Junior Doctor

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 - Florida Today

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 - Florida Today

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. - Mike Nunez "Shake, Rattle & Know"

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. - Mike Nunez "Shake, Rattle & Know"