Biography Joe Merrick, a native of Boston's South Shore, marches to the tune of a different drummer -namely, his own. Drawing on such influences as Joni Mitchell, Black Sabbath and The Who, vocalist/percussionist Joe Merrick creates a unique blend of darkness and light that is an intriguingly emotive and head-bobbing listening experience. Joe discards the fluff of typical pop and exchanges it for music with substance. Anyone who listens to Joe Merrick will be struck not only by the rich textures of the music and lyrics, but also by the purity of style. "I try to pull my writing from my emotions or real life situations," says Joe. And that he has. Writing since the 9th grade, Joe got his "poetic license" when he was just 14, "before I could even drive," he quips. Combining an intelligent rock ideology with biting realism puts Joe miles ahead of his contemporaries. In 1993, Billboard Magazine awarded him a Certificate of Achievement for Songwriting. Says Jay Miller of The Patriot Ledger, "Merrick's songwriting shows uncommon depth." In live performance, Joe proves himself an inspired and spontaneous rocker. At a Joe Merrick show, anything can happen and just about anything goes. His infusion of piquant antics and humor creates a compelling and stimulating exhibition that arouses a strong connective reaction from audiences. He has been known to pound his front stage cymbals with his bare fists, sometimes to the point of bleeding-an intense if not whimsical approach to reaching his audience. A drummer since the age of 8, Joe went on to receive training in voice, drums and piano. Following his attendance at the Berklee College of Music, he studied jazz piano for 5 years. Joe now instructs more than 50 private students, in addition to teaching music in the Abington Public Schools. He performs his own original music weekly in and around the Boston area, and spends the rest of his time writing and recording new material á "Not only is Joe Merrick a good singer and player, but he's a first rate songwriter" - Metronome Magazine "He is a top-notch song writer and precise musician,.." - B. Dare, The 'Musicians Trade Journal "Joe rocks the ever lovin' socks off these numbers with fierce authority and focused precision." - Douglas Sloan, Metronome Magazine á