Dovetail Joint
Encyclopedia
This article is about the Chicago-based band Dovetail Joint . For the woodworking joint, see Dovetail joint
Dovetail Joint was a rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1992. The band featured guitar/vocalist Charles Gladfelter, guitarist Robert Byrne, bassist Jon Kooker, and drummer Joe Dapier. After several years of playing locally, as well as independently releasing their self titled album in 1995, the band started to garner interest after their song "Level on the Inside" was featured on an annual compilation disc of local radio station WKQX Q101. Columbia Records
quickly signed the band and released 001 in early 1999. "Level" turned out to be the bands only commercial hit, and Columbia dropped the band before releasing a second album. However, an independently released EP was released in 2002 which would turn out to be their last.
Gladfelter and Byrne regrouped to form the band Ivory Wire along with drummer Henry Jansen which has since put out two albums to date and has gone on an official hiatus.
For all practical purposes, Dovetail Joint officially formed in April 1994 with the addition of Robert Byrne. Chuck, Joe, and Sol were living and rehearsing in Evanston
, Illinois
. Robert auditioned after, as legend has it, losing a bet. The band was in the middle of writing songs for a future recording and Robert added the missing element. It didn't take them long to start playing out locally.
The first shows were at Chicago clubs Beat Kitchen, Elbo Room, and Thurston's.
). They recorded what would become their self-titled debut, later known as "The Black Album". They tracked 15 songs and their dear friend Jack Buck agreed to finance the project under the name Buckshot Records.
Following the eponymous release in September 1995, the music started to generate some interest throughout the states. Songs were featured on several compilations and samplers.
Sometime in early 1996, the interest peaked. Several large management and record company reps from the West Coast flew in to see the band. They did showcases for Jeff Kwantinez of the Firm (Korn
, Limp Bizkit
), Concrete Management (White Zombie
), and both Atlantic
and Capitol Records
. No relationships solidified, and the band was left with its first real taste of the fickle nature of the music industry.
The band continued to fight on and started to write and record a series of demos now known as the "Cringe Recordings". This is when their relationships with Scott Tallarida (Exo, future interim bassist) and long-time friend Roger Jansen (KMA management) were born. Jansen was able get their proverbial "house in order" and took several new songs to a number of industry people.
Superproducer Glen Ballard
(Alanis Morissette
, Shelby Lynne
, Dave Matthews
, No Doubt
, Aerosmith
) was starting his own label called Java Records. His A&R man, Amos Newman, liked what he heard and offered the Joint a "demo deal" in June 1997. They were to fly to Los Angeles
to record. Based on the songs’ commercial potential, Java would either sign the Joint to a full record deal or let them walk with the recordings. Java had paid for the airline tickets, fronted them a little cash, and booked studio time. The band was packed and ready to go. At the 11th hour, the boys got a call. Cancelled. Reasons why? They still don’'t know.
Around this time, friends of the Joint were experiencing some considerable success. Most notably Solomon’'s brother, Matt Walker
(Filter
), was enlisted as the new drummer for The Smashing Pumpkins
when Jimmy Chamberlin
was let go. After Matt'’s stint with the Pumpkins, he and several other friends formed a band called Cupcakes. Sol chose to play with his brother and left the Joint to play bass with Cupcakes. Wasting no time, DreamWorks Records
signed Cupcakes after the bands’ fourth performance.
As happy as Dovetail Joint was for their good friends, they needed a new bass player. They felt down on their luck after twice being so close to landing a deal. Fortunately, their great friend Tallarida offered to fill in on bass. Before long they started to generate new interest.
took notice of Dovetail Joint. Aware had just recently inked a deal with Columbia Records
to help finance the labels plans for expansion. The Joint knew little of Aware but quickly learned of their previous successes and bright future. The band was honored to be included on the labels annual compilation of unsigned bands: Aware 5 (1997).
The track chosen for the compilation was a demo version of "This is My Home," produced by Tallarida. In February 1998, Aware president, Gregg Latterman, along with manager Jansen, introduced Dovetail Joints music to Rick Krim of EMI
Music Publishing. Although they were unaware of Krim's incredible professional track record, the band agreed to sign a publishing deal with EMI.
The group began looking for a record producer to take their sound to the next level. Jake Wisely, erstwhile Chicago
ASCAP representative, suggested they try young Minneapolis producer John Fields (Semisonic
, Evan and Jaron
, The Rembrandts
).
During this time, Scott Tallarida was still playing bass for the Joint, but indicated that he wanted to pursue his own musical aspirations. Once again, the Joint went looking for another bass player.
The second replacement was Mick Vaughn, an old friend and producer of early Dovetail Joint recordings. Vaughn only performed one Joint show and then moved to North Carolina. However, in January 1998 he played bass for the very first John Fields session at his Minneapolis studio Funkytown. Locked in the studio for 11 straight hours, the band emerged with a song called "Level on the Inside."
The Joint remained busy playing shows and on February 21 played Nashville's Extravaganza Music Conference. Joe, Robert, Chuck and Scott played for Columbia Records executives. That night they got the green light. They signed with Columbia Records/Aware Records.
That May, Chicago alternative radio station Q101
sought submissions from local bands for their first annual compilation CD: Local 101. Dovetail Joint was unaware that "Level on the Inside" was one of 1500 songs being considered. Hard at work in the studio, they were shocked to hear that "Level on the Inside" was chosen to be the 1st track of 18 songs on the disc and would receive hundreds of spins at Q101 that summer. Little did they know, this would become the pivotal spark that would catapult Dovetail Joint on a national course. The band had little notion that things were going well until they started to receive euphoric phone calls from home declaring "I just heard the Joint on Q101. Its on, like, 5 times a day!!!!"
Aware pushed forward the EPs release to respond to the growing interest.
The search for a new bass player continued. Long time friend Jon Kooker had been rehearsing with the band since January 1998. He officially joined Dovetail Joint in the fall of that year.
Due to increased radio airplay, the band garnered national attention, allowing them the leverage to get the heavy hitter they wanted to mix their forthcoming major label release. In June 1998, the band headed out to L.A.s Ocean Way Studios to mix the record with the legendary Jack Joseph Puig
(Weezer
, The Black Crowes
, Goo Goo Dolls
).
In September 1998, Aware released the 6-song "Level EP."
On January 26, 1999, Columbia Records/Aware Records released Dovetail Joints major label debut, "001."
Early response to national radio promotion for "001" was so encouraging that Columbia agreed to produce a video for "Level on the Inside." In February 1999, Jon, Robert, Chuck and Joe headed back to Minneapolis, but this time to make their video debut. They enlisted director Phil Harder
(Local H
, Cornershop
, Lisa Loeb
). Immediately following the video shoot, the band returned to the road for what would become 8 months of continuous touring, hitting the continental U.S. several times over.
Nationally, "Level on the Inside" started experiencing the same success it continued to enjoy in Chicago. Having a radio single earned the band coveted opening slots on extensive U.S. tours with bands such as The Marvelous 3 and Train
. The Joint also did two-week stints with major acts the Goo Goo Dolls
, Cheap Trick
, and Collective Soul
. Other shows included playing with The Black Crowes
, Silverchair
, Everclear
, Blink 182, Third Eye Blind
, Eve 6
, Local H
, Orgy
, and a host of others.
In April 1999, "Beautiful" was chosen as Dovetail Joint's second single. On the 3rd of that month, Chris Lord-Alge
(Replacements, Hole
, Green Day
) re-mixed the song at his Los Angeles
studio. Later that month, while the band was on the road with the Goo Goo Dolls
, "Beautiful" was released to radio.
Touring continued until September 1999, when Columbia felt that "001" had run its commercial course. The band headed home to Chicago and began writing their follow up effort.
During this time, Dovetail Joint amicably parted ways with Roger Jansen and KMA, leaving the band without management and in a showdown with their label. Columbia/Aware had to decide whether or not they wanted to pick up the bands contract option. They pushed back the deadline twice. Frustrated, in February 2000, the band said, "Sign us or let us go!" With perceived reluctance, Columbia/Aware picked up the bands 1st option.
This, however, was only the first part of the Joint's struggle. While the band was excited to return to Minneapolis to work with John Fields, Columbia/Aware wanted a different producer for the second record. Searches for alternatives proved fruitless. Either the band was too particular or the chosen producer was unavailable. In June 2000, the label gave in to the bands choice.
In July 2000, recording with Fields started at Minneapolis studio Seedy Underbelly. After a week of recording, producer and band couldn't find the drum sounds they wanted and booked time at Sound City Studios outside of L.A. Drums were re-cut and the band regrouped in Minneapolis at Sub Jersey, Field's new recording studio, to complete their album.
In August 2000, Joe, Chuck, Jon, and Robert finished tracking and set out to find the right person to mix the recordings. Again, the label hesitated at facilitating any further progress. The guys were very excited about their new music and confident in its commercial appeal. It became clear that Columbia didn't share those same sentiments.
In September 2000 the band met with Aware's Gregg Latterman and was told that Columbia didn't hear the "obvious single." The label cut funding until the band delivered an "undeniable hit." Joe, Robert, Jon and Chuck decided that it was over between Dovetail Joint and Columbia records. Rather than writing only for the approval of a label, the band decided to leave and look elsewhere for support.
In April 2001, after six months of legal wrangling to come to acceptable departure terms, the band was finally free to pursue other ventures. They had found new management (Cornerstone Promotion and Management) and sought new record label interest. However, the preceding months left the band a little less cohesive than before.
The members of Dovetail Joint were at a crossroads: continue the pursuit of a musical career; or move on with their respective lives. Their experience with the true nature of the business was enough to make anyone have a change of heart. To the bands great dismay, Joe was unsure that continuing was the right choice for him. Joe agreed to play drums for several more shows, but suggested that the boys start looking for a replacement.
. The show went well, as expected, but the band soon discovered getting a second major label deal was their fiercest obstacle yet.
In September 2001, close friend and brother of former manager Roger Jansen, Henry Jansen, was invited to play drums for a few Dovetail Joint shows. Henry quickly learned a dozen songs and played 3 shows back-to-back later that month. The musicians clicked.
On October 1, 2001, Joe stepped away from the Dovetail Joint he had helped to build.
On January 15, 2002, "E.P. from the Underclass" was released.
At the close of 2002, the desire to work towards something new brought an end to Dovetail Joint.
On August 14, 2010 Dovetail Joint reunited to play one show at Lincoln Hall in Chicago.
Dovetail joint
A dovetail joint or simply dovetail is a joint technique most commonly used in woodworking joinery. Noted for its resistance to being pulled apart , the dovetail joint is commonly used to join the sides of a drawer to the front....
Dovetail Joint was a rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1992. The band featured guitar/vocalist Charles Gladfelter, guitarist Robert Byrne, bassist Jon Kooker, and drummer Joe Dapier. After several years of playing locally, as well as independently releasing their self titled album in 1995, the band started to garner interest after their song "Level on the Inside" was featured on an annual compilation disc of local radio station WKQX Q101. Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
quickly signed the band and released 001 in early 1999. "Level" turned out to be the bands only commercial hit, and Columbia dropped the band before releasing a second album. However, an independently released EP was released in 2002 which would turn out to be their last.
Gladfelter and Byrne regrouped to form the band Ivory Wire along with drummer Henry Jansen which has since put out two albums to date and has gone on an official hiatus.
The Early Days
Dovetail Joint's first show was in Chicago at the Vic Theater on August 14, 1992. The band's lineup was quite different then, but the pieces of the puzzle were there. Chuck Gladfelter (guitar, vocals), Joe Dapier (drums), and Solomon Snyder (bass) were on stage and Robert Byrne was in the audience seeing them for the first time.For all practical purposes, Dovetail Joint officially formed in April 1994 with the addition of Robert Byrne. Chuck, Joe, and Sol were living and rehearsing in Evanston
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. Robert auditioned after, as legend has it, losing a bet. The band was in the middle of writing songs for a future recording and Robert added the missing element. It didn't take them long to start playing out locally.
The first shows were at Chicago clubs Beat Kitchen, Elbo Room, and Thurston's.
The Black Album Era
In April 1995, they entered Chicago’'s Warzone Studios with producer/engineer Scott Ramsayer (Poi Dog PonderingPoi Dog Pondering
Poi Dog Pondering is an American musical group, noted for its cross-pollination of diverse musical genres, including various forms of acoustic folk music, and electronic music. Founded in Hawaii in 1985, the band moved to Austin, Texas in 1987, where they recorded their first three albums...
). They recorded what would become their self-titled debut, later known as "The Black Album". They tracked 15 songs and their dear friend Jack Buck agreed to finance the project under the name Buckshot Records.
Following the eponymous release in September 1995, the music started to generate some interest throughout the states. Songs were featured on several compilations and samplers.
Sometime in early 1996, the interest peaked. Several large management and record company reps from the West Coast flew in to see the band. They did showcases for Jeff Kwantinez of the Firm (Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
, Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
), Concrete Management (White Zombie
White Zombie
White Zombie was a Grammy Award-nominated American heavy metal band. Based in New York City, White Zombie was originally a noise rock band. White Zombie are better-known for their later heavy metal-oriented sound...
), and both Atlantic
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
and Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
. No relationships solidified, and the band was left with its first real taste of the fickle nature of the music industry.
The band continued to fight on and started to write and record a series of demos now known as the "Cringe Recordings". This is when their relationships with Scott Tallarida (Exo, future interim bassist) and long-time friend Roger Jansen (KMA management) were born. Jansen was able get their proverbial "house in order" and took several new songs to a number of industry people.
Superproducer Glen Ballard
Glen Ballard
Glen Ballard is an American songwriter and record producer, best known for co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill , which won Grammy Award for "Best Rock Album", and "Album of the Year" amongst others, and is ranked by the Rolling Stone amongst The 500 Greatest Albums of...
(Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
, Shelby Lynne
Shelby Lynne
Shelby Lynne is an American singer, songwriter and actress. The success of the 1999 album I Am Shelby Lynne led to her winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, even though she had been active in the music industry for some time...
, Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews
David John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
, No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
, Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
) was starting his own label called Java Records. His A&R man, Amos Newman, liked what he heard and offered the Joint a "demo deal" in June 1997. They were to fly to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to record. Based on the songs’ commercial potential, Java would either sign the Joint to a full record deal or let them walk with the recordings. Java had paid for the airline tickets, fronted them a little cash, and booked studio time. The band was packed and ready to go. At the 11th hour, the boys got a call. Cancelled. Reasons why? They still don’'t know.
Around this time, friends of the Joint were experiencing some considerable success. Most notably Solomon’'s brother, Matt Walker
Matt Walker (drummer)
Matt Walker is a musician and former drummer for Filter, The Smashing Pumpkins and current drummer for Morrissey.Matt Walker began his career in Chicago in the mid 80s, when Matt began playing drums for the already well known Scott Bennett of Scott Bennett & The Obvious and did double duty playing...
(Filter
Filter (band)
Filter is a rock group formed in 1993 in Cleveland by singer Richard Patrick and guitarist/programmer Brian Liesegang. Filter has released five studio albums, the most recent being The Trouble with Angels, which was released on August 17, 2010....
), was enlisted as the new drummer for The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
when Jimmy Chamberlin
Jimmy Chamberlin
Jimmy Chamberlin is an American drummer, songwriter, and producer. He is best known as the former drummer for the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. After a drug-related incident with touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin in 1996, Chamberlin was fired from the band and joined The Last...
was let go. After Matt'’s stint with the Pumpkins, he and several other friends formed a band called Cupcakes. Sol chose to play with his brother and left the Joint to play bass with Cupcakes. Wasting no time, DreamWorks Records
DreamWorks Records
DreamWorks Records was an American record label. Founded in 1996 by David Geffen, Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg as a subsidiary of DreamWorks SKG, the label operated until 2005 when it was shut down...
signed Cupcakes after the bands’ fourth performance.
As happy as Dovetail Joint was for their good friends, they needed a new bass player. They felt down on their luck after twice being so close to landing a deal. Fortunately, their great friend Tallarida offered to fill in on bass. Before long they started to generate new interest.
The Aware Era
In 1997, local indie label Aware RecordsAware Records
Aware Records is an American record label, existent to seek unsigned musical artists and expose them to the mainstream media. The label has had success with a range of artists, including John Mayer, Train, Five For Fighting, Mat Kearney and Guster....
took notice of Dovetail Joint. Aware had just recently inked a deal with Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
to help finance the labels plans for expansion. The Joint knew little of Aware but quickly learned of their previous successes and bright future. The band was honored to be included on the labels annual compilation of unsigned bands: Aware 5 (1997).
The track chosen for the compilation was a demo version of "This is My Home," produced by Tallarida. In February 1998, Aware president, Gregg Latterman, along with manager Jansen, introduced Dovetail Joints music to Rick Krim of EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
Music Publishing. Although they were unaware of Krim's incredible professional track record, the band agreed to sign a publishing deal with EMI.
The group began looking for a record producer to take their sound to the next level. Jake Wisely, erstwhile Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
ASCAP representative, suggested they try young Minneapolis producer John Fields (Semisonic
Semisonic
Semisonic is an American alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1995. The band consisted of three members: Dan Wilson , John Munson , and Jacob Slichter...
, Evan and Jaron
Evan and Jaron
Evan Mitchell Lowenstein and Jaron David Lowenstein are American musicians and identical twin brothers who performed as Evan and Jaron. Evan and Jaron have recorded three studio albums and charted three singles on the Pop Songs charts...
, The Rembrandts
The Rembrandts
The Rembrandts are an American pop-rock duo formed by Phil Solem and Danny Wilde in 1989. They had previously worked together as members of Great Buildings in 1981...
).
During this time, Scott Tallarida was still playing bass for the Joint, but indicated that he wanted to pursue his own musical aspirations. Once again, the Joint went looking for another bass player.
The second replacement was Mick Vaughn, an old friend and producer of early Dovetail Joint recordings. Vaughn only performed one Joint show and then moved to North Carolina. However, in January 1998 he played bass for the very first John Fields session at his Minneapolis studio Funkytown. Locked in the studio for 11 straight hours, the band emerged with a song called "Level on the Inside."
The Joint remained busy playing shows and on February 21 played Nashville's Extravaganza Music Conference. Joe, Robert, Chuck and Scott played for Columbia Records executives. That night they got the green light. They signed with Columbia Records/Aware Records.
The Columbia/001 Era
The studio experience with John Fields was extremely productive and the boys chose to continue working with him. In the spring of 1998, Jansen and Latterman worked out an arrangement with Columbia Records where the band would release an EP exclusively with Aware prior to their major label debut on Columbia/Aware. Meanwhile, Joe, Robert, and Chuck wore ruts in the highway between Chicago and Minneapolis to complete the recordings.That May, Chicago alternative radio station Q101
Q101
The Q101 name is used by the following radio stations:* KQDJ-FM, Valley City, North Dakota* WWWN, formerly WKQX, a former alternative rock station in Chicago, Illinois* WMYQ, Ft. Wayne/Warsaw, IN * WAMS-FM, Snow Hill, Maryland...
sought submissions from local bands for their first annual compilation CD: Local 101. Dovetail Joint was unaware that "Level on the Inside" was one of 1500 songs being considered. Hard at work in the studio, they were shocked to hear that "Level on the Inside" was chosen to be the 1st track of 18 songs on the disc and would receive hundreds of spins at Q101 that summer. Little did they know, this would become the pivotal spark that would catapult Dovetail Joint on a national course. The band had little notion that things were going well until they started to receive euphoric phone calls from home declaring "I just heard the Joint on Q101. Its on, like, 5 times a day!!!!"
Aware pushed forward the EPs release to respond to the growing interest.
The search for a new bass player continued. Long time friend Jon Kooker had been rehearsing with the band since January 1998. He officially joined Dovetail Joint in the fall of that year.
Due to increased radio airplay, the band garnered national attention, allowing them the leverage to get the heavy hitter they wanted to mix their forthcoming major label release. In June 1998, the band headed out to L.A.s Ocean Way Studios to mix the record with the legendary Jack Joseph Puig
Jack Joseph Puig
Jack Joseph Puig is a Grammy Award-winning music engineer and producer with a long track record of successful productions, including the mid-1990s production of Tonic. Puig also worked with Hole, Jellyfish, The Black Crowes, John Mayer, Weezer, Fiona Apple, Green Day, The Counting Crows, No Doubt,...
(Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
, The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the...
, Goo Goo Dolls
Goo Goo Dolls
The Goo Goo Dolls are a Grammy-nominated American rock band formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, by vocalist and guitarist John Rzeznik and vocalist and bass guitarist Robby Takac. Since the end of 1994, Mike Malinin has been the band's drummer, a position previously held by George Tutuska...
).
In September 1998, Aware released the 6-song "Level EP."
On January 26, 1999, Columbia Records/Aware Records released Dovetail Joints major label debut, "001."
Early response to national radio promotion for "001" was so encouraging that Columbia agreed to produce a video for "Level on the Inside." In February 1999, Jon, Robert, Chuck and Joe headed back to Minneapolis, but this time to make their video debut. They enlisted director Phil Harder
Phil Harder
Philip Harder is a music video director and commercial director represented by Bob Industries in Santa Monica, California. He had a music video company Harder/Fuller Films, 1985 - 2005...
(Local H
Local H
Local H is an American rock duo, formed by Joe Daniels and Scott Lucas in Zion, Illinois in 1987. Local H's 1996 album, As Good as Dead, includes the top 10 hit "Bound for the Floor" Author, rock critic and Rolling Stone contributor Greg Kot and the Chicago Tribune named the band its 2008 Chicago...
, Cornershop
Cornershop
Cornershop are a British indie rock band formed in 1991 by Wolverhampton-born Tjinder Singh , his brother Avtar Singh , David Chambers and Ben Ayres , the first three having previously been members of Preston-based band General Havoc, who released one single in 1991...
, Lisa Loeb
Lisa Loeb
Lisa Anne Loeb is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She launched her career in 1994 with the song, "Stay ". She was the first artist to have a number one single in the United States while not signed to a recording contract.Loeb's efforts now include music, film, television, voice-over...
). Immediately following the video shoot, the band returned to the road for what would become 8 months of continuous touring, hitting the continental U.S. several times over.
Nationally, "Level on the Inside" started experiencing the same success it continued to enjoy in Chicago. Having a radio single earned the band coveted opening slots on extensive U.S. tours with bands such as The Marvelous 3 and Train
Train (band)
Train is an American pop rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1994. The band currently comprises a core trio of Patrick Monahan , Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood ....
. The Joint also did two-week stints with major acts the Goo Goo Dolls
Goo Goo Dolls
The Goo Goo Dolls are a Grammy-nominated American rock band formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, by vocalist and guitarist John Rzeznik and vocalist and bass guitarist Robby Takac. Since the end of 1994, Mike Malinin has been the band's drummer, a position previously held by George Tutuska...
, Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
, and Collective Soul
Collective Soul
Collective Soul is an American rock band originally formed in Stockbridge, Georgia. Collective Soul broke into mainstream popularity with their first hit single, "Shine", which came from their debut album Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid, released in 1993...
. Other shows included playing with The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the...
, Silverchair
Silverchair
Silverchair were an Australian rock band, which formed in 1992 as Innocent Criminals in Merewether, Newcastle with the line-up of Ben Gillies on drums, Chris Joannou on bass guitar and Daniel Johns on vocals and guitars. The group got their big break in mid-1994 when they won a national demo...
, Everclear
Everclear (band)
Everclear is a rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1992 best known for their radio hits spanning more than a decade. For most of its existence, Everclear has consisted of Art Alexakis , Craig Montoya , and Greg Eklund . Eklund replaced original drummer Scott Cuthbert in 1994...
, Blink 182, Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The songwriting duo of Kevin Cadogan and Stephan Jenkins signed the band's first major label recording contract with Elektra records in 1996 resulting in two multi platinum albums. The band's lineup...
, Eve 6
Eve 6
Eve 6 is an American rock band from Southern California, who are most well known for their hit singles "Inside Out", "Leech", and the slow anthem "Here's to the Night". They disbanded in 2004, returned in 2007 with a new lineup, and finally reunited with all three original members in March 2011...
, Local H
Local H
Local H is an American rock duo, formed by Joe Daniels and Scott Lucas in Zion, Illinois in 1987. Local H's 1996 album, As Good as Dead, includes the top 10 hit "Bound for the Floor" Author, rock critic and Rolling Stone contributor Greg Kot and the Chicago Tribune named the band its 2008 Chicago...
, Orgy
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Orgy is an American synth rock band formed in 1996, from Los Angeles, California. Orgy described their music as "death pop".-History:Orgy was formed in 1996 by vocalist Jay Gordon and guitarist Ryan Shuck. Bassist Paige Haley, guitarist Amir Derakh, and drummer Bobby Hewitt soon completed the line-up...
, and a host of others.
In April 1999, "Beautiful" was chosen as Dovetail Joint's second single. On the 3rd of that month, Chris Lord-Alge
Chris Lord-Alge
Chris Lord-Alge is a mixer who has worked on various albums. He is the brother of Tom Lord-Alge, another audio engineer. Chris Lord-Alge is known for his extreme use of dynamic range compression in both hardware and software plug-in versions....
(Replacements, Hole
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, Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
) re-mixed the song at his Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
studio. Later that month, while the band was on the road with the Goo Goo Dolls
Goo Goo Dolls
The Goo Goo Dolls are a Grammy-nominated American rock band formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, by vocalist and guitarist John Rzeznik and vocalist and bass guitarist Robby Takac. Since the end of 1994, Mike Malinin has been the band's drummer, a position previously held by George Tutuska...
, "Beautiful" was released to radio.
Touring continued until September 1999, when Columbia felt that "001" had run its commercial course. The band headed home to Chicago and began writing their follow up effort.
The Killing of Cool Era
In late 1999, getting the official "thumbs up" for a contract extension with Columbia was less than smooth. First, the label wanted to hear the new songs and judge their commercial potential. Having written 30 songs since the release of "001," the band was more than confident that there was enough quality material to satisfy the label. The collection of songs were slated for the tentatively titled "Killing of Cool" album.During this time, Dovetail Joint amicably parted ways with Roger Jansen and KMA, leaving the band without management and in a showdown with their label. Columbia/Aware had to decide whether or not they wanted to pick up the bands contract option. They pushed back the deadline twice. Frustrated, in February 2000, the band said, "Sign us or let us go!" With perceived reluctance, Columbia/Aware picked up the bands 1st option.
This, however, was only the first part of the Joint's struggle. While the band was excited to return to Minneapolis to work with John Fields, Columbia/Aware wanted a different producer for the second record. Searches for alternatives proved fruitless. Either the band was too particular or the chosen producer was unavailable. In June 2000, the label gave in to the bands choice.
In July 2000, recording with Fields started at Minneapolis studio Seedy Underbelly. After a week of recording, producer and band couldn't find the drum sounds they wanted and booked time at Sound City Studios outside of L.A. Drums were re-cut and the band regrouped in Minneapolis at Sub Jersey, Field's new recording studio, to complete their album.
In August 2000, Joe, Chuck, Jon, and Robert finished tracking and set out to find the right person to mix the recordings. Again, the label hesitated at facilitating any further progress. The guys were very excited about their new music and confident in its commercial appeal. It became clear that Columbia didn't share those same sentiments.
In September 2000 the band met with Aware's Gregg Latterman and was told that Columbia didn't hear the "obvious single." The label cut funding until the band delivered an "undeniable hit." Joe, Robert, Jon and Chuck decided that it was over between Dovetail Joint and Columbia records. Rather than writing only for the approval of a label, the band decided to leave and look elsewhere for support.
In April 2001, after six months of legal wrangling to come to acceptable departure terms, the band was finally free to pursue other ventures. They had found new management (Cornerstone Promotion and Management) and sought new record label interest. However, the preceding months left the band a little less cohesive than before.
The members of Dovetail Joint were at a crossroads: continue the pursuit of a musical career; or move on with their respective lives. Their experience with the true nature of the business was enough to make anyone have a change of heart. To the bands great dismay, Joe was unsure that continuing was the right choice for him. Joe agreed to play drums for several more shows, but suggested that the boys start looking for a replacement.
The Last Days
On June 27, 2001, new management had arranged a record label showcase in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The show went well, as expected, but the band soon discovered getting a second major label deal was their fiercest obstacle yet.
In September 2001, close friend and brother of former manager Roger Jansen, Henry Jansen, was invited to play drums for a few Dovetail Joint shows. Henry quickly learned a dozen songs and played 3 shows back-to-back later that month. The musicians clicked.
On October 1, 2001, Joe stepped away from the Dovetail Joint he had helped to build.
On January 15, 2002, "E.P. from the Underclass" was released.
At the close of 2002, the desire to work towards something new brought an end to Dovetail Joint.
On August 14, 2010 Dovetail Joint reunited to play one show at Lincoln Hall in Chicago.
Official Discography
| Date of Release | Title | Record Label |
|---|---|---|