Curtis Murphy Syndicate

Artist Information

Biography

Curtis Murphy Syndicate is a very versatile band with a debut album of tunes hitting many of your multiple moods. It's a great CD for driving up the coast or through the mountains, or for rocking the bar or house party.

The 4 man band is rooted in Los Angeles but come from multiple different musical backgrounds which adds a rad flavor to the vibe of each song, especially live on stage!

Instrumentation

Curtis Murphy - lead vocals, acoustic guitar, kabone
Joel Hellman - electric guitar, backing vocals
Justin Apergis - electric bass, upright bass, backing vocals
Brian Mendes - drums
*CMS also occasionally are joined by keyboardists

Discography

* "HAROLD & KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY" has CMS song "All that I Want" in the movie & on the soundtrack.

WINNER of LA Music Awards 2006 Rock Single of the Year for "Take A Little While". Also received nominations for 2006 Rock Album of the Year & another nomination for Rock Single of the Year (2 in same category; 1 win awarded)

*GRAMMY winning mixing engineer - JEFF JULIANO (John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz, Lifehouse, Rachael Yamagata, OAR, Bonnaroo)

CD drums played by Ed Toth (Vertical Horizon, Doobie Brothers)

CD keys played by Kris Pooley (tours with Gwen Stefani, Jane's Addiction)

Produced by Mark Williams



http://www.curtismurphy.com
http://www.myspace.com/curtismurphy
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/cmsyndicate

Audio

• "Draggin' Me Down (tourbus to breck.)"
  Listen  
• "Feeding the Flame"
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• "Lines Upon Your Face"
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• "Be Flat"
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• "All that I Want"
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• "Take A Little While"
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• "Pass the Time Away"
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• "Smoke & Mirrors"
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• "Head Above the Water"
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• "At the Seams"
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• "Funk-Wah"
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• "Tell Me"
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Lyrics

• Draggin' Me Down (tourbus to breck.)
• “Feeding the Flame”
• Lines Upon Your Face
• Be Flat
• "All that I Want"
• Take A Little While
• "Pass the Time Away"
• "Smoke & Mirrors"
• "Head Above the Water"
• At the Seams

Video

"Pass the Time Away" - Curtis Murphy Syndicate

Photo Gallery

Press

• "You Gotta Know..." [+ Show ]
  

  March 11, 2006 Boston's Berklee College of Music has struck gold again this month. Back in 2005, ...March 11, 2006
  
  Boston's Berklee College of Music has struck gold again this month. Back in 2005, Yvette Ivory earned You Gotta Know honors. Now the school that has spawned some of music's biggest stars has done it again...OK for half of this particular act.
  
  The Curtis Murphy Syndicate, consisting of Berklee grad Curtis Murphy, fellow Berklee alum and North Texas alum Justin Apergis, Brian Mendes, and Joel Hellman are bringing their mix of acoustic rock with a little bit of funk, likening them to Dave Matthews Band and O.A.R. with a hint of the lyrical style of Jack Johnson.
  
  Now after spending a few years on the underground circuit, the band is looking for bigger and better things. Their lush sound, instrumentation, and potential to join DMB, O.A.R., and more as the best that acoustic rock has to offer is what makes Curtis Murphy Syndicate our You Gotta Know for the month of March!

• Album review [+ Show ]
  

  "An independent release sounding like a major label album, Curtis Murphy and his band has taken infl..."An independent release sounding like a major label album, Curtis Murphy and his band has taken influences from varied genres such as blues, funk, rock, jazz and pop.
  Guest drummer on the album is Ed Toth (Vertical Horizon, Doobie Brothers) and it is mixed by Grammy mixing winner Jeff Juliano (Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer).
  I just love "Lines upon your face" and there's more of that supermelodic groovy stuff on "What it is", very nice!"
  
  "Influences: John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Phish
  
  Will appeal to fans of: Wil Seabrook Band, Pat McGee Band, Train"
  
  http://www.melodic.net/reviewsOne.asp?revnr=4107
  
  
  

• Internet radio [+ Show ]
  

  "Bringing back rock-n-roll, with a complete blend of soulful lyrics, rock-your-brain guitar riffs, a..."Bringing back rock-n-roll, with a complete blend of soulful lyrics, rock-your-brain guitar riffs, and classic bass and drums."

• Music Agent [+ Show ]
  

  "The Syndicate is a fusion of sincere, intelligent, well-crafted lyrics, & music that kicks ass! ..."The Syndicate is a fusion of sincere, intelligent, well-crafted lyrics, & music that kicks ass!
  
  Curtis Murphy, Joel Hellman, Justin Apergis, & Brian Mendes comprise one of the tightest bands I've seen that deliver matter of fact, expressive & warm vocals, catchy melodies, jaw-dropping riffs, fierce grooves, & a helluva lot of charm & radiance on stage.
  
  It couldn't be more obvious that they're having a blast & you get pulled in easily!"
  

• used as comparison... [+ Show ]
  

  In a review for the band Nyco: "...The band (NYCO) continues to deliver solid stuff like a mix of...In a review for the band Nyco:
  
  "...The band (NYCO) continues to deliver solid stuff like a mix of Dave Matthews Band, Trey Anastasio and Curtis Murphy Syndicate."
  
  http://www.melodic.net/reviewsOne.asp?revnr=4236
  
  
  

• Cassandra Hepburn hosts “Fashion and Music Extravaganza” in the Fight for Human Rights. [+ Show ]
  

  "Live music was also provided by the award winning rock group Curtis Murphy Syndicate, which played ..."Live music was also provided by the award winning rock group Curtis Murphy Syndicate, which played various upbeat and casual hits from their self-titled album, including the song "Take a Little While"."
  
  http://lastheplace.com/2007/04/24/cassandra-hepburn-hosts-fashion-and-music-extravaganza-in-the-fight-for-human-rights/
  

Setlist

95% original tunes

occassional covers ranging from 1960's thru today... & maybe even THE FUTURE!

Basic Requirements

Calendar