The Wallflowers

Jakob Dylan is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the Wallflowers. Jakob is also one of two founding members still in the band. Unfairly over-hyped as Bob Dylan's son (yes, he IS Bob Dylan's son), Jakob is a star in his own right. When Jakob was 12, he met Joe Strummer, of the Clash, which was a pivotal life experience. Jakob is married to Paige, and they have a son named Levi and recently welcomed a second son, James, into the world. Michael Ward is the lead guitarist of the Wallflowers. Michael has played on many albums for other artists, notably John Hiatt on Perfectly Good Guitar. His sideband is called Tiny Buddy; you can find their album Ginormous on Fish of Death Records. Michael is an avid cyclist and often bikes up to 60 miles a day. His bicycle of choice is a GT Reynold 853 road bike. Michael is a KISS fan; Ace Frehley greatly influenced his playing. Michael recently married his longtime girlfriend. Rami Jaffee is the Wallflowers' keyboardist. Specifically, he plays the piano, B3, and Vox Continental. Rami is the other founding Wallflower; he joined the band after hearing them playing. Rami is married to Alicia. He became a father in October -- their firstborn was named Tovi. Rami is a cigar aficionado; he likes to puff on a stogie before, and sometimes during their shows. Greg Richling is the Wallflowers' bassist. Greg and Jakob went to high school together and played in the same garage bands. Greg reteamed with Jakob when the Wallflowers needed a new bassist. Greg played on several tracks on Fiona Apple's debut album, Tidal. Mario Calire is the Wallflowers' drummer.

Discography

Wallflowers                               1992                     5/10 Bringing Down The Horse           1996                     6/10 Having sublimated his family name and become a success on his own terms with Bringing Down the Horse, the younger Dylan seems to find reclaiming some of his father's legacy acceptable here. He does that on "I've Been Delivered" (speaking of birth metaphors …), an enigmatic, image-filled quest of a song that rambles to a gnomic but seemingly satisfied conclusion. A more solid connection is made on the hidden track "Babybird," a soothing lullaby that can't help but call to mind "Forever Young," the song Jakob's father wrote for him and his siblings.  Breach                                     2000                     8/10 Perhaps altering the spelling a bit to make it Breech would have been even better, for the metaphor of a difficult, reverse birth applies as well. After all, this is an album born ass-backwards into a world awash in teen pop, hip-hop, and rap-rock. It's something of a miracle that it lands squarely on its feet, making a much-needed case for folk-based rock of the sort that frontman Jakob Dylan's daddy used to make, and indeed, pioneered. For more information about The Wallflowers see '6th Avenue'

Album Title                              Released                 Rating