Artist description The Hand Merchants is four-piece band based out of Sacramento, California. Together they perform an unusual style of melodically rich, rhythmically engaging music which combines elements of folk, jazz, rock, and a bit of oregano (preheat oven to 375o).

Music Style Folk Fusion

Musical Influences If they had to pick one (each)...Chet loves Pat Metheny, Jay picks Geddy Lee, Weston said Stewart Copland, and Joshua would have to pick Michael Hedges.

Similar Artists XTC, Barenaked Ladies, Sting, Crowded House, Paul Simon, The Great Binjuento...

Artist History The Hand Merchants originally formed in 1994 as a vehicle to keep Joshua(guitar & vocals) and Weston(drums) occupied as they had no television. About 3 years ago, they enlisted the help of Jay Leek(bass, who has a great TV) and Chet Egbert(guitar, no TV) to complete the sound you hear today. Their first CD, "The Hand Merchants," featured the band in their early stages...mostly acoustic. Now, with pre-production of their latest album in progress, and Weston having a new 27" Sony Trinitron, the group plans to show off their "edgy" side. Look for their new release in late winter of 2002. Oh, yeah...Joshua now has a small 19" TV/ VCR combo, but it has no remote, it only gets channel 2, and it is stuck in closed caption mode. Plans are in the making to upgrade this winter to a 27" with DVD! WooHoo Girl!

Group Members Chet Egbert, Jay Leek, Joshua Ray, Weston, & The Great Binjuento!

Instruments Acoustic Guitar + Bass + Drums + Electric Guitar + Vocals = NEAT STUFF!!!

Albums The Hand Merchants (self-titled/ acoustic)

Additional Info Only two of the four members have a "j" in their names. Can you guess who they are? (If you choose the correct band members, your name will be placed in a drawing to receive a raffle ticket for the drawing held last month.)

Location Sacramento, California - USA

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