01/04 - RAG Magazine

flag. He just stood there with his nonstop smile.SOMETHING“What’s the Windex for?” one of my friends asked, “I can’t imagine you guys domuch cleaning.” She was referring to a bottle of glass cleaner that wasstrangely intermixed on the table with vodka, fruit juice, and DVDs of theClash and Alan Partridge. I had to agree, the place didn’t seem like it wascleaned regularly. It wasn’t awfully dirty or disgusting. It just had thisreally simplistic vibe - dark panel walls, and ‘80s dark green and burgundydécor. A small CD player, similar to those that plug into a cigarette lighter,served as the source for the bus sound system. “It’s for cuts and bruisesand things like that,” Muncey replied to the Windex question.CORPORAORPORATEWe discussed music, touring and books. I must admit, maybe it was theshaggy ‘70s hairstyles, but it felt like we were hanging with a true rock’n’rollband, instead of the typical rock-rap pretty boys inundating mass radio andvideo. These guys with their vintage garb and faraway accents reeked ofrock spirit, or at least a strong respect for it.I decided to grab a beer (which had a music note design on the lid) andperuse the band’s album of CD’s to select some tunes. Just as I imagined,the collection was stockpiled with timeless classics (i.e. the Beatles, theStones, the Who) and a lot of newer Euro bands. I went with Oasis(What’s The Story) Morning Glory. “Great choice,” Muncey praised.My friends continued with their banter and questions for Muncey. “Areyou married? Why are you wearing a wedding ring on your right hand?”He explained that his father died when he was younger, and he likes towear his ring. “I don’t like telling people that,” he said. “It makes them feelsad or uncomfortable when I have to answer.” My friend explained thather mom died, and she does the same thing. “Maybe my dad and your momare fucking in heaven,” he said with a laugh, “That is … if she’s hot.” Myfriend found Muncey’s remarks amusing, and the two did a sort of “cheers,”YELLOWCARDclicking their parents’ wedding rings together. About then, Cester emergedfrom the sleeping cubbies, looking red-eyed and totally disheveled. “Doesanyone have a cigarette?” He moaned, seemingly in dyer need. No onehad one. He stumbled into the bathroom, and then back to bed.ARDIt was close to 2 a.m. and the Jet tour bus was leaving town in half an hour.Muncey gave us parting gifts of Red Bull. (Being the hospitable host, heinsisted that we take the entire case of Red Bull.) Muncey proved to be amost outgoing, carefree spirit with a - dare I say - innocent kindness andendearing character.From this experience, it’s accurate to say these guys from Down Underknow how to rock the stage and the party. And if Jet is the band that musicmedia is labeling as “rock’s revival,” I’d say we can be confident with thattheory. Should you get the opportunity to see Jet perform or hang with theband – you will feel a refreshing rock’n’roll energy that’s missing from a lotof today’s radio world. Oh yea, and be sure to bring cigarettes. I canassure you it’s an instant way to win over Chris Cester, who’s probablyLESS THAN JAKEcraving one right now.