Super Genius

Bio:

..

Super Genius is a Boston-based band featuring singer/songwriter Michael Barry, guitarist Milt Reder, bassist Dean Cassell, and renowned drummer David Mattacks.

The band first gigged at Cambridge's "Lizard Lounge" in 1999, and their debut record came out in January, 2003. Mr. Steve Morse of the Boston Globe called Super Genius "one of the most appealing bands to emerge" that year, and Mr. Bob Harris of BBC Radio 2 picked the debut album as one of the top records of 2003.

Their second album, "Heel Thyself" was released on July 17, 2007. It was produced by Michael Barry and Dave Mattacks.

Michael Barry was the leader of Boston club favs "Pooka Stew". He's been called "Boston's Best Songwriter" -- and has the tattered award from Boston Magazine to prove it. As far as he's concerned, that makes him "Boston's Best Songwriter". Michael's secret is that he's afraid to fly, which kept Super Genius from doing dates in the UK to support their first album.

Englishman Dave Mattacks is widely considered the world's best folk/rock drummer, and has played with the royalty of English music, including Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Elton John, Richard Thompson, XTC, and others too numerous to mention. Along with fellow members of "Fairport Convention" he was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the BBC. Now a resident of the seaside town of Marblehead, Massachusetts, DM divides his time between Super Genius, producing music, and touring with artists like Rosanne Cash, Grey Delisle, and others too numerous to mention. DM's secret is that he drives a Mercedes.

Milt Reder and Dean Cassell have played with artists as diverse as Sue Tedeshi, John Cafferty, and Four Piece Suit. Members of the seminal band "Barrance Whitfield and the Savages", Milt and Dean have toured the world multiple times, and had their music on three seasons of "Sex and the City" -- mostly the really perverted scenes. Milt has an insane collection of guitars, sitars, and "mando-cellos". Mike thinks "Amando Cello" was the guy who taught his European Lit class. Milt played one through a Marshall stack on the first Super Genius CD. Milt's secret is that he's really, really, tall. Which isn't much of a secret, actually.

Dean plays bass, and well, you gotta have it. Dean's secret is that he's not serious about anything except coffee.

The debut Super Genius record is available in the U.S. on Ignatius J. Records as "Super Genius", and in the UK and Europe on Track Records UK as "The Cult of Money".

The new Super Genius record, "Heel Thyself," is available on Ignatius, and features guest vocals from Syd Straw, Ramona Silver, Amy Fairchild, and Elaine O'Rourke.

Member Since:

July 02, 2006

Members:

Mike Barry - Vocals, six and twelve-string electric and acoustic guitars, electric dulcimer, songs.

Dave "DM" Mattacks - Drums, cymbals, percussion, piano, Hammond, Wurlitzer, Mellotron, etc.

Milt Reder - Six and twelve-string electric and acoustic guitars, sitars, mando-cellos, etc.

Dean Cassell - Electric bass, pithy criticisms.

Record Label:

US on Ignatius J. Records, UK on Track Records UK