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BOTW Vol 17: Jesse Malin and The St. Marks Social
Jesse Malin began carving out a name for himself in 1980, fronting New York’s seminal hardcore band, Heart Attack. The Queens native was just 12 years old when he started making music, and at 44, he’s showing no signs of stopping.
In the 1990s, Malin fronted one of New York’s most noteworthy bands, D Generation. On their first tour, the band opened for punk rock icons The Ramones, and their last was spent opening for Green Day. During the band’s eight year run Malin earned the respect and friendship of many of the most admired names in music.
One of those friendships was with prolific songwriter, Ryan Adams. When D Generation broke up in 1999, Malin spent a few years developing new material, and a new sound. Adams was impressed with the crop of songs Malin had crafted, and the two recorded Malin’s debut solo album, ‘The Fine Art of Self-Destruction,’ in just 6 days. Since launching his solo career, Malin has put out three full-lengths, two live recordings, and one cover album.
Currently, he performs with a backing band, The St. Marks Social, and his live set has never been better. One of the most captivating aspects of Malin’s live show is his story telling. Making music for over three decades has yielded enough crazy cappers to potentially fill a book of short stories.
For instance, Malin was asked to compose a few songs for a documentary about the author, J.D. Salinger. He went to Salinger’s home in upstate New York, and got arrested for trespassing. While in the holding cell Malin explained to the officers who he was, and what he was doing at Salinger’s home. When the officers looked up ‘Jesse Malin’ on the internet, the first thing to appear was the music video for his song ‘Broken Radio,’ which was a duet with Bruce Springsteen. Malin was immediately released.
People like to talk about dedicating their life to a cause. For 32 years, Jesse Malin’s cause has been Rock n’ Roll, and he has served it well.
9 Questions with Jesse Malin
BEACON: What’s your favorite memory from the Heart Attack days?
Jesse: Going to Radio City Music Hall to Plaza Sound where the Ramones made their first album as well as Blondie and Robert Gordon and recording Keep Your Disaffect as well as opening for The Misfits at The Ritz, going to Mexico City and playing Max’s Even Worse and Reagan Youth.BEACON: You just hosted a tribute to Joe Strummer. What was it like meeting Joe for the first time?
Jesse: The first time I met Joe I was a little kid getting an autograph. He was really sweet and wrote “Love It To Life, Joe” on my ticket stub. The second time I met him I was in D Generation. We drank tequilas until 6 in the morning and he told me and my friends anything we wanted to know about any Clash song recorded. This would be the first of several nights breaking dawn with the telecaster master.BEACON: How many songs do you typically go into the studio with?
Jesse: Sometimes for records I go in with too many. You love them all like they’re your children but someone has to sort them out – God, the producer or the budget. It is a process of editing. Hopefully it can be done more wth the demos, but the songs that don’t make the record sometimes end up on the next record. “Black Haired Girl” was demoed for The Heat but ended up on Glitter in the Gutter as well as “Don’t Let Them Take You Down” and a few others.BEACON: Can we expect another record with the Saint Marks Social, or will the next album be a solo release?
Jesse: Not sure yet exactly as the rehearsals and recordings progress. Could be a combination platter.BEACOM: Who is the one person that, if they said they were a fan of your music, would validate you more than anyone else?
Jesse: It meant a lot when I heard that Bruce Springsteen and Martin Scorsese were fans – it kind of blew my mind. Neil Young or Keith Richards would be pretty insane too but in the mean while I’ll take Howie Pyro.BEACON: What’s your favorite vegan restaurant, outside of New York?
Jesse: Watercourse in Denver, CO.BEACON: What do you miss most about New York when you’re on the road?
Jesse: The pizza, the people, my friends, the movie theaters, the holidays.BEACON: If you were Earth’s ambassador to an alien race, what 5 records would you give them to represent the best of Earth’s music?
Jesse: 1. The Clash – London Calling
2. Neil Young – Harvest
3. Chuck Berry – The Great 28
4. Frank Sinatra – When No One Cares
5. Sam Cooke – Live at the Copa….and of course Barry Manilow – Copa Cabana, the hottest spot north of Havana.
BEACON: What new artists are you listening to right now?
Jesse: The Biters, Hollis Brown, Outernational, K-Holes, Trapper Schoepp & The Shades
The Sounds of Jesse Malin and the St. Marks Social
‘Burning the Bowery’ from the album ‘Love it to Life’ by Jesse Malin and The St. Marks Social, in stores now.