Gerald Goode is a New York Metropolitan Area musician known for his incredible voice, dynamic production work, Billboard-chart-topping remixes and his long-time tenure as the lead singer of the rock band Simple Jim. With just one listen to his self-produced debut solo CD, “For Those Who Have,” it is evident that his passion for music is strong; his artistic vision - bold. The record is a refreshing return to Album Oriented Rock: it flows seamlessly from song to song, along the way blending Gerald’s soulful voice with his brooding piano riffs, his often dark & reflective lyrics, his sweeping orchestral landscapes and guitar-infused electronica. Released September 2008 on Gerald’s own imprint Vessel Music, this recording offers the commercial appeal of artists in the vein of Coldplay and Rob Thomas, but also has the dark, emotive strains of a performer like Fiona Apple. Throughout the 14 self-penned tracks on “For Those Who Have,” Gerald puts his heart out on the line as he sings about failed relationships, addiction, self-respect, the ins & outs of love and the loss of innocence.
His journey began in a modest home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, as the second of three children within a family of skilled amateur musicians. Both his father and older brother were trained guitarists, and classic rock by the Beatles, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin and Van Halen served as background music for most of his early years. A self-described “unusual kid,” Gerald often found solace in music, and by the time he was in middle school, he was learning to play the piano by ear. In no time at all, he found himself saving up money to buy a multi-track recorder and studio equipment to capture the songs he was writing. Gerald’s passion for music and performance was alive and well throughout his teenage years, and he continued to work intently and methodically at honing his craft.
Upon graduating high school, older brother Jon cast Gerald as the lead singer in his college band Simple Jim, and not long after, Gerald's star began to shine. Everyone was talking about the group and the ‘crazy kid’ they had as their frontman. The band's popularity in Southern Connecticut swelled on account of Gerald’s raw performance style; he would roll around on the floor during a rendition of the Violent Femme’s “Blister in The Sun,” and strip down to nothing but his underwear. One time he came out on stage dressed in an American Flag and combat boots; another time, in full tuxedo complete with top hat and cane. For a period of time, he even taunted his audiences by doing an entire set in a style of drag that would send Kiss running back to the drawing board. His onstage antics set a new standard of performance and entertainment for cover bands throughout the region.
Not long after forming, Simple Jim began to turn their attentions to writing original music. With Gerald as chief lyricist, he would often demo songs in his home studio, and then bring them to the band to be picked apart and adapted for live performance. By their fourth year as a band, Simple Jim had released two albums of original material through their own label, and the band sold several thousand copies in the tri-state area. The band continued to draw their legion of rabid fans to such legendary venues as Toad’s Place, CBGBs, and The Elbow Room. Their song, ‘Laqueeda,’ about a gender-bending club kid, garnered the band airplay on Connecticut’s 1 Contemporary Hit Radio Station KC 101 (WKCI-CT).
It was only a matter of time before Gerald began to expand his musical horizons. He began to frequent the NYC underground club scene, spending weekend nights at the Sound Factory, Tunnel, Roxy and Limelight, and fell in love with the energy of house music. Armed with a fierce desire to have his production skills recognized, Gerald began remixing under the professional moniker ‘Blue Room’ and went on to become a presence on the Billboard Dance Charts with his remixes for Ru Paul, Lisa Hunt, and Amuka. His productions and bootleg reworkings of songs by Mariah Carey, Madonna and Mary J. Blige, were frequently incorporated into Celebrity DJ Junior Vasquez’s sets. Vasquez commissioned Blue Room to remix “Set It Free,” a song from house artist Jason Walker’s debut record, which found a place among Billboard’s Top 20 regular players in 2005. Grammy Award winning producer Peter Rauhofer also enlisted Gerald to write and produce a track for Star69 Records artist Suzanne Palmer’s full-length album, “Home." He simultaneously became a resident DJ at clubs in both New York and Connecticut.
All the while, Gerald was working on his original, more contemplative music. “For Those Who Have” became a labor of love that involved many stops and starts. “Many of my own experiences during my early 20’s are the basis for the songs on ‘For Those Who Have,’” says Gerald, "and in the end it wound up being a really cathartic experience." He adds: “Making this record was the boldest way I could think of to turn the page, so to speak - both musically and spiritually.” With veteran producer Scott White on mixing detail, and Grammy Award winning engineer Phil Magnotti in charge of mastering, the outcome is a collection of songs that are well-executed, insightful and unforgettably melodic, taking the listener over an emotional arc from start to finish.
Gerald sets himself apart from many of his contemporaries in that he not only prides himself on being a first-rate musician, but he is also involved in every aspect of the production, promotion and marketing of his music. He is the sole master of his audience’s perceptions, and an insistence on being such has beckoned Gerald to roll up his sleeves and don many different hats during the creative process behind “For Those Who Have”: producer, programmer, graphic designer, video producer/editor, writer, web moderator and promoter. He also has a genuine interest in producing, nurturing and collaborating with other artists who display exceptional talents in the creative arts. He has been fearless in acquiring whatever skills have been necessary to propel his musical career towards success, and he believes that modern-day musicians can thrive online with hard work and dedication.
2009 will see the release of two EPs in support of "For Those Who Have." The first, a remix EP of 'Better Than Myself,' will be released on Tuesday May 19, 2009, with online music giant Reverb Nation serving as digital distributor. The EP features remixes by Gerald himself, Manny Lehman, Nick Saya and Alix Alvarez with DJ Nomad NYC. Also scheduled for release in late summer is an EP of acoustic and live versions of various tracks off of "FTWH."
Gerald Goode is a true artist with a penchant for bearing his proverbial soul to his audience; a singer and performer with undeniable charisma and presence; a skilled producer and song stylist in the recording studio; and a sharp businessman willing to share his skillful knowledge with anyone with a desire to learn. To call "For Those Who Have" a strong first release from an up and coming singer/songwriter is an understatement; it is, in fact, yet another compelling chapter in Gerald’s remarkable musical journey.
Gerald is spending the Spring/Summer of 2009 filming footage to be used in his upcoming web-based reality show, tentatively titled, "Survivng Gerald Goode." He will also be starring in a short film directed by his sister, Lauren Goode, about music in relationship to the end of the world. A music video for "Here" will be filmed in August, and he will begin tracking new material for CD 2 by summer's end.
jah papi. Its been a really good time hanging out with you recently. Pottery is sooooo magic. Magic and Gay. :) Gotta love it. Gotta keep in touch :) keep it real my friend. btefan ps. i expect to see you again soon biotch. You gots ta finish your <3 box so i can get that shit off our shelves ;) Anyways, we'll have to have pottery discount night very soon. ROCK
hey whats up i have u on my frnds but , we nvr chat jst wanted to stop by to say HELLO .... dont be a stranger and hit me up sumtime . well hope u had a great weekend ttyl dayved
Hey Gerald. I started reading that book you got me. The power of Now. Its amazing how something can spark up old memories. Miss you. So glad that your album is out! Thats totally awesome. I know I have some of the songs already from you but of course I had to buy it anyways. Hit me up when you get a chance. I'll message k you my number again.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
HAPPY NEW YEAR, Gerald! Lovin' what you're doin' with my tunes, baby!!! "Like We Did..." sounds AWESOME at the end. Here's to lots more music in '09... ;-)
Hey Gerald!!! We used to follow you arround since back in the day when we used to see you play @ the Sports Page...!!! you are the bomb!!! Simple Jim Rocks!!
