Joe, Marc's Brother started their musical career in New Jersey, where Joe Pisapia and his brother (you guessed it) Marc grew up playing in various bands and developing a quirky, organic style influenced by the Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, and the Flaming Lips. Along with Steve Ward, the Pisapias recorded The Pennsylvania Sessions in 1993, and although the album wouldn't be made available to the public until 2001, Nashville producer/manager/critic Rick Clark ended up with a copy and convinced the brothers to set up camp in Nashville. Joe and Marc began performing as Joe, Marc's Brother in 1994 with bass player Pete Langella. The trio added David Mead after recording the aptly named EP The Debut of Joe, Marc's Brother. Mead and Langella eventually left the band, with bass duties being taken up by Joe's college buddy, James "Hags" Haggerty. Once again a three-piece outfit, the band continued its penchant for literal titles with the release of the EP Autumnninetyeight. 2000 saw their full-length debut Around the Year with Joe, Marc's Brother garner some well-deserved critical attention outside of Nashville, where the band already enjoyed a solid fan base. Stints as openers for Guster and Superdrag followed. ~ Mark Vanderhoff