Internet poll, actually. We had narrowed it down to about 3 names and just started asking around to people: see which one resonated best with our prospective audience. The actual name, Saturn Effect, comes from a rerun of "Crossing Jordan" (or some similar ill-fated TV show) that one of the guitarists saw late at night - people where acting strange and acting out their inhibitions and some guy said it was because "Saturn was in allignment" with something and it was called the Saturn Effect. Later on, we found out that it's actually a quasi-real astrological phenomenon... the Saturn Effect being the crystalization of ones hopes and dreams (and fears).

We do... pretty much wherever we can (mostly around the Boston area and on north towards Lowell and NH). Gigging is amazing, but we wish the atmosphere in the Boston area was more musician-friendly.

I think digital music has change and will continue to change the music industry. All debate about copyright aside, what mp3 allows for is a new business model that factors in practically zero-cost distribution and promotion. MP3 and other digital music formats allows for artists who would otherwise be ignored or avoided by the music industry to have another option to get their music heard... which is going to be tragic for the major labels as their business model hinges on it being "their way or the highway." The success of bands like Bright Eyes and artists like Ani DiFranco, and even the large scale welcome of digital music by more established artists proves that.

I guess it would depend on the label and the contract... if someone was to offer something that fit OUR needs as well as theirs then maybe.

Saturn Effect started as a final project for recording school by Joshua Smith, who had written some alterna-folk tunes and wanted to record one of them for a grade. He pulled in bassist D Fitzgerald and recorded FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. The session went remarkably well, and the two decided to work further on writing/recording tunes. They took on a former band-mate of Smith's, J Faneros, on drums and worked more, recording an early demo of OF FREE WILL SWIMMER. Later on, Faneros left to pursue a career in electronic music, and the band went through a variety of musicians.

Finally Smith hooked up with Chris Wilson through a mutual friend. Wilson had a great many similar musical interests, but his training in orchestration helped bring the fledgling group to a whole new level. Drummer Mike Surette, a childhood friend of Smith's, signed on shortly thereafter, but not before Fitzgerald left to pursue a career in the video-gaming inudstry.

The hunt was on for a new bass player, all while recording demos of LETTERS and WATCHING MOVIES ALONE. Tom Gunn answered the call and the band chose (after much trial/tribulation) the name "Saturn Effect." Later on, they were joined by keyboardist Brian Nickerson and went to work on recording a submission for local Music legend Will Brierly's (of The Rollerholsters) second edition of his SIDE OF THE ROAD SNOWRUNNER Compilation series. The fledgling band solidified under the recording of THIS ROAD (available on SIDE OF THE ROAD SNOWRUNNER PRESENTS VOLUME II) and touring the northern MA/southern NH area to promote it.

Almost immeadiately thereafter, the band started work on ACOUSTIC REMEMBRANCE, a 6-song acoustic EP. The EP was released in July of 2003, but not before Nickerson left the group to focus on other pursuits. The band continued on as a quartet until January 2004 when Tom Gunn parted ways to focus on school and Mike Surrete left due to developing medical problems.

Currently, Saturn Effect consists of Joshua Smith and Chris Wilson on vox and guitars, and newcomer Matt Jones on Bass.

We take alot of our musical influence from early-ninties alternative music and Post-Punk, as well as late seventies art-rock. Bands that are probably most influential to us include:
Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Dreamtheater, Rush, Our Lady Peace, The Juliana Theory, Jeff Buckley, U2, Weezer and others.

SMITH: Line6 Spider Twin, Fender Blues Jr, Ibanez S-Series, Alvarez 6-string, Alvarez 12-String, variety of Boss Stomp-boxes. Roland EP-9 digital piano

WILSON: Marshall 1960 Lead Cabinent and Head, Effects by Digitech. Ibanez 6-String and 7-String guitars. Seagull 6-String Acoustic Guitar. Roland Xp-30 keyboard

JONES: Fender bass guitars, Amplifiers from Yamaha and Ampeg.

WEBSITE: www.saturneffectmusic.com