SparkleJet

Fresno, California Sparklejet is the tried and true, all-American rock band. Born in the unlikely agricultural hub of Central California, the Fresno-based group has settled into a stripped-down, power-trio lineup where they find themselves at the height of their ability to convey uncompromising power and urgency. The band bounces effortlessly across the rock landscape, drawing from the likes of past and current heroes including The Replacements, Pixies, Hüsker Dü, The Kinks, Guided By Voices, The Police, Foo Fighters, Devo, Led Zeppelin, and The Who. Speaking of Townshend and the boys, Sparklejet performed its own rendition of The Who's "Tommy" in 2002. Sparklejet's 11-track album, Beyond the Beyond, was released on Los Angeles-based Long Live Crime Records. The trio's earlier releases include 1998's This Year's Model and 2001's Bar Guest. On Beyond the Beyond, Sparklejet strayed from the usual Fresno recording studios and instead worked with Steve Albini (Pixies, Nirvana, PJ Harvey) at his Electrical Audio studio in Chicago. The band's latest recording, 2014's Phonovella, has been released on the Narcissus Records imprint. The 13-track album features the band expanding and refining its approach to the three-piece rock band format. Sparklejet has toured throughout the Northwest, having shared the stage with bands like Kaito, Silversun Pickups, Earlimart, the Mother Hips, Radar Bros., Pine Martin, the High Speed Scene and others. The trio has been featured in Billboard Magazine's Best New Artist spotlight, and their music has been used on ESPN's "Extreme Games." They have not taken a contrived, anti-social punk rock stance or infused their music with any such self-defeating message. Simply put, they don't try to be anything except who they are by nature. No trendy clothes, no fancy haircuts, just rock.