Junior Doctor

Artist Information

Biography

Attending a prestigious, yet undisclosed, med-school in 2007, Junior Doctor began at a slow burn. With a few member changes, lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Mark Hartman, enlisted the creative energy of classmates Jarrod Kearney (drums) and Richard Peidro (bass). When the time came to prepare their next move, they were ready. The three boys left med-school and used their tuition money to purchase musical equipment and released the Take The Pain EP with notable producer Matt Goldman (Cartel, Underoath, Anberlin). Now that the slow burn has transformed into a healthy blaze, and with the help of incredibly dedicated fans, it's spreading toward your hometown faster and faster every day.

Junior Doctor has become the Space Coast's flagship power-pop quartet with the members making Cocoa Beach their home base. With their roaring guitar lines, pounding rhythmic sequences and energetic live shows it's no wonder the band is gathering state wide momentum. The "What I Do" music video has had over 30,000 views on YouTube and 101.1 WJRR in Orlando has played the single in rotation on its native noise program. The word is spreading far past Florida as the band has had over a million plays on their MySpace page

The band has been anxious to get back into the studio after writing 25 new songs this past year. To ring in the New Year, Junior Doctor has recently re-entered the studio with Matt Goldman again at the helm and are finishing up a CD to be released in the fall of 2010. The band narrowed down the songs and they feel like they are growing as writers and musicians. At the end of the recording process the band had the opportunity to write and record with the all star production team of Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount (All Time Low, Mayday Parade, Go Radio). It went so well that they decided to pushed back the release date and they had Zack and Kenneth mix the whole record.

During the recording process in January the band brought in a new lead guitarist Yazmani Velazquez. He has added another dimension to the band with his musical training and his harmony singing compliments Mark’s lead vocal styles.

How it is that Junior Doctor strikes an almost perfect balance between hook-laden pop and rock is unclear. How Mark's songs seem to resonate with so many people is a grand mystery as well. There is however, one thing that is certain.

The Doctor is in, and heart surgery never sounded so good.

Instrumentation

Mark Hartman - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Jarrod Kearney - Drums
Richard Peidro - Bass
Terrence Donnelly

Discography

Take The Pain EP: Released June 2008

Hit Track "What I Do" on 101.1 WJRR's Native Noise.

Official Website

http://www.jrdrmusic.com

Audio

• Uh Oh
  Listen  
• Perfect Girl (Make Her Mine)
  Listen  
• Keep On
  Listen  
• Impressive
  Listen  
• Not Now
  Listen  
• Back Home
  Listen  
• What I Do
  Listen  
• Wrong Place, Right Time
  Listen  
• Leaving
  Listen  

Lyrics

• What I Do
• Leaving

Video

What I Do

Photo Gallery

Press

• Junior Doctor sounds off at Paradise Skate Park [+ Show ]
  

  With a new CD in the works and a fresh lineup, local power pop quartet Junior Doctor makes a triumph...With a new CD in the works and a fresh lineup, local power pop quartet Junior Doctor makes a triumphant return to the main stage with a show Saturday at Paradise Skate Park on Merritt Island.
  
  Consisting of Mark Hartman (vocals/guitar), Jarrod Kearney (drums,) Richard Peidro (bass) and Yazmani Velazquez (lead guitar/vocals), Junior Doctor is paving new ground for power pop acts on the Space Coast.
  
  I spoke with lead singer/songwriter Hartman about the band, its future and its up-and-down travels along the road to success. So let's Shake, Rattle & Know: Junior Doctor.
  
  SRK: It has been two years since I last interviewed the band. How much has your music changed.
  
  Hartman: A lot, actually. Before, we were just developing our sound, trying to figure out who we were as a band. Our new stuff is lyrically and musically more mature. Previously, my wife and I were seperated, and a lof of my stuff was negative.
  Now that we are together again, I'm reflecting more on good times and showing remorse for bad choices I had made in my life. Overall, everything about the music is more positive. It's a more pleasing sound and more in the pop direction.
  We also have Mark Trojanowski (Sister Hazel) on our management team, so we are seeing some exciting things starting to happen.
  
  SRK: You had a couple band members change since 2008. Did having band turn-over delay your progress as a band?
  
  Hartman: Oh yes, 100 percent. Yaz replaced Thomas (DeSeina) and brought a lot of musical knowledge to the band that helped our progress and our live show.
  We made some big changes, and that caused a huge delay. We had to find the right niche, and while searching for someone new who fit the mold, we lost a lot of time.
  
  SRK: What experiences do you typically draw on for your songwriting?
  
  Hartman: I write a lot about relationships, whether it be friends or romantic relationships. My wife is the subject of about 95 percent of my music, and it all becomes very personal for me. I think the music, lyrics and emotions of the songs are easy to relate to in some way.
  
  SRK: With thousands of bands trying to get signed, what do you think will set you apart from other bands?
  
  Hartman: As a songwriter, I feel that a lot of pop music today is formulaic; the melodies and such are almost borrowed. I try to be accessible in the music and very clear with ideas.
  A lot of what you hear today is popular because it sounds familiar to everyone. I think we offer something fresh and away from and one formula.
  I also think we have a strong connection to our fans and are accessible to everyone. I think fans will see how important they are to us and will help us stand out.
  
  SRK: Your music seems to be more about life than about angst as some of your earlier stuff. Was that intentional or more of a reflection of where you are in your life?
  
  Hartman: I think it is a reflection of where I was then and where I am now.
  We intentionally took the music in more a pop direction. The producers we are working with now have been crucial to structuring our new sound. They... bring the music and lyrics together, so I guess, to answer your question, it was a good mix of intentional and unintentional.

• Junior Doctor will play for you now [+ Show ]
  

  May 2, 2008 Section: TgIF Edition: Final/All Page: G03 Junior Doctor will play for yo...
  May 2, 2008
  Section: TgIF
  Edition: Final/All
  Page: G03
  
  
  Junior Doctor will play for you now
  Mike Nunez
  
  
  Mike Nunez Shake, Rattle & Know For Florida Today
  
  The Doctor is in.
  
  Well, almost, that is. On Saturday, Cocoa Beach's own Junior Doctor will rock out at the second annual Ben Rocks Benefit at Space Coast Harley-Davidson in Palm Bay. The benefit will also feature the sounds of The John Quinlivan Band, The Starlight Getaway, Atilla and the Huns and Fall Term.
  
  The event will pay tribute to Benjamin Fullem, whose life was cut short April 11, 2007, by cancer.
  
  "Last year was quite a success, and we are hoping to see the event grow each year, " said event organizer Doug St. Clair. "This year Nancy Fullem, Ben's mom, is donating the proceeds to The Candlelighters of Brevard. It is a charity that provides financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer. She is currently in the process of setting up her own charity in Ben's name to continue helping others in need."
  
  Comprised of Mark Hartman on vocals and guitar, Thomas DeSiena on lead guitar, Richard Pedro on bass and Jarrod Kearney on drums, Junior Doctor is a high-energy, high-impact band with a live show that won't soon be forgotten.
  
  I spoke with Hartman and DeSiena about the band name, its music and headlining spot at the Florida Music Festival. So let's Shake, Rattle & Know: Junior Doctor.
  
  SRK: When did the band come together?
  
  Hartman: Junior Doctor first started playing shows in October 2007. I have always loved playing music, and my dream is to make playing music my full-time job. It's a creative outlet for me. We have no real set mission other than to have fun and write music people can relate to in some way.
  
  SRK: What's the story behind the name Junior Doctor?
  
  Hartman: All of us were in bands before. I was in an Orlando-based band named Denver Mile. We all decided to go off to med school. Jarrod's dad is a doctor, in fact.
  
  We all met at school and none of us were real happy with the whole school thing, so we went around campus playing music every chance we got. We eventually dropped out of med school, used the tuition money our parents had given us and bought instruments and equipment to start the band.
  
  That didn't go over with our parents too well at first, but after awhile when they saw our shows and saw what kind of reaction we were getting from fans, they seemed alright with things.
  
  SRK: How were you able to secure such a prime spot for this year's Florida Music Festival?
  
  DeSiena: Our management team is great. They really know how to reach out to people.
  
  As a band, our plate is full, so it's great to have guys like them working behind the scenes. They have incredible connections and our high-powered show helped make it happen.
  
  Hartman: Honestly, we applied like everyone else did. The first slot they gave us was at the AKA Lounge, but we were in Orlando last week headlining a gig at The Social and it went really well.
  
  The promoter put in a good word in for us and the next day Ashley from FMF (Florida Music Festival) sent our stuff to BMI and they bumped us up to the main stage (for May 15).
  
  SRK: Not many local bands sign management deals so quickly. What can you tell us about Blackwell Management?
  
  DeSiena: The band has gotten a lot of attention recently, and we need to treat it like a business entity. We communicate constantly with our fans and work on the music, but we needed the business side handled by the right people. We basically need a boss to take control, so we don't become complacent. We hired two people we really trust.
  
  Hartman: It is a relatively new management company started by my brother, John Hartman, and his partner, Paul Rogers. John is our head manager and Paul is our tour manager.
  
  John had been in bands for so many years, and he knew the business from both the performer side as well as from the business side. John wanted to start a management company and really liked what we were doing. He has been approached by a lot of bands to manage them, but right now we are his only priority band.
  
  SRK: What has been your proudest achievement to date?
  
  Hartman: I would have to say it is going to be playing the Wall Street Stage at FMF. BMI is a leader in the music business, and it is quite an honor they asked us to headline their stage. I was almost in tears when I got that news. To play such a big stage in front of so many people is going to be such a thrill for me.
  
  DeSiena: You know, with every performance we try and take away something special with us. There is always something weird that happens on stage that is memorable.
  
  Last week, my wireless unit went out, so I threw my guitar off to the side and jumped into the crowd.
  
  I believe the stage performance is as important as the music. We always try and give a high-energy show.
  
  SRK: How does your music differ from current mainstream rock 'n' roll?
  
  Hartman: We have a lot of diverse musical influences, and it shows in our music. We all grew up on punk rock and branched out into different musical areas. The band incorporates a lot of different styles into our music. We add a lot of swing bass elements, and make it a little edgier.
  
  DeSiena: Our style isn't a mosh pit kind of crowd. We incorporate everything from bluegrass and the blues, to ska and rock 'n' roll. In the smeared palette that is rock 'n' roll today, we try and add something original in. We aren't trying to make a fast buck; we are trying to make a difference.
  
  SRK: What's next for Junior Doctor?
  
  Hartman: First we are going to release a CD soon, then we hope to do an East Coast tour and then a West Coast tour. We want this as a career, so our final step would be to make it profitable for us and find a record label.
  
  

Setlist

Originals

1. What I Do
2. Dressed Wet
3. She's My Rushmore, Max
4. Circumstance
5. The Prank
6. Leaving
7. Uh Oh
8. Keep On
9. Perfect Girl
10. Impressive
11. Not Now
12. Back Home
13. Wrong Place, Right Time
14. Beautiful And Blind
15. Dancing In Your Dreams
16. My One And Only

Covers

1. Just Dance - Lady Gaga
2. Want You Back- Jackson 5
3. Rock 'N Roll All Night- KISS
4. Take Me Home Tonight- Eddie Money
5. Jessie's Girl- Rick Springfield
6. Your Love- The Outfield
7. This Love- Maroon 5
8. I Gotta Feeling- BlackEP
9. Swing Swing- All American Rejects
10. Thnks Fr Th Mmrs- Fall Out Boy
11. The Middle- Jimmy Eat World
12. When I Come Around- Green Day
13. Hey Ya- Outcast

Basic Requirements

Calendar