Newbury gig a 'homecoming' for Jody & The Jerms
Jody & The Jerms make their West Berkshire debut in the Tipi at the Craven Arms, Enborne, on March 10.
The six-piece band play an energetic set of original upbeat pop songs.
Their first Newbury show is a bit of a homecoming with Niall Jeger – a former NWN sports reporter – and Jody living in the town and guitarist Peter James Millson – brother of actor Joe Millson – being a former Kennet pupil.
Niall and Jody put the band together in late 2019, with Peter joining on guitar along with Dave Meaden (bass), Steve Clark (drums) and Robert Anwood (synth).
Niall learned to play guitar while at Kennet with Pete “many, many years ago”.
And he said: “We had a band or two there, and then at Newbury College. Then I joined a band in Oxford called Radiance and ended up moving there where I stayed for many years so I’ve always felt at home there musically, even though we’re now back in Newbury.
“More recently we’ve been recording with Mark Gardener at his OX4 Studio near Didcot on our new album Wonder. He’s the frontman of Ride, one of Oxford’s most successful bands.”
Jody had never sang before the Jerms were formed in 2019, “other than a performance of Bugsy Malone at The Watermill when I was is Year 7 at The Downs School years ago,” she said.
“Now, singing in a band is something new and fun to do with Niall and other old friends who are in the band.’
They have had a prolific output, with two album releases and the third on the way – Wonder releases on April 21 – take a listen on https://jodyandthejerms.com/
The band also toured the UK last year with numerous festival appearances along the way.
With comparisons to Kirsty MacColl, The GoGos and the Primitives, the band unashamedly have a nostalgic late-80s sound that still resonates today. They were championed by the late, great former West Berks resident Janice Long and were one of the last bands she asked to do a BBC session with her in 2021.
The band have also been played numerous times by Frank Skinner on Absolute Radio in the past few months, along with many other radio shows around the world.
They are touring across the UK and Spain in the summer to support the album release.
See them at the Craven Arms 7pm. Friday March 10. £30 including a two-course meal.
Call the pub on (01635) 253336 for tickets
www.jodyandthejerms.com
TRISH LEE
