Elvis Jackson are an altogether special rock group that has developed its own musical expression over a decade through the help of ska, punk, hard core, reggae and metal influences (Bad Brains, Slayer, Sublime, RKL among others). From a band was formed at the end of 1997 and had the first practices two days prior to their first concert, it has evolved into a tight unit of music veterans, famous for their live concerts and positive energy. Spanning a decade of hard work and having already toured across Europe, David Kovšca – Buda (vocals), Boštjan Beltram – Berto (guitar), Erik Makuc – Slavc (bass guitar) and Marko Soršak - Soki (drums) are determined to make an important step forward with their latest album "Against the Gravity".
With three successful releases including "Move You feet it's one O'clock" (Rock'n'Roll Rec, 1999), "Go Home and Practice" (Rock'n'Roll Rec, 2000) and "Summer Edition" (EJ Rec/ Multimedia, 2003), band today is more potent and focused than ever.
While their first two albums were restricted to Slovenia and the ex-YU territories, Elvis Jackson released their album "Summer Edition" through German label Grover Records, and with their help the band expanded their presence in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and in Netherlands. In cooperation with Rude Rec. from Italy they introduced their album in Italy, Spain and even Japan. During this time, the band played extensively in clubs, halls all over Europe– they drove thousands of kilometres over Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Bolgaria, Romania, Hungary, France, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Slovakia, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Overall, they played about over 700 shows, solidifying their position as on of the premier acts in their native Slovenia, but extending their beyond borders of their home country. It should, of course, also be mentioned that they concerted together with renowned names, such as FAITH NO MORE, Fishbone, Toasters, Looking Up, Burning Heads, Murphy's Law, Vice Squad, Subhumans, Edna's Goldfish, The Offspring, Asian Dub Foundation, Vandals, D.O.A., Goldfinger, Citizen Fish, Propagandhi, Ska P and No Fx.
Songs for their new 14 song release "Against the Gravity" were recorded over the summer of 2008 in cooperation with producer Bill Gould ( prod credit: Faith No More, Brujeria, Beatsteaks, Kultur Shock) at the seminal RSL Studios in Slovenia. They chose Radio Star Studios in USA for mixing of the album, Rich Veltrop (Tom Petty, Rage Against the Machine, Slayer, System of a Down, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ozzy with South Park, Spinal Tap, David Coverdale, 311, Buddy Guy, L.A. Guns and Toto), on helm as mixing engineer, and well known mastering engineer John Cuniberti (Aerosmith, Davea Matthews, The Grateful Dead, Tracy Chapman, Dead Kennedys, Joe Satirani) for the final touches.
This time, the group presented itself as a mature and technically extremely accomplished team. Their songs are multilayered, energetic and dynamically playful and yet also sophistically more melodic, as the album with the working title "Against The Gravity" offers power, variety, and drive; thought, a few tracks could actually lend themselves to commercial radio. The lyrics are often socially critical or represent only reflections and feelings stemming from life that surrounds us all.
Elvis Jackson are a professionally organized group with a team of technicians and roadies, while their partners Kurz Rock Vibe presently handling management and booking responsibilities. They are regarded local heroes, can be heard often on commercial radio, holding major concert events and winning many critical awards.
Many critics characterized Elvis Jackson as the most hidden treasure from the so called Eastern Europe, and as a group that will win you over in an instant with their directness, energy, technical accomplishment and natural charisma.
DISCOGRAPHY.
CD releases:
Against The Gravity (EJ Rec), Slovenia, 2009
Against The Gravity (Anstreet Rec), Germany – 20.11.2009 WORLDWIDE RELEASE!!
Summer Edition (Rude Rec), Italy, Japan, Spain, France, 2005
Summer Edition (Elmo/Grover Rec), G-A-S, 2004
Summer Edition (EJ Rec/ Multimedia Slovenia), SLO 2003
Go Home And Practice (Rock'n'Roll Rec), SLO, 2000
Move Your Feet It's One O'clock (Rock'n'Roll Rec), SLO, 1999, 2001
Videos:
Hawaiian Club (Go Home and Practice, dir: Ven Jemeršič) 2000
Market Sweets (Go Home and Practice, dir: Oli Petković) 2001
Weakies (Summer Edition, dir: Strup Production) 2003
You and I (Summer Edition, dir: Petar Pašić) 2004
Get Up! (Summer Edition, dir: Mitja Okorn) 2004
Not Here To Pray (Against The Gravity, dir: Jure Matjažič) 2009
Compilation:
"No-Fi trash" (Unlucky Guy), Floppy Cow Rec, 2000
"Global Ska 2" (Morning), Rebelde Discos, 2002
"Alarmstufe Rechts" (Hawaiian Club, Johhny), A-R, 2002
"Rock Sound -France Comp." (Hawaiian Club) IXO, 2003
"Agitato Festival 2003" (Hawaiian Club, Weakies), Agitato Rec, 2003
"X-Mas Vibes!!!" (Get Up!, You and I, Loser), Moskito-Grover Rec, 2003
"Ska Factor Positive" (Johhny, Lies Before Reality), Ohoho Records, 2003
"SLO/ Huda Frka" (Get Up!), Nika, 2004
"Real Rocker - 10th Anniversary CD Comp." (Running), Real Rocker, 2004
"Slam-Zine no.18 CD Comp." (Smoke before the Rain), Slam-Zine, 2005
"Up Your Ears! no.4 CD Comp." (Weakies), Grover Rec., 2005
"A-punk" (Running), Fun Records, 2005
"Rock'n'Roll Highschool - The Compilation Vol.2" (The Other Me), Rock'n'Roll Highschool Rec., 2005
"15 let v živo BFM" (Konc sveta - BFM-Edo Maajka-EJ), Dallas Rec., 2006
"Za 2 groša fantazije" (This Song, Lies Before Reality), Mladinska Knjiga-Ciciban, 2007
"Elvis Leeft!" (The Other Me), Revolver Mag. The Netherlands, 2007
»Mighty Soud Vol. III« (Not Here To Pray), Filter mag, Czech Rep, 2009
"Europavox #05 2010" (Wake me Up), Europavox, France& EU, 2010
"Festivals 2010" (This Time), Report Mag, Czech Republic
Elvis Jacksonis a special rock group that has developed its own musical expression with a help of ska, punk, hard core, reggae and metal influences. The band was formed at the end of 1997 and had its first concert after only two practices. Since then the band is known by its crazy live performances full of positive energy that stays with you for a lifetime.
In 1999 their first album Move Your Feet it's One O'clock (Rock'n'Roll Rec.) was released. In 2000 followed their second Go Home and Practice (Rock'n'Roll Rec.) and in 2003 their third album Summer Edition (EJ Rec/ Multimedia). In cooperation with German record company Grover Rec. the Summer Edition was released and promoted also in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands, and in cooperation with Italian record company Rude Rec. in Italy, Spain and even Japan. The band had concerts in numerous clubs, halls and festivals all over Europe. They made thousands of kilometers through Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Bolgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In all, they've played over 600 shows, a lot of them outside Slovenia. They've played with well-known names, such as Faith No More, Fishbone, Toasters, Looking Up, Burning Heads, Murphy's Law, Vice Squad, Subhumans, Edna's Goldfish, The Offspring, Asian Dub Foundation, Vandals, D.O.A., Goldfinger, Citizen Fish, Propagandhi, Ska P and NoFx.
In the years following the third album, the band made a lot of changes, the important one being finding new drummer. Now, with the newest album Elvis Jackson - David Kovšca – Buda (vocals), Boštjan Beltram – Berto (guitar), Erik Makuc – Slavc (bass guitar) and Marko Soršak – Soki (drums) - is a team that is more harmonious and creative than ever.
Fourteen new songs for the new Against the Gravity album were recorded over the summer of 2008 in cooperation with producer Bill Gould (Faith No More bass player; prod. credit: Faith No More, Brujeria, Beatsteaks, Kultur Shock) in the best Slovenian recording studios RSL in Novo mesto. The mixing was done in the Radio Star Studios in the USA by Rich Veltrop (Tom Petty, Rage Against the Machine, Slayer, System of a Down, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ozzy with South Park, Spinal Tap, David Coverdale, 311, Buddy Guy, L.A. Guns and Toto), and the mastering by the renowned John Cuniberti (Aerosmith, Davea Matthews, The Grateful Dead, Tracy Chapman, Dead Kennedys, Joe Satirani).
This time the group presented itself as extremely mature. Their songs are multilayered, energetic, dynamically playful, and yet melodic. Against The Gravity therefore offers power, variety, and drive. The lyrics are either socially critical or reflections and feelings stemming from the surrounding world.
Elvis Jackson have a reputation of a band that wins you over in an instant - with their directness, energy, perfection and natural charisma. This was confirmed also by many musical awards, especially the ones they've received for their live performances.
GOTV Germany
