Washington D.C. piano rockers Jukebox the Ghost [4]aren’t unfamiliar with the Louisville area. The piano/guitar/drums trio has played the Vernon Club twice since June of last year, and though the crowd was small at their second stage Forecastle Festival [5] time slot (overlapping main stage sets by Minus the Bear and She & Him), those there knew all about the band – and most of their words.
The group is promoting a new record set for release in September [6]on their new label, Yep Roc, but the set Sunday was padded with better-known tracks from their debut full-length, Let Live and Let Ghosts.
Balancing somewhere between punk energy and throwback piano pop ala Ben Folds, the band is heavy on energy and sense of humor.
“We’re going to do a random festival cover,” announced pianist Ben Thornewill with a few songs left in the set.
“We’re taking you back to an elevator in 1996,” smirked guitarist Tommy Siegel.
The group then dove headlong into a nearly flawless version of Donna Lewis’ “I Love You Always Forever,” complete with full intro and harmonies.
Photo: Brian Eichenberger