Jukebox has the have factor. What takes other bands years to develop they already have. The learning curve for this band has been working at mock speed. A full house of enthusiastic fans came out on a Thursday night to see this lively trio work their intuitive magic. The audience clapped, sang, smiled, and moved happily, soaking in the spirited set.
Ben Thornewill on Keys/vocals, Tommy Seigel on guitar/vocals, and Jessie Kristen on drums exude warmth, connectedness, and unpretentious ease of performance. They take their music seriously but don’t burden the audience with insecurity. They can enjoy a good flub of a lyric; laugh, shrug and continue to play.
The incredibly catchy mix of dance/ rock/pop/ compositions is integrated live with smart lyrics to match. Ben Thornewill’s music conservatory background is apparent. He has serious chops without an attitude, but his facial expression is Oscar-worthy. Like Freddie Mercury of Queen, his vocal range ca
n be smooth like butter or ecstatically charged. While rocking with his guitar, Tommy Seigel gawkily jerked and one-footed the stage with innate charm, devoid of pomposity. His lead vocals added a welcome diversity to the overall gestalt. Jessie Kristin’s drumming was impressive, holding together the changing rhythms that are a complex part of the Jukebox sound.
They went through much of their new recording Let Live and Let Ghosts, including the three-part "Fire in the Sky"/ "Where Are All The Scientists Now" / "A Matter of Time” that feature Siegel’s quirky vocals with Thornewill doing back up. Crowd favorites: "Good Day," "Hold it in," and "Victoria" were also in the mix and wonderful live.
Building on the party atmosphere, Ben introduced a cover song as an Indie guilty pleasure. Pleasure, it was, but I was too enthralled to remember the name.
When the set was over, the audience begged for an encore, some screaming suggestions. They chose the last grouping of songs on The Beatles Abbey Road. Easing into the beautiful "Golden Slumbers," the audience swayed and cooed. “Carry That Weight” was an awesome sing-along. “End” was the closing, and Tommy moved to stage left, leaving Jesse Kristin in full view for a great drum solo moment. This just killed.
Tides in music have a way of changing fast. Jukebox The Ghost’s refreshing personalities, undeniable musicianship, and dynamic pop and roll will sustain them. Making a buzz a breakthrough. They have it!
Jukebox The Ghost
Jukebox The Ghost’s Let Live and Let Ghosts full-length debut is lyrically smart piano pop with equally compelling vocals. This three-piece outfit of piano/keys /, guitar, and drums blend catchy hooks with over-the-top bounce. While the compositional shape of the music holds comparisons to Queen, it has an original sensibility.
Ben Thornwill’s piano/keys are the standout that combines classical vignettes, show tune swagger, dance punk edginess, and pop/rock styling. Tommy Siegel’s funk guitar grooves in the mix and Jesse Kristin’s rhythmic drumming drives the bass line. The great vocals of Ben Thornhill and sing-along hook-bait harmonies are no rest stop. This shit compels you to move.
Soaring with a wink are Ben Thornwill’s tenor vocals that take off in unexpected ways. While his voice can reach levels compared to Freddy Mercury and Jeff Buckley, they are uninhibited and wildly witty with a hint of Kentucky drawl. ”My Heart’s The Same,” a moving epic love song, shows the emotional range his voice can carry.
Jukebox presents our world's massive dilemmas like a black comedy. The impending doom runs through a three-part grouping of deceivingly up-tempo songs. "Fire in the Sky,"/ "Where Are All The Scientists Now," / "A Matter of Time.” The song “Where Are All The Scientists Now” applies phrasing like, / It’s the end of the world la, da de da / da da de da /. Employing dramatic crashing piano segments to emphasize gloom with a capital G, reminiscent of cheesy old movie soundtracks. With "In Your Face" and "Wordplay," they have updated the sentiment found in the 1956 hit "Que Sera Sera" (Whatever Will Be Will Be).
The lyrics in th
e song “Static” provoke social and political examination. The followers and believers fall lockstep with a hypnotic leader and…. / 10,000 strong / shouting in unison / and then Thornwill’s impassioned chorus frenetically sings…. / Mom and Dad wake up, wake up from your slumber / because where going to burn this mother fucker down / sometimes we burn and steal and rape and kill and sacrifice / just to remind ourselves that we’re still alive /.
Other songs like “Hold It In,” “Good Day,” and “Under My Skin” are so memorable that they might be considered dangerous to one's health. Ever heard of earworms? Hold it in oooohhhh / Hold it in ooohhhhh /.
Jukebox The Ghost’s songs unpredictably develop, leaving the listener thoroughly engaged. They joyfully create a complex compositional dialogue with a quirk, perk and bounce. Wow! Plus I have heard a must see live.
“Hold It In” MP3
Jukebox has the have factor. What takes other bands years to develop they already have. The learning curve for this band has been working at mock speed. A full house of enthusiastic fans came out on a Thursday night to see this lively trio work their intuitive magic. The audience clapped, sang, smiled, and moved happily, soaking in the spirited set. 
n be smooth like butter or ecstatically charged. While rocking with his guitar, Tommy Seigel gawkily jerked and one-footed the stage with innate charm, devoid of pomposity. His lead vocals added a welcome diversity to the overall gestalt. Jessie Kristin’s drumming was impressive, holding together the changing rhythms that are a complex part of the Jukebox sound. 
