Fern Fulfills Expectations by Releasing CD
After being scouted by various labels, the band forges ahead on its own.

June 4-6, 1999

Mark Marymont
Springfield News-Leader

After three years, Fern has finally done a full-length album. They will be playing songs from "Monologue" at a concert at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Juke Joint. Cds and T-shirts will be on sale.

"This album is past due and we know it," says drummer Jay Sandidge. "A band that has being playing this long should have one and a lot of people who came to the shows would ask where they could get one."

Sandidge, along with bassist Brian Snadon, singer Jason Gaylor and guitarist Brian Pierson, delayed doing their own album because it often seemed someone else was on the verge of paying for it. "We were always getting scouted by record labels and it would look promising and we would figure why do our own CD if they were going to have us in the studio." Sandidge explains. "One label would pass and then another would come along. So we kind of procrastinated and we would still have no record."

While the band has talked to a number of label reps about their music, including a new talent scout three weeks ago. Sandidge says the band decided to forge ahead on its own. If the CD helps it get a deal, fine. "We sent some to our manager in New York City. It's up to him to figure out who to give them to."

Sandidge is correct when he says a lot of the strongly melodic pop songs on "Monologue" are "radio-ready, and other people have told us that, too. I think part of it may be that we don't have a huge fan base. And, while it may not be real obvious in Springfield, nationwide, hip-hop and rhythm and blues rule the roost and rock is kind of out of style. "Sometimes, certain trends take over and it makes it difficult for a rock band to get signed. Some labels are getting more picky and they tell us to keep writing songs and building a fan base."

Fern works regularly in Springfield and Kansas City. "We have a good following in those places and I think we can keep working on that. We've done some showcases in New York City and we have been to places in Illinois, like Chicago. And, while it wasn't a big issue when we did the record, I think that can help us get some bookings. It's got to work to our advantage."