History

History of Jetpack Music Corporation

JetPack's origins can be traced to the historic Clinton neighborhood in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was there during 1999 the formation of a band took shape. That band, Stereotypical, was originally a one-time recording project put together by trumpet player/keyboardist Brian Corey to flesh out musical ideas and songs he wrote. Along with bassist Nate Barber, drummer Garrett Pierson, and vocalist Robin Goodwin, Brian recorded the seven song album at Omaha's Nevada Room Recording Studio. The unreleased album served as a catalyst to form a more permanent band, Stereotypical soon evolved into the band JetPack.

JetPack enjoyed moderate success in the Omaha music scene during the year 2000. The band was featured in many newspapers, journals, online music websites, and played for enthusiastic crowds at many of Omaha's best music venues, most notably The Music Box. As with numerous other groups, JetPack underwent change. In the middle of recording their debut album during the Spring of 2001 at Omaha's Warehouse Productions, Robin Goodwin resigned from the group. Mounting tensions from her personal life interfered with her ability to contribute to the group's rehearsing, performing, and recording schedules. With her departure, the band auditioned vocalists to take her place in the band. They found their new voice with the arrival of Andrea Dror. At the same time, guitarist Carl Distefano was brought into the group to further evolve the JetPack sound.

At first, the new JetPack exploded with a new found musical vigor. The debut album was resurrected and the band played numerous engagements and radio appearances. A decision to move the band's practice location from Mr. Pierson's home to Mr. Distefano's proved to drive the first nail into JetPack's coffin. Although the new location was much more suitable for the band, tensions mounted. Personal problems combined with inefficient and frustrating rehearsals fueled by individual alcohol and drug problems led to a total and complete breakdown of JetPack in December, 2001. An attempt to reconcile was cut short by Ms. Dror's incarceration in early Spring 2002.

With JetPack dead and buried, Brian and Nate retreated to the econimically impoverished Everett neighborhood of Lincoln. Living a block apart from each other on a crime-riddled and bleak stretch of D Steet, the two wrote music, drank 40's, and tried to figure out what to do next with their ideas.

Scott Zimmerman, a highly skilled drummer and a longtime friend of Brian and Nate expressed an interest to lend his considerable talents. At a Mike Watt concert at Lincoln's famed Knickerbocker's, the foundation to a new band was established.

The band, Citizen's Band, was born during the Summer of 2002. Citizen's Band was based on a concept of being totally instrumental and yet not succumbing to the mentality of a"jam band". Music was kept to the 3-4 minute mark and relied heavily on a "composed" format of genre blending musical styles. At the same time, JetPack Music was formed as a combination record label/website/publishing company with Brian and nate being the directors. October of 2002 saw the addition of guitarist Corey Weber to Citizen's Band. During the Winter of 2002, a 5 song demo CD was recorded by Jason Birnstihl at Merrill Mission Studios. That CD, released in early 2003, garnered more publicity and attention for the band. Citizen's Band was featured in newpapers, an issue of Medium Magazine, and was invited to perform at the 2003 Omaha Summer Arts Festival.

Citizen's Band again entered Merrill Mission Studios to record another 5 song CD during the Fall of 2003. That album was never released due to the departure of Corey Weber. Werber, one of Omaha's most Coveted guiratists needed to devote more time to his other band, Anonymous American and there increasing popularity. He graciosly and maturely stepped down from Citizen's Band and at the same time introduced the group to his friend and fellow guitarist Jason Ferguson. Jason brought with him a wealth of experience and skill on the guitar and immediately was initiated into Citizen's Band.

During the Fall of 2004, work on a new full-length album was started. The group enlisted the aid of longime college friend Roy Carbine to produce the album at his Delta Lab studio. The album, "The Signal to Noise Ratio" was completed during March 2005 and wias released during the Summer of 2005.