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* Jerry's new single "Pluto's Not a Planet" is out, now available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/jpopiel. Generous free sample, and a high-resolution .mp3 download for $1. Complete album to follow in summer. * Director/producer Eric Shiveley's film "Everyone But You" premieres opening night of the Oxford International Film Festival on April 10. The film also plays April 11 and 13. Jerry and three of his songs ("Irene," "One Good Reason," and "That Girl") make appearances in the film. The film is also scheduled for the opening night premier at the Indie Spirit Film Festival in Colorado Springs on April 25, and the Jackson Hole Film Festival in Wyoming on June 5-9. * Jerry opens for Marty Wilson Piper of the legendary band The Church, Saturday, May 17th at 9:00 p.m. See appearances link for details. * Jerry's tongue-in-cheek tribute to Cleveland sports host Mark "Munch" Bishop entitled "Munch on Sports" is also out. Call Munch at WKNR 850 AM http://espncleveland.com/ and request to hear it. * Jerry's song "Ohio" makes an appearance in the newly released film "Head of the Company," a satire by producer/director Butch Maier. Release schedule TBD. Past News/Press/Reviews Cool Cleveland, February 2006 The 13 tracks on "Ohio" are chock-full of fun, hook-laden guitar pop, filled with that jangly guitar sound that populated the airwaves in the "post-R.E.M." era. It takes nothing away from the cohesion shared by Jerry Popiel, Jake Schneider, Will Albrecht and Gregg Thauvette. They sound strong, confident and observant. From the opening notes of "Irene," a love song from the guy next door, to the garage-rock strains of "Second Chance," you can tell that the bones of strong, tight songwriting are there. The musicianship and vocals are clearly there. And certainly the attention of Cleveland music fans -- who have seen these guys open for the Beach Boys, Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, The Fixx, and a ton of other local and national acts -- is there. And heck, they sound like they're having fun, which is extremely important as well. The lyrics and music are a rust-belt reflection of growing up and coming-of-age in Ohio. The magic "it" factor that "Ohio" is missing at some points will follow. It has to. They've got just about everything else in the right place. -- Peter Chakerian, Cool Cleveland. Lorain Journal, November 18, 2005 [excerpts] The Lorain area group called the Birdhouse Gourds has only been playing their original tunes for three years. But tight songwriting and infectious '80s-inspired tunes have brought them a good degree of notice in Northeast Ohio, including opening slots for The Beach Boys, Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald and The Fixx, plus being featured on "Crooked River Groove" and "Words and Music" television programs and the "Live from Cleveland" radio show. Now the group has chronicled all the work of the past into its official debut, "Ohio." The 13 tracks drop hook-laden guitar pop that gives a nod to the numerous late '70s and early '80s acts that filled out the New Wave scene in Northeast Ohio, as well as the rest of the nation, with the jangly guitar sound heard in the post-REM era. -- John Patrick Gatta, The Beat. Cleveland Free Times, November 9, 2005 [excerpts] Don't know these guys personally, but my guess is that they're into '60s folk-rock. You know, bands like the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young that could harmonize and wrote lyrics that meant something. At least that's what comes across on this, the Gourds' official full-length debut. From the opening notes of "Irene," a jangly love song from the "guy who lives next door" to "Second Chance," a garage-rock number that recalls the brisk beat of "La Bamba," the disc posits the band as 21st century classic rock. -- Jeff Niesel, Music Editor. The Press, December 22, 2004 [excerpts] Playing onstage at the House of Blues, Cleveland's newest hot-spot, the Birdhouse Gourds wanted to make something perfectly clear to the December 14 audience. "We're from Cleveland," lead singer and front man Jerry Popiel said to the Tuesday night crowd, drawing a rousing round of applause. Taking the stage at the House of Blues, the band performs like they are the night's headliner, ripping out a dozen songs of what Popiel refers to as "quirky mainstream rock..." The band shows an affinity for mixing up tempos and playing songs with girls' names such as Claire, Irene and Caroline, Caroline. "Playing at the House of Blues... it was very rewarding... I'd play there again in a heartbeat" [Will] Albrecht said. The Birdhouse Gourds may be just a step away from the major success they are not necessarily looking for. In fact, the people most startled at the band's success could be... the Birdhouse Gourds. "Yeah, we're pretty surprised about it," Popiel said laughing. -- Lori Switaj, Asst. Editor Cleveland Free Times, August 25, 2004 Avon Lake's Birdhouse Gourds play the kind of middle-of-the-road alt-rock that's made acts such as Matchbox Twenty and the Dave Matthews Band platinum sellers. "Stupid Party" is a great rave-up, and "Irene" is as catchy as any Barenaked Ladies tune. -- Jeff Niesel, Music Editor Lorain Journal, August 27, 2004 Make sure you get to the Rock & Soul 2004 concert featuring Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald and Average White Band early on Sunday at Tower City Amphitheater. Lorain area act the Birdhouse Gourds will be performing at 5:30 p.m. on the Cleveland Free Times stage. The concert will feature its original melodic rock tunes including new songs "Irene" and "One Good Reason." The group's appearance caps three years of creative original music-making and an especially fruitful 2003-04 that included opening for classic rock artists Ambrosia, The Strawbs, Leon Russell and folk artist Susan Werner. The Band was a semi-finalist in Little Steven's national Underground Garage Midwest regional competition at the Beachland Ballroom, took part in a live one-hour radio performance on WRUW 91.1 FM and appeared at the John Lennon Songwriting Contest tour bus during its Rock and Roll Hall of Fame stop. -- John Patrick Gatta, In Tunes The Lorain Journal, June 4, 2004 Following a successful radio appearance on WRUW 91.1, the Birdhouse Gourds will play a full set of original rock music including new material at 9:30 p.m. tonight at the Winchester. -- John Patrick Gatta, In Tunes The Lorain Journal, December 12, 2003 Avon
Lake-based band the Birdhouse Gourds will perform an all-acoustic set Cleveland Scene Magazine, May 6, 2003 Regional Beat The Birdhouse Gourds... play straight-on, unadorned, 1980s-style rock. All 11 songs on Crayon Banjo, the Gourds' first full-length CD, are original, mostly the work of lead singer/guitarist Jerry Popiel. R.E.M., in fact, is the Gourds' strongest influence: Opening cut "That Girl" could have been an outtake from Murmur or Reckoning; Barenaked Ladies, Gin Blossoms, and all other guitar-driven modern-rock acts creep into their sound as well... heavy on melody, with well-intentioned raggedness. The Journal, May 2, 2003 Making
the Local Scene The Gourds perform on a triple bill that includes The Nadas and Mint. Show time is 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 4. For more information on the Birdhouse Gourds, go to the group's website http//www.birdhousegourds.com. -- John Patrick Gatta, In Tunes Cleveland Scene Magazine, January 8, 2003 Club
Scout The Journal, December 6, 2002 In
Tunes The Press, August 14, 2002 The
Birdhouse Gourds take off on Cleveland music scene Three childhood friends from Sheffield Lake are making waves in the Cleveland music scene, racking up accolades and generating enough interest to recently open for the Beach Boys. “The Birdhouse Gourds” is a trio of three area men, Jerry Popiel, 32, Jake Schneider, 32, and Will Albrecht, 29. While the Birdhouse Gourds proficiently “cover” an array of songs from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, what separates them from many other Cleveland area bands is their ability to write and play their own music. “When we perform as an original band, about 75 percent of our songs are our own material,” Popiel, who now lives in Avon Lake, said. The band plays primarily rock music, although Popiel said it might be considered alternative, or “emo-rock,” for emotionally-charged rock. The band’s original music is inspired by R.E.M., Green Day, Barenaked Ladies and Chris Isaak. Some of their songs are featured on cornerband.com. The three men each acquired their musical talent at an early age. Popiel is one of 11 children, many who are avid musicians. “They included me in their playing since I was a child in the early ‘70s,” Popiel said. “So it was a natural thing to pick up the guitar and I’ve been playing ever since.” He played in a band, “The Jer-Ohms,” while in the Coast Guard Academy and wrote a lot of music at the time. He recently started composing again. His band mates were also inspired early. Schneider, who lives in Lorain, was bit by the drumming bug after seeing the Euclid Beach Band’s John Hart (also an Avon Lake resident), co-creator of the local classic “There’s No Surf in Cleveland,” perform. But his interest in drumming came from hearing Peter Criss of Kiss play. Schneider played drums with numerous bands while a teen-some of which included current band mates. Eventually he took some time off, went to college and started a family. He returned to music in 1994 and joined the Birdhouse Gourds in May, 2001. Will Albrecht of Avon Lake plays an array of instruments. “I started in piano around age 7, moved to trombone, trumpet, drums, tuba and guitar/bass guitar,” he said. He considers tuba to be his best instrument. He met Popiel and Schneider “guest starring” on drums at a graduation party in 1988, and has played bass sporadically with Popiel since college. “I remain to this day one of Lorain County’s finest shower singers,” he said jokingly. The band’s opening for the Beach Boys on July 25 came as a recommendation from the concert promoter’s booking agent. The agent liked the group’s music and recommended the Birdhouse Gourds to the Cleveland Free Times, who then selected the band. The concert gave the band the opportunity to play 11 of their own original songs to a widespread Cleveland audience. Like any band that plays original music, there are fan favorites and audience favorites. “Our audience and fans have generally told us they like our single ‘Second Chance’ the best,” Popiel said. “My personal favorite is our newest songs called ‘That Girl.’” Popiel is responsible for writing most of the group’s original music and lyrics. He considered the band’s opening for the Beach Boys to be (thus far) the group’s highlight. Not only was it a great experience for the band, but it also provided citywide exposure. “It has gotten the attention of the Cleveland music scene,” Popiel said. “We hope it’s one of many to come.” The
Birdhouse Gourds are looking to build on their recent successes.
The group members agree that there is a demand for their style of
music in other regional cities such as Detroit, Buffalo and Pittsburgh.
But first and foremost, they would like succeed in the home of
the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame before anywhere else. The trio is realistic in their goals and note they play for reasons more significant than “making a million and getting a video on MTV,” although admitting striking it big with their own music would be the “American dream.” “We all have families that are very important to us,” Popiel said. “Music is a wonderful thing, and we write songs and perform them because it is fulfilling to us.” The trio “gets along famously,” avoiding the conflicts that occur with many other bands. They all admit the balancing act between family lives and performing is the hardest part. Is there a meaning behind the band’s name? Popiel said there really isn’t, the group’s members just liked the way it sounds. The Birdhouse Gourds’ self-produced debut EP is tentatively scheduled for a fall, 2002, release, along with a professionally produced video shot on 16mm film during this summer. For more
information on the band, visit the Gourds’ website at www.birdhousegourds.com.
-- Lori Switaj, Staff Writer The Press, July 18, 2002 Avon Lake band to open for Beach Boys The Birdhouse Gourds, a new modern rock group from Avon Lake, will be featured before legends of ‘60s surf rock, the Beach Boys, at the Nautica Pavilion in the flats on July 25, at 6:30 p.m. The
Birdhouse Gourds will perform their acclaimed original music on the
Sirius Stage, which is located at the north entrance to the Nautica
Pavilion. There is no
charge for admission. The
Beach Boys show (ticket required) will start immediately afterward
inside the main pavilion. The Journal, June 21, 2002 Two great bands make Lorain weekend It seems that as every week passes, I’m becoming more enlightened on the musical talent in the Lorain area. With so many national acts of varying styles performing nearby, it’s always a difficult task to whittle down what information to supply readers and what information to leave out. In the future and with the good response from local musicians, I’m going to try harder to not only relay information on concerts by area acts but provide a little information whenever possible. The Birdhouse Gourds may be based in Lorain County, but, thanks to the world wide web, the alternative act’s music has been embraced by an international fanbase. According to the website, www.cornerband.com, the Birdhouse Gourds have been named the “Number One Alternative Band in Ohio.” Besides a wide range of pop covers from Green Day to Barenaked Ladies and Cheap Trick, the trio writes and performs its original tunes. It features former Beantown alternative rock veterans Jerry Popiel (guitar and vocals) and Will Albrecht (bass and vocals) and Jake Schneider (drums and vocals). Popiel attributes the band’s appeal to its songwriting. He and Albrecht were finalists in a nationwide songwriting competition back in the 1990s. They continue that musical strategy with the Birdhouse Gourds. The Birdhouse Gourds play at 10 p.m. at the Tropicana, 33493 Lake Road, Avon Lake. Admission is $4 for this 21-and-over show. For more information call 440-930-9178.
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