Uncle Green
Encyclopedia
Formed in Basking Ridge, New Jersey
in 1980, the band Uncle Green consisted of Matt Brown (guitar and vocals), Jeff Jensen (guitar and vocals), Bill Decker (bass), Pete McDade (drums), and Danny Giordano (tambourine and vocals). Brown and Jensen were the principal songwriters and vocalists for the group.
After relocating to Atlanta, the band recorded a single, "Holes" b/w "Heaven", and two independent records, Get It Together and 15 Dryden, for New Vision Records. (Giordano played on and contributed a song to the former album, but afterward moved to New York City to form his own group: The Humboldts.) The band then met an ascendant Brendan O'Brien
, near the beginning of his producing career, with whom they recorded the albums You and What An Experiment His Head Was for DB Records
. After establishing themselves as a well-known regional college-rock band, they signed a contract with Atlantic Records
in the early 1990s and recorded Book of Bad Thoughts. Like all of their efforts, the album was lauded by critics, but establishing commercial viability proved more difficult. Subsequent tours supporting The Reivers
, Semisonic
, The Black Crowes
, Matthew Sweet
, They Might Be Giants
, Robyn Hitchcock
and the Ben Folds Five
helped increased their visibility.
In 1994, the band took part in an Indigo Girls
project called Jesus Christ Superstar: A Resurrection and appear, credited individually, on the studio cast album. In 1995 part of a solo Matt Brown set recorded at Eddie's Attic
in Decatur, Georgia
, was included on the album Solo, Volume I, released by the independent label Sister Ruby. The album included original songs that do not appear on any of the group's albums, as well as a cover of Big Star's "Nighttime". The same year, Uncle Green contributed a version of "Ballad of a Thin Man
" to A Tribute to Bob Dylan, Vol. 2, also on the Sister Ruby label.
Disappointed with their limited success, the band renamed themselves 3 lb. Thrill
(the weight of the human brain) and recorded the harder-edged Vulture for O'Brien's new vanity label, 57 Records, a subsidiary of Epic
. This spawned a minor radio hit, "Diana", which examined the uncomfortable subject of child molestation and suffered commercially as a result. A video was recorded for the single "Something Will Come", directed by Peter Christopherson
. The compilation album Thrive: A Compilation to Benefit Youth Pride purports to include an otherwise unavailable 3 lb. Thrill track called "Threnody", but due to a mastering error the track is actually "Bad Seed" from the Vulture album. The real "Threnody" remains unreleased. 3 lb. Thrill's second album, Rycopa, was recorded in 1996 with engineer Caram Costanzo, but has never been officially released. Matt Brown's solo album Medicine Show, recorded with producer Rick Neigher
, drummers Pete Thomas
and Dan McCarroll, and keyboardist Rami Jaffee
, suffered a similar fate in 1999.
Brown toured as a musician for Brad
in 1997, and produced the album Eleven Emergency Lessons for indie-rock band Amphibian Skin in 2003, on which Jensen and McDade also perform. McDade's drums can also be heard on Atlanta musician Paul Melançon's album, Camera Obscura, released by Daemon Records
in 2002.
In 2005 as 3 lb. Thrill, and in 2006 as Uncle Green, the band reunited for special performances at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta and Eddie's Attic
in Decatur, Georgia.
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
- Demographics :As Basking Ridge is not an independent municipality, the following demographic data is based on the United States Census Bureau figures for the ZIP Code Tabulation Area for the 07920 ZIP Code...
in 1980, the band Uncle Green consisted of Matt Brown (guitar and vocals), Jeff Jensen (guitar and vocals), Bill Decker (bass), Pete McDade (drums), and Danny Giordano (tambourine and vocals). Brown and Jensen were the principal songwriters and vocalists for the group.
After relocating to Atlanta, the band recorded a single, "Holes" b/w "Heaven", and two independent records, Get It Together and 15 Dryden, for New Vision Records. (Giordano played on and contributed a song to the former album, but afterward moved to New York City to form his own group: The Humboldts.) The band then met an ascendant Brendan O'Brien
Brendan O'Brien (music producer)
Brendan O’Brien is a record producer, mixer, engineer, and musician.At age 14, O'Brien played guitar for the Atlanta-based cover band Pranks. In the late 1970s, he moved on to writing, performing and recording with the Samurai Catfish band...
, near the beginning of his producing career, with whom they recorded the albums You and What An Experiment His Head Was for DB Records
DB Records
DB Records is a record label owned by Danny Beard. The label's headquarters reside in the Wax N Facts record store in the Atlanta, Georgia neighborhood of Little Five Points.-History:In 1978, Danny Beard helped some friends in an Athens, Georgia rock band...
. After establishing themselves as a well-known regional college-rock band, they signed a contract with Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in the early 1990s and recorded Book of Bad Thoughts. Like all of their efforts, the album was lauded by critics, but establishing commercial viability proved more difficult. Subsequent tours supporting The Reivers
The Reivers (band)
The Reivers were a pop band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 1984 as Zeitgeist, they were forced to change their name before releasing their second album in 1987, due to another group claiming prior rights to the name...
, 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...
, 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...
, Matthew Sweet
Matthew Sweet
Sidney Matthew Sweet is an American alternative rock/power pop musician. He was part of the burgeoning Athens, Georgia music scene in the early and mid-1980s before gaining commercial success during the early 1990s...
, They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years Flansburgh and Linnell were frequently accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG became a full band. Currently, the members of TMBG are...
, Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Rowan Hitchcock is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. While primarily a vocalist and guitarist, he also plays harmonica, piano and bass guitar....
and the Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five is an alternative rock trio formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group comprises Ben Folds , Robert Sledge , and Darren Jessee . The group achieved mainstream success in the alternative, indie and pop music scenes...
helped increased their visibility.
In 1994, the band took part in an Indigo Girls
Indigo Girls
The Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. They met in elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
project called Jesus Christ Superstar: A Resurrection and appear, credited individually, on the studio cast album. In 1995 part of a solo Matt Brown set recorded at Eddie's Attic
Eddie's Attic
Eddie's Attic is a music club in Decatur, Georgia. Founded in 1992 by Eddie Owen, it is a venue for both local musical talent and musicians of some acclaim who often got their start in the Atlanta area. Artists who developed their fanbase at Eddie's Attic include Shawn Mullins, Sugarland, Indigo...
in Decatur, Georgia
Decatur, Georgia
Decatur is a city in, and county seat of, DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. With a population of 19,335 in the 2010 census, the city is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple zip codes in unincorporated DeKalb County bear the Decatur name...
, was included on the album Solo, Volume I, released by the independent label Sister Ruby. The album included original songs that do not appear on any of the group's albums, as well as a cover of Big Star's "Nighttime". The same year, Uncle Green contributed a version of "Ballad of a Thin Man
Ballad of a Thin Man
"Ballad of a Thin Man" is a song written and recorded by Bob Dylan, released on the album Highway 61 Revisited in 1965.-Meaning:"Ballad of a Thin Man" comments on a conventional "Mr. Jones", who walks into a room of intentionally bizarre circus freaks and doesn't "know what's happening".The...
" to A Tribute to Bob Dylan, Vol. 2, also on the Sister Ruby label.
Disappointed with their limited success, the band renamed themselves 3 lb. Thrill
3 lb. thrill
3 lb. Thrill was the reincarnation of the Atlanta band Uncle Green. Formed in Basking Ridge, New Jersey in 1980, Uncle Green consisted of Matt Brown , Jeff Jensen , Bill Decker , Pete McDade , and Danny Giordano...
(the weight of the human brain) and recorded the harder-edged Vulture for O'Brien's new vanity label, 57 Records, a subsidiary of Epic
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
. This spawned a minor radio hit, "Diana", which examined the uncomfortable subject of child molestation and suffered commercially as a result. A video was recorded for the single "Something Will Come", directed by Peter Christopherson
Peter Christopherson
Peter Martin Christopherson, a.k.a. Sleazy was a musician, video director and designer, and former member of the influential British design agency Hipgnosis....
. The compilation album Thrive: A Compilation to Benefit Youth Pride purports to include an otherwise unavailable 3 lb. Thrill track called "Threnody", but due to a mastering error the track is actually "Bad Seed" from the Vulture album. The real "Threnody" remains unreleased. 3 lb. Thrill's second album, Rycopa, was recorded in 1996 with engineer Caram Costanzo, but has never been officially released. Matt Brown's solo album Medicine Show, recorded with producer Rick Neigher
Rick Neigher
Rick Neigher is a prolific producer, songwriter, musician and backing vocalist. More recently he has been working as a "strategic account executive" in the marketing, advertising and on-line media industries....
, drummers Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas is best known as the longtime drummer for Elvis Costello. Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive".-Career:...
and Dan McCarroll, and keyboardist Rami Jaffee
Rami Jaffee
Rami Jaffee, born March 11, 1969, in Los Angeles, is best known as the keyboardist of The Wallflowers and work for several bands and artists, including Foo Fighters, Pete Yorn, Soul Asylum, Pearl Jam, Stone Sour, Joseph Arthur and Coheed and Cambria....
, suffered a similar fate in 1999.
Brown toured as a musician for Brad
Brad (band)
Brad is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1992. Brad's sound is influenced by the wide variety of influences brought by its members, including Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam, Regan Hagar , Shawn Smith , and Jeremy Toback...
in 1997, and produced the album Eleven Emergency Lessons for indie-rock band Amphibian Skin in 2003, on which Jensen and McDade also perform. McDade's drums can also be heard on Atlanta musician Paul Melançon's album, Camera Obscura, released by Daemon Records
Daemon Records
Daemon Records is an Atlanta, Georgia based, not-for-profit independent record label started by musician Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls. The label is run mostly by the musicians who record on it....
in 2002.
In 2005 as 3 lb. Thrill, and in 2006 as Uncle Green, the band reunited for special performances at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta and Eddie's Attic
Eddie's Attic
Eddie's Attic is a music club in Decatur, Georgia. Founded in 1992 by Eddie Owen, it is a venue for both local musical talent and musicians of some acclaim who often got their start in the Atlanta area. Artists who developed their fanbase at Eddie's Attic include Shawn Mullins, Sugarland, Indigo...
in Decatur, Georgia.
Uncle Green
- "Holes" b/w "Heaven" (single)
- Get it Together (New Vision, 1987)
- 15 Dryden (New Vision, 1988)
- You (DB RecordsDB RecordsDB Records is a record label owned by Danny Beard. The label's headquarters reside in the Wax N Facts record store in the Atlanta, Georgia neighborhood of Little Five Points.-History:In 1978, Danny Beard helped some friends in an Athens, Georgia rock band...
, 1990) - What an Experiment His Head Was (DB RecordsDB RecordsDB Records is a record label owned by Danny Beard. The label's headquarters reside in the Wax N Facts record store in the Atlanta, Georgia neighborhood of Little Five Points.-History:In 1978, Danny Beard helped some friends in an Athens, Georgia rock band...
, 1991) - Book of Bad Thoughts (Atlantic RecordsAtlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, 1992) - "Ballad of a Thin ManBallad of a Thin Man"Ballad of a Thin Man" is a song written and recorded by Bob Dylan, released on the album Highway 61 Revisited in 1965.-Meaning:"Ballad of a Thin Man" comments on a conventional "Mr. Jones", who walks into a room of intentionally bizarre circus freaks and doesn't "know what's happening".The...
" (on A Tribute to Bob Dylan, Vol. 2, Sister Ruby, 1995)
as featured musicians
- Jesus Christ Superstar: A Resurrection (cast album, Daemon RecordsDaemon RecordsDaemon Records is an Atlanta, Georgia based, not-for-profit independent record label started by musician Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls. The label is run mostly by the musicians who record on it....
, 1994) - Camera Obscura - Paul Melançon (Daemon RecordsDaemon RecordsDaemon Records is an Atlanta, Georgia based, not-for-profit independent record label started by musician Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls. The label is run mostly by the musicians who record on it....
, 2002) - Eleven Emergency Lessons - Amphibian Skin (Cattle Clatter, 2003)
External links
- The Star-Room (Matt Brown's personal web-site)
- Amphibian Skin (Amphibian Skin website)
- Song by The Huboldts on iTunes (Song by The Humboldts on iTunes)