Spymob

Last updated

Spymob
Origin Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Genres
Years active1993–present
Labels Star Trak, Arista Records, Ruthless Records, Epic Records [4]
Spinoffs The Hopefuls
Members
  • John Ostby
  • Eric Fawcett
  • Brent Paschke
  • Christian Twigg

Spymob is an American alternative rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Best known for their appearance on the 2003 Star Trak Entertainment compilation The Neptunes present Clones , with the song "Half Steering...", they also provided backing instruments for N.E.R.D.'s 2002 debut In Search Of... . Their major label debut, Sitting Around Keeping Score, was the first rock album to be released on The Neptunes' Star Trak label. [5] In 2014, the band released their second album, Memphis independently. Additionally, all four members have provided session work and touring support for other artists including N.E.R.D, Paramore, Snoop Dogg, Kelis, and Mike Doughty.

Contents

History

Singer/keyboardist John Ostby, bassist Christian Twigg, guitarist Brent Paschke, and drummer Eric Fawcett formed in Minneapolis in the early 90s as "Reno." [6] Playing staples such as 2040 and Kissing the Neighborhood Houses Goodbye in local venues such as the 400 Bar, the band recorded several demo songs (later released as Basement Tapes).

In 2001, the band was signed by The Neptunes' Star Trak label [7] and hired to be the opening act and backing band for N.E.R.D. They were discovered by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo after they acquired an early demo tape of the bands and had become big fans. [8]

Their work with N.E.R.D included re-recording the In Search of... album in order to provide it with a live instrumentation "rock sound" prior to its 2002 worldwide release.

Record label turmoil involving Star Trak, Arista Records, and L.A. Reid saw them eventually signing with Ruthless Records [9] and releasing Sitting Around Keeping Score in 2004. [10]

Discography

Albums

Extended Plays

Promo Singles

Collaborations

References

  1. ↑ Marsh, Steve (March 1, 2005). "Big in Japan, anonymous in Minny.(City Limits)(Brief Article)". MPLS-St. Paul Magazine. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  2. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "N.E.R.D. – Fly or Die". AllMusic. All Media Network . Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  3. ↑ Breihan, Tom (January 11, 2011). "N.E.R.D. - The Best of N.E.R.D." Pitchfork . Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Spymob / Interviews / Silent Uproar". silentuproar.com. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Spymob Steps Out from Behind N.E.R.D.! First Rock Band Signed to Chad & Pharrell's Arista/Startrak Joint Venture, Premiered On-Tour in 2002 As N.E.R.D.'s Opening Act AND Backing Band". www.BusinessWire.com. BusinessWire. April 3, 2003. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  6. ↑ SPYMOB on Facebook OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  7. ↑ "Spymob Steps Out from Behind N.E.R.D.! First Rock Band Signed to Chad & Pharrell's Arista/Startrak Joint Venture, Premiered On-Tour in 2002 As N.E.R.D.'s Opening Act AND Backing Band". www.BusinessWire.com. BusinessWire. April 3, 2003. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  8. ↑ Night Watchman (July 2004). "SPYMOB'S JOHN OSTBY". www.tlchicken.com. Tastes Like Chicken, LLC. Archived from the original on December 20, 2004. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Spymob / Interviews / Silent Uproar". silentuproar.com. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  10. ↑ PopMatters Staff (July 2004). "SPYMOB: SITTING AROUND KEEPING SCORE". www.popmatters.com. PopMatters LLC. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
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