VeJJs combine talent and camaraderie

VeJJs combine talent and camaraderie

Jamm Aquino, center, describes his band the VeJJs as “a rock ‘n’ roll band with roots in the blues.” –Courtesy photo

Hawaii, get to know the VeJJs.

Even though the band, in its current incarnation, has been together for only 2 1/2 years, everyone brings years of skilled musicianship to the table.

Singer and guitarist Jamm Aquino — equally adept as a photojournalist at the Star-Advertiser — is making an understatement when he says that “we’re just a rock ‘n’ roll band with roots in the blues,” because with the recent additions of Chris Volk and Sean Cleland (formerly of the Hollow Spheres), the VeJJs are now as tuneful as a rock ‘n’ pop band along the lines of the Beatles and Jellyfish.

The band is currently enjoying a flurry of live shows, one of which is tonight’s supporting gig for Broke Aesthetic’s CD release party at Hawaiian Brian’s.

The VeJJs are anchored by the hefty man-size rhythm section of bassist Ernie Ecraela and drummer John Charleston, bringing their solid support to the front line of Aquino, Cleland and Volk.

Volk himself has had a taste of national notoriety as a member of Luzer, a power-pop band originally from Trenton, N.J., that made a bit of a name for itself from 2000 to 2006.

“The band toured quite a bit during those years — going across the mainland twice — but then kind of dissipated” after trying to reconfigure themselves under the name the Celebrities in 2007, he said. Volk’s disenchantment with the whole music scene was so great that he uprooted himself and moved as far west as possible in the U.S. to make a clean getaway, namely to Oahu.

By his account, he went two years without playing. Music came back into his life when, as a regular at the Mercury Bar, he would become a member of the rock karaoke Friday house band the Johnnys, of which Aquino is also a member.

“I think it wasn’t so much him missing music, but the music was missing him,” said Aquino.

“I admit I also missed the camaraderie of playing in a band,” Volk said. “Two things that brought me back is that, one, I do believe that Jamm is one of the most talented musicians I’ve ever seen, and secondly, there’s a chemistry when we play together.”

“Sometimes in rehearsals, I can tell we have that musical connection,” Aquino added. “Even though he’s originally from Trenton, and here I am all the way out here in Honolulu, we play so well together. Overall, he helps bring together the band’s sound.”

A musician of multiple talents and jack-of-all-trades, Volk is playing more of a supportive role right now in the VeJJs, taking on keyboards. His presence, however, has certainly made the band that much better, and his voice is sure to come up to the forefront as the band progresses, joining Aquino and Cleland.

Cleland is helping his band record what will probably be its debut EP. It’s a project that will hopefully bring more attention to the VeJJs.

“We’re not a hipster band,” Volk said, “or a straight-up blues band.”

“I think our music is approachable and melodic,” added Aquino, “but the thing is it doesn’t conform to any particular genre.”

Cleland was also doing solo work post-Hollow Spheres, but found an easy fit in the VeJJs.

“We’re all from the same school, growing up on classic pop-rock,” he said. “I find that I’m able to do and play naturally without forcing it. There’s so much more energy in this band. It was perfect timing.”

“It’s like I’ve been waiting 15-20 years to finally be in a band like this,” Aquino said. “I’m honored to be on board. There’s so much talent that I’m flattered to be a part of it.”