JG in the Rhythm City Magazine

Four score and five weeks ago, during a Rhythm City writers meeting, it was decided that KillerLlama do the cover story for the November issue. So for five weeks and four score we worked like dogs in our underground media laboratory. Which band would it be? It is always within our principles to treat all bands equally and not put a rating on them considering some to be "better" than others. We thought about doing a big general article on a good chunk-o-da-bands, but that's what we have our section for. So, we weighed it out: We wanted a band that had been out for at least two years. We wanted a band that has, or is just about to release a full length CD - a band that gigs a lot around town, has a loyal audience, and above all: is not a tribe of cocky pricksJudge Genius are nice guys. They'll send you joyful e-mails about squishiness and free kitten giveaways. They roll into the club on gig night with smiles on their faces. On bad nights - especially Wednesdays after a Tuesday terrorist attack - when nobody is there, they close their eyes and imagine a sold out UNO Arena and still pour every ounce of energy into the evening's set. Musical troopers - they don't quit and they don't give up. The Spanish Moon, Rotolo's, The Bayou, The Shelter, Ichabod's, The LSU Greek Theater, Kirk's House of Rock in Gulfport - you name the spot and they've been thereJudge Genius is made up of five members: Justin on drums, Mike on more drums, Adam on bass, Brandon on guitar, and Sam the vocal man. It's somewhat of a super group, actually. Mike and Adam both play in Tabu, while Brandon is the sole axeman for Nail in the Brain. These bands play together all the time, and Nail in the Brain takes the stage with Judge Genius to form the incredibly ugly Richard's Whore. So you know it's a guaranteed show if you put gas in the ride and go. Aside from the normal, satiristic originals like "Crack Rock Chronicles" and "Faster than a Speeding Mullet," Judge Genius also comments their set with classic cover tunes such as Madonna,s "Papa Don't Preach," and the Phil Collin's moshpit favorite "In the Air Tonight" (It is ritual for Sam to travel as far down the block as the wireless mic will let him during this song)You could call this urban Southern rock. It's rebellious, but you'll see a full set of teeth when they smile at you. It's also a nice change from the shoot'em up gangster shit that's been plaguing our music selections for the past few years. They ain't ignant. The music has intelligence - not too much, but just enough to make you respect them as people like you and me.If you favor the flavor from anything between the lines of Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Lynyrd Skynyrd, NWA, Chevy Trucks, Bud Light, and best-of reruns from the last two seasons of "Cops," you will love that Judge Genius. They'll be at Ichabod's on Saturday, Nov. 17 with rock/rap groove monkeys Tabu. Visit www.JudgeGenius.com for more listings, MP3s, and links to other websites that begin with a Killer, end with a Llama, and have quick-downloading video clips of this band in action. The CD was going to be ready over a month ago, but since they're recording it in their living room, and don't have to pay studio time, Justin (JG drummer/music producer) is being a tweak-monkey with it and taking his sweet ass time with the final mixes. Ladies and gentlemen, I am the Hooverman. Thank You for reading my cover story. I bid ye all a good day, and remember: Baton Rouge kicks ass! We got green trees, hot lay-deez, and talent oozing from the fingers of hundreds of original musicians, who desperately want nothing other than to have a good time in this big little capital city college town. So enjoy it and enjoy them, while it's here and while they're there, because one day, it could all be gone. Pecan.