JJ & Thee Cuban Heels

Bio:

An icon of Boston’s music scene, with JJ & Thee Cuban Heels, JJ Rassler draws on a wide range of his musical roots. Growing up in Philadelphia in the '50s and '60s, JJ listened to the Teen Idol sounds broadcast on local WIBG, the soul sounds broadcast by Jerry Blavat and watched TV shows like Bandstand and Ed Hurst’s Steel Pier. Then came the British Invasion. Sophomoric instrumentals, sappy teen ballads and the stomp of “Satisfaction” percolated on the back burner as Rassler moved to New England and helped found legendary garage bands DMZ and The Odds. He also played lead guitar and wrote songs early on for The Queers. With these bands, raunch guitarist Rassler helped pioneer styles of rock 'n roll that came to be known as "garage punk" and "punk pop." Later he co-founded his most prolific venture to date, The Downbeat 5. For over 10 years, JJ and co-founder/singer/co-songwriter, Jen D’Angora, have forged a partnership built on a mutual love for '70s NYC punk and the Girl Group sounds of the early ‘60s. Now, in the company of the DB5’s rhythm section, bassist Mike Yocco, and drummer, Jeff Norcross, and good friend, and hot shot guitarist, Julian Hammond, as Thee Cuban Heels, JJ showcases all facets of his roots. Formed in fall 2009, this already seasoned quartet churns out ‘60s influenced rock 'n roll, soul and greasy R&B, mixes in doo wop and cranks out instrumentals that are more turf than surf. Northern and Southern Soul, Chicago Blues, and the Toe Rag sound of ‘80s/’90s London are all influences. Sounds of “The Stroll,” complement the Tiger Beat and Rave magazine (sub)mentality. It’s dance your ass off music that you don’t have to strain your brain to appreciate. As epic as West Side Story in its appreciation of the sounds of the city, and with a fistful of greasy kid stuff rock ‘n roll, JJ & Thee Cuban Heels, are off and running with a cool, tough sound that is all their own.

Member Since:

November 27, 2009

Members:

The singers, the guitarists, the bassist, the drummer.

Influences:

Nolan Strong & the Diablos, the Versatones, Mickey Hampshore, Jerry Blavat, Greg Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright, Mr. Haney, the Beat Merchants, Bobby Womack & the Valentinos, Amelda Marcos, and Jerry Mathers as, the Beaver

Sounds Like:

The primal side of raw Rock & Roll, R&B, Blues, Country, and Soul

Record Label:

Steel Cage