Dancin' With The Devil

The Zoo Crew is spinning the raw, electrifying track "Dancin' With The Devil" by Jones Street, from their album Out of The Gutter, and the Zoo Freaks are surely feeling the sleaze-rock vibes. This song, the opener of the album, is a gritty, high-energy anthem that sets the tone with its snarling riffs and Shawn Crosby’s whiskey-soaked vocals. According to a review from Sleaze Roxx, the track kicks off with a “deliciously evil laugh” and a buildup that crashes into pounding drums, instantly hooking listeners. It was recorded between 1991 and 1995, a time when the glam and sleaze scene was battling the rise of grunge, which adds a layer of defiance to its sound. The song’s street-credible edge, described as a “zwitter aus Skid Row and Guns N’ Roses” by Rock Garage, makes it a perfect fit for the rebellious spirit of the Zoo Freaks.

One juicy piece of trivia comes from the song’s production history. The track was part of sessions produced by heavy hitters like Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe and Steve Stevens of Billy Idol fame, as noted on Eonian Records. These connections gave the song a polished yet raw intensity, blending Sunset Strip swagger with a heavier, punkish attitude. Another tidbit: the 2022 reissue of the album, originally released in 2008 as Dancin’ With The Devil, replaced a weaker demo track with a previously unreleased gem, “On The Edge,” which was produced by band members Jonny Scott and Mickey Perez. Fans on the Heavy Harmonies forum have praised the reissue’s remastered sound, with one user calling it a “combat boot-to-the-head” experience, perfect for those who love their rock tough and unapologetic.

Jones Street formed in Los Angeles in 1991, right at the tail end of the glam metal heyday, with a lineup that included Shawn Crosby on vocals, Jonny Jones and Mickey Perez on guitars, John “J.J.” Jauregui on bass, and drummers Rob Hanna and later Anthony Focx. As detailed on Last.fm, the band was heavily influenced by bands like AC/DC, Skid Row, Aerosmith, and Guns N’ Roses, but they carved out their own niche with a raw, powerful attack. Starting out, they hustled on the Sunset Strip, playing legendary venues like the Whisky A Go Go, The Roxy, and FM Station, which they considered their “home away from home.” Their high-energy live shows caught the eye of rock magazines like Metal Edge and RIP, and even got them a demo deal with Sony Records, though the grunge wave ultimately stalled their major-label dreams.

The band’s persistence paid off with their 2008 independent release, compiled by Crosby, which sold out quickly and became a collector’s item, as noted on Eonian Records. By 2022, Eonian Records stepped in to reissue the album as Out of The Gutter, complete with a new mix and bonus material. Fans can connect with the band’s legacy through their official page on the Eonian Records website. While the band doesn’t maintain active social media, you can find fan discussions on platforms like the Hair Metal Maniacs Facebook group, where sleaze and glam enthusiasts share love for Jones Street’s gritty sound. For more fan-driven content, check out the Heavy Harmonies discography page, a go-to for hard rock collectors.