JETHRO TULL’S NEW GENE

On paper, it would appear that Jethro Tull have been on hiatus for close to two decades now. The long-running band — which pioneered a unique mix of progressive rock, heavy metal, folk and other styles to such a degree that their sound virtually established its own genre — are releasing The Zealot Gene, their first new studio album in almost 20 years, in early 2022.

The truth is somewhat more elusive. Ian Anderson, who has served as Jethro Tull’s songwriter/vocalist/flautist/acoustic guitarist and guiding light since the band’s formation in 1967, never stopped making music in the 19 years that have passed since the 2003 release of The Jethro Tull Christmas Album. The ensuing albums he released under his own name (which included Thick as a Brick 2 — a direct sequel to the band’s 1972 classic), were arguably Jethro Tull albums under another name. They certainly shared the hallmarks of the band’s sound, combining Anderson’s flute, guitar and vocals with the power of a road-seasoned rock band. While the members of Anderson’s solo band differed from the previous Tull lineup (most notably in the absence of guitarist Martin Barre, a Tull member from 1968 to 2012), they certainly played in the familiar style.

In 2021, Anderson reclaimed the Tull name for his new music. His relationship to the band name may be similar to that of Robert Fripp to King Crimson — as with Fripp and Crimson, when Anderson decides a band are Jethro Tull, they are Jethro Tull.

Joining Anderson in the current lineup are Joe Parrish-James (lead guitar), Scott Hammond (drums), John O’Hara (keyboards) and David Goodier (bass). Florian Opahle, who left the band in 2019, played lead guitar on the album.

Goldmine spoke with Anderson via Zoom. In a wide-ranging conversation, the noted raconteur commented on his reclamation of the Tull name for his current band, the themes of the new album, 5.1 remixes of his classic work and his thoughts on touring in the age of COVID.

GOLDMINE: Let’s talk about the new album, The Zealot Gene. Is it correct to say it has a biblical theme?

Well, that’s not really