Caroline Ryder[See more photos in Timothy Norris' slideshow “Steve Jones Brings 'Jonesy's Jukebox' to KROQ”.]
This Sunday saw Steve Jones, the radio DJ Los Angeles misses the most, present his Jonesy's Jukebox live on air for the first time in nearly two years.
LA Weekly was invited into the KROQ studio to capture the moment so many have longed for, and we watched the Sex Pistol sail through his two hour show, despite an endearing inability to pronounce Sufjan Stevens (“Souffle Stevens?”) or Fitz and the Tantrums (“Fritz and the Tantrums?”).
Now airing on KROQ 106.7 FM Sundays from 7-9pm, Jonesy's Jukebox is a leaner, more grown-up version of the show that made Indie 103.1 FM great for five years, before the station's sudden demise in January 2009.
Steve Jones at KROQ; Credit: Timothy Norris
Gone are Jones's on-air burps, farts, whistlings, guitar noodlings and protracted ramblings, beloved as they were. Instead, Jonesy's Jukebox v 2.0 (produced by Jones' longtime co-conspirator Mr. Shovel, aka Mark Sovel) is driven by a clear mission–get good indie music to the KROQ masses. Which is great news for artists like Best Coast, MGMT, Benji Hughes, Zola Jesus and the other Pitchfork-friendly bands Jones featured on this week's live broadcast (last week's Jonesy's Jukebox, its KROQ debut, was pre-recorded).
Steve Jones at KROQ; Credit: Timothy Norris
The skinny-jean modern indie sounds that Jones is championing may have come as a shock to those who tuned in hoping to catch some Linkin Park, but for those happy Jonesy's Jukebox fans who lit up KROQ's switchboard as soon as the show went on, last night must have felt like nothing short of a Second Coming.
Steve Jones at KROQ; Credit: Timothy Norris
More images:
Steve Jones at KROQ; Credit: Timothy Norris
The Glam-Punk Godfathers of KROQ: Rodney Bingenheimer and Steve Jones; Credit: Timothy Norris
A great face for radio: your Steve Jones pinup; Credit: Timothy Norris
Steve Jones at KROQ; Credit: Timothy Norris
Steve Jones at KROQ; Credit: Timothy Norris
Steve Jones at KROQ; Credit: Timothy Norris
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