In a city like Austin, teeming with musicians, the typical band history goes like this: several musicians meet, form a band, and start writing and performing music between shifts at part-time jobs. However, Jumpstart Racer, (formerly known as Sweet Lee Morrow), is definitely not your typical band. In fact, the act and it's music has slowly materialized over the past 11 years, shaped immensely by Jesse Podunk's coast to coast and international romps as a five year member of The Polyphonic Spree.
Jumpstart Racer was started by Jesse Podunk Hester in Dallas in 1997. Podunk wrote consistently throughout that year and in 1998 he began performing locally as a solo act as well as with a full band. It was during this period that Jumpstart Racer's melodic brand of psychedelic pop rock, influenced by Pink Floyd, Tripping Daisy (a band that just happened to live around the corner), David Bowie, The Flaming Lips, and The Beatles, began to take shape. However, this creative period was cut short by the beginning of an experience that would shape both art and artist in a way Podunk could never imagine.
In 1999 Podunk joined The Polyphonic Spree, led by former Tripping Daisy frontman, Tim DeLaughter, when the new band boasted a membership of only 13, about half of its eventual 25. Clueless as to the adventure that lay ahead, Podunk was excited to be opening for Granddaddy at the Gypsy Tea Room in Dallas for one of his first shows with the band. Over the next four and a half years, Podunk would traipse endlessly around the US, Canada, and Europe with The Spree.
Full of inspiration and approaching fatherhood, Podunk left The Spree in 2004 to focus on family as well as writing for and performing in Jumpstart Racer. After experiencing a discouragingly high turnover rate, Sweet Lee Morrow was re-located to Austin, Texas in August of 2006. Within the span of 6 Months, Podunk had found the psych-rock, multi-instrumentalist core which had eluded him in Dallas. Colin Peden (Bass) had performed with local acts such as Poor People and Knife in the Water and Jared Jackson (Drums/Vocals/Arrangement) had played in Dallas based bands The Danes and The Golden Falcons. Recently added was Josh King, also of the Lemurs, (Keys, Samples) Having been recently signed to Good Records, the band now splits it's time between performing in Austin and recording their debut record, set to be released in mid 2009.
".........an old soul with a childlike heart..a spirited songwriter with a
lyrical relevance of now..i adore this record."
-Tim Delaughter/The Polyphonic Spree
Monarch Box tonight (Monday, July 6th) at Headhunters! First Austin Show in 6 months! Come on out boys and let's have a time! PS, can anyone get into the Mooselodge?
David C. Steffens is jumpin' for joy over Jumpstart Racer! and would like his personal copy of the new album forthwith! Third person bitches...deal with it.
Over 200 REAL Hip Hop Classics 8r Thanks, Timeless Beats LLC TimelessBeats@Gmail.com TimelessBeatsOnline. Com Cell: 1 (727) 768 7580 ...... .. .... ....
Hello my friend, I just wanted to give you the 'heads up' on this great competition we are running along with our friends writingroom. If you know anyone else who may be interested then please pass this on to them.
did u mean the middle.hope "pun"? if so nice.....if not.....heavy....take a listen to yellow n grey on myspace. would of loved to make it fin...yet thought it should be heard....my engineer skills are way beyond now but the tune is timeless! If it does not meet yo approval I'll remove..sorry missed D wide gig. buisy me.... let me know when ever you come thru and we'll catch up.. Send the fam my luvs( i told myself I'd never short hand) omg lol Ace
Did monarch box really steal your lunch money? Do you want my banana sandwich? My mom made it, she said, Little baby boy, you take this banana sandwich cause I know you like those banana sandwiches, and I want may baby to be happy! But, you have it...I want you to be happy too!
Jesse-Sorry I didn't get to say hi. I thought you guys were coming to sit with us-I didn't see the no perro sign either. I heard the good nuptial news, though. Congrats!
J.J. - Drumz
C.P. - Bass
Po-Dunk - Guitar, Keys, Vox
Online Now!
