MetroSonics

Paul Josephs and MetroSonics (Brooklyn, NY) are "Psychedelic blue-eyed soul that rocks." - Tony Maimone
[Bassist/Producer/Engineer whose work can be heard with Pere Ubu, Bob Mould, They Might Be Giants, & Ani DiFranco.]
Paul Josephs grew up on Manhattan's Upper West Side when it was filled with artists, prostitutes and weed shops; pre-Guliani. He's the product of a hard working, New York Jewish mother and an estranged mid-western hippie/ outcast father. After a rocky childhood, obsessed with skateboarding, sports and mischief, Josephs began his professional music career at 16 playing with some of the leading lights of the New York blues scene. Once finding the guitar and songwriting, Josephs found an outlet to express the combination of tumult, love, and the experience of a wild New York that is his palate for his songwriting.
Drummer Frank Spencer hails from Far Rockaway queens. He and Josephs met as session musicians on an R&B gig. Upon hitting the first downbeat they felt an uncanny musical connection, and Josephs pulled Frank in as the drummer in his group. Just after recording the "Paul Josephs Project EP" Frank was sent to Riker's Island for a year on trumped up charges. While Frank was serving time, Josephs released his debut album, "Focused Fire", under the name MetroSonics. These two musicians form the foundation for Paul Josephs and MetroSonics and have reunited to complete their head-turning sophomore release, "Strong World", set to come out in the fall of 2011.
This is a rock band with sophistication and raw soul. Think, "Jimi Hendrix meets the Police at a Cee Lo concert and Citizen Cope is playing the after party." Playing live as a quartet, Paul Josephs forwards the charge on vocals and guitar, Yako 440 holds down 2nd guitar and triggers samples, Travius Sharpe rocks the bass while the electrifying Frank Spencer does things to the drums that bring to mind the legends of the set like John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) and Steve Gadd (Paul Simon, Steely Dan). The quartet expands to a septet for bigger shows featuring a three-piece horn section, and Paul Josephs also has a solo version of the set where he plays with his guitar, voice, and a loop pedal.



The crew has toured, recorded or performed with the likes of pop stars Beyonce & Faith Evans, hip hop group The Roots, jazz legend Herbie Hancock, as well as Coldplay, KRS-One, The Harlem Gospel Choir, and Maceo Parker.
Paul Josephs and MetroSonics have performed at many notable clubs, colleges and high-schools in New York City and throughout the North East including, The Blue Note, Joe's Pub, Bowery Ballroom, Town Hall, Irving Plaza, Mercury Lounge, Tin-Angel, Theater of The Living Arts, Southpaw, Nublu, Rockwood Music Hall, Wesleyan University, and Poly Prep high school.



Paul Josephs and MetroSonics are on the road with purpose, building on a continually growing fan base and leaving a trail of raised spirits in their wake.
party."
Focused Fire, the debut release, is a hip-hop album dedicated to New York City. The album features two singles, a yin and yang approach. U.S.E.W is a call to arms against neocolonialist behavior and ideology; renaming America 'United States of Exponential Waste'. The summer jam, 'Shirts Off', presents a brighter sound with an infectious groove and a sub bass massive enough to shake the cones out of your speakers. On this track be sure to take note of an unprecedented lyrical format, as both verses of the song are exactly the same rhythmically and phonetically but differ completely in meaning; the extended psychedelic jam at the end of the tune marks the album's identity as uncharted territory.
In performance, Josephs forwards the charge on vocals and guitar, Derek Nievergelt rocks the electric bass. Yako 440 holds down 2nd guitar, human beat-box, and triggers samples with an MPC 2000 sampler, while the electrifying Frank Spencer does things to the drums that would have him charged with assault and batterie if he didn't groove so hard.
MetroSonics has toured, recorded or performed with the likes of Beyonce, The Roots, Herbie Hancock, Sharon Jones and the Dapkings, Coldplay, KRS-One, Africa Bambaataa, The Harlem Gospel Choir, and Maceo Parker.
MetroSonics released the group's debut album, Focused Fire, in early 2010 to a sold-out crowd in Brooklyn NY. The crew is now set to release their sophomore album in the spring of 2011; one that will define the 'Tuf Soul' sound. The band is on the road with purpose, building on a continually growing fan base and leaving a trail of raised spirits in their wake.
The DEBUT ALBUM, "FOCUSED FIRE", IS READY TO SHIP AND DOWNLOAD. GO TO:HTTP:// STORE.METROSONICSMUSIC.COM.



FOR BOOKING CONTACT : booking@metrosonicsmusic.com