Randy J. Klodz - Jackson, Not Michael, To Take On Chicago

Nov. 6, 2003

Jackson, Not Michael, To Take On Chicago

By Randy J. Klodz

The names Michael, Janet and Tito typically precede the sur name Jackson, but in this case the name belongs to a rock band side project with a line-up of some rather famous names themselves. Jackson will play its first Chicago appearance on Nov. 17 when the band rocks Metro, while warming the stage for pop-punksters Sugarcult.

Jackson’s initial threesome is led by lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Shiflett, whose not-so-humble day job is to strum his guitar next to Dave Grohl with one of rock’s strongest bands, Foo Fighters. Also joining the cast is Chris’ brother Scott on bass (from Face to Face) and Pete Parada on drums (from Face to Face/Saves the Day).

With the band Jackson, a name that Chris Shiflett received as a nickname years ago, Shiflett gets the opportunity to do something that he’s never spent much time doing--touring humbly in a van. While touring with the Foo Fighters, Shiflett grew accustomed to lavish tour buses, and he’s actually looking forward to downgrading to van status. “It will be an adjustment, but it will be great. Everything we do in this brand-new band is an all-new experience,” he said, “for me it’s the first time I’ve ever started a band from the ground-up and built it from nothing.”

Though Shiflett respects his work within Jackson in its own right, he’s not against people associating Jackson with his day job within his world-famous band. “If it turns some kids on to coming to our show I’m not above exploiting the [stuff] out of that,” he said. “You can put that in bold print, FOO FIGHTERS.”

Jackson currently has a 5-song self-titled EP out that features the songs “All the Way,” “Blinders,” “Here Comes Hollow,” “Fell Into” and “Far From Here.” He said that he planned to put two of those songs onto the full-length album that he hopes to have in stores in early 2004.

Metro is at 3730 N. Clark St. Tickets for this all-ages event are listed for $12 each with a show time scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Plain White T’s is also scheduled to warm the stage for Sugarcult. For more information on Jackson check out www.jackson-music.com.