Email Max:
max@maxjones.org

Max Jones is a self described two bit lounge singer who is constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown. With his dark, sexy voice and heavily reverberated guitar stylings, Max is eager to share his pain with anyone who will listen. Joined by his hard luck band the Joyriders consisting of Happy McGuire on bass and Jake LeBaron on drums, Max confronts the horror of it all with a deep groove that leads directly to the heart of darkness. His disturbing songs of lust and desire transport the unsuspecting listener on a magical misery tour of one man's broken heart and twisted spirit.

Max can often be found wandering the shadows of his own mind, and is always on the lookout for fun, fun, fun. If you ever meet him at a bar he will try to hustle you for free drinks and smokes with his charismatic charm. He usually gets over, but time and time again he manages to shoot himself in the foot until another majestic scheme appears on the horizon that allows him to rise from the ashes like the mighty Phoenix.

Surprisingly, at the end of the day, the grueling journey is well worth the bumpy ride. Bear witness to the pitiful spectacle of Max Jones and feel your own sorrow lifted one sad song at a time.

Next Show: Take me to the River - Max and the Joyriders with Rob Mountjoy and more at the Abe and Jakes on the Kansas River in Lawrence at 10pm. Sunday, Feb 9 at 10PM. 8 East 6th Street, Downtown Lawrence.

Spend Valtentines day evening with Max and the happy crew at newly remodeled Doc and Brutie's in beautiful downtown DeSoto, Friday, Feb. 14, 6pm.

Here's a couple samples from Max's upcoming album "172 Stanton Street" which was recorded with his New York backup band "Red Velvet Room". Nancy Goode plays bass and does the backup vocals and E.Paul DeMartino plays drums. The tracks were produced by Bradford Reed.

1. Groove Daddy

2. The Last Party

The boys have been so busy, nobody's gotten around to posting lately. Max never gets enough music. When the band isn't playing, he's out singing at every jam session he can find. He has a great time and it keeps him out of trouble. Last Sunday he sat in for a number with the ultra-fabulous Lonnie Ray Blues Band at Teller's in Lawrence.

The world's most disfunctional backwoods lounge trio welcomed the new year with a raucus celebration at the Silver Wheel Social Club in DeSoto. Thanks to owner Bobbi for hosting such a great party and an extra thanks for the Budwiser Max Jones New Years poster she gave us for a souvineer.

Upon looking back, our biggest acheivment for the year 2002 may have been moving to Kansas or maybe it was simply getting through it all without killing each other. As usual, our expectations are low and we're hoping 2003 doesn't turn out any worse.

This week's Pub Crawl Magazine, the entertainment guide of Lawrence features a story on the band. There's even a nice photo montage right on the front cover. "NYC band runs loose in Lawrence" is the title of the piece that tells the story of 3 crazy musicians from the east who moved to Lawrence in search of a great music town. The free weekly is available now all over town.

Thursday's show at the Paradise Cafe was a blast and inspired a couple audience members to cast aside any inhibitions they might have had and join right in on backup vocals. It was a regular hootenanny! Staff writer Leslie from the Pubcrawler was on hand to check out the band for a story in the Lawrence weekly night club zine. Today we all sat down at the Paradise for an extensive interview where we attempted to explain how and why our urban gothic lounge trio decided to relocate from the New York City metropolitan area to Lawrence, Kansas. We all agreed that Lawrence rocks, and a good time was had by all.

Max and the Joyriders helped Zombie celebrate another year of hard drinking and easy living last night at Doc and Brutie's Bar-b-que and Pizza in beautiful downtown DeSoto, Kansas. Zombie's a big fan, and Max sang a few special oldies just for the occasion.

Max and the Joyriders were joined on stage at tonight's gig at the Paradise Cafe by belly dancer Trenet. Everyone was groovin' to the music and simply delighted with the show.

The three disfunctional amigos packed up the van and drove 12 miles east of Lawrence last night to perform for a small, but appreciative crowd at Doc and Brutie's Bar-b-que and Pizza spot in beautiful downtown Desoto, Kansas (population 3000). Doc and his lovely wife Amy were on hand to host the event, and their warmth and generosity made the desperate musicians feel just a little bit less like losers. After the show, the boys were rewarded for their efforts with the best Bar-b-que chicken and ribs in Kansas. If you love great food and music, and you're ever in the neighborhood of Desoto, make sure to stop in for a visit. In the meantime, check out their web site. http://www.docandbruties.com

Max and his mighty men joined Lance Fahy and Brian Runk for a sweet jam session at the Paradise Cafe on Mass where a good time was had by all.

Max and his mule team packed up the wagon train and moved the desperate lounge act to Lawrence, Kansas. Jake drove his Ford econoline van with 300,000 miles already behind it and Happy (Seven) drove his rented box truck, while Max took a little detour to New York City to see a special Halloween performance by his favorite songwriter Reverend Vince Anderson at ShowWorld, Time Square's infamous peep show palace. Unfortunately, Max was so tired after packing up all his ratty belongings he fell asleep and missed the show. Reverend Vince was not offended, but questioned Max about moving to Kansas.

Max and his low rent riders hopped a greyhound(see photo) and headed back east to round up their instruments and personal belongings before moving in to their Lawrence rancher. Max bummed $20 from Jake for snacks on the trip, but spent it all on lottery tickets before leaving the bus station. Security was tight at the Cleveland pit stop and Jake had to turn over all his sharp pointy objects in order to get back on the bus. Who would have ever thought that in the land of the free and home of the brave of the 21st century, your avererage citizen couldn't be trusted with a finger nail file and a Swiss Army knife.

Well we found ourselves a nice 3 bedroom rancher (see photo) in Lawrence to house the band, so it looks like Max Jones and his hapless joyriders will be staying on for a while. It's a big relief and everyone is pretty excited about being in this most beautiful city.

Moving to a new town where you don't know anyone and trying to find a place for a band to live and rehearse is proving to be challenge for Max and the boys. Sharing a cramped motel room doesn't help and after a few days the band is getting pretty stressed out and cranky. Luckily there haven't been any fist fights.

Max and the boys made it straight to Lawrence in 23 hours of near non-stop driving. They knew the trip was worth every grueling mile the moment they turned onto Massachusetts Street and instantly fell in love with the friendly and mysterious oasis in the middle of America's heartland.

Max's gal pal Barbara is tossing Max a little bon voyage party this evening at Bob's in Roadstown. Just a few close friends will be on hand to wish Max and the Joyriders good luck on their bewildering road trip to Kansas tommorrow. Everyone is scratching their heads at the very notion of the pitiful gothic lounge trio moving to Kansas, but Max is determined to leave the east coast and experience life in America's heartland.

Max and the Joyriders are getting ready to drive out to Lawrence Kansas to check out the scene and possibly relocate from the east coast. Yesterday Max and Jake the drummer brought a car load of belongings to a flea market in the East Village in NYC to raise gas money for the trip.