Tommy Jay was There (in Columbus)

Over the last decade, there’s been a renewed interest in a variety of Ohio based, left of center rock acts. There’s a tremendous back log of stuff that falls into categories as varied as punk, blooze, rock and whatever the forbearer of lo-fi was. And while the lion’s share of attention has been focused on the Cleveland axis – Rocket from the Tombs, Pere Ubu, the Dead Boys, the Mirrors and the Pagans – there’s just as rich a musical tradition down there in the state’s capitol.

For whatever reason, Columbus bands haven’t faired as well in the (geeky) public’s ear holes. With stuff that would go on to influence a mass of underground acts, the Bassholes and Mike Rep’s cohort haven’t seen the resurgence in popularity that their northern brethren have encountered. Whether or not that’s all deserved, a clutch of re-issues from the Columbus Discount imprint have sought to right the situation.

The name Tommy Jay isn’t going to be readily familiar to most – that being said, neither is Mike Rep, who Tommy Jay drummed for amidst that nascent Columbus scene growing legs. And while Tommy Jay might remain best known for his work in that capacity, a tape released during the middle of the ‘80s worked to spread the downer gospel that his work purports.

Tall Tales of Trauma hadn’t been available for more than a twenty year period when it was reissued in 2008. The disc saw mostly positive reviews and should have bolstered the indie label’s bank account in addition to resurrecting a cult around Tommy Jay and his vast palate of influence.

Almost everything represented over the duration of Tall Tales of Trauma is going to sound surprising when listeners consider the preceding track. It’s not as if the disc is an uneven affair, but the different approaches that Tommy Jay takes to song-craft renders the album something of a curio while dancing folks through underground sounds from the ‘70s and ‘80s.

The notable acceptation on a disc comprised of odd synth warbles and obtuse lyrical stunts is the Neil Young cop that shows up as “I Was There.” Tommy Jay isn’t crooner for the majority of this disc, but he turns in a strong vocal performance here supplemented by those backing singers and a healthful dose of reverb. It’s not all bucolic stuffs blurting forth from the track as that distant, lonesome guitar summons memories of laid back ‘60s fuzz.

The almost traditional bent to that track, though, isn’t readily duplicated elsewhere on Tall Tales of Trauma. Instead the silly bounce of songs like “The Villiage Idiot” work in some odd production values while Tommy Jay sings in affected tones and explains the travails of the song’s title character.

Yeah, there’s “Ocean,” a Velvet Underground cover, which should cement the realm of influence in some listener’s minds. But that’s only one piece of the story here as oddly constructed folk songs are spattered across the track listing. Somehow there’s nothing that approaches offensive: its all just interesting takes on various genre sounds, but done with a fervent who-cares-attitude.