Reggae-rock band Jon Wayne and The Pain has discovered itself through trials and tribulations.
Stemming from early members’ desire to rhyme with the lead singer’s moniker, Jon Wayne, the group originally adopted Jon Wayne and The Pain, but the name has taken on another meaning as the band has grown in the last seven years.
“Because of various struggles in my life and songs I’d written on overcoming situations, the band’s name became something greater,” Wayne said.
Inspired by bands such as Sublime and Pepper, the trio began in Minneapolis, Minn., as a reggae band. The group played at a few local venues and house parties, which earned it a small fan base.
In May of 2008, Jon Wayne and The Pain recorded its debut, self-titled album. The release of this album led to a strong Midwestern fan base that began spreading the name of the band.
After a change in band members, Jon Wayne and The Pain began incorporating hip-hop and EDM elements into their reggae-rock repertoire.
In 2012, the band released its third album “Follow Through.” Wayne said that this album appeals to fans of multiple audiences because of its hybrid sound.
The band’s dedication to spreading its music across the nation has led to Jon Wayne and The Pain performing an average of 20 shows per month for the last four years. Though the tour life is strenuous, the band finds its rewards in the crowds that appear at their shows.
“The greatest thing is when we pull into a town we’ve never been to and maybe 320 people come out and dance and sing along with us,” Wayne said.
As an independent act, the band manages most endeavors, such as press releases and content distribution. Wayne said being signed to a major label is not necessary to a musical act’s success, and there is much more control over musical content on an independent label.
“The biggest thing that can benefit a band is being good, having a good manager and a good booking agent,” Wayne said.
Wayne explained the biggest challenge for the band is the monotonous nature of touring and the shows that don’t yield large audiences. It is during those times that the members of Jon Wayne and The Pain question whether their efforts are truly worth it.
“Finding balance between feeling satisfied with the amount of work we put in and how much we enjoy this life is important to us,” Wayne said.
Jon Wayne and The Pain will be performing at Spanish Moon at 9 p.m. tonight. Tickets are $15 and are available at ticketweb.com or at the door.