Cor, what an ex-scorcher

There can be no doubting the lasting influence that Jason Ringenberg has had on the way many people perceive Country Music. The Scorchers’ blend of hardcore country music and punk rock attitude was a road to Damascus for many. But that band never achieved the commercial success it deserved and times have moved on.

Jason now performs solo but has lost none of the dervish energy he brought to his Scorcher gigs. For one man he has enough energy to light up the national grid – something that should be plainly evident on his latest European tour. Meantime, it seems that we really have seen the last of the Scorchers.
“Right now there is no activity on the Scorcher front,” he confirms. “With old Perry (long-time drummer Perry Baggs) gone I really don’t see the band as a real band. I doubt we will ever do any serious work again. There are some aspects I miss about being in a band, but not enough to drag one all over the world!”
After doing gigs how easy is it for him to return to the farm and to be a family man?
“I usually can slip right back into the family farm life. I have done it so much its second nature. Plus my shows are more intimate and down home now so the differences in the two worlds are not as pronounced. Its not like the old days when I would go from being around people doing heroin to taking my Mom and Dad to Mass.”
What has he got in store for us on his next visit?
“I will be touring solo again. As always I promise every show will be different. No set lists or preconceived notions from this cosmic cowboy. If you have a favourite song of mine you’d like to hear then holler it out. One things for certain: All Over Creation is heavily Irish-influenced so expect me to blubber on embarrassingly about my love of Ireland. If it gets too nauseous throw a Guinness on me.”