Jellyfish (band)

San Francisco's short-lived power pop band Jellyfish was a project of drummer/singer/songwriter Andy Sturmer, keyboard player/multi-instrumentalist Roger Joseph Manning Jr., "Band Witchdoctor and Mime" Chris Manning (who has been credited as a bass player) and guitarist/bassist Jason Falkner.

Related Topics:
San Francisco - Drummer - Singer - Songwriter - Andy Sturmer - Roger Joseph Manning Jr - Chris Manning - Jason Falkner

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Sturmer and Roger Manning formed Jellyfish after the break-up of their previous band Beatnik Beatch. Prior to joining, Falkner had performed on and written songs for Vermillion by acclaimed Paisley Underground band The Three O'Clock. Drawing heavily from the Paisley Underground, Queen, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, XTC, Cheap Trick, Wings and Badfinger, Jellyfish released their debut album Bellybutton in 1990. Frustrated with simply being the guitar player, Jason Falkner left the band after the release of this album. Chris Manning also left the band around this time. Sturmer and Manning recruited Tim Smith and a small handful of studio musicians (including Jon Brion) to fill the void and set forth recording their sophomore effort, Spilt Milk. Taking an extremely long time to finish, allegedly due to perfectionism, the record was finally released in 1993. Spilt Milk was much more orchestral than its predecessor, and some have pointed out that it seems to be a mini rock opera following the life and death of a washed up rock star.

Related Topics:
Beatnik Beatch - Paisley Underground - The Three O'Clock - Queen - The Beach Boys - The Beatles - XTC - Cheap Trick - Wings - Badfinger - Tim Smith - Jon Brion - Rock opera

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Increasing creative differences between Sturmer and Manning caused the abrupt end to Jellyfish. Andy Sturmer stayed quiet for a number of years, but has since become legendary for writing catchy pop songs for Japanese pop phenomenon Puffy Amiyumi and soloist YUKI (formerly front woman and vocalist of the Japanese rock band Judy and Mary). Roger Manning immediately joined up with Jellyfish live band member Eric Dover in a project called Imperial Drag, and also recorded as one half of the Moog Cookbook His brother Chris shows up occasionally as a sound engineer. After leaving Jellyfish, Jason Falkner joined with other disillusioned pop musicians Jon Brion, Buddy Judge and Dan McCarroll (the latter three best known for their work with Aimee Mann) in a band called the Grays. Falkner has gone on to have a successful solo career. Roger Manning and Jason Falkner have recently reunited (along with ex Redd Kross member Brian Reitzell) in a new-wave inspired band called TV Eyes.

Related Topics:
Andy Sturmer - Pop - Puffy Amiyumi - YUKI - Judy and Mary - Eric Dover - Imperial Drag - Moog Cookbook - Jon Brion - Buddy Judge - Dan McCarroll - Aimee Mann - The Grays - Redd Kross - Brian Reitzell - New-wave - TV Eyes

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