Artist description No formulas. We mix all the styles of music we like (pop, world, jazz, funk and everything else) and what comes out is Spiney Norman.

Music Style Groove-based rock with world-beat, jazz and power-pop influences.

Musical Influences Beatles, Rippingtons, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Wilson, Nazz, Average White Band, Dixie Dregs, Jellyfish

Similar Artists Ourselves, although we've been favorably compared to Badfinger, Hendrix, CSN, Entrain and a bunch of others.

Artist History Spiney Norman was started by Rob Barwick and George Dussault. Rob and George hooked up in 1989, and they have toured the East in several permutations since then. Rob, a native of Boston Mass, is a bass-player's bass-player, with a stellar track record of live performances and studio dates to his name. George has been on the music scene since childhood. His musical influences are as eclectic as his abilities; he plays six instruments, writes alot of the songs and works full time as a recording engineer and producer. In 2000, Rick Morin joined the frey. A heavily in-demand percussionist, Rick has traveled extensively not only playing, but learning his craft. He continues to study under the auspices of several international percussion artists, while working as a full time musician and educator. These three produced the music heard hear and on their debut album, The Trials And Tribulations of Spiney Norman. During sessions for the album, the supreme East Coast female vocalist Julie Marrinucci was brought into sing harmonies and after hearing the music promptly joined the group! She is a gift from God to the vocal world. Since then the band has played several gigs, one a record release party for their album, and feedback from the public has been great. Newest member Scott Caldwell joined up in June of 2002, and Spiney is in the studio working on their next album as we speak.

Group Members George Dussault - Guitars / Keys / Vocals Rob Barwick - Bass Rick Morin - Drums / Percussion / Harmonica Jules Marrinucci - Vocals / Percussion Scott Caldwell - Guitar / Vocals

Instruments Lots of vocals, lots of percussion, lots of guitar, bass, keyboards

Albums The Trials And Tribulations of Spiney Norman

Press Reviews The following review appeared in the November 2001 issue of Ear Candy Magazine: I've always wondered...what if the progressive rock heavies of the '70s got together and made an album in this day and age. No...not one of those cash-in reunion schemes, but an actual honest to god good album?! Well, it hasn't happened yet (and somehow, I don't think it will). BUT, there is the new CD by Spiney Norman. The album has two things really going for it. First, I love the instrumentation, especially the guitar work - it travels the gamut of Boston, Allman Brothers and Santana without being too derivative. Same goes for the vocal harmonies. Little things, like the ending for "The Best Thing You Ever Had" with its Badfinger-like, "Baby Blue" ending! The Allman Brothers-type instrumental, "Swamp Gas". Secondly, the lyrics hit me on an emotional level, many of the lyrics seem to apply to my life! Songs about picking up barflys (Excuse Me), failed relationships (The Best Thing You Ever Had), growing old (Same Old Road) and the joy of parenthood (Heart Song). "Caffeine High" is especially clever, especially for those of us that don't use illicit stimulants anymore! Spiney Norman even touches on spirituality on "Troubadour", with its Jesus references. But, unlike the tunnel vision of Christian rock bands, Spiney Norman doesn't hit you over the head repeatedly. I mean, there are only so many words that rhyme with "Jesus", "God", "lord", etc. My fave on this album is "Days I'd Rather Forget" - it seems especially personal, almost reading into my life! The excellent songwriting and professional playing make this CD quite enjoyable. This album is a creeper, but once it gets under your skin, you'll find it well worth the repeats.

Additional Info CD's also available at Amazon.com and CDNow.com.

Location East, Coast - USA

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