Get blown away with Jo*Po and the Jacklegs

As local band Jo*Po & the Jacklegs takes the stage on Saturday night at SummerFest, be prepared to get a heavy dose of “70's rock 'n' roll with soul.”

“People are saying it's like watching Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and John Bonham jam out together,” said Joanne Polack, or Jo*Po, singer, songwriter and rhythm acoustic guitarist with the band. “If that's what they're saying, then we are truly honoured.”

The trio will rock the SummerFest main stage this weekend on Saturday at 6 p.m., warming up the crowd for The Stampeders and the Edgar Winter Band.

“We've listened to The Stampeders and The Edgar Winter band since we were little and are thrilled to be able to share the stage with them ...,” said Polack.

Jo*Po and the Jacklegs is comprised of Polack, PJ “Face Melter” Larabie on lead guitar, bass and vocals and Mark “The Lighting Bolt” Boulton on drums and vocals.

“PJ and I have known each other for over 10 years now. We played in a previous trio band for four years called DEMC in which we were very successful,” said the female singer.

“To make a long story short, we had to make a big decision to leave that band and move back home to Sudbury after being on the road and touring for so long.”

Larabie and Polack then started up duo band The Forcefulls. They recorded a full length album, Moonstone, and toured the country.

About a year ago, Larabie suffered a stomach injury and was not able to play the drums.

Boulton then came into the picture.

Polack had Boulton's mother as a music teacher in elementary school and played in a high school band with his sister, Anne.

“It's funny how time takes its course,” said Polack. “Mark came out to a couple of practices with PJ and I and we all just hit it off. The feeling when we jammed just felt right, so we decided to take it more seriously and become a new band.”

Jo*Po and the Jacklegs have played locally at venues such as Peddlers Pub and Pine Grove Golf Course.

After SummerFest, the band is taking it to the next level, with plans to start the production of an album. Also on the agenda for the future, are more local shows, perhaps at venues such as The Townehouse Tavern and Little Montreal.

Not only are the band members local, but the meaning behind the name Jo*Po & the Jacklegs has a comfortable Sudbury feel.

Jo*Po has been Polack's nickname for years and Larabie and Boulton are both jackleg miners.

“There are no words to describe how I feel when I play with PJ and Mark,” said Polack “The vibe is very powerful and real.”

“You wanna feel our energy? Then you gotta come out and feel it for yourself, you will not be disappointed,” said Polack.

The band's Saturday night show will future cover songs, as well as two original pieces, Skeletons in His Closet and Goin' Down – Wicked Woman.

For more on Jo*Po and the Jacklegs, including music samples and photos, visit www.myspace.com/jopoandthejacklegs.

For more on SummerFest, visit www.sudburysummerfest.vianet.ca.