Everything started in 1979., Georgie had this floundering idea to start a band that would mesh together the sounds of lush keyboards/synths,, acoustic guitars & percussions that was influencing his musical tastes with such bands/artists like:::::Beach Boys,,New Musik,,Gino Vannelli,,Grass Roots,,A-ha,,Chicago,,Chris Isaak,,Starbuck,,Spandau Ballet,,Level 42,,Cowsills,,,Our Daughters Wedding,,Propaganda,,Cheap trick,,The Police,,Neue Deutsche Welle..."Power Pop & Synth-Pop"......
The magic happened in early 1983 when Georgie met Victor Lovera. Victor had released an album in 1981 for CBS / Kat Family records under the name: "Smashers",which met with critical acclaim. Georgie had a notebook over flowing with lyrics & Victor was overflowing with music. the two of them approached their song writing much like, Bernie Taupin / Elton John did with theirs. the lyrics came first then the music. with that songwriting approach,it just adds a different flavour to the songs.throughout the years, Georgie always kept the musical door open for creative people to add their imput to the sound of Apart From The Crowd.
In 1984,Georgie went to Europe to secure a record deal & song publishing deal for Apart From The Crowd. it happened !! Georgie met German record producer,Ralf Krueger (aka...Sira Ain). Ralf loved what he heard & signed the band right on the spot to his new record label & publishing company....A1A Music Group / Ralf Krueger Musicpublishing.the ball started rolling.shortly thereafter,Georgie met Canadian keyboardist / vocalist / songwriter: George Kauntz & German vocalist, Katja Krueger (aka....GAASHANGEE) that record & publishing deal / relationship still lasts to this day. after signing to A1A,the song: Violins (wall of sound mix) was released to critical praises within the industry etc...Violins charted at #16 in the German Record Pool & was ranked #16 in several college radio & FM stations across the USA. Violins was often compared to the songs ::::: Duel by Propaganda & Be Near Me by ABC & Take On Me by A-ha . what an awesome compliment !!!!
in 1987,Georgie stumbled across vocalist / songwriter / guitarist , Neil Ricketts & the two of them struck a songwriting partnership with original "power pop" melodies & Georgie's lyrics……
in 1988, Georgie met keyboardist / vocalist / songwriter,Jan Hrkach & started to slam out songs at an awesome pace with such songs like: "No Room In Heaven,Mandy,A Feeling For You" & many others...which still last til this very day.......
as for the name:::APART FROM THE CROWD......Georgie Rockwood says," I got it from the title to an album by the Power Pop band….Great Buildings , I was listening to at the time in 1981 & I just thought it sounded very cool ", don't forget that sometimes,Apart From The Crowd will also go under the name: ATLANTIC MONDAY & MARYS PRAYER.....
Here's what some people have said about Apart From The Crowd :::::UBERBLICK MAGAZINE...."somewhat more decent is the entertaining pop music from Apart From The Crowd with Violins."....PINBOARD MAGAZINE...."you'll find here a combination of pop/soul & new wave. the music is danceable but more personal"....DISCRET DISCO JOURNAL...."Apart From The Crowd have delivered with Violins a dynamic sound in computer -sound"....BLITZ MAGAZINE...."the single,Violins is destined to be a big hit on American radio and in the clubs"....JAM ENTERTAINMENT...."there's simple synth-pop ala Propaganda,,A-ha & ABC with Apart From The Crowd's ,Violins".....Jeff Filbert from WFIT Radio says..."instrumentally they're competant musicians and their best material is: Violins/Torn Together/Stay The Way You Are.some interesting uses of synth voices & playing.subtle & not overstated.nice guitar & percussion accents in all the right places.impressive keyboard & synth work.".......
in loving memory of.....VICTOR LOVERA...1950-1998...RIP brother!!!!! (my songwriting partner in crime)
people often ask us what instruments we use in the studio/on stage,well here goes......PROPHET 5 SYNTH...YAMAHA DX7 SYNTH...YAMAHA DX 27 SYNTH...CASIO CZ 1000 SYNTH...MOOG SYNTH...MINI MOOG SYNTH....PEARL & LUDWIG DRUMS...LP ASPIRE PERCUSSIONS...DMX DRUM MACHINE...ROLAND COMPURHYTHM DRUM MACHINE...TAKEMINE...FENDER....GIBSON...ACOUSTC GUITARS & CORT STEINBERGER BASSES.
Violins is available on sheet music
