Music Style Acoustic That Kicks

Musical Influences Beatles, Pink Floyd, Smashing Pumpkins, AIC, etc.

Similar Artists Dave Mathews, Dashboard Confessional, Smashing Pumpkins, etc.

Artist History Pat, Dave, Mike, & Steve started together as a four peace heavy band called Outlet in 1997. The band broke up after about a year and they all went their separate ways. Pat and Steve stayed in contact though and started writing songs on just acoustic guitars and with Pat singing. A few months later Dave came back with Pat and Steve and the SeeMonkeys were born. After jamming together and recording close to an album of material (all acoustic and LOTS of percussion) they hooked back up with Mike. Soon after Ray was brought into the project and filled out the sound. Masons Jar decided to keep playing only acoustic guitars to keep the integrity of the original SeeMonkys music, and it turns out that it works with a full band.

Group Members Patrick Mahoney - Vocals, Guitar Dave Banks - Bass Vocals Steve Zushin - Lead Guitar Mike Szpendyk - Drums, Vocals Ray Segedi - Guitar, Vocals

Instruments Yamaha, Ovation, Taylor, Pearl

Press Reviews We are all different people, and that fact is something that people have tried to change since the beginning of time! We want to be independent, and yet we also want everyone to think the same way that we do about things! And in that small observation, we find the reason that wars are fought and debates are held; it’s been this way since the beginning of time, and chances are, it will continue until the end of time! I mention this because I find myself trying to change everyone’s taste in music on a regular basis! My most frequent victim is my wife, Jenny. She has musical tastes that are totally different from mine. That fact is more than fine, but I always seem to find myself wanting her to like certain artists or songs that I like! She is a good sport, and will listen to most songs that I suggest, but in the end, she has her tastes, and I have mine! There are bands that we both like, though, and Mason's Jar happens to be one of those bands! This incredibly talented quintet from Cleveland has a very unique sound that sets them apart from almost every band that we have ever heard! They are an all-acoustic rock band, featuring fabulous guitar work from Patrick Mahoney, Steve Zushin, and Ray Segedi, backed by the powerful rhythm section of Dave Banks and Mike Szpendyk (bass and drums, respectively). Soaring above the incredible music are the powerful lead vocals of Patrick Mahoney, backed up by Segedi and Szpendyk. The guitar work is incredibly detailed on the three-song demo that the band has put together, and is one of two factors that make this band really great! Three different guitarists, playing very layered acoustic parts, create a beautiful and intricate sonic landscape! Nothing is complicated about the part that any one individual is playing, but the combined sound is phenomenal to me! The band is also able to achieve a driving feel to the songs, as well, that is particularly evident in “Message on the Ground”, my favorite song on the demo! The second factor that makes Mason's Jar an incredible band is the vocal work of Patrick Mahoney! Jenny and I both heard different artists in our heads when we first heard the vocal tracks; she immediately felt that he sounded like Jose Feliciano, while I heard the voice of Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson. In actuality, both opinions are valid; the acoustic sound of the band lends credence to Jenny’s opinion, while the driving, folk-rock sound supports my theory. Whatever the case, the vocals are stellar on this demo, and we both agree that he sounds phenomenal! Interesting melody lines are sung with great dexterity and emotion, and provided several moments of hair-raising chills for both of us as listeners! I don’t know that I can say enough with regard to this band! As I mentioned earlier, “Message on the Ground” is my favorite song, but the other two tracks are just as powerful, and just as good! “Alone at Midnight” is more of a ballad than the other two, and has qualities that remind me of the music of Hootie and the Blowfish. “Traffic” is a slower song, too, but it has more of a rock sound. All three songs are written superbly; you don’t get tired of hearing the songs again and again, because each time through, there is something else that you can find in the vocals, or the guitar lines, that holds your interest! If I had to compile a list of my very favorite bands listed here at MWB, this band would definitely make that list! They provide everything that I look for in a quality band, including interesting guitar work, outstanding vocals, and incredible song writing! To me, it’s impossible to walk away after hearing the work of Mason's Jar without finding something about them that you like! With the creation of their demo, Mason's Jar has carved a niche all for themselves in the world of independent music! If there is a must-have album or demo existing today, this one has got to be it! Truly unique-sounding bands are very rare, and when you get a chance to hear one, you shouldn’t pass that chance by! Make sure that you listen to the music of Mason's Jar, and if you like what you hear, let them know it by writing them a short note, or by checking them out when they come to a venue near you! I hope that great things happen for this band in the future, and that they will continue to write and record incredible music! ---Mark Lush, MWB 10/22/03 *Listen for Mason's Jar on MWB RADIO!

Location Cleveland, OH - USA

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