Artist description The Barnacles are a double-fronted band hailing from St. Louis, Missouri and have a distinctly American musical style blending rock and pop sensibilities with folk, alternative country, retro, and at times with other elements. You may or may not find many crazy stage antics but you will encounter a very energetic and enthusiastic band containing three prolific songwriters with tunes that are memorable, and even perhaps unforgettable. You'll find yourself either singing along, dancing, tapping your toes, or maybe even - crying. You can expect to hear carefully placed two and three part harmonies and a driving rhythm section from this band as well as an engaging live performance!

Music Style Pop/Rock/Folk/alt.country

Musical Influences Wilco, R.E.M., Gordon Lightfoot, Tom Waits, Great Big Sea, Blue Rodeo, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac

Similar Artists Wilco, R.E.M., Blue Rodeo,

Artist History From its first inception late 2000/early 2001, The Barnacles were picked to receive video-play of a live performance on the CBS affiliated program Mid-Coast Mania which airs on Channel 4 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Barnacles are currently receiving airplay on 148 radio stations in just about every state in the U.S. with promotions on-going. Their first CD, an EP titled "WIRELESS" was self-released on July 3, 2001 and is currently being carried in many independent-friendly retail stores throughout Missouri and Illinois where the band currently plays regionally. When the first radio promotion for WIRELESS hit 80% pick-up rate, the band decided to expand that promotion which ended at a 95% pick-up rate, putting the Barnacles at the #1 spot at their promotion firm for four straight weeks. The Barnacles new release, a full-length CD titled "INLAND & OTHERWISE", is also currently being promoted to radio. Most recently the CD was picked up by TABC's syndicated show "The Best of Rock" for medium rotation on its 78 affiliated stations. INLAND & OTHERWISE is rapidly gaining airplay across the U.S. And a larger regional or possibly national tour is under discussion. Meanwhile, back home, The Barnacles were invited to be the featured band in September 2002 on their "home-town" radio station WVRV 101.1 The River in St. Louis, MO where they were interviewed and performed live supported by the station promoting the new CD and were declared by that station's listeners as "River Worthy" on it's "musical court". But more about The Barnacles themselves... The Barnacles have three vocal contributors in Brian Olen Spencer (Guitars, Vocals) offering a warm resonate voice, Randy Belt (Bass, Vocals) adding a dynamic vocal range and smooth tones, and Kevin Hartman (Guitars, Vocals) who offers an idiosyncratic and tempered vocal style. And though his voice is silent, Jake Burton sits behind it all on his drums voicing out the beats needed to make this melting pot of sound come alive with rhythm. Featuring voices that blend in harmony extremely well and an interchange of musical ideas, this group offers a diversely blended sound of original music that sticks to its roots of influence while also seeking to discover new horizons. Those roots of influence include such diverse bands such as: The Old 97s, Wilco, Son Volt, Bare Naked Ladies, The Eagles, REM, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, The Police, The Dave Matthews Band, as well as Gordon Lightfoot, and Blue Rodeo. The Barnacles began forming in late 2000 as Brian Olen Spencer (guitarist and singer/songwriter) began playing out under that name. Accompanied at first by a percussionist friend and playing as a folk/rock duo, the solidification came in early 2001 when Spencer formed a songwriting partnership with Randy Belt (bassist and singer/songwriter) bringing a pop element and melodic style of bass playing into the sound. Later the third songwriter, Kevin, would throw in with Brian and Randy bringing in his eccentric guitar work, additional vocals and songwriting skills. The Barnacles are usually joined in the studio and onstage by Jake Burton bringing in a steady and often polyrhythmic beat filling out the group's sound.

Group Members Brian Olen Spencer - 6 & 12 string guitars, mandolin, vocals; Randy Belt - bass, piano/keyboards, vocals; Kevin Hartman - guitars, harmonica, vocals; Jake Burton - Drums (all members play various other instruments at any given time)

Instruments 6 and 12-string acoustic guitars, electric guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, mandolin, maracas, tambourine, drum kit, harmonica, shaker, bongos, knee slaps,

Albums Inland & Otherwise (2002), Wireless (2001)

Press Reviews by Jim Dunn Playback Inland & Otherwise.... a flavorful mix of alt-country, pop, and rock, has several amazingly good songs. The band boasts that all three members sing lead and each does, quite well. When they harmonize, as on “Tide Beckons Me” or “Third Degree Burn” they impress even more. ...this band is capable of producing something great. Inland & Otherwise is a remarkable start toward that greatness. Angel Davis Sheheshe Music Services We recently received the latest album and it’s a winner! From the first track to the 11th, it will transport you to places you enjoy remembering, the beach, a trip up Pacific Coast Highway along the California coast on a sunny day, or your favorite chair in the yard, it will be a place you will love returning to in your mind. One thing that The Barnacles has that is unique is three separate writers, each good in their own right, each with several tracks on this album. I highly recommend this album! You will agree that there are many good reasons why The Barnacles made #1 on our Radio Chart two weeks (four weeks)in a row!

Location St. Louis, Missouri - USA

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