The even-keeled ascent of The J… Read Full Bio ↴THE JELLYBRICKS – SOME KIND OF LUCKY
The even-keeled ascent of The Jellybricks is living proof that a band need not be an overnight sensation to feel lucky.
A Rock group in the classic two-guitars-bass-drums tradition, this Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based crew persevered for two decades before claiming the spotlight with Some Kind Of Lucky, their first album for Wicked Cool Records, out October 4. “The opportunity to make a new, better record is what always leads us back into the recording studio,” says guitarist/vocalist Larry Kennedy.
The Jellybricks began as a vehicle for Larry’s original songs in the mid-’90s but has steadily evolved over seven releases into a four-headed collaboration with all four writing and singing lead. “Over the course of 23 years together, we’ve become a true brotherhood,” says bassist/vocalist Garrick Chow. “We’ve gotten really good at speaking the same language when it comes to collaborating.”
The band’s hook-laden songs owe debts of inspiration to decades of melodic Rock ’n’ Roll from the ’60s British Invasion through ’70s Punk, ’80s College Rock and ’90s Alternative. Stevie Van Zandt, founder of Wicked Cool Records and the Underground Garage radio properties, began taking notice in recent years, elevating their 2012 track “Rock ’n’ Roll Suicide” to Coolest Song in the World status, an honor they also collected with “About The Weekend” in 2014.
In the wake of heavy airplay on SiriusXM and syndicated terrestrial radio, the band signed to Wicked Cool for a double-A-sided single at the dawn of 2019: the Big Star-influenced road song “Brooklyn” – also notable for being the first track co-written by all four Jellybricks – and swirling call-and-response rocker “D O A.” Both grabbed Coolest Song bragging rights, setting the stage for the new album.
“All four of us write songs which come from different places, and then those songs find their way into our common headspace en route to becoming Jellybricks songs,” relates guitarist/vocalist Bryce Connor. “Our albums always include a stylistic shift or two from song to song,” adds drummer/vocalist Tom Kristich, “but the identifiable vibe and spirit of The Jellybricks shines through no matter the tempo, key or mood.”
Recorded in Youngstown, Ohio; Baltimore; Mechanicsburg, Pa. and Van Zandt’s own Renegade Studios, NYC, these recordings from disparate locations play cohesively courtesy of the mix by engineer Geoff Sanoff, whose credits include notable work with Bruce Springsteen, Fountains Of Wayne and Dashboard Confessional.
Lead single “Corner Of My Eye,” written by Kennedy, pairs searing guitar with lyrical yearnings of escaping the simplicity of day-to-day life. “Mrs. Misery,” a Kristich composition, is a full-on assault, bringing to mind the urgency of ’90s alt-faves like The Lemonheads and Buffalo Tom. “Can’t Get Over You” recalls ’70s glam and power-pop, and was written by Connor. Title track “Some Kind Of Lucky,” also penned by Connor, closes the record with a love letter of sorts.
The mélange of styles is all in keeping with the band’s longtime ethos. “The Jellybricks name,” explains Larry, “was always intended to allow us to be as loud or as aggressive or as dark as we wanted, or to be as soft, as sentimental, or as silly as we wanted to be too. One of our early promotional tag lines was ‘Sweet like Jelly…hits you like a Brick!’
“We were courted by numerous major labels early on in our career, but no label ever seemed to ‘get’ what we were about,” adds Larry. “We wanted to forge a long-term artistic career as a band with original songs worth hearing. One label rep asked if we could write and submit more songs like the one that we currently had in rotation on local and regional radio, but we weren’t interested in writing the same song over and over again.”
The latest release in Wicked Cool Records’ ongoing partnership with The Orchard as distributor, Some Kind Of Lucky caps the busiest year yet for the label, following up major albums by Jesse Malin, The Dollyrots, Ryan Hamilton and The Harlequin Ghosts and Richard and The Young Lions, plus an EP by The Coolies and singles from Brian Ray, Kurt Baker Combo, Soraia, Michael Des Barres and The Mistakes and Prima Donna. “At Wicked Cool,” says Garrick, “we are encouraged to be who we are. That is an amazing thing, and that is a record deal worth signing.”
The Jellybricks are:
Larry Kennedy – Guitar, Vocals / Garrick Chow – Bass Guitar, Vocals /
Bryce Connor – Guitar, Vocals / Tom Kristich – Drums, Vocals
For more information and press inquiries, contact:
Bari Lieberman / Press Here Publicity: bari@pressherepublicity.com
TheJellybricks.com • Twitter: @TheJellybricks •
Instagram: @Jellybricks • Facebook.com/TheJellybricks
Brooklyn
The Jellybricks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't moving anywhere today
Things get broken, door's left open
Plans get in the way
We're barely moving on the road to Brooklyn
We can drive all day without ever getting somewhere
Fuel gauge falling, who keeps calling
The sun is going down
We're just aging from miles out of town
We're barely moving on this road to Brooklyn
We can drive all day without ever getting somewhere
We're barely moving on this road to Brooklyn
We can drive all day, but we're still not getting nowhere
Headlights shining, backseat driving
Can't get to the right
Open-ended, time suspended
Running down the night
We're barely moving (barely moving)
All the way to Brooklyn
We can drive all day without ever getting somewhere
We're barely moving on this road to Brooklyn, yeah
We can drive all night
We're still not getting nowhere
My wheels are turning
I ain't moving anywhere today
The Jellybricks's song "Brooklyn" is a song about stagnation - specifically, feeling like you're going nowhere. The lyrics speak to the frustration of feeling as though you're stuck in a rut, and the sense that no matter how hard you try or how far you go, you're still not getting anywhere. The opening line sets the tone: "Wheels are turning, I ain't moving anywhere today." This speaks to the idea of being trapped in one place, despite the effort you put in.
From there, the song goes on to describe a journey to Brooklyn that feels like it's never going to end. There are obstacles in the way, like broken things and plans that get in the way. Additionally, the fuel gauge is falling, suggesting that not only are they stuck, but they're running out of energy to move forward. The repetition of the line "We're barely moving on the road to Brooklyn" reinforces the idea that progress is slow and nearly nonexistent.
That being said, the song doesn't feel hopeless. The music itself feels upbeat and almost frenzied, as though the band is trying to push through the stagnation and reach their destination. The lyrics themselves are somewhat resigned - the singer knows they're not going to get anywhere today - but there's a sense that tomorrow might be different. The road might still be raging, but they're aging and growing, and eventually they might find themselves moving forward again.
Overall, "Brooklyn" is a song that speaks to the frustration of feeling trapped and stagnant, but offers a glimmer of hope that things might eventually change.
Line by Line Meaning
Wheels are turning
The car's wheels are spinning, but the car itself is not moving forward.
I ain't moving anywhere today
The singer is not making any progress or accomplishing anything today.
Things get broken, door's left open
There are issues and problems that need to be fixed or addressed, including a door that was left unlocked or open.
Plans get in the way
Even with a set plan or itinerary, unexpected obstacles can arise and disrupt it.
We're barely moving on the road to Brooklyn
Despite being on the way to Brooklyn, the journey is slow and uneventful.
We can drive all day without ever getting somewhere
Even with extensive effort and time spent driving, there is no real destination or endpoint being reached.
Fuel gauge falling, who keeps calling
There is a sense of anxiety or stress due to a dwindling gas supply and unknown phone calls.
The sun is going down
The day is coming to an end and time is running out.
The road is raging
The journey is tumultuous and difficult, with many obstacles to overcome.
We're just aging from miles out of town
The artist is feeling weary and worn out from traveling such a long distance from home.
Headlights shining, backseat driving
There is a sense of pressure or criticism from someone in the car who is giving unwanted, unhelpful directions.
Can't get to the right
The driver is having difficulty navigating and staying on the correct route.
Open-ended, time suspended
There is a feeling of uncertainty and ambiguity about the future, and time seems to be standing still.
Running down the night
The night is slipping away and time is running out.
We're still not getting nowhere
Despite all efforts, there is still no progress or endpoint being reached.
My wheels are turning
The artist's car wheels are spinning, indicating that there is potential for moving forward, but action has not yet been taken.
I ain't moving anywhere today
The artist is still not making any progress or accomplishing anything today, despite potential for change.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, NKASA MASAI MUSIC
Written by: Dante Smith, Dave Kennedy, G Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheSirenSeeker
Saw the songwriting process for this song in some course somewhere on the internet a while ago but could never find it again. Great to hear it finally!
@crettawva
Sirius channel 21. Little Stevens Underground Garage is were I first heard this superb rock and roll track. This was a cool video to go with this great song. Thanks also to Wicked Cool Records for finding all these great bands. Best to the Jellybricks in all their endeavors.
@brianruyack7632
Heard today on Sirius 21 also, sounds great!! Actual songcraft and harmony!
@crettawva
@brian ruyack They have a new song called D.O.A. that is being played on Sirius 21 now. Happy listening to you.
@PhosphorDigital
YAY! Hometown Mechanicsburg PA! Metropolis Gallery & Performance space RAWKS! Excellent tune, killer video, with double-bonus Hannah bookends! Sheriff Ukulele Reilly holding up the wall.
Great job everybody!
@critchelm
Thought that was Funtastics!!!
@djhotdogboy
Very cool song and video. First heard you on Little Steven's Underground Garage a year or two ago - so glad I was listening!
@GuitarDaveandSqueeb
Fantastic!
@djneidermeyer
I lived in PA most of my life and I loved the PA local bands who went national. Jellybricks still have it! Great song that takes me right back to the Village, Chameleon, and the Metron.
@chipshirley
Cool song!