New song is a call from the past
ALBANY—Jed Davis’ “Breakup 96” marks a homecoming of sorts for the musician who has returned to the Capital District from which he launched a career by following the breadcrumbs to New York City’s Bowery and surrounded himself with some of the legendary names associated with that neighborhood.
Davis returned to the area six months ago, ten years removed from the neighborhoods he learned to love as an undergraduate at the University at Albany where he originally studied English and philosophy—all excuses to justify his nightly musical pursuits off campus.
In conversation, he dusted off memories of long-gone venues. Valentine’s, Bogie’s, Mother Earth’s Café—he was once spat on while performing atop the elevated stage at QE2. An authentic experience that encapsulates the room’s punk culture. Though his connection to the 518 music scene remains strong, his return to Albany has come with some observations about changes in the local landscape, particularly in Albany’s Center Square neighborhood.
“I was set on moving back to Center Square, but when I walked around, it didn’t feel the same,” Davis said. “A lot of places were gone, like Ben & Jerry’s. That one really hit me—it had been there since I was in college.”
Davis’ music career spans multiple genres and collaborations. His Wikipedia page—he sent a link prior to our interview—is a testament to his varied influences. It features connections to artists ranging from punk rock band Agnostic Front to pop singer Jessica Simpson. His early days in the New York City music scene saw him performing at Coney Island High and CBGB, where he built a reputation as a versatile and innovative musician.
“I played in a band called Collider, an electronic duo that wasn’t really a thing yet in New York City at the time,” Davis said. “Eventually, that style became more known as Electroclash, but we were a bit ahead of the curve.”
His involvement with the Ramones’ creative team further cemented his place in music history. Davis’ graphic design skills led him to work with the band’s longtime creative director, Arturo Vega, and later contributed to a posthumous Ramones tribute track.
“When Joey Ramone passed away, I wrote a song about it,” Davis said. “The surviving Ramones got together, and they needed something to record. They used my song, and I ended up singing on the track.”
Now, Davis is set to reintroduce one of his older recordings, “Breakup 96,” which is being re-released after years of fans requesting it. The song, originally recorded in 1996, is nostalgic not only in sound but also in subject matter, recalling a time when breakups happened over landline telephones.
“The song is about breaking up with someone over a landline, and all the conflict comes from the limitations of that technology,” Davis said. “I debated rewriting the lyrics to make it more modern, but in the end, I decided to leave it as a snapshot of that time.”
With his return to Albany, Davis is also considering performing again, though he acknowledges his struggles with stage anxiety.
“I’m not sure if I’ll be performing much. I’ve developed pretty significant anxiety over the years,” he said. “But my old band, Hanslick Rebellion, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and we have an album coming out this summer. So, I may need to play some shows, and I’m trying to prepare myself for it.”
Despite his uncertainty about live performances, Davis remains engaged with the local music scene and is eager to see what the future holds for him in the Capital Region.
“I’m happy to be back,” he said. “Every time I’ve left, it wasn’t because I wanted to. I’m excited to see what’s going on and reconnect with the scene.”
Davis’ reissued album is expected to be released in 2025, marking the 30th anniversary of its original recording. In the meantime, fans can now stream “Breakup 96” on digital platforms.
