Jeff Thacher
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| Jeff Thacher | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jeffrey Thomas Thacher |
| Origin | Noank, CT, USA |
| Genre(s) | A Cappella |
| Occupation(s) | Performer, Singer-songwriter, Producer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocal Percussion |
| Years active | 1991 — Present |
| Label(s) | Shakariki Records Amerigo Records J-Bird Records Rentrak Records For Life Records |
| Associated acts | Rockapella Five O'Clock Shadow |
| Website | Official website |
Contents |
[edit] Biographical Information
A professional vocal percussionist (a practice also referred to as "mouth drumming" & related to the hiphop-derived beatboxing) and singer who emerged on the early contemporary a cappella scene in 1991, Jeff Thacher co-founded the Boston-based a cappella group Five O'Clock Shadow (aka FOCS) that year and went on to join the vocal group Rockapella in 1993 as their full time mouth-drummer. Thacher was a 1990 graduate of Berklee College Of Music's Music Production & Engineering program, and afterward spent several years in television & radio production when not performing[1][2].
Vocal percussion, as a full-time occupation amidst a band or ensemble, was a fairly new idea in 1991[3][4], and Thacher performed as a tenor in Five O'Clock Shadow when not mouth-drumming. At that time, Rockapella was halfway through their stint on the children's television geography gameshow, Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? on PBS(1991-1996) and had created several albums for the Japan-only record label For Life Records, as well as a soundtrack album for the Carmen Sandiego show. These albums had utilized individual computer-sequenced samples of mouth noises for their drum tracks. Rockapella sought to translate this approach organically to their live shows via a human performer[5][6][7], and after a search, Thacher got the job.
He began touring internationally with Rockapella, making his first CD appearance with them on the song "Big Wet Rag" from the Carmen Sandiego soundtrack sequel Carmen Sandiego: Out Of This World (1993). The first album to feature Jeff's distinctive sound throughout was Rockapella's first all-originals album, Vocobeat (1994), for the Japanese market. [8]
As the mid 1990s progressed, the terms "organic" and "imitative" began to be used to describe contrasting a cappella vocal percussion styles, with Thacher as the most prominent progenitor of the "organic" approach, combining blatantly literal replication of drums with sounds that didn't seek to duplicate, but rather fill the role of a drum or percussive instrument[9][10][11][12][13]. Thacher was also the first vocal percussionist to employ a throat microphone (aka "throat mic") using electronic guitar pickups adhered to the larynx area of the throat (see piezoelectric sensor). The technique allowed intentional throat grunting sounds to be heard more effectively in live shows and on recordings (1997)[14]. He became the first such artist to be professionally endorsed by a guitar pickup company (Seymour Duncan, from 1998 to present, now D-TAR)[15].
Thacher continues to tour actively with Rockapella, appearing recently in the group with the Boston Pops Orchestra as guest performers, as well as in various media outlets around the USA and abroad.
Thacher has also been an independent recording engineer and music producer since 1995, working constantly with numerous a cappella groups and singer-songwriters. He works occasionally as writer/performer on television promo spots, such as Nickelodeon's "Big Summer Movies" (1996) and holiday news promos for The WB in New York. His work as a graphic artist can be seen throughout the artwork of his clients and collaborators.
[edit] Performer Discography
[edit] Domestic releases
| Release Date | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Live In Japan | Shakariki Records |
| 2002 | Comfort & Joy | Amerigo Records Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004 |
| 2002 | Smilin' | Amerigo Records Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004 |
| 2001 | In Concert | J-Bird Records Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004 |
| 2000 | Christmas | J-Bird Records Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004 |
| 2000 | 2 | J-Bird Records Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004 |
| 1999 | Don't Tell Me You Do | J-Bird Records Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004 |
| 1997 | Rockapella aka 'Devilbaby' | Independent |
| 1996 | Lucky Seven | Independent |
| 1995 | Primer | Independent |
[edit] International releases
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Best A Cappella | ForLife Records |
| 2002 | More Than Ever | Rentrak Records |
| 2002 | In Concert | Rentrak Records |
| 2001 | Christmas | Rentrak Records |
| 1996 | Lucky Seven: Memories And Dreams |
For Life Records |
| 1995 | Best Fest | For Life Records |
| 1994 | Out Cold | ForLife Records |
| 1994 | Vocobeat | ForLife Records |
[edit] Compilation releases
| Year | Album | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Hokie Nation: An Cappella Tribute | "I'll Hear Your Voice" |
| 2002 | 20 Christmas Stars, Vol. IV | "Merry Christmas Darling" |
| 1996 | Voices Only: A Cappella Originals | "Bed Of Nails" |
| 1993 | Carmen Sandiego: Out of This World | "Big Wet Rag" |
[edit] Unaffiliated releases
| Release Date | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Live At Duo Music Exchange | Duo Records |
[edit] Solo/Other CDs As Guest Performer
| Release Date | Album | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| Unorthodox | Sean Altman (What I Like About Jew) | |
| alt.mania | Sean Altman | |
| SeanDEMOnium | Sean Altman | |
| Glory | The Groovebarbers | |
| Some Children See Him | Gas House Gang | |
| Fabric Of Life (Vocal Percussion Remix) | The Nylons |
[edit] References
- ^ Recent article: "Spitting Sounds: Vocal Percussionist Jeff Thacher Performs with Rockapella at Hancher Auditorium"
- ^ Rockapella.com official bio of Jeff Thacher
- ^ The Contemporary A Cappella Society Of America
- ^ A-Cappella.com online catalog
- ^ Rockapella.com Official Group Bio
- ^ Official Rockapella.com Discography
- ^ Recent article: "Spitting Sounds: Vocal Percussionist Jeff Thacher Performs with Rockapella at Hancher Auditorium"
- ^ Official Rockapella.com Discography
- ^ Recent article: "Spitting Sounds: Vocal Percussionist Jeff Thacher Performs with Rockapella at Hancher Auditorium"
- ^ The Contemporary A Cappella Society Of America
- ^ GotSpit.com Hints
- ^ GotSpit.com web log by peer Wes Carroll
- ^ "Beatboxing 101" web article
- ^ Recent article: "Spitting Sounds: Vocal Percussionist Jeff Thacher Performs with Rockapella at Hancher Auditorium"
- ^ Seymour-Duncan/D-TAR info
