English Afterthoughts

Steve Stoeckle performs Get Back

2011-07-22T13:40:00.003-04:00

Steve Stoeckel performs Get Back with The Long Players. Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN. April 8, 2011

Jamie and Steve in Nashville

2011-04-25T07:18:00.003-04:00

On April 8, 2011, Jamie and Steve performed the Beatles' Let it Be album with The Long Players in Nashville, TN. They hope you enjoy a video from the evening. Thanks and gratitude to Steve Boyle!

Jamie and Steve live broadcast

2011-04-20T14:03:00.004-04:00

Save the date: Jamie and Steve will be doing a live broadcast from Jamie's home studio on April 23 at 8 PM.

Here is the link to tune in: Jamie and Steve live!

Be sure to tune in!

Jamie and Steve with The Long Players

2011-04-13T16:59:00.042-04:00

On April 8, 2011, Jamie and Steve performed with The Long Players in Nashville, TN. Judging from the smiles, dancing, shouts and high energy a good time was had by all.

The Long Players perform songs from entire albums including Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones and of course the Beatles. Jamie and Steve have performed songs for several years now. This years's Beatles album was Let it Be.

Jamie and Steve hope you enjoy the photos from the performance. Videos will be added soon.

The Great Government Shutdown Outlaw Adventure

2011-04-12T20:49:00.007-04:00

By Steve Stoeckel

When I hear the words “government shutdown,” I get a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. And here is why.

The Spongetones were playing in Morehead City NC at an outdoor festival in 1990, and it occurred to Jamie and me that we were a mere ferry ride from an Outer Banks camping and fishing trip. So, after the gig we offloaded the equipment and took my 4WD Isuzu Trooper on what was to be the best beach adventure ever.

We spent the night at the cheap hotel near the ferry landing and boarded the next morning, arriving at Cape Hatteras by noon. The Cape Point campground was empty, and the entrance was chained; the federal government, we found out, had shut down over a failure to pass a budget. As we pondered what kind of fishing bait a filleted congressman would make, Jamie and I set out to find lodgings. We were too late.

Every private campground and motel was full. “Looks like you boys goan have to head back home,” the guy at the gas station said. We drove north up highway 12 awhile. I spotted a jeep ramp and told Jamie we were not leaving, motel or no motel. I drove down the beach a few miles and parked right near the shoreline.

We got the fishing gear out and spent the afternoon with some success. After a fine dinner cooked over the gas stove, we watched the stars come out and finally put the air mattresses out right next to the high tide line. As I went to sleep listening to the ocean closer that I ever had before, I began to think this had worked out just perfectly.

It was around 3 AM that I woke with a flashlight in my face. I could make out a ranger hat beyond the light, and the Trained Voice of Authority spoke.

‘No sleeping on the beach, guys,” it said. I blinked and tried to focus.

“We’re fishing,” I said, looking in the dark to where I thought our poles were still in their holders.

“Nope. Looks like sleeping,” the voice said. “Carries a fine.” I allowed that there were no places to stay on the island. The voice told us to move and that he’d better not find us there again, and drove south down the beach.

So, the US government had shut down and sent everyone home, and here was one last Barney-effing Fife working WITHOUT PAY to keep his beach safe from the communist, terrorist horde that was sure to invade. I watched his taillights bobble down the beach and, after a fusillade of cursing I turned to Jamie and said “We. Are. Not. Leaving.”

I spotted a tall dune in the dark between the beach and the main dune line, just big enough to hide my truck and a tent. I threw the fishing poles in the back and turned the truck around. We saw the ranger’s tail lights blink, and Jamie yelled “He’s coming back, he’s coming back,” and grabbed both air mattresses and dragged them across the sand, running crouched like a Marine taking a beachhead. We stayed behind the dune until he passed, and pitched the tent behind the dune.

And there we stayed for four glorious days, swimming and fishing all day, eating and drinking at night. We took our beach chairs to the top of our dune one memorable night, and after polishing off an entire bottle of brandy and a six pack of beer, played guitars and sang every song we knew at the top of our lungs, all punctuated with intervals of lunatic laughter and soft spills from the low chairs onto the cool sand. We were harmless crazy, and I’ve not been that way since that night.

We also stank—something we didn’t find out until we got home. After discovering that soap doesn’t lather in the ocean, we gave up on any pretense of bathing or shaving. We were living the Golding life, and since we couldn’t smell each other, we were just fine, thank you. I remember vividly my wife’s reaction upon seeing me—the shudder that comes when inhaling ammonia or swamp gas.

But we drove home happy and exhausted, convinced that we’d had the best, outlawest beach trip in history, which is yet to be disproved.

And that is why Linda, Jamie’s wife, said when we were leaving for Nashville last Friday on the day of a possible government shutdown, ‘You boys need to go camping.”

-Steve Stoeckel
Copyright 2011

English Afternoon, from Jamie and Steve

2010-12-15T20:14:00.006-05:00

Jamie and Steve hope that you enjoy their song, English Afternoon, from their English Afterthoughts album!

English Afterthoughts is available here: Jamie and Steve/cdbaby

What Am I Gonna Get? from Jamie and Steve

2010-12-11T19:35:00.005-05:00

Jamie and Steve hope that you enjoy What Am I Gonna Get?, their new Christmas song!

And click here for The Spongetones: SpongeTunes.com

English Afterthoughts honored with Best All Around Indie CD 2010!

2010-12-05T10:13:00.012-05:00

Jamie and Steve are proud to announce that their first duo CD, English Afterthoughts, has been named Best All Around Indie CD by LadyLake Music!

2010 was a busy year for Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel. After a trip to Tokyo with their bandmates in the Spongetones near the end of 2009, Jamie and Steve released English Afterthoughts, a 12 song CD featuring tunes written and performed by the two of them. This record garnered rave reviews from The Virginian Pilot, Charlotte’s Creative Loafing, Alan Haber (Pure Pop), and JAM Recordings, among others. It has also been enthusiastically received by fans, and was chosen as a Top Ten Pick by Bill Kopp “The Musoscribe.” Jamie and Steve began performing these and other co-writes as an acoustic duo.

One highlight was opening for Bob Lind, a favorite singer songwriter, in March. They also were invited to Nashville to perform Rubber Soul with the Long Players, a band of Nashville studio musicians who recreate classic albums on a yearly basis. And of course a big highlight is winning the CD of the Year Award from LadyLake Music in 2010. Jamie and Steve are thrilled at the honor.

Jamie and Steve are currently working on a new project: another duo CD entitled “The Next Big Thing,” as well as performing, both as a duo and with the Spongetones.

Find Jamie and Steve on these sites:

ReverbNation
Twitter
Facebook

Check out music from Jamie and Steve

2010-11-22T14:55:00.001-05:00

Between the Lines: Jamie and Steve video

2010-10-13T10:55:00.001-04:00

Jamie&Steve performing their song Between the Lines from their duo CD English Afterthoughts.

Nashville cats...

2010-07-10T12:03:00.012-04:00

Jamie and Steve are in Nashville, TN, participating in The Long Players Beatles Tribute. This year the album is Rubber Soul.

Having some fun early with Bill Lloyd and friends, hope you enjoy their photos. More will be added as they come in.

Photos and blurb by Steve Boyle.

A few quick snapshots of Steve Stoeckel and Jamie Hoover joining Bill Lloyd at The Family Wash in Nashville 07.09.10. (Steve Boyle)

Review: English Afterthoughts

2010-06-01T14:45:00.007-04:00

JAMIE & STEVE- ENGLISH AFTERTHOUGHTS- LOADED GOAT- When you have the 2 main guys from The Spongetones on a record is it a Spongetones record? Well, maybe but Mssrs. Hoover and Stoeckel went under their first names for this one but they’re still doing what they do best: create marvelous, jangly Beatles-esque rock.

One listen to opener “Emily’s Ghost” or 2nd tune “Fly Girl” or #3, “Let’s Don’t Count This One” and you’ll know what you’re in for. It’s not like this review is gonna “undiscover” them or anything but still, you really need to hear this.

Reviewed by Tim at Daggerzine

Listen to Emily's Ghost from English Afterthoughts

English Afterthoughts by Jamie and Steve is available from:

cdbaby
iTunes eMusic

Between the Lines, from English Afterthoughts

2010-05-11T21:34:00.001-04:00

Jamie&Steve performing their song Between the Lines from their duo CD English Afterthoughts.

Or just listen to Between the Lines:

Lyrics to Between the Lines

(Hoover/Stoeckel)

Don’t let me see a tear
(It won’t be the first time you’ve cried)
You knew that this day was near
(I’m surprised that you wonder why)
And while I smile
(You can turn that smile upside down)
I’ll say I told you so
(But don’t say you told me so).

Looks like your happiness
(Your happiness another name for my misery)
Won’t include me, I guess
(Misery it’s all that you share with me).
I love you (I love you-do you love me?) enough to let you go
(Yeah, maybe too much to let me go).

I’ll train (You’ll train) myself to sleep alone
(Yourself to sleep alone, it can be a good thing)
I’ve done it before
(You’ve sent me out now I am taking off the ring)
It’s the only thing I’m good at anymore
(You will learn like me you’re no good at anymore)

Maybe I ask too much
(Is it too much to ask from you?)
Ooo the things I do for your touch
(A second chance to see it through)
I love you twice as much as you think you know
(Do you love me one and one is two, and that’s all you need to know)

* Copyright 2009 all rights reserved, administered by Bug Music

Jamie and Steve LIVE!

2010-05-06T14:51:00.017-04:00

Come out to see Jamie and Steve on the following date:

Smokey Joe's

Opening for Lindy Dobbins

Saturday July 3, 2010

9PM

510 Briar Creek Road
Charlotte, NC 28205-6905
(704) 338-9380

Listen to Jamie and Steve on the radio!

2010-05-03T13:00:00.003-04:00

Listen in to WGMU Radio between 8-9 PM on Monday, May 3, to hear several of Jamie and Steve's tunes from their first duo CD English Afterthoughts.

English Afterthoughts is available at these locations:

cdbaby

iTunes

eMusic

Sylvia Theater event

2010-04-16T11:03:00.001-04:00

Jamie and Steve recently opened for Bob Lind at the Sylvia Theater in York, SC. Below is a review written by "Smokey."

Bob Lind sounded better than ever as he stood on the stage at an intimate traditional looking theater. To see him there all alone, holding his guitar like it was mightier than the sword and the pen put together, was like all of the years of dreaming about what he would be like when listening to his recordings.

After opening with an accapella introduction that had the audience mesmerized, he walked right into "Let It Go." He embraced the message of the song by both scatting a bit and closing his eyes to appear deep in thought. Proving that the years have been good to him, he included several rhythmic gestures that added life to the picture. Having the undivided attention of the audience in the palm of his hand, he told of the significance of the song "Gravity of the World" before playing it with as much conviction as if he had written it yesterday. His mellow take on "Bottle Of Wine" was worlds away from the familiar rendition by The Fireballs, celebrating the song in his own sincere manner. Now was a perfect time to spring the intense "Wearing You" at us, followed by the slightly laid back "Another Song About Goodbye."

A real thrill for long time fans was the endearing "Truly Julie's Blues" which took on a more personal meaning performed acoustically. "Never Even There" and "Taking The Gamble" followed, sustaining the enlightenment of the whole show. "Exeter: The Wedding Waltz" was one of the most unexpected pleasures, the closest number to being a definitive love song as was presented. His vocal acrobatics on "How The Nights Can Fly" again showed how some just keep getting better with age.

Opening act member Jamie Hoover joined him for "Cheryl's Goin' Home" and "Elusive Butterfly Of Love," making the timeless classics as much a part of now as they were the 1960s. The build-up to each song was as friendly to those who know his work inside out as they would be to any audience member who would say "Bob who?" of which hopefully none were present. He himself says he's not a celebrity during some of his build-ups and banter, though whether it's modesty that makes him say that or an effort to prevent heavy egotism, no doubt he's a major musical driving force to many who would buy his cds and attend his concerts, and thus he displayed an aura fit for a major star as he stood on the stage. I sure prefer this to a Kelly Clarkson concert.

Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel of The Spongetones had gotten the evening off to a great start. Their sound was natural and sincere, and their camaraderie was quite endearing. They even dedicated a song to Jill Sobule, so what's not to love?! A beautiful combination of strummin' and pickin' with influence in British rock and roll, American folk music, and a bit of Spanish guitar. Working various string instruments, including a ukulele into the show was a special treat. Their work is worth seeking out.

Four live songs from Jamie and Steve

2010-03-29T17:10:00.010-04:00

Jamie and Steve recently opened for Bob Lind (of Elusive Butterfly fame). They performed a selection of tunes from their first duo CD English Afterthoughts. Below are four songs: Between the Lines, English Afternoon, Let Me Back In, and Do Be Cruel. We hope you enjoy them as much as Jamie and Steve enjoyed performing them! English Afterthoughts is available at:

CDBaby

iTunes
eMusic

English Afternoon, live:

Between the Lines, live:

Let Me Back In, live:

Do Be Cruel, live:

Photos from Sylvia Theater gig

2010-03-27T11:59:00.010-04:00

Jamie and Steve opened for Bob Lind on Friday March 26 at the Sylvia Theater in York, SC. Hope you enjoy the photos!

Jamie and Steve opening for Bob Lind

2010-03-26T09:10:00.012-04:00

It's only logical that pop music masterminds Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel (of Spongetones infamy) should be special guest openers for singer songwriter Bob Lind tonight at the Sylvia Theater in York. Well-known for their spectacular Beatles/British Invastion/70s rock artisty and original music, Hoover and Stoeckel are clever as a duo in their recent release "English Afterthoughts." Their voices combine in a transcendent blend, lyrics are witty and evocative; their expertise is stunning -- all this and more "looms large in their legend."

Interestingly, we received a rave-up promo for Lind from Hoover, who related his elation to be on the same bill as Lind, pointing to Lind's mega hit "Elusive Butterfly" from the late 60s as well as material covered by major artists including Cher and Eric Clapton. Lind has written top hits for Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Richie Havens, Glen Campbell, The Four Tops, Hugh Masekela, Marianne Faithful and Hoyt Axton.

Sylvia Theater is at 27 N. Congress St., downtown York. Call 684-5590 for details or check sylviatheater.com. Get more musical information at boblind.com and jamieandsteve.com.

Jamie and Steve with Bob Lind

2010-03-23T15:07:00.002-04:00

Venue: The Sylvia Theater
Date: March 26, 2010 (Friday)
Start time: 9 PM (Doors open at 8:30)
Address: 27 N Congress St. York, SC
Phone: 803.684.5590

Let's Don't Count This One video

2010-03-23T14:57:00.004-04:00

March 20, 2010, Double Door Inn video of Let's Don't Count This One from Jamie and Steve's 2009 CD English Afterthoughts. Here, the guys are laughing at themselves for forgetting the words to their own songs!

Video from Double Door gig

2010-03-23T14:49:00.005-04:00

March 20, 2010 Double Door Inn video of Jamie and Steve performing Feeling You Watching Me Watching You, from their 2009 CD English Afterthoughts.

Jamie and Steve photos

2010-03-23T13:59:00.024-04:00

Photos from Jamie and Steve's Double Door gig on March 20, 2010.

Steve Stoeckel and Donna Duncan, singing Jumpin' Jack Flash.

Jamie and Steve, Live!

2010-03-13T14:08:00.007-05:00

Come out to see Jamie and Steve at the Double Door Inn on March 20, 9 PM.

Jamie and Steve will be performing songs from their duo CD English Afterthoughts. The CD has been receiving rave reviews from fans and reviewers so come on out and hear the original songs live!

Double Door Inn: 1218 Charlottetowne Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28204

Virginian-Pilot review of English Afterthoughts

2010-02-06T13:44:00.014-05:00

Thanks to Eric Feber for this wonderful review and for giving English Afterthoughts 4 stars!

Jamie and Steve
'English Afterthoughts'
(Loaded Goat Records)

Multi-instrumentalists/singers/songwriters Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel probably casually hum better melodies than most professional songwriters compose.

The two Charlotte-based artists--one half of that Britpop juggernaut The Spongetones --show off their uncanny pop compositional/performing skills on this, their first duo recording.

The disc's dozen delicious sonic confections burst with Brit-invasion/Merseybeat influences. Besides the obvious Beatles inspirations, the disc abounds with references to such bands as the Move, the Kinks, the Hollies, the Searchers, Peter and Gordon and such post-invasion outfits as 10cc, the Records and XTC.

The two entirely wrote, performed, engineered and recorded this gem offering shimmering, joyful pop highlighted by layers of vocal and guitar harmonies, deceptively simple rhythms and stratas of musical embellishments. Although the tunes sound like lost mid-'60s "Top of the Pops" hits, there's no mimicry here.

For shear timeless pop delights, Jamie and Steve's music is no afterthought.
-Eric Feber, the Pilot

English Afterthoughts available at these locations:
cdbaby
iTunes
eMusic

Jamie and Steve are on ReverbNation!

2010-02-04T14:55:00.008-05:00

Jamie and Steve are now on ReverbNation! We hope you'll check out their page to music, video, upcoming gigs, and info. If you have a ReverbNation page, we invite you to become a friend!
Jamie and Steve on ReverbNation

At this writing, Jamie and Steve are at # 8 on the pop charts for Charlotte, North Carolina! Thanks to family, friends, and fans for their continued support. It's folks like you who keep us doing what we love to do best. More songs will be added to this site soon so keep checking!

Jamie and Steve

The Daily Loaf reviews English Afterthoughts

2010-01-15T10:38:00.004-05:00

Thanks to Jeff O'Kelley for his great review!

I’ll be the first to admit to my longtime addiction to pop music, but let me be clear; I’m talking about “pop music,” not just what’s popular. In recent years, way too many artists have been lumped into the pop music category, turning the genre into a murky cesspool of music that bears little resemblance to the real roots of pop. For example, a well-known publication recently rated the top 40 pop acts of all time, which included Beyonce, Jay Z and Britney Spears on the same page with The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Duran Duran. Really?

To my delight, this past holiday season brought some new music into my house beyond the sound of the kid’s new Wii. English Afterthoughts is the latest release from longtime pop rock legends The Spongetones, or more precisely, band members Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel (aka Jamie & Steve). Released on Hoover’s own Loaded Goat label this past December, English Afterthoughts can best be described as a 12-song collection of perfect pop songs. Imagine The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds if XTC’s Andy Partridge had been invited to offer some input and you’d be close to English Afterthoughts.

The opening track, “Emily’s Ghost,” sets the tone of the CD with smart pop lyrics, tightly crafted harmonies and Hoover’s flawless guitar riffs. If you want to learn how to write a real pop song, dissect this tune and use it as your template. “Fly Girl” follows with a sound closer to The Beach Boys but again, Hoover interjects a slightly harder guitar sound to brand it his own. Although I didn’t find a single skippable track on this CD, my favorites would have to be “Do Be Cruel” and “In The Other Life and On Another Day.”

As with any sound coming from Jamie Hoover’s Hooverama Studio, the music on English Afterthoughts features crisp, clean, tight production. The liner notes credit only Stoeckel and Hoover, which isn’t a huge surprise. Hoover has long been applauded as one of the best in the business and is widely considered one of North Carolina’s most talented musicians, frequently appearing with more familiar names such as Hootie and The Blowfish, Bill Lloyd, Graham Parker, Robert Crenshaw and longtime friend Don Dixon. Hoover and Stoeckel have worked well together as bandmates for more than 30 years, and their latest is a fine work of pop music, as well as a damn fine CD all together.

English Afterthoughts is available from:

CDBaby

iTunes

eMusic

English Afterthoughts; 2 reviews

2010-01-13T14:39:00.010-05:00

Two more reviews are in for Jamie and Steve's English Afterthoughts. Jamie and Steve want to take this oportunity to let folks know that this is a duo effort on their parts; this is not a Spongetones album. They are both Spongetones for life; English Afterthoughts is a side project for them, with the support of their band brothers Rob and Pat.

Thanks to the reviewers and all of our friends and fans!

Jamie and Steve

Review from Blurt Magazine Online

For well over three decades, the Spongetones have ranked among indie pop's best-kept secret. Though consistently denied the benefit of major-label affiliation, this North Carolina combo has steadfastly perfected their craft, turning out brilliant Anglo-infused power pop and a retro rock discipline brimming over with effusive hooks, radiant harmonies and the sort of irresistible melodies that linger long after the disc leaves the player.

Though billed only as the band's pair of principals -- Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel - English Afterthoughts unquestionably sounds for all intents and purposes like one of their traditional band outings, and longtime Spongetones fans will find plenty to cheer here. There's certainly no denying its overall shine and sparkle, beginning with its ebullient opener "Emily's Ghost" and sashaying emphatically through the enticing pair, "Color Me Over Again" and "Let Me Back In," and then culminating with a flourish via the gently embracing closing track, "In Their Rooms."

Too well-crafted to be considered any sort of afterthought -- English or otherwise - the Spongetones special basks in the full blush of sheer power pop regalia.

From Creative Loafing (Charlotte)

The Deal: Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel of The Spongetones release their debut album, English Afterthoughts, as a duo on Loaded Goat Records in December of 2009.

The Good: The Spongetones have always had a knack for writing Brit-pop tunes in the vein of the 1960s and Jamie & Steve's debut is no different. The album continues down the same path, satiating any desires fans might have for a new Spongetones disc. Strong harmonies are all over this uncomplicated album. The 12 tracks kick off with the catchy "Emily's Ghost." Oddly enough, I found the odd-numbered tracks to be more enjoyable than the even-numbered for more than the first half of the album – the upbeat groove of "Let's Don't Count This One" and the rolling beat of "In the Other Life and On Another Day."

The Bad: If you don't like The Spongetones, you're not gonna like this either. The guys are great at what they do, but it's gonna be really hard to avoid any Beatles and Brit-pop comparisons – at times, I even think I'm hearing some hints of British accent. Where is that coming from?

The Verdict: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Jamie & Steve are doing what they do best. Where does Hoover get the time? With all of his studio efforts, it's great to see that he has the time to make new music on a regular basis. They aren't trying to modernize an old sound – they're sticking to what has worked for them for 30 years. They'll be performing at Prevue on Jan. 29.

Alan Haber reviews English Afterthoughts

2010-01-11T10:43:00.006-05:00

Call them Jamie and Steve and someone to whom the SpongeTones are an unknown quantity might ask "Jamie and Steve who?" Say Jamie and Steve are members of the SpongeTones to a classical music devotee and said devotee might come back with the question "Are they baroque, and have they played with the London Symphony?" This is your chance, then, to educate your friends and neighbors, to bring to their attention the beauteous sounds made by the four members of the world-famous SpongeTones, and to announce with great aplomb from the highest rooftops and lowest street-level patios that two of the SpongeTones, the high priests of pop music, have taken some time away from their group to buddy up with multiple instruments in hand and multitracked vocals in tow and wax a dozen songs all their own, played on their own and delivered under the banner English Afterthoughts.

On this record, Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel are the Spongerly Brothers, two close-harmony pros joined at the larynxes, microphones and melody-rich songs mostly written together at the ready, both ready for just about any happy accident or pre-planned musical surprise that might come their way. But who's to say which is which on this glorious platter? And how did this platter come to be; why did it take so long to manifest itself? These and other such shot-in-the-dark questions are of no consequence; it's the music on this platter that matters.

Right off the bat, the Spongerlys announce themselves, with earned bravado, with the two-minute-long blast of assured songcraft, "Emily's Ghost," a sparkling, too-rare-these-days example of the perfect pop song. Short and sweet and exploding with melodic bliss, it's nothing less than something from out of this world. Listen to the chunky, multitracked, percussive harmonies propelling the rhythm in tandem with the propulsive drums, and listen, especially to those harmonies, those wonderful harmonies, and listen to them come together with all of the song's elements in a senseful, dramatic stop that ends right where it should, in a harmonious blast of closure.

Listen to more great harmonies and melodies and all other such treasure in golden moments galore, in"Fly Girl," a spirited tune with the spotlight rightly on the vocals beginning at 2:02; in the upbeat "Between the Lines, in which both Hoover and Stoeckel take separate leads, Stoeckel especially impressive with his high tenor; in "English Afternoon"; in the explosive "Let's Don't Count This One," a slice of modern-day beat music with great harmonies; in the blissful "Girly Girl," which sports a gorgeous chord sequence wrapped around a typically hooky melody; in the thoroughly delightful toe-tapper "Feeling You Watching Me Watching You," a song as typical of Jamie and Steve as the songs on this album get.

This cannot come as a surprise folks, at least after even a cursory listen to these songs. That English Afterthoughts should be such a spectacular success is, really, a given. There is real craft being bandied about here, superb musicianship on offer, a splendid time guaranteed for all. And the bond between Jamie and Steve is infectious, as infectious as great music gets.
As Jamie writes in his liner notes, "With Steve, it's just like falling off a log to me--it's so easy. I'll fall off a log with him anytime." Hey fellas, save a place on that log for me, will you?

Alan Haber

January 2010

More kudos for English Afterthoughts...

2010-01-11T10:34:00.004-05:00

From Jam Recordings:

Coming in at the very tail end of 2009 is certainly one of the best power pop cds of the year!!! "JAMIE and STEVE" is Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel of the SPONGETONES! Aside from the name, this is a classic SPONGETONES album. But I noticed something that amazed me! The vocal harmonies are stronger, along with the songs and production! Why this is so extra excellent is a pop mystery to me... Something special got into the grooves during the recording of this one.

The sound is extremely BEATLESQUE without being over derivative. The many years of hard work and song craft are paying off big time with top shelf songs. It shines better and brighter than before! Like a fine wine that ages, this release is one that ranks at the very top of the Spongetones canon! It's solid pop akin to their classics like BEAT AND TORN! and OH YEAH!...(Two of their best efforts.) Now here comes another outstanding top release! ENGLISH AFTERTHOUGHTS is truly the top of the pops. GRADE A

English Afterthoughts a Top 20 pick!

2010-01-11T10:14:00.004-05:00

John Borack has posted his Top 20 picks from 2009. Jamie and Steve are honored to have been included.

1. The Madd – “The Madd Are Pretty Quick”
2. Tinted Windows – “Tinted Windows”
3. Cheap Trick – “The Latest”
4. Parallax Project – “I Hate Girls”
5. Apple Jam – “Off the Beatle Track”
6. Chris Richards & the Subtractions – “Sad Sounds of the Summer”
7. The Campbell Stokes Sunshine Recorder – “Makes Your Ears Smile”
8. David Brookings – “Glass Half Full”
9. Dennis Diken with Bell Sound – “Late Music”
10. Tommy Keene – “In the Late Bright”
11. Deleted Waveform Gatherings – “Ghost, She Said”
12. Brendan Benson – “My Old, Familiar Friend”
13. The Yum Yums – “Whatever Rhymes With Baby”
14. Roger Klug – “More Help For Your Nerves”
15. Peter Holsapple & Chris Stamey – “Here and Now”
16. Bleu – “A Watched Pot”
17. Jamie & Steve – “English Afterthoughts”
18. The Beat Seekers – “Dead Air Radio”
19. Michael Ubaldini – “Portable Record Player”
20. The Tomorrows – “Jupiter Optimus Maximus”

Review of English Afterthoughts

2010-01-08T19:40:00.004-05:00

Thanks to Beverly Patterson for her review of Jamie and Steve's first duo CD "English Afterthoughts." English Afterthoughts is available for purchase through cdbaby.com

Tugging hooks pinned tight against firm arrangements drive each track on the disc.

When The Spongetones arrived on the scene thirty years ago, they were rightfully referred to as a modern day response to the British pop music of the sixties. Few bands at that time were not only not channeling the spirit of The Beatles, The Hollies, The Dave Clark Five, The Searchers and so forth, and if they were they seldom wrote their own material, especially material that matched the quality of the artists they emulated. So that alone made The Spongetones extra special. Decades on, the North Carolina band continues to produce amazingly catchy songs, that in turn, have deservedly awarded them a worldwide fan club.

To tide us over until the next Spongetones album lands on the decks, lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Jamie Hoover and guitarist, bassist and vocalist Steve Stoeckel teamed up to conceive “English Afterthoughts,” which marks their debut as a duo. Anglo Saxon roots intact, the fellows jangle their way through a dozen tunes that are perfect in every sense. Tugging hooks pinned tight against firm arrangements drive each track on the disc. Vibrant harmonies are delivered in spades, supplying the songs with a cheery, playful touch. A swinging tempo surrounds “Color Me Over Again,” impossibly bouncy rhythms fuel the rather bubble gummy “Let’s Don’t Count This One” and “Emily’s Ghost” shimmers with echo and light. “Feeling You Watching Me Watching You” and “In The Other Life And On Another Day” are further treasures heard on “English Afterthoughts,” but the whole package is truly priceless.

English Afterthoughts chosen as a Top 10 favorite!

2009-12-18T13:07:00.004-05:00

Bill Kopp, The Musoscribe, has chosen Jamie & Steve's "English Afterthoughts" album as one of his Top 10 in 2009!

2009 shaped up to be a great year for pop music, if not for the music business. In no particular order — here are my choices for the Best of 2009.

Read Bill's chosen favorites, here: Musoscribe's Best of 2009

Jamie and Steve are honored, and thank Bill and their friends and fans.

Bill Kopp reviews English Afterthoughts

2009-12-17T12:15:00.005-05:00

Many thanks to Bill Kopp, the Musoscribe, for reviewing our first duo album English Afterthoughts!

Formed in Charlotte NC in the early 1980s, The Spongetones have long charted a rather unique path in pop music. Beginning with their debut LP (1982’s Beat Music), the quartet wrote and recorded two- and three-minute pop classics that bore the unmistakable influence of the Beatles. In fact, songs like “Here I Go Again” and “Take My Love” sounded like outtakes from The Beatles’ Second Album and Beatles VI, respectively. And on a more elaborate track like that album’s “Eloquent Spokesman” the Spongetones faithfully and convincingly evoked the spirit of the Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour era.

Read the rest of Bill's review here: Jamie & Steve

English Afterthoughts available now from cdbaby.com

Also available from:
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Feedback for Jamie and Steve's English Afterthoughts

2009-12-13T11:03:00.006-05:00

"The music on Jamie & Steve's English Afterthoughts is "Britpop better than the Brits.... infectious as a flu virus" - PARKE PUTERBAUGH, music critic, author and former Rolling Stone Magazine reviewer

"In a world full of poseurs, these guys are the real deal." -a fan

"Digging English Afterthoughts. Have it on the i-Pod and listen to it wherever I go. It's brilliant. The songwriting is really top-notch and the production is sterling...REALLY very well done!" -a fan

"8 out of 10. The Beatle-isms continue here, with great melodies and Jamies` amazing guitar grooves. Quickly it starts off the ground with "Emily`s Ghost" and "Fly Girl" which highlight the duos angelic harmonies. "Let`s Don`t Count This One" is a Tom Petty styled pop guitar jangle and the Gerry & The Pacemaker styled Merseybeat ballads like "English Afternoon" and "Let Me Back In" are both short and sweet. The standout track here is "Between The Lines" with a daring dual melodic leads and a pile of hooks...hope Jamie and Steve keep pumping out music. I can`t get enough of these guys, so it`s an easy recommendation." - Power Popaholic.

""Emily`s Ghost" is another of those too-rare-these-days examples of the perfect pop song, one of those songs you play to someone who you want to hear what they`ve been missing. Short and sweet and exploding with melodic bliss, it`s just something out of this world. I also love "Fly Girl," with its glorious harmonies. "Let`s Don`t Count this One" explodes, a slice of modern-day beat music, with great harmonies and backgrounds. And "Girly Girl" drips pop bliss, with a gorgeous chord sequence wrapped around a hooky melody. I mean, I love the whole thing, but there you go--you and Steve have made a wonderful record, on permanent spin here at Pure Pop and buhdge headquarters." - Alan Haber, Buhdge.com

English Afterthoughts available now from cdbaby.com

Also available from:
iTunes
and
eMusic

Some praise for English Afterthoughts

2009-11-30T13:32:00.005-05:00

Jamie and Steve are honored that their first duo CD, English Afterthoughts, has been well received! Below is one such response:

Another home run from the Spongetones and related wellspring!

Sounds like the first of a long run by the newly-crowned Spongerly Brothers! If the Everlys made pop records in 2009, this would be the result. And with these songs... I'm glad to see Jamie and Steve doing the duo thing! "Emily's Ghost" is another of those too-rare-these-days examples of the perfect pop song, one of those songs you play to someone whom you want to hear what they've been missing. Short and sweet and exploding with melodic bliss, it's just something out of this world.

I also love "Fly Girl," with its glorious harmonies. "Let's Don't Count this One" explodes, a slice of modern-day beat music, with great harmonies and backgrounds. And "Girly Girl" drips pop bliss, with a gorgeous chord sequence wrapped around a hooky melody. I mean, I love the whole thing, but there you go--Jamie and Steve have made a wonderful record, on permanent spin here at Pure Pop and buhdge headquarters. You have made the holiday season a wonderful place to be.

Oh, English Afterthoughts is a bountiful gift!

Alan Haber

Between the Lines

2009-11-18T19:38:00.003-05:00

Jamie&Steve performing their song Between the Lines from their duo CD English Afterthoughts.

Emily’s Ghost

2009-11-16T10:18:00.006-05:00

(Hoover/Stoeckel)

I’m constantly searching for someone who matters but
No one compares with who matters the most
She left me a gift of a life that’s in tatters and
Sent me on a quest chasing Emily’s ghost

How many times can this be the case
Someone explain to me?
Closing my eyes and kissing a face
Starts the camera rolling on Emily

I’m looking for someone to offer a cure to me
Lost and confused but I’ve been diagnosed:
Throw me a line, if you don’t I am sure to be
Sentenced to searching for Emily’s ghost

Lay your lovely hands upon my body and then
Cast away this doubt and let me love again

I’m constantly searching for someone who matters but
No one compares with who matters the most
She left me a gift of a life that’s in tatters and
Sent me on a quest chasing Emily’s ghost

* Copyright 2009/2010 all rights reserved, administered by Bug Music

English Afterthoughts is available for immediate download! Choose either iTunes or emusic for your purchase. Thanks from Jamie & Steve!

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If you'd like to print off the lyrics to English Afterthoughts, please click HERE

Fly Girl

2009-11-16T10:16:00.005-05:00

(Hoover/Stoeckel)

He saw her for the first time in a background
Leaping, in full-color from those grays and browns
Appeared this flaming rocket with his heart on board And off it soared-Fly Girl.

And slowly circling, she nursed a small wand
Shooting tiny sparks, shocking the water in his rivers
Sending shivers to a soul she’d found
All up and down

His arms at best could not contain her
She possessed the gift of flying
With amazement all eyes watched her
As she soared from sight.

He became aware she was an angel
And he wished that she’d come down and take him
With her in the clouds though she could drop him like a dime
He’d go anytime with Fly Girl.

* Copyright 2009/2010 all rights reserved, administered by Bug Music

English Afterthoughts is available for immediate download! Choose either iTunes or emusic for your purchase. Thanks from Jamie & Steve!

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If you'd like to print off the lyrics to English Afterthoughts, please click HERE

Let’s Don’t Count This One!

2009-11-16T10:13:00.005-05:00

(Hoover/Stoeckel)

We talked about this! You and me talked about this!
Now it’s 1, 2, 3, 4 long sad things, we’ve fallen
Over 2, 4, 6, 8 big, bad things, we’re crawlin’!

5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Let’s don’t spoil our fun
Let’s don’t count this one

We spoke about this! You and me joked about this!
And now it’s 1, 2, 3, 4 mountain tops before us
But it’s the 2, 4, 6, 8 same old things we’ve chorused!

5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Let’s don’t spoil our fun
See how far we’ve run!
Let’s don’t count this one

* Copyright 2009/2010 all rights reserved, administered by Bug Music

English Afterthoughts is available for immediate download! Choose either iTunes or emusic for your purchase. Thanks from Jamie & Steve!

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If you'd like to print off the lyrics to English Afterthoughts, please click HERE

An English Afternoon

2009-11-16T10:10:00.006-05:00

(Stoeckel)

Time to steal the remains of the day
And leave this site unseen
To meet at our sacred hideaway
You know the place that I mean
Beneath the bridge and then
Through the rusted gate
The lonely boats await us again

Resting in the river’s embrace
A thousand leaves overhead
Emerald parasol for your face
A wooden boat for your bed
Such a wondrous view
As I sail into
A perfect Turner painting with you

A slow ride, we both hide
Here inside our English afternoon

Smiling at all the people we pass
They know the secret we share
Watching the Corgis asleep on the grass
The old man sits in his chair
Sips his glass of wine
Checks his fishing line
Smallest movements of perfect design

A slow ride, we both hide
Here inside our English afternoon

* Copyright 2009/2010 all rights reserved, administered by Bug Music

English Afterthoughts is available for immediate download! Choose either iTunes or emusic for your purchase. Thanks from Jamie & Steve!

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If you'd like to print off the lyrics to English Afterthoughts, please click HERE

In The Other Life And On Another Day

2009-11-16T10:07:00.005-05:00

(Hoover)

In the other life and on another day.

Out of the gate in total fashion everything is done with passion.
There is nothing wrong or ever in the way.
Something happened unexpected, something healthy-infected, must have been
In the other life and on another day.

Tooling down an open highway, everything is going my way
I am in control of such a lovely machine.
Then it becomes unexciting, not the way I planned-I am fighting back
To the other life and on another day
Can we start it over on another day?

Please take me back, Mr. Wizard! I just gotta go back!
Oh, I wanna go back, Burt, please take me back!

Whatever happened to those plans, I always knew I would be standing
There was no need for spectacles, only cool shades.
Then the sun became so blinding, I never needed reminding, send me back
To the other life and on another day.

Please take me back, Mr. Wizard! I just gotta go back!
Oh, I wanna go back, Burt, please take me back!

Now I’m old and left to wander, way on back over yonder, where I used to run without ever looking back.
Back to when it was all planned and I would never not understand where it was
In the other life and on another day.
Can we start it over on another day?
In the other life and on another day.

* Copyright 2009/2010 all rights reserved, administered by Bug Music

English Afterthoughts is available for immediate download! Choose either iTunes or emusic for your purchase. Thanks from Jamie & Steve!

cdbaby

iTunes

eMusic

If you'd like to print off the lyrics to English Afterthoughts, please click HERE

Color Me Over Again

2009-11-16T10:05:00.007-05:00

(Hoover/Stoeckel)

Color my eyes with my blue thoughts you mend
Red are the lips that you’ve kissed me with again
Over and over, you fill me back in
Color me over again.

Touch up my grey skies with your sunrise pen
Green is the field that you’ll lay me back down in
Over and over, you save me, my friend
You color me over again.

Fading…fading…
When I feel that I’m fading away
Then you begin your shading, and it’s
Come on back in, colors begin to flow

Color my heart with the love that you send…
Rose-colored cheeks as you pinch me to life again
Over and over, your healing you lend
Please color me over again (Paint back my colors)
Over and over, your healings you lend…
Please color me over again (Please color me over again)
Color me over again

* Copyright 2009/2010 all rights reserved, administered by Bug Music

English Afterthoughts is available for immediate download! Choose either iTunes or emusic for your purchase. Thanks from Jamie & Steve!

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If you'd like to print off the lyrics to English Afterthoughts, please click HERE

Between The Lines

2009-11-16T10:00:00.007-05:00

(Hoover/Stoeckel)

Don’t let me see a tear
(It won’t be the first time you’ve cried)
You knew that this day was near
(I’m surprised that you wonder why)
And while I smile
(You can turn that smile upside down)
I’ll say I told you so
(But don’t say you told me so).

Looks like your happiness
(Your happiness another name for my misery)
Won’t include me, I guess
(Misery it’s all that you share with me).
I love you (I love you-do you love me?) enough to let you go
(Yeah, maybe too much to let me go).

I’ll train (You’ll train) myself to sleep alone
(Yourself to sleep alone, it can be a good thing)
I’ve done it before
(You’ve sent me out now I am taking off the ring)
It’s the only thing I’m good at anymore
(You will learn like me you’re no good at anymore)

Maybe I ask too much
(Is it too much to ask from you?)
Ooo the things I do for your touch
(A second chance to see it through)
I love you twice as much as you think you know
(Do you love me one and one is two, and that’s all you need to know)

* Copyright 2009/2010 all rights reserved, administered by Bug Music

English Afterthoughts is available for immediate download! Choose either iTunes or emusic for your purchase. Thanks from Jamie & Steve!

cdbaby

iTunes

eMusic

If you'd like to print off the lyrics to English Afterthoughts, please click HERE

Do Be Cruel

2009-11-16T09:58:00.006-05:00

(Hoover/Stoeckel)

Don’t flash your eyes at me and then look the other way
There’s nothing I wouldn’t believe in, in anything you’d say
Don’t tell me what I shouldn’t hear with a funny smile
With those white lies you say to me, you’re just teasing me in style.

Don’t make me kiss you over and over again
You know how bad it makes me, so go on, take me and just don’t break me
Don’t make me kiss you over and over again
Your moves they make me crazy, you are no fool so yes, do be cruel.

Don’t blow me kisses only to look down as you send
You know how much it would really thrill me to be more than a friend, yeah.
Don’t let me see the way you look-as you look away
Your eyes, they sparkle really brightly when you can hear me say, ah.

Don’t make me kiss you over and over again
You know how bad it makes me, so go on, take me and please don’t break me,
Don’t make me kiss you over and over again
Your moves make me crazy, you are no fool-so yes do be cruel.

Please don’t leave me waiting
No need to keep baiting me,
I keep comin’, you keep funnin’,
On your spool I just keep runnin’, saying

Don’t make me kiss you over and over again
You know how bad it makes me, so go on, take me and just don’t break me,
Don’t make me kiss you over and over again
Your moves-they make me crazy, you are no fool, but yes, do be cruel

* Copyright 2009/2010 all rights reserved, administered by Bug Music

English Afterthoughts is available for immediate download! Choose either iTunes or emusic for your purchase. Thanks from Jamie & Steve!

cdbaby

iTunes

eMusic

If you'd like to print off the lyrics to English Afterthoughts, please click HERE

Feeling You Watching Me Watching You

2009-11-16T09:55:00.006-05:00

(Hoover/Stoeckel)

You rely on your eyes to get what you find
I depend on the eyes that stay in the back of my mind seeing
Everything that I can imagine to make you come true
Feeling you watching me watching you

You rely on your ears to hear what you found
I depend on my hands to stay in the tune with the sound you’re singing
Every note is a new connection to bring me to you
Feeling you watching me watching you

Eye contact, laser locks freeze our frames
Are we both thinking the same, shame things?

I can see that you seem to know all my words
And the smiles you make take my thoughts to a place
With the birds and bees
Every smile brings a new reflection from me to you
Feeling you watching me watching you

Lips singing, bells ringing, I can feel
Are we both thinking that this could be real?

I don’t worry when my song comes to an end
‘Cause I know you’ll be there with those eyes again and again seeing
All the world is a stage-it happens again, yeah, it’s true
Feeling you watching me watching you

* Copyright 2009/2010 all rights reserved, administered by Bug Music

English Afterthoughts is available for immediate download! Choose either iTunes or emusic for your purchase. Thanks from Jamie & Steve!

cdbaby

iTunes

eMusic

If you'd like to print off the lyrics to English Afterthoughts, please click HERE

Girly Girl

2009-11-16T09:51:00.007-05:00

(Hoover/Stoeckel)

Even when she’s not there in the room,
It’s always so easy to pretend that she’s near
The purse on the bed, the smell of perfume, each
Lovely, secret girlish kind of clue she was here

The cup with a flower, radiant power
The brush on the dresser, covered with curls
Mystery of makeup, magical mirror,
Painting the picture of my girly girl,
One perfect portrait of my girly girl

I’m caught in the current,
Under the surface of a girlish sea
Thinking of things/ that she touches
(She touches me)

Scarlet beret, a sweet careless pose and a
Golden barrette that’s all powdered with pearls
Soft silken clothes all hanging in rows just
Begging attention from my girly girl
They long for the feel of my girly girl

Lost in the forest,
Making my way through her secret space
Searching for signs that show me
Her girlish trace

Even when she’s not here she leaves me
Beautiful glimpses of her girlish world
A piece of the puzzle, a part of the key
Painting a picture of my girly girl
One perfect portrait of my girly girl

* Copyright 2009/2010 all rights reserved, administered by Bug Music

English Afterthoughts is available for immediate download! Choose either iTunes or emusic for your purchase. Thanks from Jamie & Steve!

cdbaby

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If you'd like to print off the lyrics to English Afterthoughts, please click HERE

Let Me Back In

2009-11-16T09:46:00.007-05:00

(Hoover/Stoeckel)

Lay down those lines that won’t let your eyes fall
Leave them behind; you won’t need them at all
Lay down your head and let dreams begin.
And lay down your arms and let me back in

Listen from deep in your heartbeat
Rhythm is all that you’ll need.
Ah let go --ah let go

Let go those words that don’t need repeating
Cast them aside, you won’t be cheating
Let’s make the bargain to dream again
And lay down your arms and let me back in

Trusting that sound in your heartbeat
Keeping a rhythm you need.
Oh lay down your head and let dreams begin.
And lay down your arms and let me back in
Let’s make the promise to dream again
So lay down your arms and let me back in
Yeah lay down your arms and let me back in

* Copyright 2009/2010 all rights reserved, administered by Bug Music

English Afterthoughts is available for immediate download! Choose either iTunes or emusic for your purchase. Thanks from Jamie & Steve!

cdbaby

iTunes

eMusic

If you'd like to print off the lyrics to English Afterthoughts, please click HERE

In Their Rooms

2009-11-16T09:41:00.007-05:00

(Hoover/Stoeckel)

She sits in their rooms stares in the mirror and brushes her thoughts
Alone in the tombs tangling herself in the web, she is caught
Wondering why he still bothers, she sighs
He hardly ever even looks in her eyes…
How bad, she asks herself if she never woke?
If they never spoke again?

She limps through the day, wishing that it would all just go away
Somehow in her thoughts, this is not what she planned-and it’s not what she bought.
How did this whole thing go on so long?
She used to think he was so proud and strong
How bad, she asks herself-if she wasn’t there?
Nothing to care about

She can still remember back another warm September
They were so in tune in so in love
Nothing ever in the way.
Now she just can’t let go of a memory-long ago
Wind-swirling leaves, fallen from the trees, lying on the graves of those two.

So now she remains locked in the black and white dreams that detain
Frost on window panes chilling her heart and re-locking the chains.

* Copyright 2009/2010 all rights reserved, administered by Bug Music

English Afterthoughts is available for immediate download! Choose either iTunes or emusic for your purchase. Thanks from Jamie & Steve!

cdbaby

iTunes

eMusic

If you'd like to print off the lyrics to English Afterthoughts, please click HERE

English Afterthoughts now available from iTunes!

2009-11-11T14:10:00.007-05:00

For those who absolutely cannot wait for the physical CD, English Afterthoughts, by Jamie & Steve, it is now available for immediate download from iTunes! Jamie and Steve are very excited to share with you their first duo CD and hope you'll leave feedback. Fans of these prolific singers/songwriters have been eagerly awaiting this CD and you can download and listen starting TODAY!!

Click here to purchase English Afterthoughts from iTunes. Thanks from Jamie&Steve!

Jamie and Steve Bio

2009-11-06T21:21:00.002-05:00

Steve Stoeckel began playing guitar during the British Invasion of the 60’s, and was hugely influenced by the bands of that period, especially the Beatles. After hearing Sgt. Pepper for the first time, he chose the bass guitar as his main instrument and began playing professionally in the early 70’s. In 1979 he was asked to join a band that would establish reputation for spot-on covers of Beatle songs: the Spongetones. 30 years later, this same band has 12 CD releases of original power pop tunes that garner rave reviews internationally. Stoeckel’s songwriting, singing, and playing (bass, guitar and ukulele) have been major contributions to all these recordings.
Jamie Hoover also was a huge Beatles fan and was therefore a natural choice for the Spongetones’ beginnings as a cover band. However, Hoover was also a recording engineer and producer, and he was the driving force to record original tunes that pushed the band to the body of work that has earned its stellar standing in pop music today. Hoover is also a prolific singer-songwriter, and has a huge number of Spongetones songs to his credit, both as a solo writer and as a co-writer with Stoeckel. His instruments include guitar, bass, keyboards, ukulele, mandolin, drums and percussion.

Hoover has recorded and produced many other artists, and has also toured with, The Smithereens, Hootie and the Blowfish, Graham Parker, and Don Dixon among others.

Sounds like Spongetone Steve is ready for Tokyo!

2009-10-25T22:58:00.006-04:00

Steve Stoeckel expresses himself best through music. Indeed, it seems as if music is as important to him as oxygen. And fortunately for those of us who love his music and that amazing voice, he's quite prolific. Can we say "home studio"?

Below is his latest...haiku sung to music and then a capella. It is in honor of Basho, a master of haiku during the Edo period. Edo is known today as Tokyo, where Steve and his band of brothers--Jamie, Pat, and Rob--will soon be heading. Can we expect more haiku music from Steve? I'd bet on it.

Tokyo

Tokyo a capella

English Afterthoughts coming soon!!

2009-10-21T15:51:00.009-04:00

A note from Jamie Hoover:

Friends,

Just a note to let you know that my good Spongetone buddy Steve Stoeckel and I have just complete our first duo CD together, entitled "English Afterthoughts"! It's at the plant being manufactured as we speak.

As you may already know-The Spongetones are going to Japan October 29-November 3rd--and hopefully the finished copies of "EA" will be back to us by then and ready for sale. Our good friend Issa Ibrahim did the cover artwork for us and it looks fantastic! Michael Slawter came up with a really cool cover concept and design as well. Steve and I have just been on such a song-writing-roll lately that we simply decided-let's do a duo record together-and now we have! We're both very excited! And don't worry-we're both still TOTALLY SPONGETONES!

With the last several Spongetones releases we've had participation from some of our dearest fans on the front end. Although we are not actually adding names of those friends to the artwork this time-we did decide to go ahead and offer personally signed and mailed-out copies to our mailing list friends-so that's what we're doing. $20 each-including postage and hand-signed copies.

If that works for you, to the right of this website is a secure Paypal link.

We will send them out to you all as soon as we get back from Japan-and they've arrived here.
They will also be available un-autographed at our usual places a little later-cdbaby.com, notlame.com, koolkat.com, jamrecords.com--as soon as we get them all stocked. Thanks!

Feel free to pass this info on to anyone else you think might be interested.

Thanks again!

Jamie & Steve

Why a Jamie and Steve record?

2009-10-19T08:06:00.004-04:00

“Why a Jamie and Steve record?” you ask. And: “Why not ‘Hoover and Stoeckel?’ ” And: “Have you seen my car keys?”

All good questions, and herewith answered.

Making records is a difficult and exhilarating process, beginning with the most fun and mysterious part—the songwriting. Coaxing a tune into existence is addictive, and watching it grow into a full-fledged recording and eventually appearing on a CD is one of the driving forces that have kept us together so many years.

It takes such a long time to get from the idea of a song to the final record, and then it’s over. It makes its way out into the world—people listen, we play the tunes live, and we get immense satisfaction from all this, but there’s still a bit of longing for The Process.

And so it was with “Scrambled Eggs,” the Spongetones’ latest release. I had twenty or so songs in various stages of development still in my folder, and the thought of waiting another year or so to get them out was a bit depressing. I considered a solo record, but I knew it needed more than me playing.

Jamie took pity on me. Let’s do a duo CD, he said. We’ll co-write 10 songs and put two more of our own tunes. I could feel the juices start again; we became mad men, songwriting machines.

We decided to call it “Jamie & Steve” because we were making a Chad and Jeremy or Peter and Gordon record—two guys singing in harmony or in unison.

Jamie and I played and sang all the parts on this record. We’re both very happy about the way it turned out, and we hope you are too.

Steve

PS: Your car keys are on the kitchen table.
PPS: Jamie & Steve's first duo CD, English Afterthoughts, will be available in early November. More details to follow.