Jukebox the Ghost at Black Cat May 8
Power pop piano trio from D.C. makes Boone debut

By Jeff Eason

Compared to the guitar, the piano is an instrument that lends itself to comparisons. When piano man Billy Joel came to notoriety in the mid-70s, he was compared, ad nauseum, to Elton John who came into prominence a few years before.

Earning comparisons to Queen and Ben Folds Five, the D.C. trio Jukebox the Ghost comes to Boone for a show at Black Cat Burrito this week.

Such is the state of affairs these days as nearly every power pop piano player who comes along is compared to Ben Folds. It happened to bizarre-o keyboard composer Brian Scary last year and this year it is happening again with pianist/vocalist Ben Thornewill of the Washington, D.C.-based trio Jukebox the Ghost.

Jukebox the Ghost will make its area debut at Black Cat Burrito in Boone on Thursday, May 8th. Tickets are on sale at the door.

In addition to Thornewill, Jukebox the Ghost features guitarist/vocalist Tommy Siegel and drummer/vocalist Jesse Kristin.

You could say that with a pianist named “Ben,” a powerful tenor lead vocal, and a group that features soaring harmonies and wonderfully crafted pop songs, the comparisons to Ben Folds Five would be immediate and spot on. A closer examination of Jukebox the Ghost’s songs, however, will reveal that they are closer cousins to the pounding piano anthems of Freddy Mercury and Queen. Whatever the comparison, it is clear that this is a band on the verge of breaking out nationally as larger and larger crowds of fans attend their shows in the D.C. area.

Another thing that might give these guys an edge over some other aspiring pop bands is their new CD, Let Live & Let Ghosts. A fantastic mélange of three-minute pop tours de force, it’s one of those albums that sound equally great on both a cheap car stereo and on a state-of-the-art sound system.

It’s no wonder that the reviewer at www.ohmyrockness.com., wrote, “DC’s Jukebox the Ghost are an extremely entertaining piano-pop trio that writes cleverly optimistic songs. There music gives off an aura that vaguely resembles happiness. Imagine!”

For more information on Thursday’s show, call Black Cat Burrito at (828) 263-9511.