Stone Temple Pirates

You can hardly describe three heavily tattooed, multi-pierced Americans jumping on a plane from Los Angeles to Jordan, a country which none of them had previously visited, as a homecoming. But there was something about Avowed’s first gig in Amman, with the illuminated ruins of the Citadel glowing imperiously in the background, that felt more like a reunion than an introduction. The camera-wielding, cigarette-lighting waving, devil-horn thrusting crowds seemed to know every word of the near two-hour set, there were regular pleas from the crowd for “How Does It Feel”, and every song was greeted like a long-lost friend. Kudos, therefore, to lead singer and homeboy Emad Alaeddin’s efforts in ratcheting up the buzz for the arrival of his best mates.

 

“I haven’t felt the rush like that in quite some time,” beamed Avowed’s lead guitarist Jesse DeSanto, reflecting on his first concert outside of America, “it was a special event for all of us to play overlooking such history, and about four songs into the set, it actually brought a small tear to my eye  – it was very touching.”

 

“That was definitely the first time I've played anywhere near Roman ruins of any kind,” laughed bass player Nick LeRoux, “playing there is simply something I'll never forget. That was a genuine rock’n’roll moment!” 

Of course, anything in Jordan involving a guitar and maybe the odd splash of Jack Daniels – a 17-hour flight in coach class with an immediate radio appearance at the end requires some artificial help – would qualify as a rock’n’roll moment. Although the band did their best to dish them out in six days of gigging and sightseeing that might best be described as the Monkees meets Indiana Jones. “I think we stuck out in most places,” says Nick, recalling stripping off for a mud wrap at the Dead Sea, being serenaded by bagpiping Bedouins in Jerash and diving into a mansaf dinner, “especially me, who has the most piercings and tattoos. There were more than a few moments of awkwardness!”

 

Of course, though, for three guys born and raised in the American culture of rock’n’roll, of Motely Crue madness, Guns’n’Roses groupies and Hanoi Rocks hairspray, one question does remain: how do the female fans of rock in Jordan compare to back home? Jealous boyfriends, look away now. “Ha! Yeah, the women in Jordan are great,” says Nick, clearly not revealing everything about the back-stage fun, “they’re very pretty and to my observation much nicer and easier to get along with than those back home.”

 

“I agree,” beams Jesse, “and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at the number of beautiful women floating around town. Did I sign anything interesting? I can say yes, but I’m not saying what! We love our fans, so whomever it may be, I’m game to autograph anything above the belt!”

 

Despite the extra-curricular activities, headlining the concert at Souq Jara was the clear highlight of the trip. And with Emad now here pretty much full time, the band members are even seriously considering moving over to join him in Amman to see if they can conquer the rest of the region. “It’s always been my personal goal to see the world through playing music, and coming to Amman was just the beginning,” says Jesse, who has even become a fan of oud player Dhafer Youssef since encountering the region’s music through Emad. “Unfortunately there are some hairy situations in the Middle East that might exclude us from travelling everywhere, but if there are good people who want to be entertained by four questionable yet good natured fellows, we’re down to rock your faces off... and then gently re-apply them so no one knows any better! 

 

“But in all seriousness,” Jesse concludes, “being in Jordan gave me hope and inspiration that there are places where our music is even more appreciated than we could hope.”

 

 

For the full version of the article, see NOX38.