which makes you wonder how incredibly rockin' the other eight were. "In Through The Out Take" is a little more conventionally bluesy, but "Trash Tornado" is a place where surf guitar wears a cowboy hat that just won't stay on. Even when "Granny Takes A Trip," she's flyin' off her rocker. Anyone who's ever loved country rock, modern or classic, will enjoy the trip; these guys do their namesakes, Mick Jagger and Merle Haggard, very proud."
- Jonathan Widran, ALL MUSIC GUIDE August 7, 2006
"High-octane six-stringers Merle Jagger, are one of very few groups able to reach the guitaristic heights proposed by Owens’ fabled ax-man Don Rich."
- Jonny Whiteside, LA Weekely
"Imagine blues guitarist Ronnie Earle sitting in with legendary country picker Chet Atkins, with surf pioneers the Ventures backing them both, and you've pretty much got the vibe of Merle Jagger. It's instrumental country surf blues performed with enthusiasm and virtuosic excellence. Crisp arrangements, solid chops, and a driving beat give the L.A.-based trio a sound unlike anything else going today. The only band that ever even came close to this melding of various American styles into an all-instrumental stew was the Tailgators, a late '80s/early '90s vehicle for former LeRoi Brothers guitarist Don Leady. Here the star is guitarist Mark Christian. Not to downplay the absolutely firm foundation laid down by bassist Patrick Flores and drummer Brandon Goldstein, but Christian's near-bluegrass speed picking while organically working various pedals and effects boxes is what makes this CD such a unique listen. Having him turn in passages on banjo and mandolin, too, only adds to the whole experience."
- Jim Trageser, North Country TImes, San Diego, August 9, 2006
“Possessing one of the most rock ‘n’ roll names in recent history, LA’s Merle Jagger doesn’t actually have anyone with either name in the band, but it sure sounds like they do. This may seem obvious – and it kind of is – but if you take Merle Haggard’s dry, wise, tough-guy country and the Stones’ sense of playful rock show campiness, you’re pretty dead on with these guys.
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