Who is Geoff B. Gibbs? - bassist, general awesomeness-bringer
Geoff B. Gibbs grew up with wolves in the backwoods of Siberia before he was rescued by Ynette and Ed Gibbs who desperately wanted a child they could name after Chaucer and raise in Tacoma, WA.
Much to their delight, the little lad had a fondness for brit lit as well as everything else his brain could absorb: 8 bit, tai chi, improv comedy, wife-catching (a singular lesson), dolly parton covers, and stunts to name 9 out of 10 things.*
When Geoff B. Gibbs isn't playing the bass or bells for the FFD, you can probably find him being the Natural Hype Man for Three Ninjas, leading the Crazy Boy Floyds, commenting on zombie movies, and pouring himself cup after cup of ambition.
*at least 2 dolly parton songs and at least 2 stunts
Who is Geli "Sweet Geli Wine" Wuerzner? - fiddler, sweet geli wine connoisseur
Geli Wuerzner is a fictitious character born out of a to-be-written novel by Tom Robbins who lived all over the U.S., only to discover her true physical home with the Five Finger Discount in Washington state.
Before coming into her present state, Geli spent former lives as Fibonacci, Emily Dickinson, and a daschund. That's probably why, in this lifetime, when she re-discovered the fibonacci sequence in a chromatic scale the same year she became valedictorian of her class, she moved to a remote town and became a gas station attendant.
When Geli isn't bowing for the FFD, you can find her being mommy to Three Ninjas and two adorable dogs, cooking spectacular gluten-free dishes, and telling your future through the tarot cat deck. The aboriginal one is simply too powerful for you to handle. Trust her on this one.
Who is Dominic "The Nizzle" Cortese? - drummer, brother to all humankind
It has been argued that Dominic Cortese is the glue that holds the universe together. That's the formula that takes place when you mix a Michigan upbringing with a role in the musical "Hair," surfing, and a kitty cat named Peepers altogether.
Moving to Seattle to join Earth Corps and to play with The Jesus Rehab of famous/infamous epicness, "The Nizzle" joined up with the FFD because the world needed it. Although he has since returned to South Carolina to pursue a degree in saving our land masses, Cortese fully expects to be back in Seattle come May to tour with his two favorite bands.
When he's not making lots of noise, you can find Dom picking up litter, laughing, and mowing down a Gordito's 10 lb burrito.
Who is Julia Massey? - singer/musician, unintentional cuss-word-user
Julia Massey wanted to be startin something the moment her parents recorded their vinyl copy of "Thriller" onto a tape deck so she could memorize MJ's songs. Much to her sister's delight, the majority of her childhood consisted of creating or recreating music videos inspired by the king of pop.
After learning some more dance moves with a tribe called Jiggalong in Colorado and later with some premium teachers in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Massey moved further and further west to pursue being as cool as Michael.
When she's not hanging with the FFD, you can find her twirling her hair, pulling shots at Ballard Market, or starring as Luke Skywalker in the world of make-believe.
Julia Massey & The Five Finger Discount
Julia Massey & The Five Finger Discount have done something that most bands cannot claim in one year: created a fan base that digs their unexpected fusion of genres and a fresh, undeniably catchy record to take home.
The Seattle-based foursome comes together with backgrounds in classical, jazz, rock, and folk, allowing their music to exist outside of a category.
Co-produced in Chicago with Jordan Kenning, Massey's recent EP release "OUT" features hints of bluegrass, folk-rock, with classic pop sensibilities. Her move to Seattle the following year offered a chance to develop a new sound with new musicians.
The band shares a compulsion for experimentation. Drawing on influences from The Shins, The Beatles, Dylan, Bach, Spearhead, and Joni Mitchell, the group members write their own parts on top of Massey's transcendental lyrics and heartfelt progressions.
What makes the experience of listening to a Five Finger Discount set special for their fans, whether it's at a coffee shop or the Showbox theater, is how easy it is to become part of the practically woven soundwaves that feel like a shared blanket to the soul. "Our fans feel like family," according to Wuerzner, "because there's so much love in the room".
The upcoming release of their first record "I'm Not Hollow" comes with it songs inspired by the shared events of the members this year. From an accidental housefire started by Massey to the life of Emily Dickinson, "I'm Not Hollow" encompasses the feelings that sink in after a loss.
With studio engineer Thomas Surprenant, the band recorded all 11 tracks in Wuerzner's home. Surprenant's love for The Pixies, Neutral Milk Hotel, and the Flaming Lips informed the mix's supernatural qualities.
What is perhaps most wonderful about a Julia Massey & The Five Finger Discount performance is that they can share the bill with anyone. With friends who perform hip-hop, bluegrass, and metal, fans of their fellow performers always enjoy the show when they stick around.
Which "is what it's really about" says Massey, "sharing the love."