Music
Press
"What I love about your songs in general is that wonderful pop sensibility you have, BUT it’s always got some dark edges, sarcasm, or just plain wit. Quite an achievement. This is great."
"America’s Graham Parker/Elvis Costello, you are. Great Americana vibe here too."
"It warms my heart to see someone working outside of the ‘how to write a song’ norm — and just plain having fun."
- Songramp
Band: JCFisher Band
Members: Jerry Cohen, percussion, vocals; Greg Moomaw, bass, guitar, vocals; Scott Fisher, guitar, bass, vocals; Mike Argento, guitar
Who we talked to: Cohen, 58
How did you guys meet? Scott Fisher and I go to church together . . . Scott was a little apprehensive. I talked him into playing, just the two of us . . . I thought the songs were really great . . . Once we got out and played, it seemed like people really appreciated them.
Describe your sound/style? It's a mix . . . About 50 percent are originals and 50 percent are covers . . . People still like to hear some music that they can relate to . . . People can identify, but it's not like a karaoke performance . . . We do have really strong three-part harmony.
Who are your influences? Bruce Springsteen, Whiskeytown, Randy Newman, Neil Young, John Prine, Lucinda Williams, The Beatles, The Band, Tom Petty
Like any other local bands? The Tamboureens, Gypsy Fish, Radio Caroline.
What sort of message do your original songs send? Many of the songs make serious observations . . . Maybe a little sarcasm . . . The tunes are catchy and clever.
What's your hope for your music? Our aim is to play music to fit the crowd . . . To be able to take songs that people know and make them our own . . . with enough of the song there that (it's recognizable) but make it new and fresh.
What are the dynamics of the band members? We really work well together. We really work collectively . . . Greg is easy going . . . He's just very well-centered . . . Mike is kind of a serious person when it comes to his music . . . Scott is a perfectionist . . . Me, this is probably my last go around at something that gives me pleasure.
How do you feel when you perform? It's a great feeling . . . The more people watching the better. It's kind of like an adrenaline rush . . . You want to keep playing.
Any recordings? Pumping Irony . . . recently released first CD . . . The tracks include several love songs . . . ironic, bemused takes on such topics as (free speech) . . . religion . . . some funny psychotherapy . . . there's something for everyone here.
What's coming up for you in the future? Noon Sunday at Olde York Street Fair; 1 p.m. May 23 at Brown's Orchard and Farm Market in Emigsville;1 p.m. June 21 at Brown's Orchard and Farm Market in Loganville; 8 p.m. June 27 at Carlo Lopez Benefit in Spring Grove; 11:30 a.m. July 28 at Box Lunch Revue in York.
Where can folks hear/learn more about you? www.myspace.com/jcfisherband
Booking information? Call 266-5451.
- TERESA MCMINN, FOR FLIPSIDE
If you go
Hear the JCFisher Band at noon Sunday during the Olde York Street Fair in downtown York.
Other gigs include 1 p.m. May 23 and Brown's Orchard and Farm Market in Emigsville, 8 p.m. June 27 at Carlo Lopez Benefit in Spring Grove and 11:30 a.m. July 28 at Box Lunch Revue at Cherry Lane in downtown York. - York Daily Record
Discography
Pumping Irony, LP - 2008
CD available at cdbaby.com. Songs available for download on iTunes and many other sites.
Photos
Bio
JCFisher began in 2005 with a recording project of song demos written by Scott Fisher and sung by Jerry Cohen. The project melds a range of styles — rock, country, singer-songwriter-style acoustic — into an accessible brand of pop rock Americana.
Many of the songs make serious observations - but no angst and anger here. Maybe a little sarcasm - but always smiling, full of word play and wit. The tunes are catchy and clever, with hooks that really stick.
After a couple of years as a mainly acoustic duo, JC Fisher added two great musicians to really bring the songs to life on stage:
First, Greg Moomaw joined on bass, guitar and vocals. He's also a superb songwriter who brings a rootsy, heartfelt vibe to the mix.
Then came Mike Argento on lead guitar, slide guitar and lap steel to spice things up on stage.
Pumping Irony, the group's recently released first CD, offers a wry look at life. The tracks include several love songs, spanning the emotional landscape of love found (If I Were You, Thankless Lane), love regained (All We Need), love lost (By the Side of the Road), love unrequited (I'm Your Dog), and even cyber love (Pixels & Dust). The CD pumps out ironic, bemused takes on such topics as BS euphemism (Say What You Mean), free speech (Fire In a Crowded Theatre), religion (Hellbent for Heaven), and fast food (Chains). Top it off with some funny psychotherapy (Mama), escapism (Gone Fishin'), and a moving tune about the innocence of childhood (Through the Eyes of a Child), and there's something for everyone here.
Check out what other songwriters have said about the material:
"What I love about your songs in general is that wonderful pop sensibility you have, BUT it’s always got some dark edges, sarcasm, or just plain wit. Quite an achievement. This is great."
"America’s Graham Parker/Elvis Costello, you are. Great Americana vibe here too."
"It warms my heart to see someone working outside of the ‘how to write a song’ norm — and just plain having fun."
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