One of the best parts of living in Athens (as any former or current resident knows) is the unparalleled music scene. There are few places in America where on a given night a person can see such a bevy of talent.
Tons of artists got their start in this Southern college town: R.E.M, The B-52s, The Whigs, Modern Skirts, John Mayer (his first major video "No Such Thing" was filmed at the Athens Theatre), and Jump Little Children.
My top 10 favorite bands I saw perform in Athens were:
10) TV on the Radio
9) Drive By Truckers
8) Coolio (he was wated at a PKA party)
7) The Whigs
6) Dean Dollar
5) Alison Weiss (okay, so she's not famous...yet)
4) Sister Hazel
3) Modern Skirts
2) Better Than Ezra (Angie Aparo opened)
Undoubtedly, Number One was the final concert Jump performed at the Athens Theatre before the band called it quits in 2006.
After listening to Jump's radio station on Pandora today, it became clear there really is no band one can compare to Jump, Little Children. The other artists Pandora summoned included Better Than Ezra, Matt Nathansom, John Mayer, Jason Mraz and (much to my surprise) The Beatles. Seriously? The Beatles? Granted the influences are similar (use of strings, meaningful melodic lyrics, etc.) but one wouldn't initially think to place Jump, Little Children in the same musical hierarchy as The Beatles.
Though they should.
Jump's demise can be attributed to the fact they were just too damn good for the masses. This band of rogues was ahead of their time. Or maybe belonged somewhere in history with The Beatles. Regardless, Jump's music is timeless. Listening to the more poppy "Magazine" compared to the later "Mexico" then my all time favorite love song "Cathedrals" one can hear how the band was able to move effortlessly between styles and sounds.
Goodness we miss them.
It's sad to know Jump won't be making collective ballads anymore. After missing them for four years, their fans are sincerely hoping for a reunion tour.
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