Musical Showcase – Jeff and Jane Hudson ‘The Middle’
Jeff & Jane Hudson are a husband/wife duo from Boston who got their start in the art punk band The Rentals in 1977. The Rentals broke up in 1980 and Jeff & Jane relocated to Manhattan where they opened for Suicide and quickly signed with No Wave label Lust/Unlust. Their first single No Clubs was released in late 1980 and showcased a lo-fi avant garde all synthesizer band. The World Trade EP came next in 1981, expanding their brand of post-nuclear electronic pop. Their vocals qualities were distinct; Jeff quivery and drug-addled while Jane more detached and icy. The duo reached their pinnacle with 1982's seminal Flesh. Perhaps one of the United States biggest achievements in the entire “synth” movement of the 80s. The music was electro-pop employing early Roland synths and the TR-808 drum machine. Jeff’s lyrics flirted with technology and politics, while Jane wrote about cultural and psychological situations. Completely self produced by the band, the record has since been oft-cited as a groundbreaking and pivotal LP of the post-punk era, who’s original copies are now heavily coveted by collectors. Completing the discography is the Special World 7? released in 1983. In 1985 the band stopped performing and recording. In 1986, Jeff started to direct music videos and Jane produced video art. Both were teaching at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. In 1995, JEFF AND JANE reformed and performed for a couple of years and recorded again (ZETA BREW). The new music was more guitar-based and psychedelic. Jeff’s project for 1998 was GIGANTOR, a trip-hop techno 3D video multimedia show. This show was performed at The Bank in New York and the Middle East in Cambridge. In 2002 the band completed the “Burn” album where they covered some of their classic hits such as “Los Alamos” and “Pound Pound” with a punk rock atmosphere. As of 2011 Jeff and Jane have begun performing in Massachusetts and recording material for various labels, including Electric Voice Records.
- Producer
- Jack Criddle
- Series
- Musical Showcase
- Category
- Studio Shows & Interviews
