The Clarks
| The Clarks | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Indiana, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative rock, garage rock |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Labels |
King Mouse (1988–96) MCA (1996–97) Razor & Tie (2000–04) High Wire Music (2005–09) Clarkhouse Entertainment (2009–present) |
| Website | http://www.clarksonline.com/ |
| Members |
Scott Blasey Rob James Greg Joseph Dave Minarik |
The Clarks are an American rock band from the Pittsburgh region, originating at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Over the course of twenty years, they have produced ten studio albums, two live albums, a compilation album, an EP and four solo releases, selling near a quarter of a million copies.
Around 1985, singer Scott Blasey, guitarist Robert James Hertweck and drummer David Minarik, Jr. were all enrolled at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), located in Indiana, Pennsylvania approximately 45 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Hertweck and Minarik (along with a bass player and saxophonist) were putting together a new band, and through a mutual friend, recruited Blasey to be their lead vocalist. The band, calling themselves the Administration, primarily played cover versions of songs. After the Administration's sax player graduated and bass player transferred schools in the spring of 1986, Greg Joseph was brought in to round out the band. Settling on the quartet of Blasey, Hertweck, Joseph and Minarik, the group decided upon adopting a new name, effectively ending the Administration. They unceremoniously settled on the name "the Clarks." As the Administration had been, the Clarks were initially a cover band in their earliest months of existence. They covered artists such as the Replacements, the Rave-Ups and Hoodoo Gurus, as well as Joe Jackson and U2. However, they soon began writing their own material, helping them to take second place at the Tri-State Rock Competition in Pittsburgh.
In early 1988, with some of the band just finishing school at IUP and the rest graduated, the Clarks began recording their first album. Teaming up with producer Hank Lawhead, the band recorded at Aircraft Studios with free studio time won from their finish at the Tri-State Rock Competition. Titled I'll Tell You What Man..., the album was released by the local independent label Dahntahn Records with a release party at the Graffiti Showcase in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Oakland. Initially only released on LP record and cassette tape, the vinyl copies of the album were warped when they were left in the delivery truck for too long. With the release date being too close to return them, the band sent them to the stores as-is. Despite this, the album sold modestly well in the Pittsburgh area. "Help Me Out" was released as a single and received airplay on 100.7 FM WXXP, helping to raise the band's profile in the area.
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