When it comes to electric guitar, there is probably no bigger music icon than Jimi Hendrix. So it’s not unusual that there are numerous groups touring the country performing the late guitarist’s music. What is less common is for the two frontmen of an established original band to throw themselves into the world of cover groups.
Such is the case with Hendrix tribute group E.X.P., led by guitarist Jules Najor and bassist Sean Gudmundsun of thrash metal rockers Damnation. A major force on the metal scene since its inception in the early 1990s, Damnation is known for its constant search for harder, faster music. According to Najor, the attraction to Hendrix’s music was obvious.
“On the one hand, it’s the ultimate journey for high-powered electric guitar playing,” said Najor. “His message is spiritual and it has real depth. Plus, the trio aspect is totally cool.”
E.X.P. performs at Brick by Brick on March 27.
In addition to Najor and Gudmundsun, E.X.P. includes drummer Steve Mcknight. E.X.P. also occasionally uses the services of Najor’s brother, Jake, a well-respected local drummer who has played with a wide range of local acts, including The Incredible Moses Leroy, Private Domain and Lady Dottie & The Diamonds.
E.X.P. has been together twelve years. While the band strives for authenticity of sound and tries to capture every musical nuance, Najor also acknowledges the improvisational nature of Hendrix’s live performance.
“Well, no one wants to be let down by our stab at the music,” he said. “So, all in all, its a culmination of note-for-note and improv, using a mix of live and studio renditions of Hendrix songs as a guide.”
Najor has gone so far as to study tapes of Hendrix’s San Diego appearances.
“We’ve even drawn ideas for the song ‘I Don’t Live Today,’ from them,” he said.
According to Najor, E.X.P. plays nearly the entire Hendrix catalog with the deep album track “Captain Coconut” being his personal favorite.
“We cover almost everything, going from ‘Purple Haze’ to ‘Machine Gun,'” he said.
Though the band doesn’t avoid anything in Hendrix’s repertoire, he admits to having a least favorite song.
“I’m not really into ‘Hey Joe’ that much, but we give it shot once in a while,” said Najor.
Najor has been playing guitar for 25 years and considers Hendrix one of the key reasons he picked up the instrument.
“In the early ’80s, I was inspired by buddies that were playing guitars and I always wanted to learn,” he said.
Early heroes included Rush, Triumph and Yngwie Malsteem. Although Najor played parties and the like early on, he considers his musical debut to have taken place when he was 21, the first time Damnation hit the stage at a concert in Escondido.
“It was off the charts,” he said.
In his time spent on stage, Najor admits to having seen it all.
“You always have a few girls who like to flash,” he said. “But that’s totally in good rock ‘n’ roll taste, but we’ve also actually seen riots break out. Nutty stuff.”
Najor is especially pleased that Damnation’s fanbase crosses over with E.X.P.’s.
“Sean and myself are always blown away by that,” Najors said. “We consider it to be really cool of our fans to be that way.”
Najors said his favorite thing about E.X.P is the camaraderie among it’s members.
“We’re true soul brothers,” he said. “There’s nothing like playing Hendrix live with them. It’s a very pure emotion for anyone with hearts and ears.”
Now approaching his third decade as a musician, Najor still gets a rush when performing.
“I’m one of those players that is in it for the long haul. Different things come up over the course of the journey, but I love playing. Period,” he said. “I guess there are some things that you never outgrow.”
E.X.P. performs at Brick By Brick, 2241 Shelter Island Drive on Thursday, March 27 at 8 p.m. The show is geared for 21 and up. For more information, visit www.brickbybrick.com.