MySpace a place for friends

(Slightly) Before Poprocket

Jay Garrigan has been a member of some of Charlotte’s most critically acclaimed bands, including 2nd Skin / Violet Strange, Laburnum, and Boil. Currently he performs and records under his own name, his long-running band Poprocket, and newly formed band with his brothers Joe and Mike Garrigan named The Garrigan Bros. Jay also sometimes sits in The Virginia Reel, Transmission fields, Bruce Hazel and Some Volunteers, as well as regularly performs in the annual Fools’ Brigade and various Tosco parties.

While touring endlessly in the late 90’s opening for big name acts such as Pavement and The B-52’s, Jay Garrigan’s studio experience increased, working with the likes of Ed Stasium (Living Color, Bowie), Jeff Tomei (Hole, Smashing Pumpkins), Steve Haigler (Pixies), and Clint Steele (Swans)… While in graduate school in 1994, Jay Garrigan joined 2nd Skin, a group formed out of the ashes of Charlotte’s Fetch-n-Bones (Capitol). The group soon changed its name to Violet Strange and found itself constantly on the brink of getting signed. With the help of RCA, Brian Malouf and Ed Stasium, Violet Strange released their work, “Stray.” However, Jay, finding his own songwriting skills ripening, left the group in 1996.

In 1997, while performing solo shows and honing his craft, Jay was asked by Laburnum’s singer to take over vocal duties. Within a month of Jay joining, Laburnum was signed to Deep South Management under Andy Martin. Once again, Jay was in a band that seemed on the brink of a big record deal. In 1999, however, Laburnum split up into “First Night on Earth,” “Bellglide,” and eventually… Poprocket.

Poprocket Begins

Returning back to his solo shows in the summer of ‘99, Jay Garrigan played mostly indie/punk clubs in the Southeast, and continued writing new material. Feeling the urgency to rock with a wicked band behind him, he gathered the forces of Jeffrey Larish, a tattooed rock-a-holic bassist, and Shawn Lynch, ex Lou Ford drummer. Within a month they were playing NYC during CMJ and toured strongly for the next three years. While Poprocket began as a pop band, the combination of their various musical roots, and their high energy, fun rock shows expanded into more adventurous, edgy and sometimes manic rock, led by Jay’s powerful voice (comparable to Jeff Buckley’s and Freddie Mercury’s) and strong, emotive songs.

When Poprocket’s first EP, “Some Songs,” debuted on GarageBand.com, it moved up the charts to settle comfortable at 15 out of 15,665 in the Pop/Rock Genre (Song: Lampshade Girl Part III). Recorded and mixed in two days by Doug Williams at Electro Magnetic Radiation Recorders in Winston-Salem, “Some Songs” attracted the attention of critics and new fans throughout the South and Mid-Atlantic. Poprocket performed hundreds of dates throughout the area, opening for such bands as ElfPower, Five-Eight, Badfinger and Crooked Fingers.

The release of “Indie Rot” proved this was no one-off band. Jenny Plyler, a punk-inspired bass player from Washington D.C.’s Popgun, joined Poprocket halfway thru the recording of “Indie Rot.” Recorded by Chris Garges at Jay Howard Audio in Charlotte, NC, the sophomore effort of love and hook-laden rock has not only drawn the attention of industry “players” but raised Poprocket into Southeast and Mid-Atlantic media darlings as one favorable review follows another. (”…one of the best bands Charlotte has to offer..” Free Times, Columbia, SC). The EP also gained notice from several indie labels, but after failed negotiations, Garrigan decided to release “Indie Rot” on his own label, Stealth Kitty Records. Continuing to be recognized in the industry, Jay’s songs are currently being shopped (by invitation) for film and TV in Los Angeles.

Joe Kuhlmann, co-owner of The Evening Muse and 36th Street Studios in Charlotte, NC joined the team in 2004 as their new bassist, solidifying the maturity and commitment of the trio. Together this line-up brings a wealth of stage, studio and songwriting craft to the Poprocket experience. The fans in Charlotte seem to agree, as Poprocket is often voted Creative Loafing’s Readers’ Pick – Best Rock Band and Best Musicians.

Poprocket started recording their third record in late 2004, but the sessions were much like the Beatles white album sessions where the band was hardly together in the studio at the same time. In 2005, Jay joined The Virginia Reel, Shawn Lynch moved out-of-state to tour with Prabir and the Substitutes, Joe Kuhlman opened his recording studio, and the band performed less frequently. In 2007, Shawn moved back to Charlotte and Poprocket started to play occasionally. As of 2008, the band has over 17 songs recorded, and is currently re-tracking and remixing many of these tunes at Joe Kuhlman’s 36th street studios. We hope to have a very special record for you soon.

Be sure to check out Jay's other band The Garrigan Bros on myspace and at jaygarrigan.com