Tag Archives: RIP Jay Reatard

RIP Jay (5 Years Ago Today)


We do this every year and ever year I say “damn, has it been that long?” I suppose five years is a milestone, but whatever it’s always the right time to celebrate the life and music of Jay Reatard. Jay was unlike any performer I’ve seen before or since it was as if he was in flames or someone held a pistol to his temple and said “I’m going to pull the trigger if you don’t bust this song out now with everything in you… and do it in two minutes or less.” His music, live and on record, was fiery, raw, and angry. That was his entire attitude. A certain aggression that others lacked. Most of us are too nice for that OR it’s some bullshit machismo. But, Jay was different. He was making pop music, just incredibly brutal pop music. RIP.