Getting Lost in a New Direction

Wanting to further distance himself from his previous band mates and persona of 'Big Unit' Jon headed south to Louisiana and adopted the new moniker Nocren. 

Jonathon Valor - AKA Nocren

I let people talk about weather or not it was me, but it didn't really matter since I stepped out from behind the kit and took up guitar.  I wanted to take the Amateurs on the road and not just be a studio only project.  I also wanted to create a new sound, either for some new material or if we were going to stick with doing covers, at least making them our own.

The different sound would come from drummer James Skinner, a Rastafarian with a love for Keith Moon, Cozy Powell and Niel Pert and Mike Singer, an old school blues man with heroes like Bo Didley, BB King, and Muddy Waters.

Professional Amateurs - "Foot in the Door" Photo Session

I don't know what the hell Jon was thinking.  I mean, we got a new sound alright but I know what the hell you would call it.  Touring wasn't so bad but luckily they deferred to Jon for most things, since he was in creative control and all.  Jimmy and Mike were kinda just along for the ride. 

I didn't want a repeat of what happened with the Mistresses.  Luckily the guys were pretty cool about the whole thing after I told them my side of the story.  But yeah, I guess since we took such a drastic turn our albums sales suffered.

That would an understatement.  "Foot in the Door" sold poorly, enough to pull funding for the tour after only 3 dates.  By spending his own money, Jon continued the tour, albeit at much smaller venues. 

I think that Mike liked that a lot more.  He was used to a more intimate crowd and after a couple of shows, I got into it too.  Kinda getting back to the roots after playing a bunch of arena shows.  But then I got a blast from the past that I sure as hell wasn't expecting.