AYRON JONES – LIVE AT THE WOLF DEN @ MOHEGAN SUN
AYRON JONES SUPERCHARGES THE WOLF DEN AT MOHEGAN SUN
The first time I heard Ayron Jones I was doing chores at home while listening to music. “Take Me Away” came on. Instantly captivated, I drew in a big pull and inhaled the smooth melody. Before long I was hooked, devouring every morsel I could get my ears on. Leaving no song unturned, finding each one more enticing than the last. Raw. Soulful. Melodic. Passionate. Moving. Filthy.
Hi, I’m Kat and I’m an Ayron Jones-aholic. I describe his bluesy, rocking, grungy, intense sound as a combination of Hendrix, Cobain and Lenny Kravitz, but he is refreshingly original. His songwriting emanates in your soul and his skillful guitar playing leaves a permanent impression on you. Local hardcore AJ fans lined up hours before the start of the gig, Their loyalty won out as they reminisced about the poorly attended last show here and how much they were looking forward to this night’s performance.
Ayron hit the stage accompanied by Bob Lovelace on a bass with a neck as long as he is tall, Matthew Jacquette on rhythm guitar and backing vocals and Bobby Jimmi on percussion. “Boys From the Puget Sound” opened the show, a nod to the early gigs in the Seattle area where the police were called routinely for noise complaints. The songs, snapshots of Ayron’s life, are threaded with a salute to his hometown. “Blue and Green is all I see”. “Emily” was up next, a reminder of a toxic relationship. “I try and try to let you go, but girl you got the best of me”.
Party jam “Supercharged” made me buy a round of drinks for my friends. Ayron has mastered a version of Nirvana’s “Breed” and I’m not usually a big fan of cover songs. The crowd filled in as the energy infiltrated the complex. The hardcore followers were pressed against the stage by their own volition while one hyped up group of friends bounced around, danced with each other and sang every word to every song, barely containing their jubilation. “Blood In The Water” was one of four tracks on the setlist from the soon to be released Chronicles Of The Kid album. Another page out of AJ’s diary. “I’ll wash these sins on down the river for a life I didn’t choose”.
“Free”, with its infectious chorus and the haunting ballad “My Love Remains” were two of nine songs off Ayron’s Child Of The State LP. The latter caused the rambunctious fan group to take up even more dancing space. Three new releases were up next: “On Two Feet I Stand”, “Otherside” (which was handwritten into the typed up setlist) and “Filthy”. “Killing Season”, showcasing more trusty guitar riffs, gave way to the slower paced yet profound “Take Your Time”.
After hearing one of the zealous fans yell Baptize Me! intermittently through the night*, the band broke out with the meaningful and intense “Baptized in Muddy Waters”. Ayron laid an extended solo on us where he alternated between using a drumstick on his axe and playing one handed. We were in awe of his musicianship. AJ may have felt the love of the fans because he then treated us to a song not on the setlist at all, his very proficient cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain”, showcasing that his vocals
match his astounding guitar prowess. The set ended with the more well known hits “Mercy”, and the one that made me an Ayron Jones junkie, “Take Me Away.”
The band interacted with fans before and after the performance. I ran into Bob, with his signature cowboy hat, while waiting in line. We talked about music we love and he mentioned he broke a bass string and had to finagle finding a new set. He was hoping he would get sent into the Benatar gig to maybe borrow strings and possibly meet them, but it didn’t happen. I found his disappointment in that very charming. He felt about them the way we felt about him. I grabbed a quick selfie with Matthew, with his innocent smile and island vibe, just before the start. I saw Bobbi Jimmi from afar after the show, guy never stops smiling the entire set and Ayron hung out for a bit to chat and take pics.
If you haven’t heard of Ayron yet, check him out. I find his raw and intense sound comforting in a time of technology and gadgets.
Fun fact: Ayron Jones participated in the 2004 Ultimate Frisbee Championship in Finland. Flexing that hand dexterity again. He still throws discs for fun while on tour.
Explanation: In a Zoom Q&A about a year ago, I asked him what the meaning of the #Filthy was on his hat. A nickname? A brand? He said that’s another way for people to say great or dope where he’s from.
Confession: I was the zealous fan dancing and bouncing all around and singing every word. *It was me.
Recommendation: See Ayron Jones every chance you get. Pick up Child of the State and devour it before you pick up Chronicles of the Kid which will be released on 6/23/23.
Acknowledgments: Thank you, faithful reader and music fan, for allowing me to share my experience with you.
To learn more about Ayron Jones, check out his website
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