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PETE YORN |
BIO
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The talented multi-instrumental
Pete Yorn can play just about anything. Acoustic/electric/bass
guitars, synth strings, the harmonica, handclaps, percussion, vibes,
piano, analog synth, synth strings, tambourine, keyboard, 12 string
acoustic guitar, e-bow, finger cymbals, and wow...aren't you
impressed? He writes his own lyrics, sings, drums like you can't
imagine, and is a producer as well. Not bad for a guy who claims he
can't whistle.
Pete was born in New Jersey on July 27, 1974. He grew up with
music in the house as his mother, a former concert pianist, taught
Pete about the piano. His father also learned instruments. None that
would really help form Pete's musical career since dental tools
aren't normally showcased. Rick, one of Pete's two older brothers,
had a drum kit that little Petey started playing on when he was just
9. It's was his favorite instrument because "I feel the rhythm and I
just love playing" - PY. A few years later at 12, Pete learned the
guitar at summer camp where a kid showed him how to really play. It
was just a year earlier that he had to take a mandatory guitar class
(that he didn't do so well in because he had no interest). Some of
his major influences on him then were Johnny Marr (Smiths)
and Peter Buck (REM). During a vacation in the Bahamas
Pete was introduced into a new musical realm...the "brit pop." A
girl he met down there introduced him to the sounds of Morrissey
and the Smiths. This guy still digs his metal bands though
like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.
After a high school talent show, Pete broke out from being the
drummer in his band, to a singer. (Wouldn't we all love to hear him
speak in an English accent now). He wowed the crowd even though he
never sang in public before. Afterwards, Pete was singing and
writing his own material. He then went to Syracuse University where
he would study communications, political science, and accounting
(hard settling on a major). Fellow band mates Waz and Joe
Kennedy met Pete here. After graduating, he headed out to Los
Angeles to pursue music. Of course that also meant some other jobs
like a bank teller and a PA for a production company. He had a band
called Million, and I'm not quite sure where that fits in,
but the future for Pete here was bright at LA's Cafe Largo where he
would jump start his career as he obtains a following that developed
from 3 years of playing around the area. Demos were going around and
one was given to Bradley Thomas (film producer) who caught
one of Pete's performances. The Farrellys picked up some of
the songs in their film "Me, Myself and Irene." Yorn was also asked
to score the picture.
Most of the recording was done in the basement of Pete's home and in
Walt's garage once he hit a deal with Columbia Records
that he received after playing the acoustic guitar for a record
executive. The whole thing was made on a computer...well the mixing
and tweaking that is. Otherwise we'd all have Pete in our hard
drives. It gave the record that indie vibe and mix of Brit-pop and
American roots. Pete wanted to create an album that was honest,
something he could be proud of, and music that would make him feel
good while driving around in his car (if you haven't tried this...do
it!) He wanted a band who could represent the music well and honest.
So he got his pals to come in.
A lot of the songs on Musicforthemorningafter were
written from a beat. Pete says it gets a rhythm in his head which
leads to the development of a song. It's more about the vibe than
the lyrics (which he gets inspiration from reading, life
experiences, and the people around him...but they are not all
autobiographical). This is why no music is written down, but the
lyrics are. So if you want to know the chords to something ask an
expert.
Recently, Pete has partnered up with Marc Dauer (of the
Jukebox Junkies) and the ultra-cool Rami Jaffee (of
The Wallflowers) to form their own label called Trampoline
Records. They recently put out a cd titled Greatest Hits
Volume 1 that features upcoming and unknown artists, side
projects, and more.
His musical goal is to have this be a lasting career and to have
people take from his music to feel good. Live off that vibe!
-written by Karmen |
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FACTS |
15 Fun Facts & Quotes (amusement
for the fans)
1. PY's a lefty, but plays a guitar more than all righty.
2. Has a photogenic pet crab named Shelly.
3. Favorite movies: Shampoo, Jaws, Being There, Sunset
Boulevard, Meatballs, and all Woody Allen films.
4. A fraction of his favorite records:
Bruce Springsteen: Darkness on the Edge of Town,
Velvet Underground: Loaded, David Bowie: Low,
The Smiths: The Queen is Dead, AC/DC: Back in Black,
and Motley Crue: Shout at the Devil.
5. His brother Rick used to be the drummer in his band for
years and is also a "die-hard" music fan along with his other
brother Kevin.
6. Lou Reed is his favorite songwriter.
7. He's an optimist and the process of writing songs has
helped made him a happier person.
8. "I've always been little Yorn."
9. "Murray" is the favorite song to perform live.
10. The Oakland Raiders are his favorite team.
11. Family, Fishing, and Movies are some other interests in
Pete's life besides music.
12. "I
didn't want people to think I am the sensitive singer-songwriter
guy. We get up and rock it out."
13. "We've never seen
you so quiet before." - Friends on Pete meeting Springsteen.
14. 6 feet tall. Not sure why you'd want to know that.
15. "I've got some other stories I could tell you, but they
might look bad in print."- Pete |
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The
Dirty Birds Band |
Luke Adams
role: drums
(also vocals, engineer, percussion, bells, clapping, shaker,
tambourine, and oooh the wood block) |
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Luke is a native of New Brunswick, New
Jersey. He was chosen after Pete heard 45 other drummers. He "just
got it," the personal vibe of the record which he could bring out in
the live shows that those studio pros just couldn't do. He has a
band called Every Single Saturday that recently put out a cd
titled Building in 2001. He also did work with the Lucky
Bishops in 2000.
Links:
▪
PopMatters Music Review
Favorable review of Luke's other bands' cd.
▪ Esoterica Music
Review
Favorable review of Luke's other band's cd. |
Terry Borden
role: bass
(also backing vox, guitar, synthesizer, vocals, producer) |
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Terry is the touring bassist. He was
born on November 22nd. He was part of the band Idaho around 1995 and
still continues to play bass for them on their records. A few years
later, along with fellow bird Joe Kennedy, he formed a group called
Flotilla in which he had producing credits. They also came
together for another band called Happily Ever After. Recently
noted a departure from the DirtyBird nest.
Links:
▪ Idaho
A site for the band with history, lyrics, and sounds.
▪ Snack Cake
Interview with Terry's band Idaho |
Jason
Johnson
role: guitar
(also recorder) |
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Jason is the current touring
guitarist. He's done some work on Pete's cd where he recorded "Just
Another" with R. Walt Vincent. His birthday is on April 27, 1978. On
the cover of the Musicforthemorningafter album he's the one
with the really cool tattoo. Jason was a founding member of
Paloalto before a band member shuffle. From that he went on to
record for Pete's cd. He has been with Pete for quite awhile
as he played in Pete's old band Million.
Links:
▪
Paloalto
Official site for the current band. |
Joe Kennedy
role: piano, guitar
(also backing vox, bass, vocals) |
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Joe was classmates with Pete at
Syracuse University. In 1999, he along with bassist Terry Borden
were part of a group called Flotilla and released a cd. Shortly
after, they had their own band with the additon of Brian Sussman on
Drums and Paul Gagliardi who played guitar (replaced later by Zak
Shaefer) and they formed the band Happily Ever After. They
spawned some songs that are now available on MP3.com and have
contributed their track "Little Silver Car" to Trampoline Records
Greatest Hits Vol. 1 with it's 60s and 70s inspired pop sounds.
He rocks out on April 9th.
Links:
▪
MP3.com - Happily Ever After
Listen to tracks from this quartet.
▪ Trampoline Records
Contributed a track to their record compilation cd. |
R. Walt
Vincent
role: producer, recorder
(also touring bassist, bass, acoustic bass, banjo, b3 organ,
harmonica, electric guitar, piano, keyboards, rhythm programming,
programming, backing vox, mellotron, vibes, synth, shaker, and
handclaps on top of all that....show off. :-) ) |
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R. Walt has recorded and produced with
Pete on both of his albums. He was the original touring bassist for
the band before Terry Borden. However, for a recent tour he once
again stepped in as bassist. He has also many other producing
credits to his name, one of the most noted is Liz Phair.
Links:
▪ Liz Phair
Producer (his most often credit). the official liz site.
▪ Gush
Producer & mixer for this group
▪ Brad Byrd
Producer & mixer for this singer/songwriter
▪ Critter Jones
Producer for this young band |
Waz
role: guitar
(also backing vox, vocals) |
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Waz was classmates with Pete at
Syracuse University. He recently departed from the Dirty Bird nest
to pursue a solo career. He recently released an EP titled Mine
To Remember. You can order it today as well with other
merchandise at www.wazmusic.com.
He can be seen playing shows around the LA area. His birthday is
September 18th.
Links:
▪ Waz Music
Waz's original website. Full of the latest news.
▪ World of Waz
Fan site. |
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The
British Birds |
Minibar
members:
Simon Petty (vocals, guitar), Tim Walker (guitars), Sid Jordan
(bass), and Malcolm Cross (drums)
(Pete's backup band, fellow Trampoline Records musicians) |
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Minibar, a quartet from Britain,
packed their bags to pursue the music business in the US. With their
first album, Road Movies, the toured with numerous bands
including The Wallflowers. Their second cd, Fly Below The
Radar, brought them on the road with Pete Yorn as an
opening act, and as the occasional backing band for some of his
concerts. They performed with Pete on the Ellen Degeneres Show as
well as "Ever Fallen In Love", a song featured on the Shrek 2
movie soundtrack.
Links:
▪ Minibar Fans
Comprehensive fansite
▪ Trampoline Records
Contributed a track to their record compilation cd & dvd |
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