Jeff Thacher
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Thomas Thacher is an American
musician, best known as a member of the vocal group Rockapella
. A professional vocal percussion
ist (a practice also referred to as "mouth drumming" and related to the hiphop-derived beatboxing
) and singer who emerged on the early contemporary a cappella
scene in 1991, Jeff Thacher co-founded the Boston-based a cappella
group Five O'Clock Shadow
(aka FOCS) that year and went on to join Rockapella
in 1993 as their full time mouth-drummer. Thacher was a 1990 graduate of Berklee College Of Music
's Music Production & Engineering program, and afterward spent several years in television & radio production when not performing
Vocal percussion, as a full-time occupation amidst a band or ensemble, was a fairly new idea in 1991, and Thacher performed as a tenor in Five O'Clock Shadow
when not mouth-drumming. At that time, Rockapella was halfway through their stint on the children's television geography gameshow Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? on PBS(1991–1996) and had created several albums for the Japan-only record label For Life Records, as well as a soundtrack album for the Carmen Sandiego show. These albums had utilized individual computer-sequenced samples of mouth noises for their drum tracks. Rockapella sought to translate this approach organically to their live shows via a human performer, and after a search, Thacher got the job.
Thacher's first concert with the group was on May 15, 1993 at the Berklee Performance Center, after which he began touring internationally with Rockapella, making his first CD appearance with them on the song "Big Wet Rag" from the Carmen Sandiego soundtrack sequel Carmen Sandiego: Out Of This World (1993). The first album to feature Jeff's distinctive sound throughout was Rockapella's first all-originals album, Vocobeat
(1994), for the Japanese market.
As the mid 1990s progressed, the terms "organic" and "imitative" began to be used to describe contrasting a cappella vocal percussion styles, with Thacher as the most prominent progenitor of the "organic" approach, combining blatantly literal replication of drums with sounds that didn't seek to duplicate, but rather fill the role of a drum or percussive instrument. Thacher was also the first vocal percussionist to employ a throat microphone (aka "throat mic") using electronic guitar pickups adhered to the larynx area of the throat (see piezoelectric sensor
). The technique allowed intentional throat grunting sounds to be heard more effectively in live shows and on recordings (1997). He became the first such artist to be professionally endorsed by a guitar pickup company (Seymour Duncan
, from 1998 to present, now D-TAR).
Thacher continues to tour actively with Rockapella, appearing recently in the group with the Boston Pops Orchestra as guest performers, as well as in various media outlets around the USA and abroad.
Thacher has also been an independent recording engineer and music producer since 1995, working constantly with numerous a cappella
groups and singer-songwriters. He works occasionally as writer/performer on television promo spots, such as Nickelodeon's "Big Summer Movies" (2006) and holiday news promos for The WB in New York. His work as a graphic artist can be seen throughout the artwork of his clients and collaborators.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician, best known as a member of the vocal group Rockapella
Rockapella
Rockapella is an American a cappella musical group formed in 1986 in New York City. Their name is derived from the words "rock" and "a cappella". They sing original vocal music and a cappella covers of pop and rock songs; over time, their sound has evolved from high-energy pop and world music...
. A professional vocal percussion
Vocal percussion
Vocal percussion is the art of creating sounds with one's mouth that approximate, imitate, or otherwise serve the same purpose as a percussion instrument, whether in a group of singers, an instrumental ensemble, or solo.-In Western music:...
ist (a practice also referred to as "mouth drumming" and related to the hiphop-derived beatboxing
Beatboxing
Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, and the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments...
) and singer who emerged on the early contemporary a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
scene in 1991, Jeff Thacher co-founded the Boston-based a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
group Five O'Clock Shadow
Five O'Clock Shadow
Five O'Clock Shadow is an a cappella group from Boston, Massachusetts, that has been in existence since 1991. The band has performed on FOX News, A&E Network, ABC, ESPN and VH-1's "breakthrough" series. They have released 4 cassettes and 5 CDs, winning many Contemporary A cappella Recording...
(aka FOCS) that year and went on to join Rockapella
Rockapella
Rockapella is an American a cappella musical group formed in 1986 in New York City. Their name is derived from the words "rock" and "a cappella". They sing original vocal music and a cappella covers of pop and rock songs; over time, their sound has evolved from high-energy pop and world music...
in 1993 as their full time mouth-drummer. Thacher was a 1990 graduate of Berklee College Of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
's Music Production & Engineering program, and afterward spent several years in television & radio production when not performing
Vocal percussion, as a full-time occupation amidst a band or ensemble, was a fairly new idea in 1991, and Thacher performed as a tenor in Five O'Clock Shadow
Five O'Clock Shadow
Five O'Clock Shadow is an a cappella group from Boston, Massachusetts, that has been in existence since 1991. The band has performed on FOX News, A&E Network, ABC, ESPN and VH-1's "breakthrough" series. They have released 4 cassettes and 5 CDs, winning many Contemporary A cappella Recording...
when not mouth-drumming. At that time, Rockapella was halfway through their stint on the children's television geography gameshow Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? on PBS(1991–1996) and had created several albums for the Japan-only record label For Life Records, as well as a soundtrack album for the Carmen Sandiego show. These albums had utilized individual computer-sequenced samples of mouth noises for their drum tracks. Rockapella sought to translate this approach organically to their live shows via a human performer, and after a search, Thacher got the job.
Thacher's first concert with the group was on May 15, 1993 at the Berklee Performance Center, after which he began touring internationally with Rockapella, making his first CD appearance with them on the song "Big Wet Rag" from the Carmen Sandiego soundtrack sequel Carmen Sandiego: Out Of This World (1993). The first album to feature Jeff's distinctive sound throughout was Rockapella's first all-originals album, Vocobeat
Vocobeat
Vocobeat is the fourth studio album by the a cappella group Rockapella. It is their first all original album and marks the first full-time CD debut of Jeff Thacher as vocal percussionist...
(1994), for the Japanese market.
As the mid 1990s progressed, the terms "organic" and "imitative" began to be used to describe contrasting a cappella vocal percussion styles, with Thacher as the most prominent progenitor of the "organic" approach, combining blatantly literal replication of drums with sounds that didn't seek to duplicate, but rather fill the role of a drum or percussive instrument. Thacher was also the first vocal percussionist to employ a throat microphone (aka "throat mic") using electronic guitar pickups adhered to the larynx area of the throat (see piezoelectric sensor
Piezoelectric sensor
A piezoelectric sensor is a device that uses the piezoelectric effect to measure pressure, acceleration, strain or force by converting them to an electrical charge.-Applications:...
). The technique allowed intentional throat grunting sounds to be heard more effectively in live shows and on recordings (1997). He became the first such artist to be professionally endorsed by a guitar pickup company (Seymour Duncan
Seymour Duncan
Seymour Duncan is a company that is best known for manufacturing of guitar pickups, and currently has a line of effects pedals. The company was founded in 1976 by guitarist and luthier Seymour W. Duncan and his then-wife Cathy Carter Duncan in Goleta, California, USA...
, from 1998 to present, now D-TAR).
Thacher continues to tour actively with Rockapella, appearing recently in the group with the Boston Pops Orchestra as guest performers, as well as in various media outlets around the USA and abroad.
Thacher has also been an independent recording engineer and music producer since 1995, working constantly with numerous a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
groups and singer-songwriters. He works occasionally as writer/performer on television promo spots, such as Nickelodeon's "Big Summer Movies" (2006) and holiday news promos for The WB in New York. His work as a graphic artist can be seen throughout the artwork of his clients and collaborators.
Domestic releases
| Release Date | Album | Line-up | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2011 | A Rockapella Holiday A Rockapella Holiday A Rockapella Holiday is the seventeenth overall, twelfth North American, and fifth holiday album released by the a cappella group Rockapella... |
Leonard, Dorian, Brown, Baldi, Thacher | Shakariki Records / PAID, Inc. |
| September 2010 | Bang Bang (Rockapella album) Bang is the sixteenth overall and eleventh North American album by the a cappella group Rockapella. It is the first studio album the group has released since 2002. It also marks band members John K. Brown's and Steven Dorian's first recording appearance with Rockapella, having been with the group... |
Leonard, Dorian, Brown, Baldi, Thacher | Shakariki Records / PAID, Inc. |
| June 2004 | Live In Japan Live in Japan (Rockapella album) Live In Japan is the fifteenth overall, tenth North American, and second live concert album by the a cappella group Rockapella. It was recorded during the group's "Wa" Tour in June 2–12, 2003 and was released a year later... |
Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Baldi, Thacher | Shakariki Records |
| November 2002 | Comfort & Joy Comfort & Joy Comfort & Joy is the fourteenth overall, ninth North American, and fourth holiday album by the a cappella group Rockapella. It was re-release in 2004 on Shakariki Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Scott Leonard – high tenor*Kevin Wright – tenor... |
Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Baldi, Thacher | Amerigo Records Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004 |
| August 2002 | Smilin' Smilin' Smilin' is the thirteenth overall and eighth North American album by the a cappella group Rockapella. It is legendary bass Barry Carl's last album as a member of the group and the first appearance of Carl's successor, George Baldi III... |
Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Baldi, Thacher | Amerigo Records Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004 |
| March 2001 | In Concert In Concert (Rockapella album) In Concert is the twelfth overall, seventh North American album, and first live concert album by the a cappella group Rockapella. It was recorded live on December 9, 2000 at The Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara, CA. A corresponding DVD was also filmed as part of a PBS Special... |
Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | J-Bird Records Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004 |
| October 2000 | Christmas Christmas (Rockapella album) Christmas is the eleventh overall, sixth North American, and third holiday album released by the a cappella group Rockapella. It was re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004... |
Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | J-Bird Records Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004 |
| March 2000 | 2 2 (Rockapella album) 2 is the tenth overall and fifth North American studio album by the a cappella group Rockapella. As the name suggests, it was the group's second CD released through a record company in the United States. It was recorded during the fall of 1999 and released in the spring of 2000... |
Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | J-Bird Records Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004 |
| February 1999 | Don't Tell Me You Do Don't Tell Me You Do Don't Tell Me You Do is the ninth overall and fourth North American studio album by the a cappella group Rockapella. It is the first album released by the group on a North American record label. All but two of the tracks were recorded during the fall of 1997 and originally released on the... |
Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | J-Bird Records Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004 |
| Mid-1997 | Rockapella Rockapella (album) Rockapella is the eighth overall and third North American studio album by the a cappella group Rockapella. It contains mostly very-updated versions of previously recorded material following a membership change... |
Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | Independent |
| Mid-1996 | Lucky Seven Lucky Seven (album) Lucky Seven is the second and sixth studio album released in North America and Japan, respectively, by the a cappella group Rockapella. As the name suggests, it is the seventh overall studio album by the group... |
Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | Independent |
| Mid-1995 | Primer Primer (album) Primer is the sixth studio album by the a cappella group Rockapella and marks their North American debut. Its track list was intended to represent the band's live show at the time and was recorded 99% live-in-studio over the course of two days at Sonalyst Studios in Connecticut, with the exception... |
Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | Independent |
International releases
| Year | Album | Line-up | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | In Concert In Concert (Rockapella album) In Concert is the twelfth overall, seventh North American album, and first live concert album by the a cappella group Rockapella. It was recorded live on December 9, 2000 at The Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara, CA. A corresponding DVD was also filmed as part of a PBS Special... |
Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | Rentrak Records |
| November 2001 | Christmas Christmas (Rockapella album) Christmas is the eleventh overall, sixth North American, and third holiday album released by the a cappella group Rockapella. It was re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004... |
Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | Rentrak Records |
| November 1996 | Lucky Seven: Memories And Dreams Lucky Seven (album) Lucky Seven is the second and sixth studio album released in North America and Japan, respectively, by the a cappella group Rockapella. As the name suggests, it is the seventh overall studio album by the group... |
Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | ForLife Records |
| November 1995 | Best Fest Best Fest Best Fest is a compilation album by the a cappella group Rockapella. It is first of three Japan-only compilation albums of the group's recordings, featuring a mix of tracks from previous Japanese albums, as well as two new songs that were not previously available... |
Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | ForLife Records |
| November 1994 | Out Cold Out Cold (album) Out Cold is the fifth studio and second holiday album by the a cappella group Rockapella. ForLife Records wanted the group to do a second Christmas album, but settled for a mixture of Christmas and non-holiday music... |
Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | ForLife Records |
| April 1994 | Vocobeat Vocobeat Vocobeat is the fourth studio album by the a cappella group Rockapella. It is their first all original album and marks the first full-time CD debut of Jeff Thacher as vocal percussionist... |
Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | ForLife Records |
Compilations
| Release Date | Album | Line-up | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2002 | Best A Cappella Best A Cappella Best A Cappella is the third Japan-only compilation album of songs by the a cappella group Rockapella. When the group changed their Japanese record label to Rentrack Records and released two of their American albums and an additional compilation album in Japan, ForLife Records sought to capitalize... |
Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | ForLife Records |
| 2002 | More Than Ever More Than Ever (album) More Than Ever is the second Japan-only compilation album by the a cappella group Rockapella. It contains recording from the US albums Don't Tell Me You Do and 2 with a new photo session of the group.-Track listing:-Personnel:... |
Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | Rentrak Records |
Unaffiliated releases
| Year | Album | Line-up | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2005 | Live At Duo Music Exchange | Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Baldi, Thacher | Duo Records |
Various releases
| Year | Album | Line-up | Song |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Hokie Nation: An A Cappella Tribute | Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | "I'll Hear Your Voice" |
| 2002 | 20 Christmas Stars, Vol. IV | Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Baldi, Thacher | "Merry Christmas Darling" |
| 2000 | Mark and Brian: Little Drummer Boys | Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | "Silver Bells" (Live performance) |
| 1999 | Revival - Sam Harris Sam Harris (singer) Sam Harris is an American pop and musical theatre recording artist as well as a television, stage and film actor.-Singing:... |
Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | "A Change In My Life" (Background vocals) |
| 1996 | Voices Only: A Cappella Originals | Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | "Bed Of Nails" |
| 1993 | Carmen Sandiego: Out of This World | Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher | "Big Wet Rag" |
Solo/Other CDs As Guest Performer
| Release Date | Album | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Unplugged | John K. Brown |
| 2010 | bOOmbOOm | John K. Brown |
| 2006 | Unorthodox | Sean Altman (What I Like About Jew) |
| 2005 | Glory | The Groovebarbers |
| 2002 | Alt.mania | Sean Altman |
| 2000 | Fabric Of Life (Vocal Percussion Remix) | The Nylons The Nylons The Nylons are an a cappella group founded in 1978 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Best known for their covers of The Turtles' "Happy Together", Steam's "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", and The Tokens' version of the traditional "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".... |
| 2000 | Some Children See Him | Gas House Gang Gas House Gang (quartet) Gas House Gang was a barbershop quartet that won the 1993 SPEBSQSA international competition. They started singing as a group in 1987.The quartet won the International Quartet Championship of the Barbershop Harmony Society in 1993... |
| 1997 | SeanDEMOnium | Sean Altman |