Album Notes

OUR BIG, POMPOUS, ROCKSTAR BIO:
The following is true, pretty much.

The hard driving, teeth grinding, cane twirling, toe tapping, tree sapping, power pop hits you like a gold brick wrapped in steel wool, and as you pick up what's left of your ragged bones from the floor one thought sears the sinewy remains of your once fleshy brain: 'Who are these guys?'

The 3rd Degree began with two brothers, JP and Adam, surviving on the streets of Brooklyn. Abandoned by their parents at an early age, these two quickly learned to depend on two things: each other, and the power of rock and roll. Often would they find themselves back to back, cornered by rival street punks, with only a six string and bass between them. As the predators closed in, the brothers would crank up their amps and belt out some sweet licks, building in intensity until their rivals, overcome by the raw rocking energy, had no choice but to drop their switchblades and bust into a choreographed dance. Thus, JP and Adam beat the odds and survived.

In '94 they started the Third Degree as a power-trio with Jeff Hieatt, and in 98 added Aaron Johnson, fresh from a fast Los Angeles life of bottomless highballs and topless hot tubs, on rhythm guitar. Drummer Adam Blake blew off the Boston scene ('nix on the chicks with vocabs bigger than their chests' says Blake & and put a solid rhythm backbone behind the group. The 3rd Degree was ready to rock.

'The road, man. You know.' says Adam. Indeed. But the rigors of touring life have been well worth it for our boyz, having played shows with rock legends Dick Dale and George Thorogood, not to mention The Bodeans, The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, They Might be Giants, and the Violent Femmes. East Coast touring, Midwest touring, college touring, you name it. Behind them lies a trail of converted fans, demolished hotel rooms, happy venue owners and a ridiculous number of pregnant groupies. 'You know.' expounds JP. Indeed.

Look deep within this amalgam of pop and glam influences. You might see a bit of Spacehog, a smidge of Marvelous 3 and T-rex, a smatter of the Beatles and Bowie, a dash of Jon Brion.

What you will NOT see is a crappy self made CD recorded on a friends MY-FIRST-4-TRACK. 'The 3rd Degrees' debut album 'RADIO 7' took 8 months to complete. The album was produced by the duo of Jim Bush and Malcolm Bruce, and mixed by Jim Ebert known for his production work with Meredith Brooks, Jason Falkner, and The Marvelous 3. Needless to say the album rocks. JP seconds the last statement, Rock on! Rock over London!' Jp then throws his bottle of cooking wine and drives into a nearby swimming pool.

So what does the future hold? 'I'd like to work some dancing into the show.' says Adam. 'You know, if you can dance, you're a much more versatile entertainer. Look at the Backstreet Boys. Obviously, it takes years to get to that level. But I'd like to start moving in that direction.'

Says Jp, in a statement that just about sums it up: 'Goals? To get my brother Adam out of the closet once and for all. And to rock, man. No, you know what, don't print that first thing. Just to rock. Rock on! Rock over Chicago!'

At this point JP flipped us the bird and fell asleep in a nearby chandelier.