Better known as producer to a generation of influential US pop-rock bands (R.E.M., Smithereens, Let's Active), Dixon toiled for 14 years as part of North Carolina's Arrogance before releasing his solo album in 1985. This wonderfully titled debut consisted partly of leftover Arrogance tracks, as well as several other cast-offs and demos from Dixon's recent history. Clearly evident, as with all his recordings, was his abiding affection for clean-cut 60s pop. Guests included Mitch Easter on a version of Nick Lowe's "Skin Deep". Indeed, if Dixon has a UK equivalent then it is probably Lowe, whose wry sense of humour is possibly an influence on the ironic nostalgia of the title track. Spongetones guitarist Jamie Hoover, Dixon's wife Marti Jones and Easter all played on Romeo At Juilliard, an album that fulfilled the promise of the debut with a more fully realized and better-produced collection of pop songs. Picking from a vast canon of songs Dixon used this set to reassert his credentials as a fine singer-songwriter, rather than merely as the highly regarded right-hand man of better-known artists. The strength of these and previous compositions allowed them to work well live, and this was confirmed by the release of Chi-Town Budget Show in 1988. Both this and the subsequent studio album were illuminated by powerful duets with Marti Jones, with EEE featuring more forceful instrumentation (notably brass) as Dixon pursued a commercially appetizing pop-soul direction. That he did so without sacrificing the quality, added further to his growing reputation.
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YouTube Videos
Don Dixon and the Jump Rabbits (01:11)
Don Dixon, opening up with 'Praying Mantis' - Jamie Hoover (Spongetones) guitar, Jim Brock drums --- July 2007. Great band, great show!
Jamie Hoover & Don Dixon (01:39)
Don Dixon and the Jump Rabbits, featuring Jamie Hoover on guitar - (Sorry about the dancing silhouette obstructions - kept hoping they'd move out of the frame more!)
Arrogance - TV Footage - Robert Kirkland, Don Dixon, more (07:20)
ARROGANCE ... When the pioneers of Indy Rock in North Carolina decided to call it quits, it was a big deal. This footage is from some of the Triangle area's (Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill) television stations who...
Don Dixon , Lincoln Theatre (01:10)
Don Dixon and the Jump Rabbits (Jamie Hoover guitar & Brock Jr. on drums) - Lincoln theatre, Raleigh NC. Jan 2008.
Jim Brock, Don Dixon & the Jump Rabbits (00:52)
Jim Brock on bodhran during Don Dixon and the Jump Rabbits show - July 2007.
Live
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The Velvet Hearts
- Frog and Wicket, Eversley Cross
- Jan 10, 2009
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Animal Collective
- KOKO, London
- Jan 12, 2009
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The News - - Manchester - -
- See Myspace for gigs..., Manchester
- Jan 12, 2009
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Bruno Gallone
- Ducking Stool, Leominster
- Jan 14, 2009
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Soft Toy Emergency
- Carling Academy, Liverpool
- Jan 17, 2009
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Soft Toy Emergency
- Academy, Liverpool
- Jan 17, 2009
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Bruno Gallone
- Railway Hotel, Evesham
- Jan 18, 2009
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All That Remains
- Carling Academy 2, Birmingham
- Jan 19, 2009
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All That Remains
- Academy 2, Birmingham
- Jan 19, 2009
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All That Remains
- Academy, Manchester
- Jan 21, 2009
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Discography
albums.
- Most Of The Girls Like To Dance But Only Some Of The Boys Like To - 1985 (Enigma)
- Romeo At Juilliard - 1987 (Enigma)
- Chi-Town Budget Show - 1989 (Restless)
- EEE - 1989 (Enigma)
- Romantic Depressive - 1995 (Sugar Hill)
