Love Jones
Hey California
Love Jones is an American band, formed in Louisville, Kentucky in spring 1990 by
Ben Daughtrey (drummer) and Barry Thomas (bassist), with Chris Hawpe (singer/
guitarist), Stuart Johnson (drummer) and Jonathan Palmer (singer) who became the
leader of the "cocktail nation" groups of the early 1990s, according to Entertainment
Weekly. In 1992 Love Jones moved to Los Angeles and took up a Thursday night
residency at the nightclub Largo for a weekly show that featured guest performers
like Jon Brion and Mark Flanagan. In 1992 Love Jones received a contract with Zoo Entertainment/BMG shortly after releasing a 45 single on Minty Fresh Records. Their
first full length record, "Here's to the Losers", was released internationally in late
1993; the second album, "Powerful Pain Relief", was released in 1995.1993's Here's
to the Losers (co-produced by the band and Rod O'Brien) contains a wide mix of sound,
including disco, blaxploitation film soundtracks, samba, soul and funk. 1995's Powerful
Pain Relief (co-produced by Paul du Gré) reveals more of Love Jones' inspiration,
including Isaac Hayes, early Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire and Chic. "The Thing", a
single from the album was made into a short form video directed by Liz Friedlander.
The Love Jones signature song "Paid For Lovin" was featured in the Miramax film
"Swingers" and Bassist Barry Thomas was a Music Consultant on the film. The band
gained fans across the United States through touring, often in support of alternative
rock bands of the day, such as Afghan Whigs and The Presidents of the United States
of America.
In addition to their recording work and live performances, Love Jones appeared in the
made-for-TV film Since You've Been Gone starring Teri Hatcher, and the indie French
Exit starring Jonathan Silverman. The band also appeared in the film The Sweetest
Thing as the wedding band. 2010's “Forever...” (produced by Love Jones) reveals that
the guys have not lost a step in the 15 years since their last release. Key tracks
include "Charm City" and "Hey California."