People Who Must
Critics say that you can hear the Counting Crows -Toad The Wet Sprocket influence
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
People Who Must have played more than 1000 shows in over 65 cities in 18 states. They have released four EP's and four full-length albums, two distributed nationally. Not only has their music been heard on over 100 radio stations across the United States, but over 200 articles and reviews have been written about People Who Must. They have also performed with over 150 bands. Other than the four totaled vans (fire, crash, blown engine, and deer), if it all ended tomorrow, they would tell you that they've had a pretty good ride.
People Who Must's latest release, "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters," is a double CD with over two hours of music. Disc one features 13 tracks of new music featuring the song "Been in Love." Disc two is a collection of work spanning the past decade containing all new and old unreleased songs. The album, co-written and co-produced by Joe Stevenson and John Kolbeck, is full of catchy pop songs ready for the airwaves. This could arguably be their best work to date.
In 1995 People Who Must signed to a West-Coast indie label and released their first full-length album, "The Road You Travel." Produced by Jeff Tomei (Matchbox 20, Smashing Pumpkins) and John Keane (Indigo Girls, Widespread Panic), "The Road You Travel" was picked up by college radio programmers across the country. People Who Must toured continuously, throughout 1995 and 1996, in support of the album. In the spring of 1997 they released their second album, "Lost Wire Transfer." Once again singer Joe Stevenson, guitarist John Kolbeck, bassist Tim Arbisi and drummer Russell Jarrett teamed up with Jeff Tomei. Modern rock stations quickly embraced the first single, "It Fades." The 26th of November 1997 marked the end of the recording obligation with their label. Free from commitment People Who Must immediately began working on their next release. In February 1998 they released, "Never Ending Road To Success," the melodic pop rock 5 song EP.
Determination and pure love for music is what has kept this band thriving throughout the 90's. With the emergence of the new millenium, People Who Must look forward to their next decade of making music.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
New York to Miami to Austin
Your musical influences
Byrds, Beatles, you name it
Anything else?
Every song may have already been written but a good song is a good song!
