Jon Spencer is a major figure in noise rock and alternative rock circles known for his gritty, combustible songs, fiercely minimalistic guitar work, and over-the-top performing style. Spencer first made his name in the mid-'80s with combative noise merchants  (best heard on the 1987 album Right Now!), whose raw, purposefully off-putting style and deliberately offensive lyrics made them one of the most polarizing bands of the day. After 's breakup, Spencer launched , whose frantic but wildly energetic style mixed elements of punk, R&B, blues, and garage rock into a raucous, celebratory attack that made them one of the best live acts of their day. The band captured the essentials of their sound on Extra Width (1993) and Orange (1994), while they embraced elements of hip-hop and electronics on Acme (1998). While Spencer's approach was easily recognizable, he was able to fuse his ideas with a variety of collaborators, including the raw R&B sound of , the fractured roots rock of , and the deep but idiosyncratic blues wailing of . After the breakup of the , Spencer reintroduced himself first with a solo album, 2018's Spencer Sings the Hits, and then by launching a new band, , whose raw, noisy rock was documented on 2022's Spencer Gets It Lit. Spencer teamed up with the bassist and drummer of  for his third solo effort, 2024's Sick of Being Sick! Jon Spencer was born on February 4, 1965. He grew up in Hanover, New Hampshire, and began making music while attending Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he formed a short-lived industrial noise group called Shithaus; one of his bandmates was Tod Ashley, who would go on to sing with . By 1985, Spencer had relocated to Washington, D.C., where he formed the first edition of  with Julia Cafritz (guitar and vocals) and John Hammill (percussion). The band's abrasive and inflammatory sound and philosophy sharply divided the Washington, D.C. musical community, and after a pair of self-released 7"s, they moved to New York City, which already had a thriving noise rock scene. Before they moved to New York, Hammill left the group and guitarist Neil Hagerty signed on, while drummer Bob Bert and guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist  became part of  once they settled into their new home.  would go on to release four full-length albums (including their infamous song-by-song cover of ' Exile on Main St., which appeared on a limited-edition cassette) before the band broke up in 1990. Spencer and , who were romantically involved and would marry in 1991, had already formed a side project, the sex-obsessed , with members of  and . Their debut EP, Drinkin', Lechin' & Lyin', appeared in 1989, and a full-length album, Cold Hands, followed in 1990.  remained sporadically active in the '90s and early 2000s, though they went on hiatus after Spencer and  welcomed their first child, returning to the studio for 2017's Brood X. In 1990, Spencer launched a new project, , with Spencer (on vocals, guitar, and Theremin) joined by guitarist Judah Bauer and drummer . Fusing the clattering sounds of  with a more accessible and energetic approach inspired by R&B, blues, and rockabilly (the band's two-guitars-and-drums lineup was inspired by the gutbucket blues combo Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers), the trio released their self-titled debut album in 1992, and thanks to heavy touring, enthusiastic word of mouth, and scattered MTV airplay,  developed an international fan base that dwarfed that of any of Spencer's other projects. While early releases such as Crypt Style (1992) and Extra Width (1993) documented their bold live sound,  began exploring the possibilities of the recording studio on Now I Got Worry (1996) and Acme (1998), and they shored up their credibility with blues fans backing up Mississippi juke joint legend  on his 1996 set, A Ass Pocket of Whiskey. After 2004's Damage, the group took a break, but they returned to duty in 2012 with Meat + Bone, followed by 2015's excellent Freedom Tower: No Wave Dance Party 2015. In 2022, Spencer revealed in an interview that the  had officially broken up, largely due to health problems experienced by Judah Bauer. When not occupied with , Spencer kept himself busy with other projects. He teamed up with Matt Verta-Ray of  to form , which pushed the rockabilly and roots rock side of Spencer's musical personality to the forefront; the group released three albums, Heavy Trash (2005), Going Way Out with Heavy Trash (2007), and Midnight Soul Serenade (2010). Spencer also collaborated with  and Cody Dickinson of  for a 2006 album titled The Man Who Lives for Love, credited to . And Spencer also made notable guest appearances on albums by  (2000's The Black Godfather),  (2004's Nancy Sinatra),  (2006's In Concert, Vol. 1),  (2011's Controlling Your Allegiance), and  (2010's Amsterdam Throwdown King Street Showdown!, which also featured ). In 2018 Spencer stepped out on his own with his first solo album, Spencer Sings the Hits. Spencer's next album introduced his new band, , featuring Bob Bert, , and Janet Weiss. The combo made their recording debut with 2022's Spencer Gets It Lit.  toured heavily in support of the album, but when  and Weiss resumed work with their band , Spencer was looking for new accompanists when he was offered several dates opening for  and  (Spencer helped produce  and 's 2022 LP Death Wish Blues). Having worked with the Woodstock, New York band  (he produced their 2020 album Skin Suit), he invited their bassist, Kendall Wind, and drummer, Macky "Spider" Bowman, to join him for the tour. Spencer clicked with Wind and Bowman, and he brought them into the studio to help record 2024's Sick of Being Sick! ~ Mark Deming