Artist description Girlfriend Voice makes infectious rock music that is audible over long distances. Our live shows consist of everything from sensitive 4 part vocal harmony to KISS covers(complete with firebreathing)

Music Style Rock with serious Pop tendencies

Musical Influences Jellyfish, KISS, AC/DC, The Beatles

Similar Artists The Who, Styx, Jellyfish, AC/DC

Artist History Founded in 1996 by songwriter Jeff Sharp, Girlfriend Voice has evolved through several incarnations before assuming its current form.

Group Members Jeff Sharp, James Pressnell ,Phil Shouse, B.C. Fortenberry, Steven Hall

Instruments Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Lead Bass Guitar, Lead Drum Set, Keyboard, Lead Cowbell, Smoke Machine

Albums The Greatest-Selling Album of All Time

Press Reviews ... one uplifting collective of notes I was introduced to recently that has really helped me through these tough times as of late is the new release from Decatur-based GIRLFRIEND VOICE entitled The Greatest-Selling Album Of All Time! Don't let the tongue-in-cheek title throw you for a loop, because in this reviewer's honest opinion these guys might very well move onwards and upwards to bigger things because of this Ab Fab effort. [Mark my words, people.] In fact, while their no-frills Power Pop sound may seem old hat amidst all the cookie-cutter fluff pop and rap metal dominating the airwaves, there is something to be said about the true staying power and timeless sound of well-written pop rock songs. Hell, the Beatles are still selling millions, and they're not even writing or performing together anymore! And just as with the Fab Four's timeless formula, the G-Vox guys have tapped into the same Pop vein, siphoning inspiration from the aforementioned as well as groups like Cheap Trick, Oasis, Jellyfish and the like to come out with an album of work that I can honestly say I'll personally treasure for as long as I have my hearing. I kid you not folks, the songwriting and arrangements are THAT damn good! Fueled by the songwriting force that is Jeff Sharp [vox & guitar], this 4-piece outfit originally formed in Auburn, and despite many member changes along the way, Jeff and Jamie Pressnell [drums] eventually brought into the fold Billy Fortenberry [bass guitar & vox] and the true rockstar soul that is Philip Shouse [lead guitar, vox & keys] to round out the band's latest (and arguably it's greatest) line up. Come to find out, this collection of songs range from the band's earliest written work up to the here and now, and was recorded in bits and pieces here and there until they had enough tunes for the album. However, in no way does that imply that there is a single ounce of "filler" on this effort, for just as Sum 41 puts it: All killer and no filler. Every song stands on it's own — individual vignettes within this strong body of work recorded by Decatur's "Ab Fab Four." [Yes, you heard it coined here first.] The arrangements are on par with the Pros, with wonderful layers of sounds ranging from subtle to complex and all points in between. I absolutely love the usage of the 70's Moog-esque keyboard tones throughout the disc! And the songwriting ... well, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to know by now that's the primary reason why I gave this album a solid 4-star rating. Sure, the production (sound) at times could've been a little better I guess, that is if you were to compare it with professionally produced albums of today, but there's no need to worry for the album sounds great despite it's somewhat Lo-Fi feel. [And just for the record, I'm a huge fan of Lo-Fi tones anyway, so more power to 'em!] With their own twist on traditional pop arrangements, Jeff and the G-Vox guys delve heavily into the subject of love throughout, but without resorting to overly-sappy and trite lyrics (as many pop acts of today often do). In fact, that's another thing I truly dig about Jeff's writing — finally, a pop lyricist who writes cool and tasteful lines, yet who can still get the song's message across with minimal verbiage. Lines like "Plastic heart, hold together / I'm not saying that you're wrong / Don't attack, but don't hold back / Start the verse and the world will sing along" from the final frontier ditty "Plastic" , and "What we got ain't healthy / It's more like 'Must See TV' / You turned into an Aaron Spelling show" from a tune we can all relate with, "Drama". Jeff knows how to get right to the point with poignancy rather than mindless lyrical filler, and as a fellow songwriter I have to give mondo props to him for that. Like I've already raved, every tune on this album stands strong on it's own, but with highlight tracks like the Sgt. Pepper-worthy "What About Our Love" (complete with outro fanfare), the mellow and moody feel of "Japanese Beetles" that in the end smacks of a strong Radiohead influence amongst these guys, and the devilishly delightful discotheque fave, "Come Dance With Me" ... well, simply put, these guys know how to write great songs and I predict it will carry them far in this Biz. And you know ... although I'm a rocker at heart, the disco tune is one of my faves simply for the brilliance of it. Were I to ever write a disco tune it would be a half-assed mock attempt at best, but Jeff's roots run deep on this one — right down to the walking octaves bass lines, the lush melody of the keyboard strings, the wonderfully subtle wah guitar lines and don't forget the cheesy drum machine hand claps! It's little details like I just mentioned along with their pop songwriting prowess that sets these guys head & shoulders above and light years beyond your average local pop band. Maximum respect to Jeff, Phil, Billy and Jamie on this one, for this album could just one day become what it's title suggests (even if only locally at first). These guys are a true credit to the local scene and an absolute treat to witness live, so catch a show while you still can for you never know when they might just take off into Power Pop stardom!- Craig Smoot(Black Label) 8-08-01 Greetings from Huntsville... Here are some of the goings-on in local and area music. Summer has been good to area music with the appearance of several newer bands to the scene, not least of which is the ultra-cool stylings of Decatur-based pop stars Girlfriend Voice. The band is making a serious move with their new record, "The Greatest Selling Album Of All Time," and winning fans all over the South with their huge pop noise collages. Describing themselves as the "anti-Creed", Girlfriend Voice takes its cues from the Beatles, Cheap Trick and even The Who, but with a truly modern slant. Rumors of a fire-breathing guitar player are making the band a local legend, and the band truly delivers the goods onstage and then some. Guitarist/ vocalist Jeff Sharp and multi-instrumentalist Philip Shouse lead the onslaught, with Shouse slinging his big-ass Gibson Explorer around like Pete Townshend on methamphetamine. Drummer Jamie Pressnell keeps it heavy and steady whilst bassist Billy Fortenberry holds his own and drives it home. The G-Vox boys hit it hard this month through the rest of the year, including stops at Huntsville's Big Spring Jam on Sunday, April 30th and Nashville's Exit/In on Friday, August 31st, but astute listeners will want to catch Girlfriend Voice at the intimate gathering at Huntsville's Cheers on August 10th with twisted pop band Karma Parade and Huntsville's answer to U2, Saturn 5. Girlfriend Voice, a Marshall stack of love for you. Mike Kilpatrick (Black Root Ensemble)

Additional Info We're Great.

Location Decatur, AL - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).