The Semantics
The Semantics | |
---|---|
Also known as | Spence Powers Owsley, Parade |
Origin | Sony Music Publishing, Geffen , Alfa International |
Past members |
The Semantics was an American pop rock band from
History
Jody Spence and Owsley began writing songs after a couple of years of touring with
Within a month of meeting each other, Spence, Powers and Owsley had written and recorded entire albums worth of songs at the Sony Tree studio, 7 of which would later end up on the Geffen Records album Powerbill. The trio played a few shows in and around Nashville under the names "Spence Powers Owsley" and "Parade" with Folds sitting in on keys sometimes. The name "Jody's Powerbill", often confused with "The Semantics", was a name that Folds had suggested for the trio which they didn't use. Folds used the name himself for a while before becoming Ben Folds Five. After a trip to Los Angeles and changing their name to "The Semantics", the trio developed a buzz within the major labels which eventually brought John Kalodner of Geffen Records to Nashville, Tennessee for a showcase and the band ended up signing with him.[3]
In the search for a producer, tensions grew between the three and Jody Spence ended up leaving the band. Spence was eventually replaced by drummer Zak Starkey, Ringo Starr's son. A producer was eventually found in Peter Asher, under whose tutelage the band members worked for four years on the album Powerbill, a process which had taught the band members much about the production process[4] and about management.[3] Powerbill was initially slated for release in 1993, but was never released in the U.S for being "too pop for alternative and too alternative for pop."[5] It eventually got distributed in Japan through Alfa International on December 21, 1996.[6][7][8]
Although suddenly being dropped from the label initially left some band members destitute and broke,
Powers, Starkey and Spence continue to perform and record. Will Owsley died in April 2010, as the result of an apparent suicide. [citation needed]
Discography
- Powerbill (1993), Geffen Records (unreleased)
- Powerbill (December 21, 1996), Alfa International (Japan)
References
- ^ McCall, Michael (18 March 1999). "Second Chance". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
- All Media Network. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ a b c "Second chance: Nashville rocker gets burned, emerges from the ashes with a winning LP". Nashville Scene. Nashville, TN. March 18, 1999.
- ^ "Picks and pans main: Song". People. Vol. 51, no. 15. New York. April 26, 1999.
- ^ Everything2 (February 7, 2001). Owsley. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ Publishing information listed on packaging of physical copy of Japanese pressing of Powerbill
- ^ Damas, Jason. "The Semantics". AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
- ^ VanTassell, Kathy (November 21, 2004). "Zak Starkey's work with: The Semantics", Kathy's Zak Starkey Site. Retrieved May 12, 2010.