Chance Jones and Lazy Genius will combine forces at Long Road Distillers to raise money for beloved barber Jazz Johnson, who suffered a serious back injury and faces mounting bills.
There was a time when Joshua Burge reveled in his alter ego as Chance Jones, fronting a Grand Rapids rock band that was as distinctive as it was unpredictable in its inventive, musical approach.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Now, Burge portrays characters on film and television as a promising actor who’s already appeared in the high-profile, Academy Award-winning “The Revenant,” as well as acclaimed independent films such as “Buzzard.”
But Burge also embraces his West Michigan rock roots — a supportive, musical camaraderie that frequently pitches in to help friends in need.
So, Chance Jones will reunite this weekend for a rare, hastily assembled show at Long Road Distillers in Grand Rapids to raise money for beloved barber Jazz Johnson, who suffered a serious back injury that’s led to extensive rehabilitation and mounting bills. Grand Rapids psych-rock band Lazy Genius is also on the bill for the 8 p.m. Saturday show.
“We haven’t played together since 2014, so to say I’m excited would be an understatement on my part,” the singer told Local Spins. “It’s been so long that I don’t even have calluses on fingers anymore. I was worried about remembering lyrics and such, but as soon as rehearsals started, it came back very quickly. It’s so nice to all be together playing again.
HAVING ROCK ‘N’ ROLL FUN FOR A GOOD CAUSE
“We’ve been rehearsing in the bassist’s (Jeremy Pyne/Missster Sssnake) basement where we first started out over 10 years ago. So that’s both nostalgic and poetic. We’re also stoked to play with Lazy Genius. It was always such fun to share a stage with those guys. I’ve been a fan for a long time and it’s going to be great to see them perform again.”
Saturday’s milestone event aims to raise money to aid Johnson, owner of the classically themed barbershop, Rogue Haircut & Shave Parlour, at 937 Leonard Street NW. Johnson ruptured a disc in her lower back, requiring spinal surgery and physical therapy – and posing major obstacles in her efforts to stay afloat and support her 10-year-old son.
Burge is a good friend of Johnson, and noted she’s suffered “the double whammy of health costs and no income” which can be devastating.
“It’s her dream to have that shop and her talents and abilities have brought her this far. I don’t like to see people lose their dreams. Trevor Goldner (drummer in Chance Jones) approached me a month or so ago and asked if we could play at this benefit to help out. I said, ‘Of course.’ So we got a date that worked and now it is happening.
MOVIE PROJECTS AND THE UNPREDICTABLE
“It’s a great cause and for anybody that comes out, they should know that all the proceeds will be going directly to helping Jazz out and that help is beyond appreciated.”
Each band will play an hour-long set at the benefit that begins at 8 p.m. Because capacity is limited at Long Road Distillers, 537 Leonard St. NW, organizers are urging fans to buy tickets, $15, in advance. Get tickets and details online here.
Burge, who studied film at Grand Valley State University, returned to Grand Rapids in August from Los Angeles where he’d lived and worked as an actor for about 1-1/2 years. He recently wrapped up work on a new movie, “Burden,” which also stars Garrett Hedlund, Forest Whitaker and Andrea Riseborough.
“While I was there, things kept happening and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would, so stayed quite a bit longer than I expected,” he said.
“I worked on a film called ‘20th Century Women’ (being released on Christmas Day). Although my scenes aren’t going to make it the movie, I’m still looking forward to it because everyone involved was so fantastic to work with. I did some voice work on ‘American Dad.’ That was fun because it was a hybrid of laying down vocals in a studio for a record and acting in character. But yeah, who knows what else could be popping up at anytime. It’s a funny business.”
Burge said there’s no time frame set for his return to Los Angeles.
“Maybe I’ll get a call for a job next week. I’ve stop pretending that I can predict anything anymore,” he said. “That’s show biz.”
VIDEO: Chance Jones, “Nobody’s Baby” (2009 Jammie Awards)
Copyright 2016, Spins on Music LLC