Indie Rock Hit Parade Live Session: Jon Spencer + the HITmakers

Jon Spencer + the HITmakers | Photo by Katie Tapman for XPN

Joining us in the studio for this Indie Rock Hit Parade Live session is a pivotal figure in the world of wigged-out fuzz punk. Jon Spencer has served as leader of countless groups and collaborations over the last 30+ years, including (but not limited to) Pussy Galore, Heavy Trash and, of course, the Blues Explosion that bears his name. After a handful of years recording and touring with a reunited Blues Explosion, 2018 saw something a bit surprising emerge from Spencer’s cavern of cro-magnon rock: his first ever solo album.

Though the title Spencer Sings the Hits might conjure a K-Tel compilation or, worse, a late-career venture into the Great American Songbook, the album is a slam-bang collection of brand new tracks. Joining Spencer on the album (and this session) is a who’s-who of veteran indie- and garage-rock mainstays: keyboardist Sam Coomes of the beloved Portland group Quasi, Zelig-like drummer M. Sord, and early Sonic Youth drummer (and one-time Spencer bandmate in Pussy Galore) Bob Bert providing extra clangs on an array of metallic containers. The morning after their sold-out tour opener at Johnny Brenda’s, Spencer + the HITmakers stopped by our studio to barrel through a trio of songs from Spencer Sings the Hits, as well as a selection from Coomes’ own solo album, 2016’s Bugger Me.

Listen to Jon Spencer + the HITmakers’ Indie Rock Hit Parade session below, check out Katie Tapman’s photos from the studio, and have a look at the band’s remaining tour dates (including a stop at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster next week!)…

01/25/19 Fri Nashville TN Exit/In
01/26/19 Sat Knoxville TN Pilot Light
01/27/19 Sun Charlotte NC Side Stage at the Neighborhood Theatre
01/28/19 Mon Virginia Beach VA Bunker Brewpub & Cadence Hall
01/29/19 Tue Harrisonburg VA The Golden Pony
01/30/19 Wed Lancaster PA Chameleon Club
01/31/19 Thu Brooklyn NY Rough Trade
02/01/19 Fri Allston MA Great Scott
02/02/19 Sat Pawtucket RI The Met