Primal Jaimal :: Reviews

Monterey County Weekly

by Stuart Thornton
(for the Monterey Rock & Art Festival show)
July 21 2007

Vocalist & guitarist Jaimal Lovitt of Primal Jaimal is an original even when it comes to the wild world of musicians. The electric but ripping player often performs wearing an orange construction vest and is known to spout bits of encouragment to audiencs like "lets kick negativity in the nuts." His dark original rockers include "Hole in my Head" and "You Give You Live You Die."

Your Music Magazine

CD Review, May 2007

Singer/songwriter Jaimal Lovitt was a man before his time when I first heard his music 3 years ago. Being at the tail end of the big grunge/punk era, some people weren't ready for his style of rock, with strong guitar leads and clear, scathing, and periodically insightful lyrics. But a new era of local music, where the best of the 70's and 80's rock scene has been infused into young musicians not old enough to participate the first time around has emerged, and Primal Jaimal's time is now. Not only are Jaimal, Sean Thayer (bass), and Jake McCuen (drums) each talented musicians in their own right, but the power and energy they convey together through their album is undeniable and inspiring, guiding the listener through a range of emotions, from sad introspection to blissful happiness to situational anger brought on by Jaimal's perceptive social commentary. Songs like "Hole in my Head", "You Give You Love You Die", and "Heroin" are guaranteed to be instant hits.

Your Music Magazine Issue # 47 - March 2007

Primal Jaimal Undecyded Tear up Henflings, by Blacquebox

Feb 24th was a rainy, dark night; perfect for some heavy rock. Primal Jaimal took the stage to a growing crowd at 9:30. Quickly setting the stage were Jake at the drums and Sean at the bass, roaring the show into action. Window shaking bass rhythms backdropped Jaimal's liquid intro. By the 2nd song Jaimal was pulling licks from his axe with his teeth! part showman, part savant, his mastery of the guitar shook the house. At home in the spotlight, he played the crowd on every song. Matching tempo and strong vocals with aggressive playing made this show over the top! Too soon over, it was apparent these guys could rock the whole night.

Your Music Magazine Issue # 46 - Feb 2007

Primal Jaimal Interview

Jaimal Lovitt met drummer Jake McCuen at New Brighton Jr. High. At the time Jaimal was playing classical piano and rock keyboards. After a few years the two hooked up with bassist Sean Thayer, a friend from Soquel High. They formed a band called Soundcurrent with Bryan Logan and Davy Guymont and played around in the late 90's. In 2003 Jaimal began writing more songs on guitar, and with the help of Jake and Sean, they formed the power trio Primal Jaimal.

YMM: It has been a little over a year since we have talked to you. What has Primal Jaimal been up to?

Jaimal: We have been down in L.A. checkin' the scene out, looking for a record deal. We rocked some good shows and the people really dug it, but it was hard for the boys to get down there regularly. We learned L.A.'s got a lot of people who are fake, plastic and hollow, they make a lot of false promises. Some are real, some are fake, but deciphering through all the bullshit makes it harder to get things done. We decided it's easier to be in Santa Cruz where we started it all, using this as our base and to branch out so we don't have to deal with millions of people making false promises. Everyone's trying to get something done in the entertainment industry but it seems like an illusion, like the whole city is built on sand.

YMM: Growing up, who were your favorite guitar players?

Jaimal: Definitely Jimi hendrix, I like his freedom. When he plays he's not afraid of making mistakes, he just goes for it. Jimi had a completely unorthodox style, pushing it and trying lto create something new. He makes a point to peak out the music so you get something out of it, so it does actually communicate. Jimi actually spoke to people with his guitar. It's important because communication has broken down around the world and one of the last true forms of language is music. I've listened to guitarists from Jeff Beck to Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen. I like a lot of different styles but I think Hendrix defines what I am all about on guitar.

YMM: So would you say your song writing is similar to Hendrix?

Jaimal: I would say there is influence of Jimi but not big similarities. I started out as a piano player, a keyboard player then I taught myself guitar. I also started out playing classical so my songwriting comes from a different point of view than some guitarists. I like to play a lot of flashy licks but if I can put something together that makes sense in peoples ears maybe I can re-funk-a-tize them cause everybody's been de-funk-a-tized. I would like to say my style is my own. I wouldn't want to compare it to anybody because everyone has their own style.

YMM: I heard you were looking for a new drummer to replace your current skin beater Jake McCuen. Is that true?

Jaimal: Yes, unfortunately that's true. Jake and I have been jamming since we were little kids but do to personal reasons he won't be able to keep up with our busy tour schedule in '07. He will still keep the beat in the band until we find someone who can tour full-time. We're looking for someone who's been through all the phases from Ringo Starr to Denis Chambers to Lars. Someone who's versatile and not stuck in one genre give me a call (831) 566-4150.

YMM: What is the goal of Primal Jaimal?

Jaimal: Total world domination! We want to re-funk-a-tize the planet, like George Clinton said, "free your mind and your ass will follow." We want to bring back the love and break the chains of hatred. Go in through the ears, tickle the heart, open up the mind and let people be themselves. We want to spread a good message around and create positivity.

Your Music Magazine Review by John Lewis (April 2004)

There was a bit of anticipitory buzz in the air about the band, named after their lead guitarist and vocalist, Jaimal Lovitt. Their promo picture of a youthful and confident looking threesome had made the rounds of at least two publications in this area. Well folks, this is a band to keep an eye on. They have the goods. There is no escaping the comparisons to Mr. Vaughn except that these boys are young and local. Their warm up consisted of some Hendrix style free form that made the crowd even more anxious. And in a rare event these days, there was even tuning up between songs with Jaimal stating to the audience: "We like to tune up between songs because we care for you." And care they did in song after song with the trio bringing the dynamic of their original compositions to climactic crescendos that could possibly go no higher- only to have Jaimal's gift of guitar break through to somehow take the music, incredibly, to a higher level. There was a confidence in his persona and in the singing of his lyrics. And, like his guitar playing, Jaimal's vocal range is able to move along the spectrum. The lead amp also began to experience problems toward the end of the Primal set, but this tornado of a trio had already made their point.

Good Times Santa Cruz Review by Damon Orion (December 9-15, 2004)

Merlin's Idle Hand's Show
Friday, December 10, 2004- Santa Cruz Public Television

Clearly not the products of happy childhoods, the members of this local trio have chained the abandon of punk to the pomp of metal and let 'em duke it out in a letter-strewn alley. Their promo CD, the seminal Kick 'Em in the Nuts, is chock full of dirty little rockers that show off frontman Jaimal Lovitt's audacious lead guitar work. Jaimal bays tales of urban decay in a Danzig-like croon, lent support by his bandmates' surprisingly capable harmonies...

Monterey County Weekly Review by Stuart Thornton (September 23, 2004)

Raw Positivity
Primal Jaimal rocks hard for happiness.

While servers at The Fish Hopper Restaurant rush about, Jaimal Lovitt, frontman for the Santa Cruz rock trio Primal Jaimal, sings the lyrics to a handful of his band's songs, including "Shit" and "Hole in My Head," over lunch. At times he adds a little air guitar.

A middle-aged tourist couple wanders over and asks what's going on at our table. We reply that Lovitt is a musician, and I am interviewing him for an article.

"We just had to ask," the man says.

"He's very enthusiastic," the lady says, before the two walk off with big smiles on their faces.

While onstage, Lovitt is very enthusiastic too. At a recent Lava Lounge gig, where his band was competing in the Monterey Battle of the Bands, he played a Hendrix-style "Star Spangled Banner" before launching into an original called "She's My Baby." Most of the people in the club were present to support local rockers Plaster and Bullettooth. Lovitt seemed oblivious to this fact and played his guitar with his teeth.

Wearing an orange vest over his bare chest and sporting a large, metal cross, Lovitt played an impressive guitar solo while his bandmates- drummer Jake McCuen and bassist Sean Thyer- kept their heads down and the song on track.

Lovitt casually introduces a tune by saying "this is a song about drugs." Later, at the Fish Hopper, he explains that it's an anti-drug song. Lovitt says that at one time a handful of his friends were caught in the downward spiral of drug abuse. Lovitt, also a classical pianist, says that he was an alcoholic when he started to play guitar in 1998.

To illustrate, Lovitt pulls out his driver's license, where he looks like a stocky jock with a shaved head. The talented musician, currently a skinny, tall bundle of upbeat energy with long, dark hair, describes the bad times when his group formed. "The chick left me," he says. "The dog died. The truck broke down."

But now Lovitt is clean and sober and focused on his music. He says Primal Jaimal is about steering people from negative influences towards happiness. "If people are meant to have a good time, then we should be famous," he says.

Primal Jaimal will soon release its debut CD, Kick 'Em in the Nuts. A rough mix shows a promising combination of Misfits-style primitive punk and virtuoso guitar work.

After lunch, Lovitt drops me off in front of the Weekly's office. Before leaving he has some advice for me. "Screw the negativity," he says with a big smile on his face. "Kick 'em in the nuts, man." While he pulls away, it is impossible not to smile.