Artist description Permanently hidden in the shadows of the underground scene for nearly two decades, this group has been known by several band names: Zeus and The Druids, The Joeband, Joe Transit Authority, Joenisis, The Gods, Damn Dirty Apes…but if you must call them something, call them by the simple name which made the littlest pretense. They are Joe.

Music Style rock, folk, punk, folk punk, folk rock, rock rock, pop, ballads, art rock, progressive rock, jazz rock, basement rock, progressive basement, novelty

Musical Influences Lennon, Floyd, Townshend, Genesis, Chicago, Bob Dylan, Moody Blues, Procol Harum, Strawbs, Steely Dan

Similar Artists The Band, Barenaked Ladies, Ben Folds Five, Dylan, Violent Femmes, Randy Newman

Artist History Joe was founded by Jim Morris and Jim Esch in the early 1980’s after a fortuitous jam session involving a vibraphone, piano, and the sheet music to "Saturday in The Park." The creative nucleus of the group was Morris’ basement on Beechtree Drive in lovely Broomall, Pennsylvania, a hotbed of suburban normalcy and raging adolescent hormones. From 1981 to 1987 Jim and Jim released three momumental albums that chart with pin-point acuracy their growth from cocky psychedelic high-schoolers banging their hearts out to mature, introspective artists able to make universal statements about their search for a place in the world. Their music captures that feeling of misplacement and longing that so characterizes the journey we all must take. The band had mastered the art of the one-take, stragetically placing just one or two microphones among the ensemble creating a recording of profound intimacy. It's not going too far to say that the Joe was prophetic with its stripped-down acoustic sound -- which became commonplace on adult alternative stations ten years later. It was about 5 years later that JOE regrouped, adding folksinger/guitarist Stacy Tartar Esch to the band as an equal creative contributor. From 1992 through 1996 the band would get together in either Media or King of Prussia in Pennsylvania or St. Louis, Missouri and just roll tape while they played through their newest songs and favorite covers. Over the years they developed that hard-to-find musical synergy that is the hallmark of any great band. One can hear this synergy in songs like "Talk to Me" and "This is the Last Time"-- each recorded with that vital sense of urgency that gives life to recorded songs. Of course JOE never forgot their roots and continued to come with riotous joke songs including "Back to Broomall" and "Scumbag". Some, like "Pennsylvania Man", were written and recorded within an hour! Over the years they released 3 album compilations of their in-studio jams entitled "Evolutionary Cul-de-sac", "Are you ready, Nigel?" and "Don't get me tunafied". Plans are in the works for a new JOE album of original songs. Of course, these plans have existed for a while--but we're all hoping for the best! Esch and Tartar (now married) are also heavily involved in their own album projects, and Morris currently is working on a solo songwriting career.

Group Members Founding Members: Jim Morris, Jim Esch.Additional Members: Stacy TartarContributing songwriters: Crow, Frank CaruthersContributing performers: Ed Chen, Frank Caruthers, Crow

Instruments Acoustic Piano, Drums, Six and Twelve String guitar, Three String Electric Punk Fuzz guitar, Accordian, Toy Organ

Albums JOE 1: Cool in Kalamazoo, JOE 2: Seven Days, JOE 3: Way Out of Place, Evolutionary Cul de Sac, Are You Ready Nigel?, Don't Get Me Tunafied, Flesh Eating Virus

Press Reviews "Garage Rockers Joe bring to the table three guitar-rock chords (perhaps four), National Lampoon-style humor, all the liquification of the finest garage bands and, finally, several songs named "It's Cool In Kalamazoo." - listen.com

Location West Chester, Pennsylvania - USA

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