The Fray, Ben Folds, Goo Goo Dolls, Bruce Hornsby, Coldplay, John Mayer, Maroon 5, Oasis, Augustana, Keane, Barenaked Ladies, Dave Matthews, The Beatles, Jason Mraz
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Contributors to the Debut Album "Away From Here" (2007)
Born out of Portland, Oregon's burgeoning indie scene, The Retrofits have emerged as one of the Northwest's most popular pop bands with their piano driven rock, catchy guitar hooks and tight harmonies.
The band was created in 2002 by high school friends and trackmates Jake Oken-Berg (lead vocals, piano) and George McCleary (lead vocals, guitar). Jake ran for Mayor of Portland at age 19, receiving 27% of the vote, and George was one of the nation’s top high school runners.
The Retrofits started off playing benefits for youth vote organizations, mental health treatment and environmental protection and opened for national acts Everclear and Pink Martini within their first year of performing.
The band has added experienced musicians Jason Barlow (violin/guitar) and Dusty Brooks (bass, vocals) and sold out every show it's headlined in Portland for the last three years -- just one reason SPIN Magazine listed The Retrofits in its "The best time you’ll have all month" section.
The Retrofits are “simply, a band worth catching” (The Oregonian).
"The best time you'll have all month!"
"The band is now evolving, along with Denver's nationally charting The Fray, as one of the West's premier purveyors of expressive and engaging piano-pop."
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---- The 2008 EP ----
The Retrofits entered the studio in the fall of 2008 to record two new singles at producer Rob Stroup's 8 Ball Studio. "What I'm Missing" and "Hands In The Dark" feature noted jazz musician Rod Nightingale on drums and poignant lyrics from Jake and George.
The two songs are available only online and can be purchased for only $0.99 each:
The Retrofits debut album “Away From Here” (2007) features 12 original tracks recorded at Portland, Oregon’s legendary Kung Fu Bakery Studios. West Coast Performer Magazine says, “The Retrofits' debut album, Away From Here, will surely take this band wherever it wants to go.”
The album was engineered by Dave Friedlander (Prince, George Clinton, Pink Martini), mixed by Friedlander and Nick Moon (Gino Vannelli, Liv Warfield), and mastered by Bernie Grundman Mastering (Michael Jackson, Alanis Morissette, Jamie Cullum) in Hollywood, California.
The Oregonian says Away From Here has “all the tight hooks needed for a successful first recording” and the album includes special guests Stephanie Schneiderman (backing vocals), Brian Davis (congas) from Pink Martini, and Jean-Pierre Garau (organ).
“The entire album has enough surprises to keep it from being compartmentalized…The result is a sound that no one can touch – purely The Retrofits' own.” --West Coast Performer Magazine
Hi Guys - Good sound:) Thanks so much for your friendship – I really appreciate it - Hope that you enjoy my music –Here’s my website – www.joe-calderone.com - If you get a chance please sign my Guestbook while you’re there - Have a great weekend – Joe
I just thought I'd let you know that I checked my calendar and it has been exactly 5 million years since I've seen you boys put on a show (and I'm pretty sure I only missed one due to work- not my fault!). I feel like that's a problem. Think about it and get back to me :p
Thank you for your friendship! Feel free to check my new EP " When I Found You." It's available on I-Tunes. If you want the tracks but don't have the money, let me know and I will e-mail them to you!
The Retrofits :o) Been a minute, but wanted to come thru and show some love.... Keep doing ya thang... and don't let ANY body EVER tell you,"You Can't!"The mind is incredible.If you believe,you CAN acheive. Don't give up on your destiny, it NEVER gave up on you.
Hey i want to let you, and all my friends with whom i visit, that i always enjoy stopping by, even tho it's my bad i don't always get around to leaving a comment. But this time, i was thinkin bout how my mom taught me better. When u enter a room, u supposed to speak first to the people there, they not supposed to have to speak first lol. Even though, I know I am usually really busy recording my next album and everything, no excuses. So yea i wanted to say wassup, i like visiting your and others page when i wanna read, listen to music n stuff. U got a cool spot, and i hope your year is shaping up better than last year. Our life is supposed to get greater and greater right? Well let me know how everything is going with your goals for this year! ttyl
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