The Clarks

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Clarks
Img_capt =
Img_size = 250
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Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Indiana, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genre = Alternative rock
Years_active = 1986–present
Label = King Mouse Records MCA Records Razor & Tie
Associated_acts =
URL = http://www.clarksonline.com/
Current_members = Scott Blasey Robert James Greg Joseph Dave Minarik
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

The Clarks is a United States rock band regionally based in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. Over the course of twenty years, they have produced a total of 12 studio, live and solo releases, selling near a quarter of a million copies. Between successful regional radio hits, constant fan interaction and frequent free and small-venue shows, The Clarks are a staple of the Western Pennsylvania musical scene.

History

The Clarks were formed in 1986, while students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The band gained popularity in the area, performing at bars and colleges throughout the Western Pennsylvania region. They eventually toured along the East Coast, then the Southwest and Pacific states. Performances have drawn thousands of fans across the country, and tens of thousands in Pennsylvania. The group has headlined at Rolling Rock Town Fair, performed at Milwaukee's Summerfest, shared performance with John Mayer, Marc Broussard, OAR, and Steely Dan, and co-headlined with Three Doors Down. The members have been recognized as distinguished alumnis at IUP, where a recording studio has been named in their honor.

Music

Their first release, 1988's "I'll Tell You What Man...", saw a great deal of success via the local hit "Help Me Out." The three following releases introduced "Penny on the Floor," "Cigarette" and "Mercury" sequentially—songs that were immortalized throughout the area and still receive frequent radio play today. With the release of 1996's "Someday Maybe" on King Mouse Records (BMI), the band furthered their fame. In 2000, The Clarks saw perhaps their greatest success, with "Let It Go" outselling many major national releases in the Pittsburgh area and generating three huge radio hits popularized by WDVE and WXDX (as well as rock radio stations in Johnstown, Wheeling and Youngstown, among other areas in the region): "Born Too Late," "Better Off Without You" and "Snowman." The title track, "Let It Go," found its way into the 2001 Warner Bros. film "Summer Catch" and "Better Off Without You" was regularly featured during the closing credits of "The Anna Nicole Show". Since then the band has continued to increase their catalog via 2002's "Another Happy Ending" and 2004's "Fast Moving Cars".

Appearances

A major highlight for the band and their fans was a musical appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman on August 31, 2004, and also an appearance on ESPN's Cold Pizza on June 23, 2006. On June 21, 2005, they released their first "best of" compilation, "Between Now and Then (Retrospective)". With an average of 150 live shows every year, many of which remain local, and over 250,000 local album sales, the band is still primarily a Pittsburgh regional band. They have had much success with their live act and can fill larger venues to capacity for their bigger concerts in the Pittsburgh area.

Members

*Scott Blasey: lead vocals, electric & acoustic guitars
*Robert James: electric & acoustic guitars, vocals
*Greg Joseph: bass guitar, vocals
*Dave Minarik: drums, vocals

Discography

*"Travelin' On" (Scott Blasey solo album) (April 17, 2007)
*"American Diary" (Greg Joseph solo album) (2006)
*"Still Live" (live album) (2006)
*"Between Now and Then" (greatest hits compilation) (2005)
*"Fast Moving Cars" (2004) US Billboard peak #196
*"Strikes and Gutters 2: Doublewide" (outtakes album) (2004)
*"Another Happy Ending" (2002) US Billboard peak #143
*"Live 2001" (live album) (2001)
*"Strikes and Gutters" (outtakes album) (2001)
*"Let It Go" (2000)
*"Shine" (Scott Blasey solo album) (1999)
*"Someday Maybe" (1996, re-released 1999)
*"Don't Try This at Home" (Scott Blasey solo album) (1995) (Re-issued 2006)
*"Love Gone Sour, Suspicion, and Bad Debt" (1994)
*"The Clarks" (self-titled) (1991)
*"I'll Tell You What Man..." (1988, re-released 1997)

Additionally, the band covered Bruce Springsteen's "The River" on the 2003 release "". This song is also featured on "Strikes and Gutters 2".

External links

* [http://www.clarksonline.com/ The Clarks Online] (official site)
* at LyricWiki