 |
Somewhere in the middle 1980's the Brothers Jodha (Robert & Mark) began playing guitar & drums together. Though they were in their early teens, the zeal for music and passion for artistic expression kept them growing in skill and knowledge. Even though a couple of years of musical instruction is all they needed to start sounding "acceptable," it was the determination and hard work of independent study that pushed them into being able to play out in temporary local bands, either with or without each other.
Eventually, the need to write original songs surfaced, and so the birth of the first handful of HEIST songs were the result of collaborations between the two brothers. The advantage of living under the same roof for all those years proved invaluable in creating a solid foundation in musical tightness and open-mindedness beyond their age group.
As their early 20's rolled in after university, they each went into teaching his own instrument to private students in the Princeton, NJ area, while maintaining a presence in the original band scene. While playing and writing with each other, fueling the addiction of going to concerts of all genres and eventually teaching guitar & drums as a "day job," their lives were consumed with music. Consequently, finding other musicians that were equally obsessed (and competent) was not easy.
Technically, the first public gig that HEIST songs were played at was on March 1, 1991 with temporary musicians (Chris Conley - drums, Terry Williams - bass) joining only Robert with his original song ideas (the act was called JOKER, at Conley's suggestion). Then Robt. & Mark Jodha played these originals together for the first time in February of 1993 with a temporary bassist (Jim Beach). That act was called THE END.
Gaining momentum, on November 5, 1994 with the temporary bassist/vocalist Jeff Margolis, they played their first gig at a "real" tavern (the prior shows, though public performances, were affiliated with Rutgers Univ.). This unit played under the name FEAST, which was the first "serious" name for the band. However, it was eventually discovered that the name FEAST was trademarked by another band, so Robt. came up with THE HEIST, naming it after one of the first songs he wrote.
With the departure of Jeff Margolis, came the entrance of bassist Dean Vinci, after he responded to an ad placed by Robt. The ad called for a bassist who could sing lead, but after hearing Dean play bass, it was decided that he was too good all around (as a person and a bassist) to let go. It was decided that THE HEIST would search for a lead vocalist to make the unit a quartet.
As a little time went on, the instrumental 3 piece of Jodha, Jodha & Vinci solidified their collective chemistry and the catalog of songs grew. Robt. responded to an ad for a local vocalist (M.G. Solo), and it worked out. It was in this period that Robt. filed a petition to the U.S. government for a trademark on the name THE HEIST, which was eventually issued within a few years. Some songs later, with 3 members contributing lyrics (as well as music), it was time to record (self-titled debut, "The Heist"). The quartet wisely made the decision to not follow the trend of most other young bands and record a hastily put together EP, but rather, to record every song available to release a lengthy album independently (it clocks in at over 66 minutes). The whole album was recorded and mixed in just 48 studio hours on analog equipment. All of the songs were recorded "live," and usually they were first or second takes. It was recorded in 1998, and it hit the streets Labor Day weekend 1999. The cover art was done by underground comix veteran Joe Vigil ("Gunfighters In Hell"), whose brother is the famous comix titan Tim Vigil ("Faust"). The preparedness, musical ability and strong sense of vision were the reasons it was done rather quickly. Also, the stark realization that every cent of the production was coming out of the pockets of Jodha/Jodha/Vinci helped the positive pressure of good performances.
The reason why J/J/V had to finance the project is because it was announced during the recording that vocalist M.G. Solo would depart from the band after the sessions, thus leaving a void at the microphone for the future. One of Robt.'s guitar students, Mikie D, got wind of the situation and enthusiastically jumped at the chance. He was 16, and when THE HEIST felt he was ready (with some practice), he was 17. His first gig was January 19, 2001. It was on that same date that drummer Mark Jodha would play his final official show with THE HEIST. Due to creative reasons, and the fact that he had worked with Robt. for approximately 15 years, he felt a change in direction was necessary. He parted amicably, with blessings from THE HEIST. Mark went on to embrace some free-lance work, including a stint with the Philadelphia based UNDER YOUR BED, who shared billing with THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE at the famous Trocadero Theater in center city. He continues to play independently and teach drumming.
With the drum throne vacant, drummer extraordinaire, Michael "Mad Man Mags" Magliozzo, pulled down a flier posted by Robt. at a local music store. Since Mark Jodha's departure THE HEIST had gone through a few drummers that were temps or hired guns, so it was a relief to find someone who was on par with Mark's ability, as well as interested in the vision, as it is difficult to find people into heavier progressive rock tinged with surreal or full-throttle hod rod moments. After just 2 weeks, Mags' rhythmic propulsion was evident, and his first official show with THE HEIST was Friday June 13, 2003 at midnight.
The quartet at this time consisted of this new drummer (Mags), Robt. Jodha on the 6 string, Dean Vinci on the low tones and Mikie D. belting out the melodies. This is the line-up that held steadfast for nearly the next 5 years, as Mikie D. would announce his resignation from THE HEIST after being in the band for exactly 7 years ('01 - '08). His final show with THE HEIST was at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ on January 25, 2008 at midnight where they headlined.
[Robt. managed to record his first solo album, entitled "Robt. Jodha, Volume 1: Sonic Hallucinations," which comprised of 69 minutes of all-electric guitar instrumentals. It was recorded in 2005, and released August, 2006].
Presently, temporary vocal duties are handled by Alan Smithee. There is an understanding that there needs to be a permanent replacement ASAP. THE HEIST has been ready to record their next album, "Feast", in which living legend Jack Rudy (pioneer and master of the black & gray tattoo) is currently cranking out the album cover (it'll be in color). Beyond this next album, a substantial amount of material for future records is also ready, but collaborating with the new singer is important, as he should not feel that all of the decisions are made. The other side of the advantage is that he is not walking into a non-serious endeavor rife with beginners or people who don't love playing music (for a living). THE HEIST is a shining live act as well as a tight and efficient recording unit, and your voice is WANTED NOW.
If you or anyone you know would like to inquire about being the frontman/vocalist for THE HEIST, please contact guitarist/guitar teacher Robt. Jodha at robt.ssr@gmail.com. Please be die-hard serious about your ability/musicianship, and real, melodic singing as the music is fast, heavy & surreal behind you. Must NEED to have a career in music because it's in your soul. Rehearsals are based in central NJ, between the two cities of Princeton and Trenton. THANK YOU, THE HEIST.
All words, music, lyrics, art and information (c) 1997/2008 SONIC SPIRAL RECORDS/SILVER CRESCENT MUSIC, P.O. BOX 122, CRANBURY, NJ 08512. Member of ASCAP. All rights reserved. All products manufactured in U.S.A.
Powered by  | | English | | Albanian | | Arabic | | Bulgarian | | Catalan | | Chinese | | Croatian | | Czech | | Danish | | Dutch | | Estonian | | Filipino | | Finnish | | French | | Galician | | German | | Greek | | Hebrew | | Hindi | | Hungarian | | Indonesian | | Italian | | Japanese | | Korean | | Latvian | | Lithuanian | | Maltese | | Norwegian | | Polish | | Portuguese | | Romanian | | Russian | | Serbian | | Slovak | | Slovenian | | Spanish | | Swedish | | Thai | | Turkish | | Ukrainian | | Vietnamese |
|