Hear a Rare, Ferocious Track From Jack White’s Pre–White Stripes Band
Jack White delivers a scorching performance in a rare live recording of his pre–White Stripes group Two Star Tabernacle, whose cut “Itchy” is available to stream exclusively on Rolling Stone.
The track will be featured on the latest installment of the Third Man Vault series, which will feature live sets from three bands White played in during the late Nineties. The performance of “Itchy” at Detroit’s Gold Dollar boasts a thrilling, high-voltage sloppiness, but also hints at the blistering, ragged blues that would become the White Stripes’ speciality.
White, for his part, skitters away furiously on his guitar and squeals speedily into the microphone while his bandmates — Dan John Miller, Tracee Mae Miller and Damian Lang — plow relentlessly ahead.
Two Star Tabernacle’s January 16th, 1998, set also features early versions of the White Stripes’ “Hotel Yorba” and “Now Mary,” as well as songs that the Millers would refine for their next group, Blanche.
The 27th Vault package set also includes a November 25th, 1998, performance by the Go, who would release their debut LP, Watcha Doin’, in 1999 via Sub Pop; and a September 16th, 1999, concert by Jack White and the Bricks, recorded months after the White Stripes released their self-titled debut LP. The Bricks’ show features White Stripes cuts like “You’ve Got Her in Your Pocket” and “Candy Cane Children” alongside another unreleased White track titled “One and Two.”
Third Man’s 27th Vault offering, like all previous packages, is only available to subscribers. Fans have until January 31st to sign up.