Humility is the most paraded emotion in music today. Whether it
comes down to band shout-outs or the feigned shock that comes with
an encore, it's all faked. In truth, most bands on tour are
pre-programmed throughout to say the same interlude speeches in
every city. That's why it means something when you see humility in
a band and know it's all for real.

Jackson, an alt-rock band hailing mostly from California, is one
of those bands. Started as a side project by Chris Shiflett as a
way to "get all of these (musical) ideas out," Jackson also
includes brother Scott Shiflett on bass (from the now defunct Face
to Face), Doug Sangalang (One Time Angels) on accompanying guitar
and Cary Lascalla (Communique) on drums. Chris describes his
low-key vocals as not from "an accomplished vocalist," voluntarily
self-deprecating himself to the amusement of the band. Scott seems
happy to "lay back a little more" on bass, to do what it takes "to
make it right." The driving guitar makes each song from their newly
released self-titled EP, a "one dimensional sample of what (they)
do," flow in a So-Cal melody. The drum set plays the perfect
accompaniment, keeping a tight pattern behind songs like "Far Away
From Here," an ode to pushing away the girl you've mistreated. The
band presents a sound that isn't groundbreaking but is far from
anything currently on the shelves.

While putting together the album, Chris said it was a
step-by-step process with "the instruments getting laid down first"
before lyrics were even written. Because of this, the album feels
well-rounded, backing up vocals to Chris' baritone lead. There are
musical interludes in the songs which allow pause and serve a
purpose all of their own.

Scott admits now that it's just "great to work with my brother,
the best guitarist I know." Chris, accustomed to huge spreads of
catered foods on Foo Fighters tours, jokingly admits the PB&J
for this show is a welcome change. There is a surprising sense of
good judgment surrounding a man with "Gimme Gimme" tattooed on the
inside of his lip, maturity that is matched by his brother and
transcends their environment and peers.

While rock 'n' roll can clutter minds, driving men to infidelity
and drugs, it seems the Shiflett brothers are beyond all that.
Amstel Light is their drug of choice and both proudly display
wedding rings when pressed on the issue of groupies. They drive a
15-passenger white van gig to gig, lugging their own gear to and
from the stage. Chris doesn't take himself too seriously on the
microphone and Scott gladly accepts the role of accenting the
guitar with his bass.

Scott summarizes what any fan can see, stating quite simply "I'm
just happy to be playing." The band, "getting more comfortable
playing together" with every show, works as a cohesive unit instead
of four individual men fighting for the spotlight. This humility so
many bands try to fake is what Jackson embodies. It's easily
displayed after the show. Standing out in 34-degree weather,
Jackson's giving hugs to fans as they leave.