JERRY'S KIDS from SP#3, late '82

PHOTO: MURRAY BOWLES

With the popularity of SS Decontrol, Gang Green, F.U.'s, etc..., one of the more overlooked Boston hardcore bands is Jerry's Kids. Jerry's Kids have been around for over a year now and have evolved into a very tight band. They include Rick Jones on bass and vocals, Bob Cenci on guitar, Dave Aronson on guitar and Brian Betzger on drums. Rick's younger borther Bryan was the original vocalist, but he had to quit due to pressures from home. Bryan's vocals are featured on the cuts on "Boston, Not LA" and "My Machine Gun" on the Modern Method hardcore EP. Joe, who Rick calls "a good kid," was vocalist for awhile but didn't work out, so Rick took on double responsibility as vocalist and bassist. They have a new 6 song tape, done at Radiobeat in Boston. 2 tunes, "Tear It Up" and "Don't Need It," have been getting local airplay It's the first recordings to feature Rick on vocals and he does a super job.
I had the opportunity to speak to Rick over the phone. What follows are some questions and Rick's paraphrased answers:

SP: What did you think of "Boston, Not LA"?

Rick: When Modern Method offered us the opportunity to record, we jumped at it. We may have been too new a band at the time. When we did "Uncontrollable," Bryan made up the words as he went along. Some of the songs were immature. I feel our new stuff is better and our viewponts have become more precise and stronger since then.

SP: Have you played outside of Boston at all?

Rick: We played in New Hampshire once. It was ridiculous. 10 people came to see us and the rest hung out in the bar. We were supposed to play New York, but it fell through.

SP: Tell me how the band came together.

Rick: Bob and I have been jamming together for two years and we always played raw music. Eventually, it evolved into Jerry's Kids. Our first few gigs were a mess. I felt that no one liked us, but now I feel that the crowd can identify with us.

SP: How do you like doing both vocals and bass? Do you find it hard?

Rick: I feel comfortable doing both now. Practicing a lot helped. Originally, when we had Bryan, I kept in the background. I felt uncomfortable with crowd contact. Now, though, I'm learning to be more obnoxious on stage. You have to be intense to play and sing at the same time, so I'm really intense on stage. So's the rest of the band. I wouldn't want to dive on Bob while he's playing.

SP: Any profound political or social viewpoints you wish to share?

Rick: Not really. Just be aware.

SP: What about anarchy?

Rick: Anarchy won't work. Once the government is eliminated, some people will just take advantage of others and try to build up their own system. Eventually, things will be back to the way they were or worse and we'll just have another lousy situation. It's just a big circle.

SP: You guys are from the same town as Gang Green (Braintree). What's up with them? Are they still together?

Rick: They're still together. Bill's staying as bass player. They've been practicing and are anxious to play out again. So are we.

SP: Did you like the gig at the Allston Knights Of Columbus?

Rick: It was good, except that my cabinet fell over during the set. It was a good show, though.

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