Tiger Weekly - Serving Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

JET brings Aussie rock to the Varsity

By Ryan Sands

It has been a long time since the Australian band JET made a smash impression on fans - not since 2003's Get Born was released. Their latest album Shaka Rock returns to that same feel-good Aussie rock, and you'll have the chance to see them live. Appearing at The Varsity on Tuesday, Mar. 16, JET will make themselves your new old-favorite.

"Shaka literally means bastard," said drummer and vocalist, Chris Cester. "Oh, can I even say that?"

And a bastard of an album it is, too. Even in comparing first impressions of the album, visually, the differences in this album to previous albums are striking.

"Yeah, if you look at the difference in black and white on our other albums and this one's all in color," Cester revealed in his rolling, swarthy Australian accent. "It's like, exploding." Indeed, this album is a very colorful display of the band's personality: both raw and genuine.

"I actually do think it's a better album," said Cester, "It's more diverse. It really stands on its own. You know when you start out as a band it's really all about your influence."

When asked about their favorite place to play, Cester didn't hesitate. "Glasgow, definitely. They're wild. They, and I don't say this as a put down, they throw their cups of beer at you onstage. They like to have fun. They sing a lot. A lot of times you might leave a show in Glasgow drenched in beer, but it's all in good fun."

Just for a laugh, Tiger Weekly ran Cester through a game of "Kill, F--k, Marry," Cester had never played the game and it was apparent that he was trying to catch his footing throughout.

"Who would I f--k? Hmm, who's that...Yeah, Rachel McAdams. No wait, I'd marry her. Okay start with that." It didn't take long for Cester to admit that it was Angelina Jolie he would fancy a ride in the hay with, but when it came time to kill someone, a name couldn't be found, "Kill? Ahhh, no, I couldn't kill anyone. I won't do that to you."

Chris Cester is a nice guy. He wouldn't hurt a fly, and he definitely wouldn't get into it with his brother and fellow bandmate, Nic. The two brothers are about as far away from the Gallagher brothers (of Oasis) as one could imagine.

"No, we're definitely not like [them]... They can't stay in the same room for more than two minutes. Nic and I get along, especially these days. And it's better for our shows... we don't perform all wasted."

Be prepared to see a reinvigorated JET on Tuesday, Mar. 16 at the Varsity. It seems as if the band is in good spirits, and with the rock-solid new album, Shaka Rock, it's not hard to see why. For more information, check out varsitytheatre.com or jettheband.com.

Originally Published: March 10, 2010

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