At present:
Joe Merklee - Guitars & vocals
Cindi Merklee - Bass & guitars
Past:
Citizen K - Guitars & vocals
Marc Garella - Drums & percussion
Sarah Gleason - Guitars & vocals
Influences
The dB's, Big Star, The Replacements, The Verlaines, The Bats, The Go-Betweens, Matthew Sweet, Richard Thompson, Husker Du, Guided by Voices, The Beatles, The Who, The Kinks, Guadalcanal Diary, Magnetic Fields, Throwing Muses, Uncle Tupelo, John Prine, Game Theory, Lets Active
In a nutshell: Balloon Squad has seen various incarnations since the mid-80's when it was founded by Joe Merklee, Marc Garella and Citizen K. The last full line-up came together in the early 90's, released two EPs independently, May Pangs & June Forays and I Wake Up Screaming (that someone in the UK is apparently hawking over the internet for about $20 each - go figure) and played many a fine establishment in the NY/NJ area before disbanding in 1997.
There's about an album's worth of backing tracks that have been kicking around for close to 10 years that Joe & Cindi (brother & sister, to clarify) are hoping to finish off this summer with the help of some friends. Songs from our first two EPs will be up here shortly. Full "official" bio to follow as well.
Just wanted to shout out that The Phoenix Foundations debut record Horsepower is in stores in the USA now! Highly acclaimed in New Zealand and Australia for there blend of indie pop with 70s prog horror tripped out ummm music TPF are really excited to be joing forces with Young American Records and will be on tour in the states throughout June playing with The Veils, Voxtrot, Au Revoire Simone and followong the release of NZ indy film Eagle Versus Shark for which they provided the score.
Thanks for accepting our semi spammy comment! here are the tour dates.
Weds May 30: Bishop, CA – The Masonic Temple
Sat June 2: Seattle, WA – The Crocodile w/ Voxtrot, Au Revoire Simone
Sun June 3: San Francisco, CA – Amoeba Records In-Store Performace
Mon June 4: Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland
Weds June 6: Santa Barbara, CA – Velvet Jones
Thurs June 7: New York, NY – The Veils @ Mercury Lounge
Fri June 8: Brooklyn, NY – The Veils @ Union Hall
Sat June 9: Boston – The Veils @ Great Scott
Mon June 11: New York – ‘Eagle V Shark’ premiere party
Tues June 12: Philadelphia, PA – Flight of the Conchords After party @ World Café
hey balloon squad. and thanks for adding. love the name. love the influences. i can´t listen to your songs right now cause i have no sound on the computer... but i´ll be back to have a listen, but judging by influences it´s pretty f... cool!!
all the best,
Anders
