Very rarely these days does one come across a band with a long history. Rock and Roll, itself has a long list of legendary bands that have battled through adversity and misfortune, only to prove their sustaining presence as musical force. In more recent times, bands come and go; groups split up after just a couple of years. It seems that the ideal of ’sticking to your guns’ is in short supply. Groups write songs about the world around them, rather than relying on actual life experience; songs, and bands alike, lack substance and conviction. You’ve just stumbled across one band that aims to change all that.
Up With The Joneses was created as the musical brain-child of long-time friends, T.J. Greever (vox, guitar) and Matt Bohannon (guitar) during the spring of 1999 in Chattanooga, TN. The 2 recruited high-school friends T.R. Hill (drums) and Walter Alvarez (bass) and began writing and performing original material around the local area. Drawing on common influences such as Jane’s Addiction, Black Sabbath, The Beatles, and an overall appreciation for Southern Rock, they quickly became one of the most hyped local acts, and began playing around the Southeast region.
In the Summer of 2001, the group released its first full-length album, Numbers & Vultures. Recorded over an 8-month period in 2000, the album featured 13 original compostitions that leaned heavily on the shoulders of the group’s Southern Rock and Funk influences. After a string of southeastern shows, in mid-2002, Greever and Bohannon were faced with their first major setback when their current drummer and bassist announced that they were leaving the band. Immediately a search began, hunting for a new rhythm section. They quickly landed Joe Grubbs (bass), who attracted the attention of up-and-coming local drummer, Adam Brown (drums, vox). It didn’t take long for the four to gel musically, and the group was able to pick back up on its regular touring schedule. They almost immediately began to write new material, as well, this time leaning on their love of Alternative music for inspirado.
2003 saw the band returning to a heavy show schedule, and the release of a limited edition live EP. The touring would continue into 2004, until late in the year, when disaster struck. Late one unfortunate rainy evening, frontman T.J. Greever was badly injured in a car accident. The band was put on hold indefinitely as Greever recovered in a hospital room. After a couple of months, a few surgeries, the band began writing in the Winter of 2004. Although unable to play guitar due to a broken wrist, Greever attended rehearsals and contributed to new material.
January 25, 2005 marked the band’s triumphant return to the stage. Encouraged by fans’ overwhelming show of support, the band, once again, picked up their touring schedule. 2005 would see the group release its 3rd album, a compilation of live songs from the past 3 years of touring. It would see the band play a handful of capacity shows, including an appearance at Chattanooga’s Riverbend Festival. During an unexpected hiatus, in which drummer, Adam Brown, announced his intent to leave the group, tragedy struck once again.
Joe Grubbs, the band’s bassist and close friend, died on an overnight climbing trip with his friends on August 26, 2005. He had only been in the group 3 years, but his enthusiasm, drive, and positive attitude had become an integral part of the band’s persona. The 3 remaining members needed time away from the group, as the dynamic was lost without Grubbs. A memorial fund was established in Joe’s name to raise money for students who were, themselves, unable to raise sufficient funds to put themselves through college. The fund also raised money through periodic concerts in which local bands play. Greever and Bohannon continued to play together at these functions in one form or another, always receiving a familiar response and appreciation from fans. The music, and its energy was transcending the players. Joe’s energy was still in the music he had played with the band.
In late 2006, after a long and uncertain stagnant period, the decision was made to bring in Dan Pinson (bass), a long-time friend and former bandmate of Brown’s, just to see if a similar band dynamic could be recreated. The group felt that it needed someone that was just as close to the band personally as they were musically, and couldn’t have been more satisfied with the result. After a test run of 3 shows, Up With The Joneses was back, up and running by late December 2006. The rebirth of the band brought with it a new appreciation for life, and a bigger, more positive energy. Because of the musical history between Brown and Pinson, the rhythm section was even tighter now than ever before, allowing the true power of the groups’ live shows to be unleashed.
In 2007 and 2008, the band would release their 4th album, "Melt Your Face Off (Live)!" and tour extensively in its support up. These tours brought them much farther from home than ever before, allowing the group to reach music fans up and down the east coast, including appearances at Red Gorilla Music Festival (Austin), The Bitter End (NYC), The 40 Watt (Athens), Milestone Club (Charlotte), Exit/In (Nashville), Grape Street (Philadelphia), among myriad other venues throughout the east, before taking a small break to record new material.
August 2009 will see Up With The Joneses release their 2nd full-length studio album since their inception, “Over The Sound.” The band took some time making this record, in order to ensure that they were making the best possible album for the moment. They recruited a small list of family and friends to help record and create cohesive art for the project, resulting in a true collaborative effort. “Over The Sound” is a comprehensive collection of the music the group has strived to create these last few years, and very representative of the incendiary genre-bending live shows they are known for, easily their best album to date.
As the group gears up to tour once again in support of “Over The Sound,” look for them to bring the show to your hometown (and if they aren’t, please feel free to suggest that they do). Coupled with the life-experiences and versatility of a seemingly legendary band history, and the unbridled excitement and raw power of their love for live music, Up With The Joneses are now more focused and energized than ever before and ready to rock. This is one band you don’t want to miss!!
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