definitely are on their way to being a commercial arena rock band, with a ‘90s,
grunge-like quality that gives them an edge.”
~ Producer Rick Parashar (Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Nickelback)
Honed amidst the underground club scene of Melbourne, Juke Kartel has arrived on U.S. soil ready to rock. In little more than four years, the five-member band has gone from local larrikins to fast-rising stars – opening for Nickelback and sharing the stage with Slash, Ozzy Osbourne, Fergie and Ronnie Wood. This summer they open the Australian leg of Slash’s world tour and, later this fall, will introduce their own brand of hard-driving rock to stages across America.
Levolution (Carved Records) represents Juke Kartel’s debut album in the U.S., to be released on September 28, prefaced by its first U.S. single, “If Only.” Produced by Brian Virtue (Jane’s Addiction, Velvet Revolver, 30 Seconds to Mars, Chevelle) and Rick Parashar (Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, 3 Doors Down, Nickelback), the album features a half-dozen freshly penned tracks and six from the band’s 2009 Australian CD, Nowhere Left to Hide, remixed by Dan Korneff (My Chemical Romance, Cavo). With its overarching theme of personal growth and “the journey we’re all on,” says vocalist/lyricist Toby Rand, Levolution finds musical parity in its strong hooks, multi-textured instrumentals and passionate vocals.
The album opens with the new track “Anybody Out There,” which serves as a call for common humanity as much as a barometer of the band’s impending reception outside its native shores. “My Baby,” a cautionary tale of a rock relationship punctuated by staccato verse, is followed by the equally forceful “Bullet Wearing Trademark Clothes,” Rand’s vocals soaring to warn that, no matter what disguise they wear, a woman can easily shoot down a man’s ego. “If Only,” its acoustic intro sliding into a mid-tempo rocker, shares a carpe diem philosophy with “The Sign,” a guitar-fueled journey toward self-awareness and empowerment.
Turning darker with such psychological rockers as “Save Me” and “Road of Glass,” whilst showcasing the guitar powerhouse and syncopated beats of Juke Kartel, the album explores the consequences of mind games and car crashes. The acoustic brilliance of “Soulshaper” offers gentle guitar interplay, and showcases the bands true acoustic talent, before the anthemic “December” segues into a full-throated warning of the perils of excess in “Throw It Away.” The album’s thematic arc comes full-circle in “On Fire,” with its plea for focused passion, and the newly written “Find Out,” a musically layered journey that concludes Levolution with true rock'n'roll grit and lingering hope for optimism.
Juke Kartel made its Australian breakthrough with the 2009 debut album, Nowhere Left To Hide, recorded at Seattle’s London Bridge Studios. The CD, which kicked off the band’s relationship with legendary producer Rick Parashar, yielded three radio singles – “Save Me,” “December” and “If Only” – and generated critical kudos. Rock website TuneLab Music implored listeners to “Feast your ears on Nowhere Left to Hide and enjoy the slab of rock ‘n roll conviction Juke Kartel dishes out.”
That conviction derives, in part, from a long brotherhood. As young teenagers in Melbourne, vocalist Toby Rand, guitarists Todd Burman and Dale Winters, and bassist Tommy Kende paid their dues playing clubs and pubs for nearly seven years, recently importing South African-born drummer Jason Pinfold into the band. After growing a loyal fan base in its hometown, Juke Kartel stepped up in April 2006 when Nickelback asked the lads to open two stadium gigs in Melbourne, followed by an arena tour of North America, a backup spot on the Seether tour and, finally, the band’s own ascension as headliners Down Under.
Verifying their grassroots appeal as the first unsigned artist to perform at the Australian MTV Video Awards (with an energetic rendition of “Throw it Away”), Juke Kartel would go on to earn such accolades as a 2009 Australian People’s Choice Award and Best Unsigned Artist at the 2009 Music Oz Awards. In Summer 2006, vocalist Toby Rand also gave worldwide audiences a taste of his vocal power and charisma as a top contender on the CBS reality show “Rock Star: Supernova,” with Juke Kartel going on to join the Supernova tour in 2007, performing alongside Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee and former Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro.
With a solid rock foundation, Juke Kartel’s evolving musical style is informed by the diverse influences of its members. A recurring blues aspect, for example, may be heard in Toby Rand’s melodies as well as the complex guitar work of Dale Winters, who grew up listening to B.B. King and Robert Johnson. Their stage presence, rife with cheeky banter and a mischievous streak that can be attributed to their Aussie heritage, is bolstered by mutual admiration and respect, having worked together for the better part of a decade. “We’re more than just band mates. We’re a family that chose each other,” explains Rand, who says that, musically and personally, Juke Kartel has never been tighter as a unit. “We’ve all gone through our individual challenges, and now is the perfect time for all this to be happening.”
For more information, please visit the band on its website (www.jukekartel.com), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/jukekartel) or MySpace (www.myspace.com/jukekartel).
Forever Young
Juke Kartel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am I am Forever young Everything seems so crazy Forever young I am I am Livin for the rush and Im not coming down Diggin up the dust left from burning out
Walking in circles
Scratching the surface Cant wait to distort my mind A chance to recover A light in the tunnel I waste what comes around Near enough, is near enough Im a slave to the underground
Chorus
Im all over you, all over you Im a slave to the abuse Its up to you, what would you do What will you do
Chorus
The lyrics of Juke Kartel's song "Forever Young" speak of a person who feels trapped in a moment and does not listen to what is happening around them. They have been through situations that have left them broken, as evidenced by the "broken bottles" that have paved their way. However, they are determined to avoid trouble and seek solace in drinking and hiding away. Despite feeling lost and out of place, they still feel young and alive, living for the rush of life and not coming down from it, even if they have to dig up the dust left from burning out. They are walking in circles and only scratching the surface of their existence, waiting for a chance to recover and find a light in the tunnel.
The chorus reveals that the person is forever young, and everything seems crazy to them. They live for the rush and are not willing to come down. They are a slave to the underground, and they are all over someone who is abusing them, asking them what they will do about it. The lyrics can be interpreted as a call to live life to the fullest, even though it may be tumultuous and uncertain. It speaks of a person who is ready to face their struggles head-on and seeks to find meaning in their existence, no matter how difficult it may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
Caught in a moment I never listen
I am often so caught up in the present moment that I do not listen to others or fully engage with my surroundings.
Broken bottles paved my way
I have experienced a difficult and tumultuous past, symbolized by the imagery of broken bottles on my path.
Bustin the bubble avoiding the trouble
I try to protect myself from negative experiences by avoiding challenging situations, effectively living in a bubble.
Let's drink and hide away
Instead of confronting my problems, I often turn to vices such as drinking to escape them.
Near enough, is near enough
I often settle for mediocrity or accept things that are not quite what I want, because they are good enough.
I'm amazed that I'm on foreign ground
I feel out of place in my surroundings and uncertain about where I am in life.
I am I am Forever young
I am seeking to hold onto a sense of youthfulness and vitality, despite the difficulties of life.
Everything seems so crazy Forever young
Despite the chaos and unpredictability of life, I am determined to maintain my sense of youthfulness and optimism.
I am I am Livin' for the rush and I'm not coming down
I am constantly seeking excitement and thrills, and refuse to slow down or take a break.
Diggin' up the dust left from burning out
I am trying to overcome the effects of past burnouts or difficult times, and move forward with renewed energy.
Walking in circles
I feel like I am stuck in a cycle of repetitive or unproductive behavior, without a clear way out.
Scratching the surface
I am only exploring the most superficial aspects of life or relationships, without delving deeper or addressing underlying issues.
Can't wait to distort my mind
I am eagerly seeking ways to escape from reality or alter my perception, even if it means damaging my own mental state.
A chance to recover A light in the tunnel
I am hoping to find a way out of my current difficulties, and see a glimmer of hope for a better future.
I waste what comes around
I often take for granted or squander opportunities or resources that come my way, without fully appreciating them.
I'm a slave to the underground
I am trapped in a negative or harmful mindset or lifestyle, and struggle to break free from it.
I'm all over you, all over you I'm a slave to the abuse
I am deeply enmeshed in a toxic or damaging relationship, and seemingly unable to extract myself from it.
It's up to you, what would you do What will you do
I am asking the listener to consider their own choices and actions, and whether they have the power to change their circumstances.
Contributed by Lily O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.