Here's something funny. I didn't know the guy until very recently when I stumbled upon a song by one of his side project. It turns out that Jay Reatard is damn good and talented musician who alas passed away at a very early age. Native of Memphis Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr. as his real name is was active as a solo artist as well as part of his side projects, most notably The Reatards and Lost Sounds. He was signed to the respectful Matador Records company, home of such bands as Belle & Sebastian, Cat Power, And Sonic Youth. Jay Reatard's musical career begun at the age of 15 with a demo send to indie label Goner Records. Later on he formed his first band consisting at first only of him which he named The Reatards. The Reatards's sound can be described as a lo-fi, angsty teenage garage punk combining raw guitar sound with Jay's writing talent. By the end of the '90's The Reatards already had released two LPs, a bunch of singles and a tape. The new millenium saw Jay Reatard embarking a new journey with a new project called Lost Sounds. The new formation seemingly kept the raw garage sound and yet sounded more refining. One key feature of this band was the use of synthesizers which is in stark contrast with The Reatards' heavy guitar sound. Unfortunately this music endeavour did not last long and four albums and several EPs later in 2005 Lost Sounds disbanded. After that Jay Reatard opted for a solo career which can be categorized by a much more mellow sound and a deviation from the garage punk in direction towards more indie-pop sound. Nevertheless he seemed to have kept his rebel spirit alive in all his musical projects. To the end he continued to work with fellow musicians as part of several bands or as a solo artist, composer, songwriter. Honestly I regret of learning of him post mortem. Such talent, such waste. R.I.P.!
Jay Reatard myspace
The Reatards myspace
Lost Sound myspace
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