by A.J. Bardzilowski
It was 1983 when Howard Jones first burst into the contemporary music scene with his very English songwriting and pioneering use of synthesizers. Anyone who was around in the mid- to late-’80s will remember the high-energy tunes from his first two albums, Human’s Lib and Dream into Action.
How long is the set going to be given that you will perform your first two albums in their entirety?
Two and a half hours. Dream Into Action is first, then a half-hour break, then Human’s Lib.
What will you do between this date and your next gig in the UK on August 11?
I will be working on material for a new album next year.
Any special projects in the works?
In 2013 I will be celebrating 30 years of the release of my first single. So, I am planning a 30th anniversary tour, which will embrace tracks from my whole career.
Ordinary Heroes, your latest release, did not include synthesizers but instead a string quartet. What prompted this change? How was it received?
Ordinary Heroes was very acoustic and this was appropriate for the songs of a very intimate nature I wrote for the album. It was very well received by the fans.
The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, Sunday, July 15. Doors open at 6 p.m. Shows start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30.
