Casper & the Cookies

Casper & the Cookies is an American rock and pop band from Athens, GA featuring former members of the popular indie-rock bands Of Montreal and The Glands.

History

Bandleader Jason NeSmith (no relation to Michael Nesmith of the Monkees, though there are musical similarities [ [http://harpmagazine.com/articles/detail.cfm?article_id=5509 "In The Mix: Casper & the Cookies"] "Harp Magazine", April 25, 2007] ) began using the pseudonym Casper in 1996 as a moniker for his solo four-track recordings. Casper & the Cookies was originally named Casper Fandango & the Knees and subsequently Casper Fandango & His Tiny Sick Tears on two cassettes released in the late 1990s. The Cookies came into existence in 1998 as NeSmith’s live band. They have two CDs released on Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records, "Oh!" (2004) and "The Optimist’s Club" (2006) [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0pfrxqqdld6e~T1 All Music Guide entry on Casper & the Cookies] ] . After many lineup changes the band consists of Jason NeSmith, Kay Stanton, Jim Hicks and Joe Rowe (of The Glands) [ [http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A107432 "C is for Casper: Casper & the Cookies bake an album with love"] "Creative Loafing", August 9, 2006] . NeSmith was a member of Of Montreal for the Satanic Panic In the Attic tour of 2004 and some of the Sunlandic Twins tour of 2005, leaving to focus his energy on his own band [ [http://www.relix.com/Features/Bands_On_the_Verge/CASPER_&_THE_COOKIES,_Athens,_GA_200706202368.html "Bands On The Verge: Casper & the Cookies: Cookie Monsters"] "Relix Magazine", June 21, 2007] . NeSmith has also been a member of Kenny Howes & the Yeah!, Orange Hat, The Visitations, The Late BP Helium and The Sunshine Fix and runs Bel*Air Studio [ [http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A107432 "C is for Casper: Casper & the Cookies bake an album with love"] "Creative Loafing", August 9, 2006] . Kay Stanton is also in Supercluster, the side project of Vanessa Briscoe Hay of Pylon. The band served as the backing band for Daniel Johnston at the 2007 Athens Pop Fest. Also in 2007, Casper & the Cookies went on a nationwide tour supporting The Apples In Stereo [ [http://www.www.tinymixtapes.com/The-Apples-in-Stereo-Casper-the Tiny Mix Tapes show review] February 15, 2007] .

Members

Jason NeSmith (aka Casper Fandango), Kay Stanton, Jim Hicks, Joe Rowe

Past members: Christo Harris, Ben Spraker, Kenny Howes, Phil Stockman, Paul Walker, Tim Schreiber, Suzanne Allison, Bryan Poole (aka The Late BP Helium), Peter Alvanos, Jason Gonzales, Davey Gibbs

Discography

Albums

"Consumer" (cassette; as Casper Fandango & the Knees) – Lookit Meee! -1996

"How’s Your Hand?" (cassette; as Casper Fandango & His Tiny Sick Tears) – Lookit Meee! – 1997

"How’s Your Hand?" (CD; as Casper Fandango & His Tiny Sick Tears) Lookit Meee!/ AAJ – 2000

"Oh!" (CD) – Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records [HHBTM] / Waikiki Record – 2004/ 2005 (Japan)

"The Optimist’s Club" – (CD/LP) – HHBTM/ People In A Position to Know {PIAPTK] – 2006/Waikiki Record – 2008

Singles & EPs

"The Band That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World (CD-r)" – Lookit Meee! – 2004

"Overly Optimistic" (CD-r)– HHBTM – 2006

"3 ½ Stars" (CD-r)– HHBTM – 2007

"Power Stupid" (split with Keith John Adams) 8” – PIAPTK – 2007

"Jennifer’s House" / “Huff” (split with Marbles) 7” – HHBTM – 2007

"Kiss Me Beneath the Christmas Tree" (digital only) – HHBTM - 2007

Notes

External links

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0pfrxqqdld6e~T1 All Music Guide entry on Casper & the Cookies]
* [http://www.casperfandango.com/ Casper & the Cookies website]