The Harvey Cartel is a five piece rock outfit from Oakland. The band was started by lifelong friends Chad Norris (Drums) and Mark Henry (Vocals, Rhythm Guitar) who had grown up together playing music in the same bands and hanging in the same circles. Two chance meetings on the street prompted them to try out the veteran songwriter and producer Jon Robin whom both Chad and Mark Henry had known for years. It was a really good match from the first audition, and the boys had already tried out a number of others with no luck, and so the nucleus of the group was born. Starting with some material Chad and Mark already had, the new trio worked up a set of original tunes and forged a sound which would become the building blocks of their first release: The Perfect Crime. From those initial parts and pieces the band pulled out a heavy melodic set, and decided to record it. Jon Robin started an internship with Producer Scott Mathews in Mill Valley California and worked for a discount on studio time. The Harvey Cartel tracked the drums and guitars for twelve songs there, ten of which were strong enough for their debut. With those basics, they recorded the vocals with the help of Steve Bradley (Producer /Trumpet player for NoDoubt) at their rehearsal/recording facility headquarters.
During this time Jon Robin enrolled at Pyramind, to learn the in's and out's of Pro Tools and to better aid the recording and editing of the album. Having finished tracking ten songs they mixed them with producer Mark Trombino (Blink 182, Jimmy Eat World) at Larabee East in LA. Soon after they wrote a new song 'The Perfect Crime' and decided it had to be the title track for the album. This time they recorded drums at Prarie Sun recording studios in Cotati, Ca., again adding the finishing tracks at their secret lair. The boys decided to try another producer, Mike Plotnikoff (My Chemical Romance, Aerosmith,Kiss) for the new song and were so happy with the mix they brought 'Almond Joy' and 'Everytime You Smile' to be remixed in a similar style.
After mixing the album the band was no longer satisfied with the live line up, as there were now lead guitars, keyboards and harmony vocals on the album which couldn't be reproduced live. First they recruited bassist Roberto Zimmerman (Gilding the Lily/Poetiks/Spark and Decay) and then Keyboardist Dave Medd (The Tubes) and the epic sound they found in the studio now stands up live. The Harvey Cartel also recently finished the video for 'The Perfect Crime' with Director Eric Escobar and are currently working on preproduction for the second album with Pyramind graduate John Honoré.
Along with their adoring fans they have the support of S.F. Chronicle Rock Critic Joel selvin who writes: "More East Bay pop-punk in the grand tradition- The Harvey Cartel has their eyes on the prize and hands on the wheel. Look out here they come...
(This bio thanks to Pyramid: Media and Music Production School - http://www.pyramind.com/production/in_studio/The_Harvey_Cartel/the_harvey
_cartel.cfm
hey roberto!! thanks for finding me! so the end up was fun huh? we were so beat we just grabbed a bite and went back to our room. thanks for showing us your shop you baller! we will def have to go out again next time we're in the bay!
Hi The Harvey Cartel,
As you may know I've lately been combining my vocal duties with Stormzone along with singing for the legendary Fastway. While fronting Stormzone remains my passion and priority I've unfortunately had to step down from my role in Fastway and full details regarding the reasons for this can be found on my latest blog entry. I'll be posting some new songs on my profile shortly and filling the void left by my Fastway departure with even more Stormzone related gigs, news and recordings so please drop by often to keep updated with what should be interesting times ahead. Thank you for your support and understanding, take care,
Kindest regards,
Harv.
hey Chad! I just received your cd at the Y... you guys ROCK!!! listening to "tiny castaway" right now...wow...this is seriously awesome. :D I'm gonna put this on my ipod and work-out to it... woohoo!!!
Hi my friend,
I'm really sorry if it's been a while since I was last in touch but I've been snowed under with my work as both Stormzone and Fastway singer (dirty job but someone's gotta do it, haha!) and I just wanted you to know that although I might be absent from the comments department for periods of time I'm still thinking of you and exceptionally grateful to be able to class you as a friend. I want that to continue for a long time and when this busy period of my life has settled down to becoming just plain hectic (lol) I'll do my best to be in touch more often. Take care and the very best of luck with everything that's happening in your life,
Kindest regards,
Harv.
JON!! whats up? i havent talked to u in forever. ur mom said that u guys did a gig and it was sweet...u guys should definitely come to michigan and play! ive tried get my friends to listen to ur music and so far everyone that ive played stuff for have liked it. anyways...i havent talked to u in forever and i just wanted to say hi! luv ya! call me!
Katy
