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Binge is an independent pop-rock band from Hoboken, New Jersey, USA with songs featured on popular television shows Dawson's Creek, Felicity, American Embassy and Party of Five. Binge was one of the first bands to break out on the internet (before myspace & youtube) with their global hit "Anna Kournikova" song and accompanying video featuring a swimsuit clad Anna herself. All this without the assistance of a major record label!
Binge has been performing in the New York/New Jersey area, college campuses and overseas since 1991. Binge's singer-songwriter style allowed them to share the stage with such acts as Smithereens, Marshall Crenshaw, Graham Parker, Noel Redding's Jimi Hendrix Experience, John Wesley Harding, Dramarama and Del Amitri.
Ghost of Girlfriends Past
In January 1995, the band began recording their critically acclaimed "The Ghost of Girlfriends Past" CD at Waterfront Studios in Hoboken and was finally released in May 1997. The CD quickly made its way to California and was featured in popular American TV shows Party of Five and Dawson's Creek. The band was offered several record deals from major labels, but they were all declined due to ridiculous terms and lack of artistic flexibility and freedom.
(see http://www.dawsonscreekmusic.com/spotlight/binge).
Swimsuit Issue
After the tragic loss of lead vocalist Andrew Cimis in late 1998 (he moved to Columbus, OH) the band recorded Swimsuit Issue, which was released in June of 1999 to critical acclaim. "The First Time" appeared in season 5 of Dawson's Creek. and became a regional hit in the US Northeast. This again warranted several offers by record labels, all to be turned down by the band. (not enough creative control)
(see http://www.dawsonscreekmusic.com/music/eps503.shtml).
Olivia Neutron
While recording Swimsuit Issue, band leader John Macom was simultaneously recording and producing a collaborative effort with co-writer/lead singer Joseph Titone (Rockstar INXS) for a project called Olivia Neutron Bomb. Their debut album titled "Movie Star" also featured drum god Scott Persson (Peter Gabriel), Super Steve Kelly and Milo Slotavic, who is dead (replaced by Mark Rufino, not quite dead). The CD, although full of potential hits, fell silent as it only saw limited distribution in the basement of Joe's Brooklyn apartment.
Holly Jean Cosner
In the year 2000, Lilith Fair Songwriting Contest Winner, Holly Jean Cosner, asked John Macom of Binge to produce her 5 song EP "Smitty" that propelled her to international fame, fortune and a full-month's supply of premium gasoline.
Anna Kournikova
Later that summer, Binge wrote and released a catchy tosser of a tune called "Anna Kournikova" which started out as a joke, but became the most requested song at live shows. By Sept of 2001, the song was sold on her official website and became the most popular video on Lycos for a record 12 straight weeks. The song became the theme song for the Anna Kournikova E! True Hollywood Story. This CD has been one of the best selling albums of all time on CDBaby.com.
Binge on TV and Home DVD
In early 2002, "Movie Star" (co-written with Titone) was selected for a season 1 episode of Felicity (for home video and syndication) and "Surrounded" was used in an episode of American Embassy. All seasons of Party of Five and Dawson's Creek that featured Binge songs can be heard in the Sony home DVDs.
Outsourcing to India
From 2003 to 2005, this was known as the band's "lazy-ass period" where the band saved countless thousands by outsourcing to India. They sat around collecting royalties while watching HGTV, hockey and tennis events. They were really on their world tour for those 2 years.
Tennis Tunes
The gravity of the Anna K song hurled Binge back into the spotlight with the success of their hauntingly familiar Maria Sharapova song in 2005, followed by "Grand Slam Man" (Roger Federer song). Suddenly, a niche was borne. Binge quickly established tennistunes.com in 2006 to feature all sports related music after their new Maria Sharapova song was featured by CBS Sports during the US Open.
Macom and Titone shared the stage with Billie Jean King to kick off the official tennistunes.com website which features the Roger Federer (Grand Slam Man) song, Vamos Rafa (Raphael Nadal) song, C'Mon Lleyton Hewitt song, amongst others. John also guest appeared as the WB Channel 11 singing weatherman on the same day. It's a good gig if you can get it.
(see tennistunes.com)
Johanna Stahley, Graham Parker, Antonella Barba
John Macom has recently produced 3 songs for myspace featured artist Johanna Stahley and has been doing live sound for Graham Parker's NJ acoustic performances. He is working on writing and producing new material for American Idol's Antonella Barba.
Before They Were Stars
Binge is near completion of their 4th release "Before They Were Stars" (it's only been 8 years) which has already been heralded as the best new recording of 2008. It is anticipated that the CD will be available on November 16, 2007 when Binge takes the stage with the Smithereens at the Strand Theatre, Lakewood, NJ. Catch the show live on woozyfly.com.
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