Jackfoot

Jackfoot is a genre of music that has been present for most of musical history, but hasn’t been labeled as such until the 21st century. The musical element of Jackfoot has primarily evolved from such forms as Jazz, Gypsy, Rock n roll and Blues with a strong circus feel attached.
Jackfoot is not only a way of classifying music as a genre but also spills into performance art with such mediums as comedy, sideshow and vaudeville.
When someone describes something as being Jackfoot it conjures a number of sounds and images all with an inherent quirkiness. Jackfoot is a style, a way of being not just one thing or another.
If one was to dissolve normality and spend the rest of their lives listening to “Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite” by the Beatles they would understand what it is to be Jackfoot.
The meaning associated with this word is somewhat illusive. Although we know the style and sound that suit this word. Its meaning seems to have been lost. A common belief is that the word originated somewhere in New South Wales, Australia, possibly Newcastle.
While most musical genres are limited by the timbre or type of instruments used, Jackfoot is not and can be played on any variety of instrument providing that they are chromatic. The Jackfoot feel lends itself to chromatic runs and blue note improvisation; however, certain key based instruments can also be used in conjunction with a fully chromatic instrument E.g. Harmonica, Whistles and Recorders.
Origin of Style
The origin of Jackfoot goes too far back to trace; from the early carnival music in the west to the travelling gypsies in Europe. The first popular surge of Jackfoot happened in the 1960’s with bands such as The Mothers of Invention, The Beatles, Syd Barret, Jefferson Airplane and many others.
But it is important to note that none of these groups were known for playing Jackfoot and there is a difference between psychedelic rock and Jackfoot.
Frank Zappa’s zest for comedic lyrics and The Beatles upbeat absurdities, throw in some of Jefferson Airplane’s vocal energy and Syd Barret’s innocence, move forward in time and listen to some Primus… are you there yet?
You should remember that it’s not just the music; there is a physical element and style attached. This can only be associated with Vaudeville. The Marx Brothers had a certain fun loving and quirky outlook that can be seen on the stage of any Jackfoot artist. Throw in some Charlie Chaplin and Jacques Tati and you’ll get a clear picture of what it means. If Vaudeville had a baby with a bunch of sideshow freaks and rovers and then that baby joined the circus and picked up a guitar on the way you would have the perfect Jackfoot artist.
To be Jackfoot is to be insulted by what is “normal” or “conventional”. This is the curse of all Jackfoot artists as they attempt to live in a world that is addicted to routine and order.
Modern Jackfoot Artists
<ul>
<li>The Hatty Fatners</li>
<li>Chrome Bison</li>
<li>King Hutter vs Kyborgftw</li>
<li>Thomas Jack of Hearts</li>
<li>Tortoise Head Platoon</li>
<li>Fishkicker</li>
<li>Dangerboy</li>
<li>Umbrella Man</li>
<li>Florence Barret</li>
</ul>
See Also
Gypsy
Jazz
Rock and Roll
Blues
Bebop
Sideshow
Burlesque
Circus
The Marx Brothers
Charlie Chaplin
Jaques Tati
The Beatles
Frank Zappa
The Kulide o' Scope
LSD
Syd Barret
Costume
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