From the Beatles to Queen and Elvis, cover band Jabroni celebrate having ‘one of the best rhythm sections in all of Korea’

Jaeson Yoo, lead guitarist of Jabroni, lives a double life, walking between the two worlds confidently. “There are some people at work who know this side of me and there are many others who don’t,” he says. “I just try to keep these two aspects of my life separate.” Yoo is an American citizen, having been born in Korea but moving abroad aged nine. He returned to Korea in 2011. “I was just really passionate about the guitar from a young age, but didn’t actually start learning it until I got to college,” he said. “I made a lot of home recordings over the years, but didn’t start looking for people to play with until 2018.” That same year, he formed a Beatles tribute band called the Beagles. In 2019 he joined another Beatles tribute band, the Mentles. But whereas those other projects were originally about bringing out the magic of the original band on stage, Jabroni, formed in late 2021, is a more general cover band. New Beatles single Now and Then released – with a little help from AI “I think most people would agree that The Beatles have a wonderful catalogue of music,” Yoo said. “Add to this each member’s solo efforts through the years, and that’s more than enough songs for a cover band to focus on in one lifetime. “Nonetheless, we had band members and audience members who wanted us to cover different songs.” According to Yoo, Jabroni’s repertoire includes 38 Beatles songs, and 73 songs by 58 other acts, which include anything from Elvis, Queen and Pink Floyd to Oasis, Coldplay and Lady Gaga. “The spirit of inclusivity was important to us from the get-go,” Yoo said. “Every song that we have put on stage has been drafted in with a unanimous vote.” “Let’s say that I want to do a song. We get together, listen to the original track together, and if every member wants to learn their part, then my song would go on our set lists. If one person votes against it, then I would have to pick another one. “Each member and close friends of the band gets to select songs this way. I recall there have been only three vetoes thus far – I suppose this shows the wonderful sense of team play and cooperation that have driven the band to where it is today.” Moving away from the Beatles songbook also led to the name change, from the Beatles-inspired Beagles to Jabroni, which Yoo explained means “fool”. “We didn’t want to take ourselves too seriously, and focus on the fun we can have with this group, hence the name,” he said. Yoo was quick to talk up his current bandmates, who have been with him since early this year. “Mistarr Park provides guitar and vocals, and also often dresses in silly costumes, masks or make-up when he performs. “You know, I’m not sure why,” Yoo said. “Entertainment value? Most of us are pretty strait-laced people, so it’s nice to have that wacky element in the band.” Jabroni is all about good vibes and great music. We’ve got a unique blend going on, with bandmates from different countries and backgrounds Yohan Lepoetre, keyboardist for Jabroni “We are playing a unique style that you can’t see in other bands playing in Korea,” Park said. Most of the regular Jabroni members are ethnically Korean, which makes the band’s French keyboardist, Yohan Lepoetre, stand out a little more. “Jabroni is all about good vibes and great music,” Lepoetre said. “We’ve got a unique blend going on, with bandmates from different countries and backgrounds. It lets us experiment across various styles, and honestly, it’s just a blast playing together.” Yoo was also eager to shout out Jabroni’s rhythm section, which includes Jang Seok-won on drums and Lee Woo-young on bass, who he said “give Jabroni one of the best rhythm sections in all of Korea”. “I’m thankful and happy to play with passionate members while listening to music that I spent my youth with,” Lee said. Ranked: the 15 best high-school Korean dramas of all time “Like brothers, we share each other’s favourite music, play it together and have fun,” Jang added. The band also includes a handful of regular guests. One of these is vocalist Jang Min-hwa, who Yoo called “an absolute songstress”, citing her rendition of “Midnight in Harlem” by Tedeschi Trucks Band. He also shouted out Mike Choo, who plays rhythm and lead guitar on a number of songs, as well as the charismatic singer Steve Pearson. At most of the band’s shows, it’s clear who Jabroni’s top fan is. That would be Yun Hai-young, Yoo’s wife, who acts as the band’s manager. “She doesn’t set up our gigs, but she does tell us to run through a song again in rehearsals if she thinks it sounds bad,” Yoo laughed. “It’s wonderful to have her support, and we all love her dearly. “Hai is a New York gal. If she thought we sucked, she would steer clear of this band. I guess we’re doing something right.” Many of the band members are hard-working, career-driven professionals, so Jabroni live gig to gig rather than making any big plans. “One thing I’ve learned with bands is that planning is often fraught with danger,” Yoo said. “Things change all the time. I try to focus on preserving good relationships, and making sure that each person knows that they are loved and appreciated.” Jabroni has two free shows this month. The first is on November 18 at Groove Jazz Club in southern Seoul’s Seocho District, and the second is at The Studio HBC on November 25. They will also put on their second annual New Year’s party at the Beatles Live Pub in Hannam-dong. Follow @thejabroniband on Instagram for more information. Read the full story at The Korea Times