Jay Reatard

Jay Reatard
Jay Reatard performing at the Bowery Ballroom in 2008.
Background information
Birth name	Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr.
Born	May 1, 1980 Lilbourn, Missouri, United States
Origin	Memphis, Tennessee
Died	January 13, 2010(2010-01-13) (aged 29) Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Genres	Garage rock, garage punk, punk rock, indie rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bass guitar, percussion, keyboards
Years active	1998–2010
Labels	Matador, Shattered, In the Red, Goner
Associated acts	The Reatards, Lost Sounds, Nervous Patterns, The Final Solutions, Digital Leather, Angry Angles, Terror Visions, Bad Times, Evil Army
Website	Jayreatard.com
Notable instruments
Gibson Flying V

Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr. (May 1, 1980 – January 13, 2010), better known by the stage name Jay Reatard, was an American musician from Memphis, Tennessee. Lindsey was signed to Matador Records. He released recordings as a solo artist and as a member of the Reatards and Lost Sounds.

Lindsey was born in Lilbourn, Missouri in 1980. He and his family moved to Memphis when he was 8 years old, since his father struggled to find employment in his hometown. Lindsey's recording career began at the age of 15, when a home-made demo tape he had sent in to Goner Records caught the ear of former-Oblivian and Goner Records’ owner, Eric Friedl. Lindsey's introduction to Friedl and his Oblivians bandmates had come that same year when the Oblivians had returned home to Memphis as an opening act for Rocket from the Crypt. Upon seeing the act live, Lindsey became enamored with their sloppy, lo-fi music and set forth creating his own brand of heavily distorted garage rock music. Friedl was impressed by Lindsey's demos and signed him to his label, later commenting, "I loved the racket so we did the record, and I've been a fan of everything he's done since. He's a pretty amazing kid."

Lindsey named his first project the Reatards, which at the time included only himself as a member, and adopted an Oblivians-influenced surname, calling himself "Jay Reatard". The Reatards’ first release on Goner was a 7” EP called Get Real Stupid, which featured Lindsey as a solo performer alternating between playing guitar, singing, and beating on a bucket to provide a percussive rhythm. Around this time Greg Cartwright, a member of The Oblivians, briefly played drums for Lindsey. Cartwright played shows and recorded with Lindsey on his first (self-released) cassette, Fuck Elvis, Here's The Reatards (No-Fi Records) - which featured recording assistance from Jack Yarber, another Oblivian.

For Lindsey’s second vinyl release he recruited a backing band, hiring bassist Steve Albundy and drummer Elvis Wong to accompany him. The Reatards’ first LP as a trio was 1998’s Teenage Hate on Goner Records. This was followed by a second LP, Grown Up Fucked Up on eMpTy Records (US), and a number of singles. The Reatards' first European tour came in 1998, when Lindsey was 18.