Josefus

Josefus was a rock band from Houston who have been credited for being "one of the first models for the blunt sound of Texas hard rock and heavy metal."^[1] They were also mentioned in an article in Classic Rock titled, "The Lost Pioneers of Heavy Metal".^[2]

Band members Dave Mitchell and Ray Turner originally played together in a band in high school called, Rip West. The two along with Doug Tull would record a demo titled, "I Love You." The group then changed their name to Josefus when vocalist, Pete Bailey, joined the band. Phillip White, the band's second lead guitarist left the band in 1969.^[1]

Later they would go on to record an album in Phoenix, Arizona during December 1969 with producer, Jim Musil, and for a short while performed under the name Come. Their next album, Dead Man, was recorded in March 1970. Josefus would perform their last concert in Houston, Texas at an auto show, though the group would later reunite in the late 1970s.^[1] In 1978, they would reunite with drummer Jerry Ontiberez. They recorded four singles that were released on the Hookah label (Slave Of Fear, Let Me Move You, Hard Luck, & Wheels). In 1990, JOSEFUS, once again, reunited. Doug Tull was found hanged in a jail cell in Austin, Tx, So they joined forces with drummer Leesa Harrington-Squyres (currently with Lez Zeppelin, NYC) and recorded "Son Of Deadman" on Paradise Lost Records. This line-up has performed a handful of shows over the past two decades, one of which was recorded and released-"Halloween 2004". Recently (2011), Bassist Ray Turner, suffered a stroke which rendered him unable to play. Mark Weathers was brought back to the band, after two decades, to take over for Turner. JOSEFUS has performed twice in the past six months and plan to continue performing regionally when Harrington-Squyres is available.

Discography

Studio and live albums

• Get Off My Case (1969)^[3]
• Dead Man (1970)^[4]
• Josefus (1970)^[5]
• Son of Dead Man (1990)
• Dead Man Alive (2002)^[6]
• Halloween 2004 Live (2005)^[7]

Compilations

• Dead Man/Get Off My Case (1999)^[8]
• Dead Box (2003)^[9]

Notes