Jody Porter
Encyclopedia
Jody Porter is an American
musician
. He is the guitarist of Grammy Award
-nominated power pop
band Fountains of Wayne
. The band has released four major label albums, including Welcome Interstate Managers
on Virgin Records
in 2003, an RIAA-certified Gold LP. The album spawned the hugely popular U.S. Top 40 hit and number 1 music video "Stacy's Mom
".
in the early 1990s. The band was credited as trailblazers in the shoegazing music scene and is known to have been the first American band in the genre. Although the band created a buzz for itself overseas, including Melody Maker
and NME
singles of the week and top chart positions, their major label debut Popdropper sold marginally. The band came back the to US and eventually broke up in 1996.
(who had already been brought into The Belltower briefly) to join his newly-formed band Fountains of Wayne
before their self-titled Atlantic debut. Porter continued with Fountains of Wayne through their 1999 release, Utopia Parkway
. However, after the band was dropped from Atlantic Records in 2001, Fountains of Wayne went on hiatus. In 2003, the band reformed and entered the studio to do a spate of demos which would eventually become Welcome Interstate Managers
on Virgin records
. The band received two Grammy nominations in 2004 and released Out of State Plates
, a collection of b sides and rarities the following year. They reassembled in 2007 for their next studio album Traffic and Weather
which was said to have been recorded largely by Schlesinger and Porter.
In 2002, The Astrojet recorded a 6 track EP of Porter-penned songs entitled, The Mile Low Club.
In early 2004, he disbanded the group to reassemble Fountains of Wayne and continue as a solo artist.
, Jesse Malin
, Brookville
, David Mead
and Juliana Hatfield
.
Porter has been credited on albums playing bass, keyboards and drums in addition to vocals and guitar.
(Strokes
, Regina Spector). The album was first released in Japan by FAEC/Rough Trade on July 2 of that year and was later picked up by Engine Room Recordings
and slated for release worldwide on May 11, 2010.
He has generally favored Vox amps.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. He is the guitarist of Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-nominated power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
band Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne is an American power pop band that formed in New York City in 1996. The band consists of members Chris Collingwood, Adam Schlesinger, Jody Porter and Brian Young.-Early years:...
. The band has released four major label albums, including Welcome Interstate Managers
Welcome Interstate Managers
Welcome Interstate Managers is an album by Fountains of Wayne. It was released on June 10, 2003. The album's title was taken from a hotel marquee sign. The album includes the hit song "Stacy's Mom", which garnered significant airplay in 2003. "Mexican Wine" was the second single...
on Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
in 2003, an RIAA-certified Gold LP. The album spawned the hugely popular U.S. Top 40 hit and number 1 music video "Stacy's Mom
Stacy's Mom
"Stacy's Mom" is a hit single by American band Fountains of Wayne, released in 2003 and taken from their album Welcome Interstate Managers....
".
The Belltower
Known for his impressive virtuoso abilities and British guitar pop playing style, Jody first garnered attention fronting and writing the songs for London-based band The BelltowerThe Belltower
The Belltower was an American alternative rock band from New York City often associated with the shoegazing scene, with members who later joined Luna and Fountains of Wayne.-History:...
in the early 1990s. The band was credited as trailblazers in the shoegazing music scene and is known to have been the first American band in the genre. Although the band created a buzz for itself overseas, including Melody Maker
Melody Maker
Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was, according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly music newspaper. It was founded in 1926 as a magazine targeted at musicians; in 2000 it was merged into "long-standing rival" New Musical Express.-1950s–1960s:Originally the Melody...
and NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
singles of the week and top chart positions, their major label debut Popdropper sold marginally. The band came back the to US and eventually broke up in 1996.
Fountains of Wayne
Porter was then asked by his friend Adam SchlesingerAdam Schlesinger
Adam Schlesinger is an American songwriter, composer and record producer. He has been nominated for Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy , and Golden Globe Awards. He is also a winner of the ASCAP Pop Music Award....
(who had already been brought into The Belltower briefly) to join his newly-formed band Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne is an American power pop band that formed in New York City in 1996. The band consists of members Chris Collingwood, Adam Schlesinger, Jody Porter and Brian Young.-Early years:...
before their self-titled Atlantic debut. Porter continued with Fountains of Wayne through their 1999 release, Utopia Parkway
Utopia Parkway
Utopia Parkway is a 1999 album by Fountains of Wayne, released through Atlantic Records. It was the follow-up to the band's 1996 self-titled debut; like its predecessor, it showcases upbeat, power pop music....
. However, after the band was dropped from Atlantic Records in 2001, Fountains of Wayne went on hiatus. In 2003, the band reformed and entered the studio to do a spate of demos which would eventually become Welcome Interstate Managers
Welcome Interstate Managers
Welcome Interstate Managers is an album by Fountains of Wayne. It was released on June 10, 2003. The album's title was taken from a hotel marquee sign. The album includes the hit song "Stacy's Mom", which garnered significant airplay in 2003. "Mexican Wine" was the second single...
on Virgin records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
. The band received two Grammy nominations in 2004 and released Out of State Plates
Out of State Plates
Out-of-State Plates is a double compilation album by Fountains of Wayne. It was released on June 28, 2005. This is a two-disc compilation of non-album tracks and previously unreleased recordings spanning the group's entire career....
, a collection of b sides and rarities the following year. They reassembled in 2007 for their next studio album Traffic and Weather
Traffic and Weather
Traffic and Weather is an album by Fountains of Wayne. It was released on April 3, 2007. The album has been described as having "...more witty tales of confused young people caught between destinations"....
which was said to have been recorded largely by Schlesinger and Porter.
The AstroJet
Jody Porter also once fronted the short-lived New York-based alternative band The Astrojet.In 2002, The Astrojet recorded a 6 track EP of Porter-penned songs entitled, The Mile Low Club.
In early 2004, he disbanded the group to reassemble Fountains of Wayne and continue as a solo artist.
Guest appearances
Porter has played on albums with Albert Hammond, Jr., IvyIvy (band)
Ivy is a New York City band composed of a trio of musicians, Adam Schlesinger, Dominique Durand, and Andy Chase.-Lately and Realistic:...
, Jesse Malin
Jesse Malin
Jesse Malin is a rock musician. He has played with Heart Attack and D Generation. He is currently a solo recording artist.-Biography:...
, Brookville
Brookville (Band)
Brookville is a solo project of Andy Chase from Ivy. Brookville toured the United States in November 2006 with pop band Tahiti 80.-Bio:Ivy co-founder Andy Chase is released Brookville's second album, Life in the Shade, on June 13, 2006, on his own label, Unfiltered Records...
, David Mead
David Mead
David Worth Mead is a Nashville-based pop singer-songwriter, best known for his soaring vocals and such albums as Indiana and Almost and Always...
and Juliana Hatfield
Juliana Hatfield
Juliana Hatfield , is an American guitarist/singer-songwriter and author from the Boston area, formerly of the indie rock bands Blake Babies and Some Girls. She currently lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts....
.
Porter has been credited on albums playing bass, keyboards and drums in addition to vocals and guitar.
Solo
In 2008, Porter finished work on his debut solo album Close to the Sun. The 12 song album bridges the gap between the sonic atmospheric stylings of The Belltower and the guitar-driven power pop of Fountains of Wayne. It was co-produced by Michael Tudor and Gordon RaphaelGordon Raphael
Gordon Raphael is a record producer and musician from Seattle, Washington and New York, currently working in San Antonio, Texas.Gordon Raphael is most widely known for his work with The Strokes, whom he met while attending one of their very first shows at Luna Lounge on the Lower East Side, New...
(Strokes
The Strokes
The Strokes are an American indie rock band formed in 1999 in New York City. Consisting of Julian Casablancas , Nick Valensi , Albert Hammond, Jr. , Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti ....
, Regina Spector). The album was first released in Japan by FAEC/Rough Trade on July 2 of that year and was later picked up by Engine Room Recordings
Engine Room Recordings
Engine Room Recordings is an independent record label with a roster of Indie rock and Alternative rock musicians. Beyond marketing and distribution for its artists, the label does booking and artist management....
and slated for release worldwide on May 11, 2010.
Musical Equipment
Jody has used an arsenal of vintage guitars over the years. Most notably a 3 pick up Les Paul custom, several early 60's Fender Jazzmasters, various vintage Gretsch models and more recently a '57 Les Paul Jr that belonged to his father.He has generally favored Vox amps.