I think it’s fair to say that TJBC are hardly the most prolific of bands. While Duff Muffin had a great reputation down south, they didn’t quite, for whatever reason, take their ska-punk sounds across the UK and perhaps make the impact they could or should have done. But a swift name change later and the band have finally released a full length album. And it’s certainly been worth the wait.
‘This Machine’ will undoubtedly have the same kind of impact on the UK scene as the likes of NoComply and Capdown had when they were in their prime. Unashamedly different to every other band peddling the UK toilet circuit right now, TJBC sound like a mish mash of their favourite bands. There are plenty of RxBandits-esque moments, some Less Than Jake ska-pop moments – ‘Be Aware’ sounds like something from the ‘Pezcore’ days – and even some Capdown-style sax heaven. It’s unique in the fact, for a UK band of this type at least, they don’t seem to be afraid to wear their ska influences on their sleeves, oblivious to the fact that nearly every great UK ‘ska’ band has split up, save for Howards Alias reforming.
‘Public Eye’ has a strong social message, yet a lovely relaxed reggae-esque feel to it, ‘Adrenalin’ is a tune and a half, while the RxB feel to ‘The Manhattan project’ flows quite brilliantly. If The JB Conspiracy get their touring shoes on they can easily reach the heights their peers managed during ‘The Great UK Ska Revival’ of a few years ago. More serious than Lightyear, more varied than Howards Alias and arguably better than Capdown, the future is certainly very bright.