Courtesy of Jumbling TowersJumbling Towers’ first, and thus far only, release is exactly what local music needs. Jumbling Towers have no need for the same old pop-punk that the majority of Midwestern bands offer; they channel something much bigger. They sound a lot like the early Talking Heads, but with more frantic energy. Joe DeBoer, the lead vocalist, sings with captivating intensity, his voice finding a middle ground somewhere between David Byrne and Fred Schneider of the B-52’s. Still full of the same drive that got them into the scene in the first place, their live shows are perfect for recalling exactly what live music can and should be.
Their self-titled album is short and sweet. Each song is distinct and yet the album has an overarching sense of continuity. Songs such as “Cowards” display the quintessential Jumbling Towers style. The distinct sound comes not just from DeBoer’s voice and singing style, but also from their use of both keyboards and electric piano.
The lyrics are also fantastic, used not only to tell a story, but also as yet another instrument in the band. Check out a clip of the band online at StudLife.com.
Jumbling Towers’ CD is newly remixed and remastered and is available online at myspace.com/jumblingtowers or at live shows. They play Tuesday at SLU’s Billiken Club; doors open at 8:00, and the show starts at 9:00. It’s free for all ages and open to the public. Plus, unlike the Creepy Crawl, Billiken Club has a bar.
An interview with Nate Drexler
After calling Nate Drexler, the bassist for Jumbling Towers, at three, our scheduled time, and having to leave a message, I was a bit flustered. Nate called back moments later, “Sorry, I always screen my calls.” The Jumbling Towers may not be a dorm room name yet, but they deserve to be and Nate already has one part of the act down cold.
Cadenza: How long have you guys been together as a band?
Nate Drexler: We actually met in 7th grade; we all went to high school together. We played sports together. Then our senior year, 2003, we stopped playing sports and we started listening to music and making bad pop songs. We played at the Creepy Crawl and made all our high school friends go down. It wasn’t very serious. I mean, it was, but looking back on it, it wasn’t. We went off to college, then summer 2005 we made a decision to move to Columbia. We didn’t become Jumbling Towers until that summer.
C: How do you guys write songs? What’s your process?
ND: One guy usually brings something to the table, either Joe [DeBoar, vocals/guitar/keyboard] or Kyle [McConaghy, guitar, keyboards], they have a chord progression or a melody. But we all just play our part. It takes a month or six to make a song, but no one really tells anyone else how to play or, ‘oh you should be doing it this way.’ The songs are just what we made when we started playing.
C: How would you compare yourselves to other bands? Who are your influences?
ND: The Pixies are a huge one; we all love them, if not the top, definitely in the top ten. Also the Talking Heads, which is obvious. We also love the production element of Brian Eno and Bowie. I do need to say, our drummer, Scott, he doesn’t feel the same way, he couldn’t sing a Talking Heads song. He likes the Pixies but he grew up on Deftones and Godsmack. But he likes what we do.
C: What are some other bands you’ve been billed with that have been a treat for you guys?
ND: Ladybug Transistors [a notable side project of the Elephant 6], Gentleman Auction House, So Many Dynamos. We love playing with Say Panther. It’s pure pop. The kids are 17 or 18, and to think what our music sounded like then. These kids, for whatever their age, keep getting better every time we play with them. If you want to see pure indie pop-rock check these guys out.
C: OK the big question: Creepy Crawl or the Bluebird?
ND: Oh definitely the Bluebird. It has a bar, a friendlier staff, a better PA. For as crappy a venue as the Creepy Crawl is, you’d think the staff would be nice to try to lure fans. But they aren’t.