Parker Ben Parker brings solid modern rock to The Union

by Chas J. Hartman
THE POST

The music industry is not exactly fair.

Sometimes bands that don't have a shred of talent get signed to major labels, but really good bands that deserve a chance never seem to get noticed. It might depend on what's selling at the time or whether the band would look good on the cover of Rolling Stone. At the same time, the music world is a fickle place where promises are broken all the time.

Parker Ben Parker knows all about broken promises. This Dayton band is also talented, but it cannot seem to land a record deal. But Athens residents will get a chance to experience them tomorrow night at The Union, 18 W. Union St.

Since forming in 1994, Parker Ben Parker has grown musically and seen faces come and go. First, Joe Spurling joined the band in the summer of 1998. Then, this past summer, bassist Andy Aiello left and long-time fan Jake Runge entered the fold to replace Andy.

"The addition of Jake was serendipitous," Spurling said. "It worked out magically. Jake had been watching us for years and when Andy left, we really didn't think of anyone else to ask."

Runge actually learned Parker Ben Parker's entire set list in less than one month. But joining the band proved quite challenging for him.

"It was a pretty big transition," Runge said. "In my previous band, I was real pick heavy and used an effects pedal. With Parker Ben Parker, I had to learn that more simple bass lines can complement complex guitar parts."

In addition to Spurling and Runge, the other members of Parker Ben Parker are guitarist/singer Adam Fox, drummer Adam Ciarlariello and guitarist/singer Marc Aiello. Together, these gentlemen faced a tough situation this past summer with their new album. The album, recorded during the course of one week in the summer of 1999, could not be released because of legal implications. Eventually, Parker Ben Parker released the album independently.

"Some of that had to do with our situation with our producer," guitarist/singer Marc Aiello said. "Our producer was kind of shopping it around, and he had gotten it to the people he wanted to. So, there was no reason not to put it out. We had been sitting on it for so long. It couldn't wait any longer."

"We wanted some closure with this album," Spurling said. "We had to call him (the producer) and make sure we could put it out. It was kind of cathartic to get rid of it."

"He (the producer) just had seedless ambitions that haven't amounted to anything so far," Spurling concluded.

...in order to speak to you. is a collection of 11 eclectic songs that contain complex music and strong vocals. Songs like "The Astronaut's Epic" and "Does It Matter?" will remind you of OK Computer-era Radiohead.

Spurling is the kind of singer who rarely comes along in modern music. This talented young man can make you cry with his extraordinary singing ability.

"The thing that distances the men from the boys is good vocals," Spurling said. "I see so many bands and they have one thing going, then someone starts to sing and it all goes to hell."

One thing's certain, Athens loves Parker Ben Parker. Their last performance in Athens occurred at the end of Spring Quarter. Not only did they manage to fill The Union, but also Spurling treated everyone to a solo encore performance of Radiohead's "Lucky."

"People can expect a sincere intensity and an honest musical ambition," Spurling said. "I just want to make people feel as good as we feel when we're playing."

Parker Ben Parker performs Saturday night at The Union. Athens very own ran. opens the show along with Stonevelvet. The show will start at about 10 p.m. and there will be a cover charge.