Well...anyone that knows me, knows that I love the early 90's band Jellyfish. I've also always said anyone that would ever try to cover a Jellyfish song has a bit of a screw loose. Apparently screws fall out all the time because I had the honor of contributing a cover of their song, "Baby's Coming Back" from their 1991 album, Bellybutton. To celebrate the online Jellyfish FB community which just turned 10 years old, admin Pablo Melons put together something called JELLYFEST and asked if I wanted to contribute, and so, I did. What I delivered was my own rendition with my own stamp on it. It's a bit raw, gritty, imperfect and full of feeling. I took a chance and really hope everyone will appreciate my offering. So please check it out below and please also check out all the artists that lent their talent. What a fantastic thing to be a part of. x

Hey everybody! Surprise! I thought, what could I do? I've been going crazy and very hard at work on a brand new record. So, there's that. But for today I tapped the vault for a "new" old release. For the very first time the Violet Daydream record, "Meow" is available in it's edited format which was only ever used for in-store play and radio to promote the record at the time. SO, please let yr virgin ears enjoy a very unoffensive version of this..."cult classic". Thanks for checking it out. Thanks for giving a shit and have a great weekend. 

https://officialsoda.bandcamp.com

Last week I did a really cool, in depth interview for Stack Attacks Music. I think it's a decent read. Really hope you'll check it out. Very special thanks to Stacie Ackerson for her efforts and passion and a great interview. Much more on the horizon. Have a great weekend folks!

https://stackattacksmusic.wordpress.com/2021/07/19/no-caption-needed-jon-soda-james-speaks-for-himself/?fbclid=IwAR0R3_6FrezVm6Qhn13sOfLIh4ExzyhUR0I5OrpH0DwQqie-o6Wvg57ziC4

Greetings Earthlings, Happy Pride month. VERY happy to share with you the news that I have a short story in the new anthology, POST APOCALIPSTICK out tomorrow from Nocturnal Sirens Publishing. My contribution, "MY Apocalypse" is a story about a young man beginning his journey to come out starting with his English teacher in a term paper. It's also about snotty valley girls and...aliens. Trust me, it makes sense! It is also the first time I will be using the name Jon Soda James artistically. The book is a collection of about 13 different authors letting their freak flags fly. THIS is your new werido bible. This one is for all the freaks, geeks, color kids and outsiders. Stay true to you, we hope this book may be a source of inspiration, know you are not alone. 

Amazon link: 

https://www.amazon.com/Post-Apocalipstick-Chisto-Healy-ebook/dp/B094623TMD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27JCPBDQ3KO69&dchild=1&keywords=post+apocalipstick&qid=1623413299&sprefix=post+apocalipstick+%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1

If yr reading this...holy moley. The new OfficialSoda.com has been rolled out. An entire makeover, a better look, easier navigation, new content, etc. I have been tirelessy working on this for the past 2 weeks and am so happy it is done and it lives! My Gawd, tell a friend, buy something, give me a high five. Just...do something, make sure it's positive. XXX

Finally! My Winter project has been realized. I'm very excited to tell youz that I have placed New York's very first Free Blockbuster! I repurposed/upcycled an old newspaper dispenser that was abandoned on the highway, and tada, a Free Blockbuster was born. Huge thanks to Jack Jack's Coffee in Babylon Village Long Island NY. This is the perfect place for the box, It's free to the community and I know will be a big hit. Thanks to Free Blockbuster for the guidance. As a physical media nerd this seemed like such an obvious move for me. Jack Jack's is full of delicious food and drink and are vegan and vegetarian friendly. The owner Michael was such a good sport and fully embraced this idea. I'm so grateful for open minded places like this who cater to all things indie...art, music and beyond. Make it a Blockbuster night! Tea and a movie at Jack Jack's Coffee House. I also threw some of my albums in there, go grab 'em!

Hey everyone, hope all is well. Happy New Year. 2020 is finally behind us, thankfully. I've made a few basic updates to the site today. No big deal. I am also quietly and privately working on a few things, that when the times comes, I will be happy to mention. I am taking my time. Hope to see you all soon and hoping the world heals itself very soon. xo

Hell-o! Wouldn't it be great timing to be on a horrorcentric podcast? Well...I was! It was great to be asked to nerd out with, well...some other nerds about movies and horror and some cheeseball goodness. The topic was "Unpopular Opinions", and oh boy, we sure have them. Thanks so much to the SPOOKY DOINGS Podcast for casting the line, I had fun talking wit chooz. SO...You wanna hear it, don't ya? Fret not! Click away. And don't forget to share!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spooky-doings-unpopular-opinions-with-soda-max-bank/id1460700792?i=1000493448483&fbclid=IwAR1HrrApwNH0wVRDDnGQ1fMWn0aIuSj96PJtf21AdpH7uZ5i0PqfXos3kiI

Seeking bassist for new project. Long Island based. Indie/Alt/Experimental. Rehearsals on LI, Thurs and/or Fri nights 7pm-? Everything is lining up. This year has been a struggle but I have fought to build this band and have two incredible gentlemen at my side, we just need our last piece. Rehearsals are clean and safe and cheap. We are thrilled with the material and basically have our first record written.

Influences include: Mineral, The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins, Ours, The Police, Nirvana...

We have been approaching this with open and positive attitudes. No pressure. Judgement free zone. But we do have goals and need a responsible team player. Please inquire. We look forward to meeting you.

Email: [email protected] for more information.

Tomorrow (Saturday 5/23) I will be on "Unlikely Places Pop Rock Radio" discussing some of my older songs with host Vinyl Man Jebb. The show is almost 3 hours long, my short feature is in the middle. If you feel like checking it out, the link is below. 7:30PM EST. xxx

https://www.mixcloud.com/Unlikely-Places-Pop-Rock-Radio/?fbclid=IwAR3KZG_apzR04H17ASDIEAT61q0oouX25jNUMStZFK5OaBpwHrcSyj-vJSM" target="_blank">http://https://www.mixcloud.com/Unlikely-Places-Pop-Rock-Radio/?fbclid=IwAR3KZG_apzR04H17ASDIEAT61q0oouX25jNUMStZFK5OaBpwHrcSyj-vJSM

Hi friends. Hope you're all doing good! I wanted to tell you about this cool project I'm involved in for the next week or so. I am honored to be partnering up with Leesta Vall Sound Recordings for their Shut-In Sessions. I've always wanted to release a vinyl and now I have the opportunity because of this great project.

Here is some info: Each record will contain a one-of-a-kind live song JUST FOR YOU. I will begin all songs with a message directly to you. NO other copies of YOUR record will be cut. It is 100% one-of-a-kind.

You will see on my preorder campaign that I have 6 original songs for you to choose from. I picked 2 old, 2 new and 2 middle of the road. We have all had to be very creative during this time about how we run our lives, and this is just such a cool idea. Every order will be a different recording and message. Even if someone picks the same song, it will be a different version. Raw and urgent and very simply recorded in my home. NOTHING fancy, just a snapshot of survival. I can't wait for you to participate so I can make these for YOU. Thank you and I appreciate it.

Here is the preorder link. It will go off sale next Monday the 11th at which time I will do your songs, send them over to Leesta Vall Sound Recordings and then they will get YOUR record to you!

https://leestavall.com/products/shut-in-soda?fbclid=IwAR3rbv1WndKYaNNqjD62ai7oyl5fzzGfz0WZt4Dd2EXlJO1HeazS6IfaW30" target="_blank">http://https://leestavall.com/products/shut-in-soda?fbclid=IwAR3rbv1WndKYaNNqjD62ai7oyl5fzzGfz0WZt4Dd2EXlJO1HeazS6IfaW30

Much needed incredible news in the mail today! NOX CULT has made it onto the first Road Rat Records compilation that came out last Friday! What an honor and what a way TO honor that bands little legacy. Our song "Elephant" from our FUCKING LIVE EP release is track 15 smashed in with a bunch of other kick ass punk, metal, hardcore and alternative artists. Check it out! THANK YOU ROAD RAT RECORDS.

Happy Valentine’s Day! I have a new solo EP out today, surprise! It is a collection of live performances from my time on Ambush Radio. This would not have been possible without them. It is an exclusive Bandcamp only digital release and is free/name your price. All you have to do is click the link and go DL. The final product is one that truly captured the essence of my time there. No BS or tweaking involved. Please check it out and share it along. I’m happy to have something new, musically, to offer you. Thanks. 

https://officialsoda.bandcamp.com/album/live-on-ambush-radio

Just heard from Ambush Radio that they are rerunning my show from a couple of weeks ago. So if you missed it catch one or listen again. So good! Thanks to Ambush and Guerrilla and to you if ya tune in! Kiss and tell a friend. xxx

WWW.GUERRILLARADIO.COM

Excited to announce that a bunch of my digital art and photos are being showcased in Babylon Village for the month of February. Thanks so much to Babylon Village Arts Council. It is an honor. If anyone wants to view, it is in the lobby of Sterling National Bank.  Here are some photos below (sorry for any glare)