SCARECROW COLLECTION BIO
Built around the idea that ‘songs come first’, this compelling young band has earned the relentless admiration of music fans all over the Northeast. Reaching far outside of their suburban New Jersey roots for influences, Scarecrow Collection has developed a mature approach to both their songwriting and their performances that has caught the eyes and ears of fans and critics alike.
On stage, this five-piece ensemble brings an all-embracing musical experience, combining catchy rock melodies and lyrics with powerful exploratory improvisations that keep their loyal fans coming back for more. In the past two years alone, they have shared bills with such diverse acts as Bob Weir & Ratdog, Col. Bruce Hampton, Railroad Earth, Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Assembly of Dust, RAQ, Mike Farris, The Jennifer Hartswick Band, Keller Williams, The Bomb Squad and many other great artists. They also have played at such notable venues as the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, The Paradise in Boston, MA, Webster Theater in Hartford, CT, Revolution Hall in Troy, NY, Mexicali Blues in Teaneck, NJ, Nectar's in Burlington, VT as well as the Knitting Factory, Lion's Den and the Bitter End in New York City.
Their debut album, “Hooked and Shattered” is a potent mix of the rich lyrics and danceable grooves that had Relix magazine declaring them a band “On the Verge”. “Hooked and Shattered” has enjoyed airplay in over 40 markets in over 20 states and the Virgin Islands. The independently produced album features the band’s ability to combine such diverse influences as Paul Simon and the Black Crowes into a sound that is completely their own. It also has them selected as one of the nation's best unsigned bands as part of the 'Relix Jamoff 2005' competition that will see the band perform as part of the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City.
Scarecrow Collection continues to bring their unique brand of roots-oriented pop rock to fans up and down the East Coast. 2006 marked the band's first venture down South appearing at the 11th Annual Smilefest in Lake Toxaway, NC. Their supporting tour was the beginning of a strong summer which saw them appear on the Main Stage at the 11th annual Gathering of Vibes, rock the South Norwalk Arts Fest and have their music appear in regular rotation on Sirius satellite radio.
The band took time off the road in Fall / Winter '06 to get into the studio and record the long-awaited follow up to "Hooked and Shattered". The band setup shop at the famed Water Music Studios in Hoboken, NJ where such greats as the Dave Matthews Band, U2 and most recently Gov't Mule have all done work. The idea was to create an album; a full body of work that represented their songs and the stories they tell. In an effort to get the warmth of the music captured, the band went back to a medium rarely used in the digital age, Analogue tape. A throwback to the music of yester year, which has influenced the band's sound significantly, this creative choice really proved to make all the difference.
The album 'radio frequency disaster' helped the band to ink a deal with Harmonized Records at the end of 2006. Harmonized Records was formed in 2002 by Brian Asplin and Lee Crumpton. Together the band and Harmonized are poised for a big year in conjunction with the album's release. The album will be available nationwide on April 17, 2007 and is going to be the catalyst for the band's awareness nationwide, along with their increased touring schedule. 2007 has already seen the band receive 'New Groove of the Month' honors from Jambands.com. Things are just beginning to heat up...
Scarecrow Collection (from left to right) is:
Joe Fee - drums
Ed Fritz - keys / vocals
Gerard Fee - guitar / vocals
Nick Setteducato - guitar / vocals
Mike Sojkowski - bass
