Tenni met Jessicka while attending Piper High School in Sunrise, Florida. They had begun writing songs, but had not yet formed a band when Moulder and Inhell joined them to create the band that would become Jack Off Jill. Jack Off Jill's first show was opening for fellow Floridian and long time friend Marilyn Manson and his shock-rock outfit, Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids, at a Davie, Florida night club called The Plus Five Lounge. The female foursome quickly became one of the most exciting and controversial underground bands during their heyday. Surname-free singer, Jessicka delivered gut-wrenching lyrics in an angelic to banshee-like voice and performed shocking on-stage antics that included stripping young men on stage while the band and crowd taunted the exposed fans, as well as covering the audience with spit and real blood and candy. Jessicka even spent a night in jail when she and Manson were arrested after a 1994 concert in Jacksonville, Florida, after being accused by the town's Christian Coalition for breaking the town's adult entertainment codes. [4] Though the members of Jack Off Jill never claimed to be shock rockers, they were often labeled as such. In fact, Jack Off Jill had more in common musically with riot grrrl acts such as Bikini Kill and Babes in Toyland than they did with Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids, with whom Jack Off Jill would later be constantly compared. It did not help that after a four year relationship, then boyfriend Twiggy Ramirez, began to mimic Jessicka's dress and appearance, making critics' comparisons draw even closer.[5]
Jack Off Jill released several independent records: "Children 5 and Up", "The Boygrinder Sessions", "Cannibal Song Book", (produced by JOJ and Manson) "Cockroach Waltz", and several 7" singles. It was not until, April 8, 1994, when JOJ played a benefit show for Rock Against Domestic Violence with Babes in Toyland and 7 Year Bitch, the same day lead-singer of American grunge rock band Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, was found dead in his Seattle home, that Jack Off Jill caught the eye of record labels. Drummer Lori Barbero from Babes wanted to sign them to her now defunct Minneapolis label Spanish Fly, but it was not to be. Jack Off Jill then caught the eyes and ears of Los Angeles based Risk Records, who signed them in January 1997. They replaced both Ah Cha Cha and Inhell with new members because the two were not ready to leave Florida. The band released their first national 7" "Girl Scout"/"American Made" in March of 1997. On September 9 1997, their first full-length Sexless Demons And Scars (produced by Gumball's leader Don Fleming, who produced Hole's Pretty on the Inside) was released..
After moderate underground success, touring with Lords of Acid, and playing to sold-out crowds in 1997, Jack Off Jill headed to Los Angeles in order to complete 1998's Covetous Creature, a remix EP of songs from Sexless Demons and Scars with the help of SMP (Scott Putesky), a founding member of Marilyn Manson and new drummer Claudia Rossi.[6] The new manifestation of Jack Off Jill hit the road on a national tour with Psychotica, joined along the way by Switchblade Symphony.
The band road-tested new songs in March of 1999 when JOJ were asked to take the opening slot on the Marilyn Manson / Monster Magnet / Hole tour after Hole departed.[3] With Putesky no longer in the guitar position, JOJ enlisted the help of Jessicka's then-boyfriend guitarist Clint Walsh, original JOJ guitarist Michelle Inhell (Oliver), and drummer Norm Block (formerly of Plexi) for the tour. On July 17, 2000, JOJ released their second full-length CD, Clear Hearts Grey Flowers on Risk Records, that featured a cover by artist Mark Ryden and was produced by Chris Vrenna of Tweaker and Nine Inch Nails. The new album was different from the first having a more Gothic rock sound and a cover of the Cure's "Lovesong" was added as a hidden track. Due to pressure, poor publicity for C.H.G.F, several line up changes, tension between founding members Jessicka and Robin, and management problems, Jack Off Jill played its last show at The Troubadour in Los Angeles in April of 2000. They were joined onstage by guitarist Helen Storer of the UK all-girl band Fluffy (and later of Thee Heavenly Music Association) and producer Chris Vrenna on drums. [7] JOJ officially called it quits in late 2000.
Years after their break-up, Jack Off Jill still manage to have a growing online cult following. Reviews for Jessicka's current band Scarling. begin with critics touting JOJ as "riot-goth legends" [8] and refer to Jack Off Jill's final album as," excellent, yet under- appreciated". [9]
In 2015, they reunited for some shows. One was in Ashville, North Carolina on July 18, 2015. They performed their last show was on October 23, 2015 (Jessicka's birthday) in London.
Original Line-up
* Jessicka (Jessicka Fodera) vocals
* Tenni Ah-Cha-Cha (Tenni Arslynian) drums
* Agent Moulder (Robin Moulder) bass, piano
* Michelle Inhell (Michelle Oliver) guitar
Former members
* Lauracet Simpson (Laura Simpson) – drums 1996-1997
* Ho Ho Spade (Jeff Tucci) – guitar 1996-1997
* SMP (Daisy Berkowitz / Scott Putesky) – guitar 1997-1998
* Claudia (Claudia Rossi) – drums 1997-1999
* Clint Walsh – guitar 1999-2000
* Norm Block – live drums 1999-2000
* Hellen Storer (Helen Storer) – live guitar 2000
* Chris Vrenna – live drums 2000
Jessicka is now singing with Scarling
Robin is now writing, recording and creating with TCR
The current musical status of the other members can be found by going to www.jackoffjill.com
This Town
Jack Off Jill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of catty girls,
And pretty boys
Make up that face to win the race.
Life's a bitch in this town.
Suck my dick in this town.
This town is our town
I'd bet you'd live here
If you could
And be one of us.
This town is our town,
So fucking glamorous
I'd bet you'd live here
If you could
And be one of us.
Change our minds
Like we said before,
We're all dreamers,
We're all whores.
Discarded stars like worn out cars
Litter the streets of this town.
Litter the streets of this town.
This town is our town
So fucking glamorous,
I'd bet you'd live here
If you could
And be one of us.
This town is our town,
So motherfucking glamorous,
I'd bet you'd live here
If you could
And be one of us.
Break it down boys.
Human Waste in the house (x3)
Here we fucking go.
This town is our town,
So fucking glamorous
I'd bet you'd live here
If you could
And be one of us.
This town is our town
So motherfucking glamorous
I'd bet you'd live here
If you could
And be one of us.
This town (x3)
The lyrics of Jack Off Jill's song "This Town" can be seen as a commentary on the superficiality and shallowness of modern society, particularly in the entertainment industry. The first verse discusses the clichéd facade that people put on to appear attractive and successful in this town, with "make up that face to win the race". The second verse expands on this idea, exploring the idea that everyone in this town is essentially a dreamer and a whore, chasing fame and success at any cost.
The chorus repeats the notion that this town is glamorous and desirable, but in a sarcastic and bitter tone, contrasting sharply with the harsh reality of the verses. The repeated line "I'd bet you'd live here if you could and be one of us" is a damning indictment of the conformity and greed of the people in this town, suggesting that anyone who is not part of this world is somehow lesser.
The final lines of the song, "Break it down boys. Human Waste in the house. Here we fucking go", add an aggressive, punk-rock edge to the song, implying that the band is railing against the status quo and calling for a rebellion against the shallow values of this town.
Line by Line Meaning
We all know the chosen toys,
We're aware of the popular things in this town that people use to fit in such as material possessions.
Of catty girls,
The girls in this town are petty and mean towards each other.
And pretty boys
The boys in this town are attractive and often use their looks to their advantage.
Make up that face to win the race.
People in this town wear makeup and present themselves in certain ways to gain status and recognition.
Life's a bitch in this town.
Living in this town can be difficult and unpleasant due to the competitive and superficial nature of the people here.
Suck my dick in this town.
The singer is expressing frustration and anger towards the town and its inhabitants.
This town is our town
The people in this town feel ownership over it and pride in being a part of it.
It is so glamorous,
The town is seen as desirable and attractive despite its negative aspects.
I'd bet you'd live here
The town is so appealing that the artist believes anyone would want to live here.
If you could
The town may not be accessible to everyone, but if it were, the artist believes they would want to live here too.
And be one of us.
The singer and their peers value exclusivity and see themselves as a coveted group in the town.
Change our minds
People in this town are fickle and can easily change their opinions and allegiances.
Like we said before,
The singer and their peers have recognized this trait in themselves before and are not surprised by it.
We're all dreamers,
Despite the superficial nature of the town, people still have aspirations and goals they want to achieve.
We're all whores.
People in this town will compromise their values and do whatever it takes to attain their goals and fit in with the crowd.
Discarded stars like worn out cars
People who were once seen as popular or important are quickly forgotten and replaced in this town.
Litter the streets of this town.
The town is full of people who were once in the spotlight but are now disregarded and disrespected.
Break it down boys.
The singer is urging the band to start playing.
Human Waste in the house (x3)
The singer is referring to themselves and their peers in a derogatory way, recognizing the negative aspects of their behavior in the town.
Here we fucking go.
The artist is getting ready to start the performance and expects it to be energetic and exciting.
This town (x3)
The repeated phrase emphasizes the importance of the town to the artist and their peers, despite its flaws.
Contributed by Ruby Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DarloTrude
I love Human Waste, I managed to get one of their CD's years ago. The lead singer (Amy Echo) now has a new band called The Start. They're totally different from the old stuff but I still like them, she's got a very distinctive voice.
@CarInMyAss
Trudi Charlton the start=the shit
@DemonLurch
I love this!!!! How didn't they make more stuff together? :(
@Mamutoi44
I remember being 9 years old searching through all my sisters burned CDs from Napster looking for this song finally found It childhood memories
@natehalls1142
Heres what someone needs to do get korn, Human Waste Project, Monster Magnet , Kittie, and Jack Off Jill on stage to do an update of this.
@jennifermiles6377
Love it<3
@breighbreigh
Oh wow, I haven’t heard this in years!
@skyller0079
2017.. still good \m/
@moonpookie
old time song for me. I liked this song in my early twenties. Kinda nice to hear it again! I love korn and kittie so the mix is good
@Nash84
This isn't Jack Off Jill & Korn. The band is called "Human Waste Project" with Jonathan Davis (Korn's singer) doing some vocals. HWP's singer is named Aimee Echo, she currently sings with the band "theSTART".