Jon Zimber of The Junkhearts on his Colchester return

THERE are very few musicians who can say they have supported the very bands that influence them.
And there are even fewer who can say their own uncle has been inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and was one of the reasons hundreds of kids picked up bass-guitars back in the Sixties and Seventies. 

But London-based singer-songwriter Jon Zimber can literally say all of the above. Last year, 22-year-old Jon was given the chance to support a band that is fronted by one of his favourite musicians, Pete Doherty.“Supporting Babyshambles at Brixton Jamm was such a huge eye-opener for me,” he says, “having the chance to support a band whose very music has had such a big impact on my own material was such a great experience.” But the big names and popular venues don’t stop there. Prior to Babyshambles, he supported the Rifles and he’s also played at the 100 Club and the O2 Academy Islington, as well as a number of gigs at numerous venues in Paris.
A place that Jon says jumps at the opportunity to see local bands. Something he believes more people in England should do as well.

Jon’s other influences come from the likes of Alex Turner and John Lennon and he also cites his own uncle as a major inspiration, and there is a very good reason why that is the case.
His uncle was bass guitarist Ronnie Lane who played alongside the likes of Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart in the Small Faces and the Faces.Unfortunately though, Lane sadly passed away before Zimber was old enough to even lift a guitar but clearly the musical talent runs in the family. 

Jon Zimber of The Junkhearts

Brought up on a musical diet of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Kinks, Jon considers Colchester his second home, as it’s where he started to fully learn his trade as a musician. “As a teenager I studied music and performing arts at Colchester Institute,” he explains, “so I love coming back to Colchester to play because this is where it all started for me. This is where I played my first ever gig.” 

Championing the Colchester music scene once more, he also says that although he’s played at venues all over London, ‘due to the great vibe’ the Hole In The Wall was his favourite gig of the year when his band, who formed in the winter of 2012, played their back in August. That band is the Junkhearts. An indie four-piece fronted by Jon and also made up of Aaron Garnett (bass), Tony Robinson (drums), and James Price (keys/guitar). 

But why then are only two of the band returning to the Colchester music pub? “At the moment we are on a temporary hiatus but the Junkhearts are far from over,” he adds. “On the night I’ve got Junkhearts guitarist James Price playing with me, so we’re still doing bits and pieces together.”

With band proceedings currently at a halt, the path is now clear for Jon to pursue his career as a solo artist once more and he will hit the ground running in the New Year with the release of new EP and a full UK tour. 

Catch Jon Zimber this Saturday at the Hole In The Wall from 8pm along with Denial Twist and local favourite Lou Terry of Ordinary Noise.
Entry is free.

George Henry King

www.twitter.com/georgehenryking