Daily News staff report

DENVER — After being dormant for the better part of a year, Jett Black returns tonight with a rocking party to celebrate the release of

his latest CD, “To Hell and Back.” With the exception of opening for the likes of the Supersuckers and Throw Rag, this year has brought

more trials and tribulations to Jett Black and his bandmates.

A bad breakup. Drummer Tony Young experiencing a massive heart attack. A year of hell. You know, typical rock and roll type stuff. But Black is back, and he ain’t bringin’ his

Jett Black back from hell

Published Denver Daily News 8-19-05

Jon Willson

Westword Critic's Choice

Jett Black

Published: Thursday, 8-18, 2005

By Dave Herrera

The title of Jett Black's latest disc, To Hell and Back, might as well be a direct reference to frontman Jeff Arnold's life over the nine months. The last time we heard from Arnold (aka Jett Black) this past January, he had just watched his club, the Velvet Underground, which occupied the subterranean space at 1624 Market Street (the former home of the Blue Mule and its predecessor, Brendan's Blues Pub), go dark after being open for less than three months. It marked the end of a particularly dour period for Black and his mates that began with the act's drummer, Tony Young -- who handles security for Hizzoner Hick during the work week -- suffering a severe heart attack in the middle of Wyoming during a short tour with King Rat.

Young made a full recovery in a matter of weeks, and the group has since undergone a massive overhaul, having mostly ditched the rockabilly-inflected sound that dominated its debut, 2004's What This Record Needs…Is More Cowbell, in favor of jagged, brawny rawk that resembles Velvet Revolver mated with the Reverend Horton Heat. Additionally, Tyfoid Mary's Igor Panasewicz is now handling the low end, while Bart McCrorey wields the lead ax. Catch Jett Black this Friday, August 19, when the reconfigured unit celebrates the release of Hell at Bender's Tavern, with Mo Trucker, Jim Yelenick (Jet Black Joy) and Black Lamb. (The $7 cover includes admission and a copy of the disc.) Black is back -- and don'tcha know, he's glad to be back.

traditional rockabilly sound with him this time. The upright bass has been ditched in favor of former Typhoid Mary bassist Igor, and Bart takes over on lead guitar. And, thankfully, Young has returned to drums.

What is promised is a high-octane, raunchy rock show that “kicks you in the ass but at the same time leaves you warm and fuzzy,” this is a chance to catch Black and the band before they leave Denver for national touring.

Three bands preceed Jett Black tonight. Black Lamb, Jim Yelnick and Mo’ Trucker. Doors openat 8 p.m and music starts at 9. Tickets cost just $7 and include a copy of Black’s new CD, which officially hits the stores and on-line sites such as Amazon and itunes on Tuesday.

Bender’s Tavern is located at 314 E. 13th Ave. and can be reached at 303-861-7070.

Jett Black, To Hell and Back

(Fist Music).

Jett Black (aka Jeff Arnold) set off a flurry of Amber Alerts last winter after he and his namesake band abruptly dropped out of sight. This past August, however, the act re-emerged with a revamped lineup and an updated sound that owes a sizable debt to the Reverend Horton Heat and Velvet Revolver. Hellfire and Brylcreem, anyone? -- Herrera

Moovers and Shakers 2005

Westword

Backbeat scribes weigh in on their favorite

new releases from the past year.

Article Published Dec 22, 2005

Reviewed by Nick Spacek

The Lawrencian January 2006

  God, this is refreshing, hard-driving rock ‘n’ roll. To Hell and Back is powerful enough that you don’t notice the speedometer is creeping closer and closer to 80 miles per hour as you drive down the highway with this album blasting out your stereo.

  Jett Black, from Denver, is one of the best musical discoveries I’ve made since I found out about the Burden Brothers several years back. And much like the Burden Brothers, Jett Black does a great job of mixing rock with a little country twang and rockabillyswagger.

  What’s great about this disc is that the band shows different genre elements in each of its songs. Rather than focusing on trying to fit in some Jimbo bass, Eddie Spaghetti guitar, and DJ Fontana drumming on every song, Jett Black plays up a different style in each one. The title track is basic, balls-to-the-wall hard rock, but “Still the One” is Reverend Horton Heat jumped-up rockabilly while “Signals” is a slow dance number.

  Granted, for all the stylistic touches, this is pretty much a genre record. If you’re not into the whole Supersuckers / Reverend Horton Heat / Throw Rag greaser-rock mentality, this is going to be pretty paint-by-numbers to you. For fans of the style, however, this is well played, energetic music with the heart of a rock and roll band.