Heavily influenced by the guitar-ensemble performances of Glenn Branca and Rhys Chatham, the band's first two records, Confusion Is Sex and Kill Yr Idols, were both released in 1983.

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But such concerns were quickly dispelled once the folk-rock trio's trademark intricate vocal harmonies and acoustic and electric guitar parts were enhanced by the JLCO's tight ensemble playing and skilled soloists such as saxophonists Sherman Irby, trumpeter Marcus Printup and trombonist Vincent Gardner.

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