Jon Spencer

Jon Spencer (born February 5, 1965, in Hanover, New Hampshire) is an American singer‑guitarist and bandleader whose restless creativity has made him a defining figure in the garage‑punk, blues‑inflected rock underground. Early on he co‑founded provocative, noisy ensembles like Pussy Galore, then gained major recognition as the frontman of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (JSBX), which blended raw garage rock, punk blues, and experimental sonic textures. Over decades he has collaborated with blues‑legend R.L. Burnside and pushed boundaries of genre and performance.

Spencer’s sound is energetic, unpretentious, and always alive with a sense of danger: distorted guitars, theremin squalls, pulsing drums and his own howled vocals. His approach has remained true to the rock’n’roll ethos of spontaneity and edge, refusing polish in favour of grit and feel. His extensive discography covers multiple bands (Boss Hog, Heavy Trash, JSBX) and his own name.

In recent years his musical journey has entered a renewed phase. In 2018 he released his solo album Spencer Sings the Hits! with his own name, followed by the 2022 record Spencer Gets It Lit! with his backing band the HITmakers. Most recently, in 2024 he issued the album Sick of Being Sick! with a new trio lineup (featuring Kendall Wind and Macky “Spider” Bowman) and embarked on a fresh touring cycle in Europe including France. Spencer himself has described this phase as a creative “reset” after years of change and upheaval—with the music embracing political urgency, personal reflection, and the visceral force of live rock.

Jon Spencer remains one of rock’s most fearless and inventive voices: a musician who refuses to stand still, continually reinventing his sound while keeping one foot firmly in the raw, sweaty club‑room where rock got its start.

‍