The Dark Angels feature

Lead singer of the Dark Angels, Jim Jeffries, insists in standing out from a crowd. His rockabilly tattoos, embroidered shirts and 57 Buick automobile all signal a focus on style and his gracefully elegant yet darkly insightful presence on stage suggest his experience has taught him how to get this message across. Formally of Rancho Deluxe and currently part of various other outfits, Jeffries has seen it all to know how to do things and by installing men of equal talent and knowledge, Smutty Smiff on bass and Mark Richards on percussion, he has succeeded in proving this to an audience of the same calibre.

Familiarly, The Dark Angels possess a sound that echoes David Lynch soundtracks, Johnny Cash and an unsettling feeling in the pit of your stomach. The influences that Jeffries speak of include the legendary Hank Williams, pseudo new wave-cum-rock poet Nick Cave and country poster boy Chris Isaak, however in listening to the songwriters’ lyrical ambivalence it becomes all too clear he has his own agenda.

It is this agenda which has been moulded through over 20 years of experience. He is confident enough to say he has enjoyed some success, yet modest enough to say he has a long way to go. His decision to perform solely in Europe has given rise to a worldwide fan base and by doing so has attracted attention from all walks of life who suffer the human condition which is spoken of so clearly in his songs.