Artist description Engagingly melodic and surprising, Doctor Pocket is a tight, explosive rock band full of the kind of artistry that has become increasingly rare.

Music Style Rock with a touch of funk and jazz

Musical Influences Betraying a huge spectrum of influences ranging from (in no particular order) Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, Aerosmith, Stevie Wonder, and Queen, to the Allman Brothers, P-Funk, the Dave Matthews Band, and a dozen other crafters of smart, memorable music.

Similar Artists Steeley Dan, Jamiroquai, Aerosmith

Artist History Born from healthy roots in the Northeastern jamband scene, Doctor Pocket has blossomed into a full-grown original rock band that defies classification. Starting with the solid foundation of drummer Matt Belardinelli, and bassist Brett Hobin. You have a rhythm section that can be both invisible and overwhelming all at once. Pounding, graceful, or inventive, this Doctor’s pockets are DEEP! Seamlessly blending melody and rhythm, guitarists Jim Adamo and Tom Binasco play off of each other with all the taste in the world. Creating endless textures and inviting hooks, they exchange voices and parts like they were born to play together. On top of this magical carpet of music floats the warm and thoughtful voice of Joshua Farrell. From the very first line Farrell takes off and the listener is invited to come along for the lyrical ride. The 2002 Syracuse Area Music (SAMMY) award winning Doctor Pocket has wasted no time and released their 3rd CD “Turn It Around”. This collection of original music shows off the passion, polish, and diversity of these exceptional young musicians. New music at it’s charismatic best, Doctor Pocket is rising above and beyond!

Group Members Joshua Farrell-Lead Vocals Jim Adamo-Guitar Tom Binasco-Guitar Brett Hobin-Bass Matt Belardinelli-Drums

Albums Live At The Legendary Hungry Charley's-1998, With Great Speed-1999, Turn It Around-2002

Press Reviews Nominated for a 1999 Sammy Award for Best Rock Group, Doctor Pocket is one of the many impressive new acts whose music defies easy description or categorization. On the recent CD With Great Speed (DP Productions), Doctor Pocket marries the fresh musical explorations generally associated with jazz to funky, complex rhythm patterns powered by a driving force normally described as rock. If one could take the funky exuberance of George Clinton, recorded with the studio polish of Earth, Wind and Fire, and then let the Artist Formerly Known as Prince have his way with the mix, the results might well sound like Doctor Pocket.The band's best asset, however, remains the extraordinary vocals of lead singer and songwriter Joshua Farrell, one of the most gifted singers ever to be recorded here in Central New York (in this case, at Todd Hobin Studios). Farrell has a voice worthy of national recognition, on par with fellow Central New York vocal powerhouse Isreal Hagan. Where Hagan's voice defines the soulfulness of rhythm'n'blues, however, Farrell's vocal timbre and phrasing display more of a funk and jazz orientation.The 10 original songs on Speed (plus an excellent bonus cut, found at track 17), display a polished professionalism that should attract listeners with the sheer undeniable quality of the whole presentation. Guitarists and background vocalists Jimmy Adamo and Tim Binasco contribute enough rocky guitar riffs to satisfy a Van Halen junkie, but always within the context of songs that favor groove over grunge. Drummer and background vocalist Matt Belardinelli uses a mixed bag of stylish rhythm patterns. He is aided and abetted by forever-funky bassist Steven T. Winston, who also lays down the bottom for the blues group Los Blancos.Even within a single song, such as "Steadywalk," there's enough variety to fill a complete album for most other groups. The song's brief intro begins with a rhythmic jolt that sounds like a "rock alert," but soon downshifts into an easy-moving groove that gets played out with jazz and rock accents. Lyrically, Farrell and company throw in enough interesting ideas to intrigue the more-than-casual listener: "Billie's got her bounce and Ella you know she can scat/ Everybody knows that my man Miles, he is a real smooth cat/ When I sing, I try to swing my thing in a way like that." The complex and somewhat mysterious "Moment of Weakness" describes a passion that sounds addictive, while the playfully repetitive "Whaddya Say" fixates on the phrase, "Whaddya say, Lady J, can you come out and play?" On this song, and the stutter-step shuffle "Get on the Train," the Voodoo Horns (trumpeter Rob Robson, baritone saxophonist Rodney Zajac and trombonist David Hewitt) contribute some exciting brass accents. And on this "Train," as elsewhere on the disc, Doctor Pocket's swinging vocal harmonies add yet another measure of musical pleasure to an already fun-filled excursion.The serious-minded "Second-Class Passenger" clocks in at nine minutes and features some attention-getting jamming, with percussionist Ron Hagan slapping the congas on the lively Caribbean-flavored number, "Prodigy's Glow." The dynamically flowing, often complex nature of Doctor Pocket's music sustains itself with an engaging, rhythmic drive that will hold any audience. These songs seem intended, however, for sophisticated fans of grooves that fall outside the mainstream. This is one funky physician whose prescriptions deliver seriously potent musical medicine, but heed this warning: Doctor Pocket may be habit-forming.

Location Syracuse, NY - USA

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