Java Joe the Computer Store Guy

[Jessica]

From that PBS show, we have a NEW UPDATE to the computer store guy story, now featuring Java Joe in his stead!



This almost feels like I'm being specifically trolled, lol.

The whole PBS interview is here: https://www.pbs.org/video/jewel-diqhtu/

[Nick_00]

I'm confused. Is it the new version of the story with the boss who propositioned? Or is it something different?

[Jessica]

I believe this is all the same story and it evolves with the career goals. This is what I've seen so far:

Before Jewel really hits it big, Java Joe fired her because she wouldn't sleep with him. This is in that improv version of I'm Sensitive that was clearly played for locals who would know who Java Joe is back then.

Then, Java Joe becomes an important part of her early career, so the boss who fires her for not sleeping with him becomes Computer Store Guy. Java Joe is no longer mentioned.

There are two Computer Store Guy stories:

• A sub-version of this story is Computer Story Guy withholds Jewel's final paycheck and her mother, Lenedra, raises holy hell with the guy and gets the check. Instead of blowing it on rent, they opt to buy two matching VW buses and live the rock star hippie dream so no one has to deal with crappy jobs again. This is the version in Chasing Down the Dawn and some of those older long-form interviews from the late 90s.
• In the post-Lenedra era, Computer Store Guy keeps Jewel's check and they both are forced into homelessness. Lenedra abandons Jewel to go back to Alaska. No joint van acquisition is mentioned anymore and it's no longer a cool rockstar move, is a complete tragedy that leads to severe physical illness and mental health issues.

Now, we have a new version that just debuted on PBS! That is in the above: Java Joe was trying to bang a 16 year old and Jewel was fired for telling him to stop. Once she's fired, we're back to the post-Lenedra version's explanation of consequences. In this version, we know that even though Java Joe isn't named, he was a notorious skeeve and definitely was the guy with the porn calendar idea. Alan himself confirmed the calendar thing, though he respects Joe anyway because he hosted some fan shows and gave away the soundboard recordings.

[Jessica]

I mean, I know it's a crazy thing to say, but I feel like this last story was concocted just to fuck with me. I've been on a crusade about this story for years. And now to put Creepy Joe back in it a mere couple months after I got e-jumped on when I mentioned his creepiness in that facebook group? And for it to be SO incredibly divergent from Comp Guy.... Y'ALL! 

[jewelwiki]

You're being trolled

[Jessica]

ngl that would be beyond amazing. Literally trolled by Jewel would be legendary. Going out in style!

[Jessica]

For the very first time, I feel my $5.00 monthly donation to PBS was well-spent.

[jewelwiki]

Support for trolling Jess was made possible by viewers like you!

[Jessica]

How many great women musicians did Java Joe destroy? We'll never know.

[Frag]

I've been confused for years about which story is about Joe & which one isn't. If he's as much of a creeper as some versions of the story make him out to be, I don't understand why he'd still have the support & friendship of women in the SD music scene. I know he does, though, because I've seen it first-hand.   

[Jessica]

Is that really a surprise, though? Look how much support Weinstein had.

[Frag]

Is that really a surprise, though? Look how much support Weinstein had.

True, but Joe ain't exactly Harvey Weinstein in the power & money department, & in this climate, I'd think it all would've come out by now...if there's anything to come out.

[Jessica]

I mean ... it just did. And right after his retirement, too ... from the very lips of the most successful woman to come out of his era in San Diego!

And before that, Jewel had mentioned it before she really hit it super big. About 5 minutes in:  

[Frag]

I mean ... it just did. And right after his retirement, too ... from the very lips of the most successful woman to come out of his era in San Diego!

What I mean is that we would've heard about it from more women, not just her. If she keeps changing her story back & forth, it kinda loses some credibility, don'tchathink? If she told one story consistently, it'd be more believable. Not that I don't believe he's a creeper, mind you. It's just that the way she seems to change the story to suit her own needs from time to time bothers me.

[Jessica]

It's true there's no counter for "she lies too much be to be believed" in instances like this. 

But, I can totally see why she'd need to lie about this one to save her own skin. He was a pretty high profile guy and could have easily sent some sort of cease and desist after Jewel hit it big to make sure she didn't defame his brand. Now that it's all come to an end, such a threat would end, too.