Artist description 4-piece rock band big on harmony vocals and catchy tunage.

Music Style Alternative Rock

Musical Influences Toad the Wet Sprocket, REM, JudyBats, XTC

Similar Artists We tend to sound like a slightly agitated Toad the Wet Sprocket

Artist History The Housemarys used to say, "We just write pop songs" when asked to describe the band's sound. But now that ears are perking up beyond their home base of Bloomington, Indiana, it's becoming apparent that Housemarys music might have more to offer than your standard batch of sugar-pop ditties. "Don't take this the wrong way, but we've taken to calling it fungus rock," said vocalist, guitarist and main songwriter Sean Jackson. "The first listen is nice and the second listen is pretty cool, too, but give our songs some time and they really start to grow on you. Then if you're lucky the hallucinations kick in." Some of those infected were the major artists and industry professionals who judged Musician magazine's Best Unsigned Bands competition last year. Out of thousands of submissions from around the world, The Housemarys were chosen as one of the top 12 unsigned bands in North America by Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Art Alexakis (Everclear), Ani DiFranco, Moby, Keb' Mo' and Eric Johnson. The band appeared on a promotional disc produced by Atlantic Records that was distributed to major and independent labels everywhere. So The Housemarys must be more than bubblegum popsters. And in fact, for every few songs that rely solely on hooky choruses and lush melody lines, the band has a tune that could be played on alternative, AAA, or even adult contemporary radio. Where the band's first disc, Antibus, left off with the wistful "Finest Grain," the trippy "Spaceman," or the jammin' first single "Don't Even," the new material Jackson and company have placed on their 11-song demo CD, I Know, I Know, promises to appeal to anyone interested in smart, contemporary pop rock music. "We're lucky to have a Sean Jackson," said bassist Mike Moore, "someone who can pretty effortlessly come up with great pop songs that aren't silly or contrived. Or if they are silly, they're so much fun and the lyrics have enough of a bite that you don't care." Indeed, Jackson's lyrics are poignant, giddy, bitter, sweet, cynical, celebratory, and always sincere, sometimes all in the same song. He seems to write about the world as he endures it -- how it nips him in the ass, but then cheers him up before all hope is lost. His sentiments persuade all of us who suffer through the drudgery of everyday life to share a laugh or a tear while absorbing a soundscape that pairs the luxuriant simplicity of Toad the Wet Sprocket and the Ocean Blue with a slightly less righteous REM. Now that they've won some national kudos and have 25 quality songs to play altogether, The Housemarys need to sell their wares on the road, the airwaves, and the alt-rags of America. They're beginning to establish a name for themselves in Chicago and Cincinnati in addition to a variety of Indiana markets, but they won't be stopping there. "Yeah, we especially need to keep playing," Sean sighed. "When I get onstage, it's the only time that I truly worry about nothing."

Group Members Sean Jackson (v/g), Mike Moore (b/v), Johnny Richards (g/v), Steve Weems (d/v)

Instruments Guitar, drums, bass, vocals, harmony vocals, assorted gadgetry

Albums "Antibus," "I Know, I Know" (demo). Also appeared on "Live From Bloomington '96," "Live From Bloomington '99" and "Musician Magazine's Best Unsigned Bands of 1998" compilations

Press Reviews Winner, Musician magazine's Best Unsigned Band competition; Winner, 10 Best Regional Releases of the Year (NUVO Newsweekly, Indianapolis); "The Housemarys just seem to get better and better with age...Music that is not only candy to the ear, but poignant, sincere and celebratory of life." (Bloomington Independent); "The songwriting and execution sets the disc apart. Clearly, there is commercial potential...The Housemarys sit perched for bigger things." (Indie-Music.com); "Pop songs for today's irreverent group of drifters." (Indianapolis Star & News); "...alternative rock at its best. The Housemarys should be proud." (MTV Online); "...addictive guitar riffs, smoldering sensuality...'Antibus' stakes its claim in the center of the modern rock spectrum." (Bloomington Voice); "The Housemarys are an easy group to like...The strength of Jackson's vocals paired with a true respect for the craft of songwriting is what sets them apart." (bc magazine); "...radio-friendly, hooky tunes...It's straighforward pop rock in the vein of Toad or the Ocean Blue." (Out-n-About)

Additional Info We have an 11-song demo that's received praise from a number of labels. An EP of even more new stuff is scheduled for late '99. And we have shirts, too!

Location Bloomington, IN - USA

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