The Family Jewels (band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Family Jewels (1991–2004) was a United States rock band, which released an album of pop with humorous lyrics.

The band was formed in 1991 by three childhood friends after a jamming party in Edison, New Jersey. They soon recruited John Underwood's brother Mike as a drummer and in 1994 the band released its first single, Happy as a Fly backed with Phone Sex Girls. This was played on major and college radio in the US, was reviewed by London music magazines, and led labels to contact the band. The band's CD, The Family Jewels was released in 1997 and the band was signed by Black Pumpkin Records.

Previously solely a recording entity, the band took to the road in 1998—self-financing their own tour of the United States. They styled themselves "Brainlessly brilliant, yet seriously warped pop/rock expansionists." That same year, the band recorded a second album, Chuck and Louise, but Black Pumpkin Records shelved it and subsequently dropped the band, citing a lack of commercial potential.

Disappointed by the problems with the second album, the band played only a few gigs until 2000, when they opened for Frankie Goes to Hollywood. With money earned from their day jobs they were able to produce Chuck and Louise II - featuring the second single Push it through the Middle. Asked to describe the sound, they offered: "They Might Be Giants, Zappa, the Dead Milkmen and Stevie Wonder playing a High School Prom."

Without commercial backing the band stopped recording in 2002. They reformed briefly in July 2004 to play at the 7th Annual Chickenout at Altoona, Pennsylvania. Brian Barry and keyboardist Mike Miller formed Scrotum Jones and returned to Big Blue Meenie Studios to record an album for release in 2005. Miller also released a solo album in 2005. John Underwood contributed guitar to Suit of Lights 2005 debut.