The Modern Ovens are the leading, and only, Jonathan Richman Covers band in the UK, possibly the whole world. Formed of Noble & Hamilton of British Sea Power and Matt Eaton & Darren Moon of The Pure Conjecture.
It started with records spinning and drunken chats about a shared love for Jonathans music. From the seminal proto-punk debut album, to his later childlike songs, they realised that Jonathan no longer played these songs live any more, and they decided it was their duty. They were compelled by a mighty force.
So, in the early 2000’s, The Modern Ovens put on a New Years party for friends in a legendary Brighton pub. Wearing home made T-shirts emblazoned with ‘Jonathan Saves!’ ‘Jonathan Loves!’ ‘Jonathan Cares!’ they joyously performed some of his most loved songs, Government Centre, Buzz Buzz Buzz, Morning of Our Lives, Don’t Let our Youth Go To Waste, Astral Plane, Abominable Snowman, Road Runner. Everyone had a good time. Since then they have done NO MORE than one concert a year, playing at The End Of The Road Festival, Danny Boyle’s London film festival, Sea Change Festival & an exhibition for Damien Hirst’s in-house artists.
“We love Jonathans honesty. We laugh (with him) and we suffer with him. He wears his heart on his sleeve, but he is no dummy. He has really thought about this stuff. Uncompromising and unrivalled, he has a truly unique perspective and way of translating human feelings and talking about the things we love & loathe. He also sings about The Ice Cream Man.
The Modern Ovens are honest, unaffected, good old fashioned fun, but don’t take it from us, take it from the horses mouth. “The Modern Ovens. Uh huh. They sound like a cool band” Jonathan Richman