The Family Jewels (band)
Encyclopedia
The Family Jewels was a United States
rock band
, which released an album of pop with humorous lyrics.
The band was formed in 1991 by three childhood friends after a quiet get-together became a drunken jam fest. This highly unlikely musical trio recorded 2 hours of music about the neighbors and friends on an old beat up boom box and would become the foundation of what would soon be The Family Jewels band. They soon recruited guitarist John Underwood
's brother Mike Underwood as the drummer and headed into infamous east coast recording giant, Big Blue Meenie Recording Studio
s where they recorded various demos with producer/engineer Rumblefish
(Thursday
, S.O.D, Taking Back Sunday
). This led to the interest of NYC recording label Black Pumpkin Records and an independent record contract in 1994.
In 1994, the band released its first single, Happy as a Fly. This was played on major and college radio stations around the US, and received rave reviews by U.S and London underground music magazines.
The band's debut full length recording, The Family Jewels was released in 1996 with such crowd pleasers as "Applefoot", and "Chickenman From Atlantis". The track, "Special K", would spark some mild controversy amongst the general public and area promoters due to it's satirical take on mental retardation. Asked to describe the sound of the record in an interview with local music newspaper, "The East Coast Rocker", the band offered the influences: They Might Be Giants
, meets Zappa
, the Dead Milkmen
, and Stevie Wonder
.
Previously solely a recording entity, the band took to the road in 1998 self-financing their own tour of the United States in support of their second effort, "Chuck and Louise". Produced by guitarist John Underwood
, and local punk legend/ visual artist, Joe Darone (The Fiendz, Suit of Lights
, The Rosenbergs), the record would be the band's boldest musical statement to date. Unfortunately, due to a shift towards harder edged artists on the part of the label, all support for the release would be nixed. The band was dropped from the label later that year.
Despite the setback, the band regrouped, self financing two more tours of the US and opening for such acts as Frankie Goes to Hollywood
, Huffamoose
, Johnny Cohen, and King Norris of Howard Stern
fame. The band would enter the studio in 1999, once again reuniting with producer/engineer, Rumblefish
, to record .
The track, "Higher Than The Government", would receive college radio airplay and reignite interest in the band by majors.
Despite an upswing in popularity, the band would part ways in 2002 due to personal and creative conflicts.
The band reformed briefly in July 2004 to play at the 7th Annual Chickenout Picnic in Altoona, Pennsylvania
.
Brian Barry is now a copywriter for an ad agency.
Miller released a solo album in 2005 titled "Complete Buffoonery".
John Underwood has recorded with various acts, including NYC's Suit of Lights
, and is currently producing his first solo record expected to be released sometime in late 2012.
Mike Underwood still enjoys playing the drums.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
, which released an album of pop with humorous lyrics.
The band was formed in 1991 by three childhood friends after a quiet get-together became a drunken jam fest. This highly unlikely musical trio recorded 2 hours of music about the neighbors and friends on an old beat up boom box and would become the foundation of what would soon be The Family Jewels band. They soon recruited guitarist John Underwood
John Underwood
John Underwood may refer to:* John Underwood , early 17th century English actor* John Underwood , former Director of Communications for British Labour Party* John W.H. Underwood, U.S. Representative from Georgia...
's brother Mike Underwood as the drummer and headed into infamous east coast recording giant, Big Blue Meenie Recording Studio
Big Blue Meenie Recording Studio
Big Blue Meenie is a production house in Jersey City, New Jersey famous for its clientele.-History:The facility is located on 512 Paterson Plank Road, near Washington Park, and was built in the late 19th Century...
s where they recorded various demos with producer/engineer Rumblefish
Rumblefish
Rumblefish were a UK indie pop group, formed in Birmingham in 1986. After several releases on independent labels they were signed by East West who issued the band's only album while still together in 1992.-History:...
(Thursday
Thursday
Thursday is the fourth day of the week according to the ISO 8601 international standard adopted in most western countries. In countries that use the Sunday-first convention and in the Judeo-Christian calendar it is the fifth day of the week. It falls between Wednesday and Friday...
, S.O.D, Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday is a rock band from Long Island, NY, formed in 1999 by guitarist Eddie Reyes. Current members of the band are Adam Lazzara , John Nolan , Eddie Reyes , Shaun Cooper and Mark O'Connell ....
). This led to the interest of NYC recording label Black Pumpkin Records and an independent record contract in 1994.
In 1994, the band released its first single, Happy as a Fly. This was played on major and college radio stations around the US, and received rave reviews by U.S and London underground music magazines.
The band's debut full length recording, The Family Jewels was released in 1996 with such crowd pleasers as "Applefoot", and "Chickenman From Atlantis". The track, "Special K", would spark some mild controversy amongst the general public and area promoters due to it's satirical take on mental retardation. Asked to describe the sound of the record in an interview with local music newspaper, "The East Coast Rocker", the band offered the influences: They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years Flansburgh and Linnell were frequently accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG became a full band. Currently, the members of TMBG are...
, meets Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
, the Dead Milkmen
Dead Milkmen
The Dead Milkmen is an American satirical punk rock band formed in 1983 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They consisted of vocalist and keyboardist Rodney Linderman , guitarist and vocalist Joe Genaro , bassist Dave Schulthise and drummer Dean Sabatino .Beginning within the local underground...
, and Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
.
Previously solely a recording entity, the band took to the road in 1998 self-financing their own tour of the United States in support of their second effort, "Chuck and Louise". Produced by guitarist John Underwood
John Underwood
John Underwood may refer to:* John Underwood , early 17th century English actor* John Underwood , former Director of Communications for British Labour Party* John W.H. Underwood, U.S. Representative from Georgia...
, and local punk legend/ visual artist, Joe Darone (The Fiendz, Suit of Lights
Suit of Lights
Suit of Lights is a band that has been described as an "indie rock manifestation" led by Joe Darone, whose noteworthy contributors include Trevor Dunn from Mr. Bungle, Steve Pedulla from Thursday, and Jamie Egan from Catch 22 and Streetlight Manifesto. The band's 2005 self-titled debut, released on...
, The Rosenbergs), the record would be the band's boldest musical statement to date. Unfortunately, due to a shift towards harder edged artists on the part of the label, all support for the release would be nixed. The band was dropped from the label later that year.
Despite the setback, the band regrouped, self financing two more tours of the US and opening for such acts as Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Frankie Goes to Hollywood were a British dance-pop band popular in the mid-1980s. The group was fronted by Holly Johnson , with Paul Rutherford , Peter Gill , Mark O'Toole , and Brian Nash .The group's debut single "Relax" was banned by the BBC in 1984 while at number six in the charts and...
, Huffamoose
Huffamoose
-Lineup:Huffamoose was made up of Craig Elkins , Kevin Hanson , Jim Stager and Erik Johnson . This lineup remained consistent until sometime in 1999 when Erik Johnson left the band after a tour stop on the Horde Tour and quit the band...
, Johnny Cohen, and King Norris of Howard Stern
Howard Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
fame. The band would enter the studio in 1999, once again reuniting with producer/engineer, Rumblefish
Rumblefish
Rumblefish were a UK indie pop group, formed in Birmingham in 1986. After several releases on independent labels they were signed by East West who issued the band's only album while still together in 1992.-History:...
, to record .
The track, "Higher Than The Government", would receive college radio airplay and reignite interest in the band by majors.
Despite an upswing in popularity, the band would part ways in 2002 due to personal and creative conflicts.
The band reformed briefly in July 2004 to play at the 7th Annual Chickenout Picnic in Altoona, Pennsylvania
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
.
Brian Barry is now a copywriter for an ad agency.
Miller released a solo album in 2005 titled "Complete Buffoonery".
John Underwood has recorded with various acts, including NYC's Suit of Lights
Suit of Lights
Suit of Lights is a band that has been described as an "indie rock manifestation" led by Joe Darone, whose noteworthy contributors include Trevor Dunn from Mr. Bungle, Steve Pedulla from Thursday, and Jamie Egan from Catch 22 and Streetlight Manifesto. The band's 2005 self-titled debut, released on...
, and is currently producing his first solo record expected to be released sometime in late 2012.
Mike Underwood still enjoys playing the drums.
Members
- Brian Barry: Lead vocals, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, thereminThereminThe theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
, songwriter - Mike Miller: keyboards, vocals, songwriter
- John Underwood: guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, songwriter - Michael Underwood: drumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s
Discography
- Happy as a Fly 1994 (single)
- The Family Jewels 1996 (album)
- Chuck and Louise 1997 (album)- unreleased
- 5 Song Demo 2002 (EP also titled Chuck and Louise II)- unreleased