Jeff Hershey
Encyclopedia
Jeff Hershey is a Ventura, California musician best known as the lead singer and founder of Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats and as a member of the band, No Motiv
.
and toured nationally opening for several major artists during Hershey’s time in the band including Andrew W.K.
, Alkaline Trio
and Finger Eleven
.
When No Motiv went on hiatus in 2005, Hershey turned his attention to his side project, Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats, a throwback soul band in the vein of Sam Cooke
and Otis Redding
. Playing periodically in the Ventura County area, Hershey amassed a large regional following based on the band’s live show that despite being classic soul music had a live energy that was based on Hershey’s punk and metal background.
The band’s debut record, Soul Music Vol. 1, was released in May 2011 on Siren and was recorded at the Pow Wow Fun Room in Los Angeles, California, live to analog tape in keeping with the technology of mid twentieth century recording. It was engineered and mixed by Pete Curry of Los Straightjackets and several songs on the record, were co written with Army of Freshmen
front man, Chris Jay
.
The band is scheduled for several 2011 Southern California festival performances including the Indie West Festival and Spencer Makenzie’s End Of Summer Blast as well as international dates in 2012.
No Motiv
Hybrid Moments
Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats
No Motiv
No Motiv is a punk rock band from Oxnard, California signed to Vagrant Records. As of 2006, No Motiv were the 'oldest' Vagrant band, having been with Vagrant Records longer than any other artist on the Vagrant roster. The current No Motiv line up includes former bassist Roger Camero behind the...
.
History
Jeff Hershey was born and raised in Oxnard, California and by the time he his was in his teens, he was already a prominent member of the Ventura County music scene. He was a member and founder of the local metal band, Black Opal before joining one of the area’s most popular and successful bands, No Motiv, who released several albums on Vagrant RecordsVagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
and toured nationally opening for several major artists during Hershey’s time in the band including Andrew W.K.
Andrew W.K.
Andrew W.K. is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, entertainer, and motivational speaker. He is the host of the television series Destroy Build Destroy.-Early life & career:Andrew Wilkes-Krier was born in Stanford, California, and grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan...
, Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio is an American punk rock band that formed in McHenry, Illinois, in 1996. The band's line-up consists of Matt Skiba , Dan Andriano , and Derek Grant...
and Finger Eleven
Finger Eleven
Finger Eleven is a Canadian rock band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 1989. They have currently released five studio albums, with their album The Greyest of Blue Skies bringing them into the mainstream...
.
When No Motiv went on hiatus in 2005, Hershey turned his attention to his side project, Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats, a throwback soul band in the vein of Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
and Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
. Playing periodically in the Ventura County area, Hershey amassed a large regional following based on the band’s live show that despite being classic soul music had a live energy that was based on Hershey’s punk and metal background.
The band’s debut record, Soul Music Vol. 1, was released in May 2011 on Siren and was recorded at the Pow Wow Fun Room in Los Angeles, California, live to analog tape in keeping with the technology of mid twentieth century recording. It was engineered and mixed by Pete Curry of Los Straightjackets and several songs on the record, were co written with Army of Freshmen
Army of Freshmen
Army of Freshmen is an independent 6 piece rock band based out of Ventura, California that has played over 1,000 shows in 43 states and 11 countries.-Early Years :...
front man, Chris Jay
Chris Jay
Chris Jay is a musician, songwriter, producer, writer and actor best known as the frontman and founder of the rock band, Army of Freshmen.-Background/Army of Freshmen:...
.
The band is scheduled for several 2011 Southern California festival performances including the Indie West Festival and Spencer Makenzie’s End Of Summer Blast as well as international dates in 2012.
Jeff Hershey Discography
Black Opal- Self Titled EP (1998 Tommy Gun), vocals, lead guitar
No Motiv
- Lola EP (2003 Vagrant), bass
- Daylight Breaking (2004 Vagrant), bass
Hybrid Moments
- Self Titled EP (2005), vocals
- The Haunted (2006), vocals
Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats
- “Baby Please Don’t Let Me Go” b/w “When Our Eyes First Met”(2008 Tommy Gun), vocals
- Soul Music Volume 1 (2011 Siren), vocals