News
News Hi; Jeff here. Just brushing up a few of the pages with current contact info, etc. Thanks to anyone who still glances at these pages. Some of Farewell to Juliet will again be represented at the Cornerstone Festival in 2006. So, if nothing else, we'll see you there! John and I discussed setting the Wayback Machine to 1993 and playing a thing or two from Echoes of Laughter. Our big band will be booked as Jeff Elbel + Ping (yes, it's a ridiculous name) on The Gallery Stage.
Brant is a very popular DJ and social activist in Florida these days, and blogs regularly at Xanga. I'll post a link here if he says that's okay with him.
Actually, all of the FTJ veterans have moved on to interesting and worthwhile adult pursuits. Maybe I'll ask them if they'd send a note for the website.
John and I made a really fine, fun album called The Eleventh Hour Storybook in 2005. The Dr. Demento Show has featured a couple of the funny songs on the disc. All proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity. To order, visit Marathon Records.
BootlegLive.com will soon release
Engine of Destruction: Live on the Gallery Stage by Jeff Elbel + Ping.
Recorded at the 2003 Cornerstone Festival, the set includes the new Ping songs "Getting Ahead of Myself,"
"Engine of Destruction," and "Time to Leave." In addition to any studio bonus material, this will represent
the official and only release of "Time to Leave." Jeff reports that the song was great fun to play and well
received by the crowd. "Getting Ahead..." and "Engine..." will likely be recorded in-studio eventually,
though not soon, as Ping continues to work on the Meet Your Maker album.
The band for the Engine of Destruction show included John Bretzlaff on electric guitar,
Kim Bretzlaff on vocal, Stacey Krejci on bass and Hammond B-3, Andrew Oliver on drums,
Chad Dunn on percussion, and Jeff Elbel on vocal, acoustic guitar, and bass.
This was a reunion of 4/5 of Farewell to Juliet. Kim even used to guest with FTJ occasionally, and
is featured on Grace and Dire Circumstances' "Browning's Pearl." Ping celebrated by playing no FTJ
material whatsoever. During previous tours, Ping had played FTJ's "Healer" and "Holiday on Ice" (both of
which turned up on Jeff Elbel + Ping's Loyal to You live album).
Three Farewell to Juliet alumni will participate in Ping's June/July 2002 tour. Jeff Elbel and John Bretzlaff will perform all dates, and will be joined by Stacey Krejci at select dates. The tour runs from 28 June 2002 to 8 July 2002, including two Cornerstone Festival performances. Dates can be seen on Ping's Show Dates page.
Jeff and John also have a track, "You Still Believe in Me," appearing on Silent Planet Records' July 2002 release, Making God Smile: A Tribute to the Songs of Beach Boy Brian Wilson. Other artists include Phil Keaggy, Sixpence None the Richer, Randy Stonehill, Lost Dogs, and Terry Taylor.
No Outlet has arrived! This album by FTJ's Jeff Elbel (with Ping) also features FTJ's John Bretzlaff playing guitar on most tracks. John even plays saxophone and accordion on a few.
A review of No Outlet has been posted on Ping's Articles page already, courtesy of True Tunes' John J. Thompson.
The 24-track acoustic No Outlet project by Jeff Elbel + Ping has been completed, and should be arriving from the manufacturer in under two weeks! This CD features lots of great guitar, saxophone, and accordion work by FTJ's John Bretzlaff as well. Visit the Ping website for details, artwork, lyrics, etc.
All proceeds from No Outlet will be donated to charity in memory of Gene Eugene from Adam Again. To order, visit the Marathon Records Catalog. Cost is only $8 plus postage. A gift pack is also available, including five copies of No Outlet for $30.
As previously mentioned, Jeff will be performing on the Acoustic Stage at this summer's Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, IL. To sweeten the pot, Jeff will be joined on stage by FTJ guitarist John Bretzlaff and his wife Kim. John is recording again with Jeff on Ping's acoustic No Outlet project. Kim can be heard on "Browning's Pearl" from FTJ's Grace and Dire Circumstances album. John and Kim currently perform and record together as junbug.
FTJ bassist Stacey Krejci is a hopeful for the set, pending the usual work and family scheduling arrangements. Therefore, it's looking like we'll have 3/5 of Farewell to Juliet on stage at Cornerstone. If Brant and Chad happen to be passing through the neighborhood, we'll see what we can work out. :-)
For details on Jeff Elbel's Acoustic Stage set, visit the Cornerstone Festival website.
Jeff and Stavesacre drummer Sam West recently played a show with Michael Knott.
Sam and Jeff worked together again this month, while recording Jeff's acoustic Ping project.
Jeff Elbel will be performing on the acoustic stage at this summer's Cornerstone Festival, the venue that introduced Farewell to Juliet to the world at large (however small it may actually be).
Expect to also see Jeff performing with Americana artist Phil Madeira and goth-pop icon Brian Healy/Dead Artist Syndrome on the acoustic stage.
Set times:
04 July 2001
04 July 2001
07 July 2001
David Brown of the Lake City Reporter conducted an FTJ interview with Jeff Elbel. The piece ran on Feb. 2, 2001.
For Immediate Release
We are Happy to announce that Brian Healy / Dead Artist Syndrome will be performing an unplugged/acoustic set at the Cornerstone Music Festival in Bushnell Illinois in July. We'll post the date and time at www.DeadArtistSyndrome.com soon.
Dead Artist Syndrome has also started work on a new album at this point titled"Jesus Wants You To Buy This Record."
This time out Healy has recruited new D.A.S. member Jeff Elbel of Farewell to Juliet, Ping and EDL fame. You can also expect some of the usual gang of guitar heroes to drop in for a few tunes along the way.
And if that were not enough, expect to see some other D.A.S. Unplugged shows later this year.
There is a benefit show for Gene Eugene's family being held next Saturday, September 2, 2000. Jeff Elbel has the honor of participating. All proceeds from the show will go to the Gene Eugene Memorial Fund. The line-up is incredible, and Gene's memory is truly worth the price of admission. Jeff's set will be primarily a Ping set, and will feature a very special guest (to be named after the show).
serry : butterfly
FTJ vocalist Brant Hansen is currently news director and radio personality for Houston, Texas radio station KSBJ 89.3FM (hear Brant on KSBJ's webcast). During this week, Brant is touring India, visiting different Compassion International relief projects. He'll be making daily broadcasts as well.
Jeff did a lot of volunteering on various stages at Cornerstone 2000, and had a great time. The highlight of the week was when Jeff played bass for Phil Madeira's set on the Silent Planet Records Acoustic stage. Also performing with Phil was Steve Hindalong of the Choir, a formative influence on Farewell to Juliet's music!
Jeff suggests: "For Americana fans, and those who appreciate thoughtful, heartfelt songwriting with a dash of biting humor, Madeira's 3 Horse Shoes couldn't be recommended any higher. It's one of my favorite records in ages, and will continue to be, I'm sure. If you like Terry Taylor/Daniel Amos and Vigilantes of Love, this is a must-have."
We the Living, Volume 2 has been released. The compilation focuses on roots and Americana styles, and includes the Farewell to Juliet track, "Healer." Also included are notable acts such as Vigilantes of Love, Mark Olsen (Jayhawks) and Victoria Williams, Ric Hordinski (Monk, Over the Rhine), Chris Taylor (Love Coma), and the Wayside.
Sales benefit medical expenses for David Bunker, a true friend and supporter of
independent music. If you'd like to buy a copy from us, send $9 to:
Marathon Records
For the musical explorer in your family, we have sets of all three We the Living volumes available. $24
postage paid, and the money supports an excellent cause.
Volume 1 is a collection of pop, rock, punk, etc. It includes Aunt Bettys (Michael Knott) and lots of other
tasty stuff.
Volume 3 focuses on gothic/industrial/ambient, and includes:
globalWAVEsystem (featuring Christian Erickson, who played keyboard with FTJ for a while)
Very, very sad news: Gene Eugene (Andrusco) died this morning. I knew him just a little bit, and had always
hoped to know him better. I can scarcely think of an artist/musician that I've respected and admired more.
Gene wrote the most brutally frank and personal lyrics I've ever heard or read. Adam Again's Perfecta is a
prime example. If you've never heard it, I couldn't personally recommend an album higher (though I must warn
you that it's not an easy listen; it's like reading through the diary of someone's darkest days). I've aspired to
write that honestly and fallen far short of Gene's example. Gene also had a heartbreaking, earnest voice,
completely unforced and natural. He sang straight from the soul. On top of it all, Gene could play a rock and
roll Fender Rhodes keyboard with more feel than anyone I ever knew.
In my book, Gene Eugene was one of the biggest, though he wasn't known to the world at large. Someone else
said it's like if Bob Dylan died, and no one had heard of him. I think that's accurate.
Gene was only 38. It seems too young, and too early for Gene for so many other reasons. It feels as if he wasn't done here yet, although I can't imagine a time when it wouldn't seem that way. Gene was always on the move, usually in the service of other atists' visions. This summer was going to be different, though. It was going to be Gene's summer, if only in Adam Again fans' eyes. Many of us eagerly looked forward to seeing Gene and the band at the Cornerstone Festival this year. We couldn't wait for the accompanying release of new Adam Again material, baring heart and soul.
Scant days before his passing, Gene was teasing his mailing list devotees that any recording and album details were "for me to know and you to find out." It was all in fun, and everyone was enjoying the excitement of anticipating new material, having waited for years while Gene engineered, produced and performed on other people's projects at his fabulous Green Room studio in Huntington Beach (and elsewhere). I was hoping to perhaps spend a little bit of time personally with the band at the festival, and help them out on stage. Now, all those things are only for Gene to know, and for us to wonder what might have been.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Gene's family and close friends. He was loved by so many. Gene's gone
now, and it's a crying shame for all of us.
"Don't leave us now, you gotta write one more ..."
- Jeff Elbel
Jeff will be recording a cover of the Swirling Eddies song "Hell Oh," from the Outdoor Elvis album. The song is being recorded for a Terry Taylor (Daniel Amos, Swirling Eddies, Lost Dogs, solo, etc.) tribute album entitled Terryfied. Release is scheduled for September, 1999.
Jeff's compadres in ping will be assisting. The FTJ gang would all definitely go for it, if they didn't live so far away from each other currently. The distance makes it tough for all five to consider collaborating on any project other than a new album of original material.
These compilation CDs are being offered by Etcetera in order to raise funds for the medical expenses of David Bunker, a friend to many in the Midwest indie scene and supporter of FTJ.
Due to be released in mid-July from True Tunes, We The Living, Volume Two celebrates the more
acoustic/organic sounds of the new Americana genre, with quite a bit of AAA (adult album
alternative) and some acoustic pop thrown in as well.
The track listing for We the Living, Volume 2 includes, among many others:
Stacey and Megan Krejci are expecting their second child in January of 1999.
Next up were Farewell to Juliet, probably the most experienced band to play here other than Pegtop, and they pushed the bar up just a little bit higher. Their brand of atmospheric modern rock sounded great in the live setting, their vocalist sounded even better live than on record, and the whole experience just begged for a decent explanation of why FTJ doesn't get more respect than they do. They certainly had the respect of the fans who cleaned them out of their entire stock of CD's well before the festival ended ...
now if only some industry types would clue in.
The set list included several songs from the new album:
Jeff wrote an article about his Cornerstone '98 experience, entitled How I Spent My Summer Vacation. The story can be found on the True Tunes website by clicking here.
New Band Showcase stage
Set time proper is 2:55 - 3:35. We'll start early if possible, in order to play longer. We're all thrilled to be playing the festival again; come on out and join us!
v.beta includes an album cut from Grace & Dire Circumstances, "Holiday on Ice." The sampler also contains a brand new track from Elbel entitled "Miracle Rain." This song has been borrowed from a forthcoming concept album project called Meet Your Maker. The MYM album is a long-term project, and will not be ready as a whole until Spring '99 at the earliest.
The sampler includes exclusive tracks from Vigilantes of Love, Moby, Every Day Life (produced by Jeff Elbel), Michael Knott, in addition to many other rare tracks (16 total). The Every Day Life track, "Time to Change," was produced by Elbel, and includes his performance on bass guitar, horns, and background vocal.
The Marathon Records website will carry v.beta.
The Krejci's also just learned that their second is on the way.
This means that everyone who is now in, or has ever been in FTJ (including founding drummer Jeff Schmale and Echoes of Laughter guitarist Carl Oberg are married with children ... except for acoustic guitarist John Bretzlaff.
Brant and Carolyn Hansen: parents of Justice and Julia
The rest of us want to know why John and his wife, Kim, are taking so long to get with the program. We also want to know which one of gets stuck in a house with the kid who wants to be a drummer.
The ... Orange Couch disc is due October 21, 1997. The style is vaguely described as neo-progressive, rock-influenced folk, with musical influences such as Ani DiFranco. Here's the track listing for the John & Kim disc:
27 January, 2004
06 June, 2002
28 June, 2001
09 June, 2001
25 April, 2001
For details on Ping's No Outlet project (due July 4, 2001), visit the Ping website.
25 April, 2001
Below are some photos. Click an icon to see the full image.
For details on Ping's No Outlet, visit the Ping website.
23 February, 2001
Wednesday
2:00 p.m. - 2:40 p.m.
Jeff Elbel & Ping (currently listed as "Jeff EBEL Group")
Wednesday
6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Brian Healy/D.A.S.
Saturday
2:45 p.m. - 3:25 p.m.
Phil Madeira
23 February, 2001
22 February, 2001
23 August, 2000
The show will be recorded for a limited edition CD, which can be pre-ordered at the show.
Schedule:
05:50 - 06:15 Starflyer 59
06:30 - 07:05 The Violet Burning
07:25 - 08:05 L.S.U.
08:10 - 08:25 Jeff Elbel
08:25 - 09:05 Undercover
09:05 - 09:25 Steve Hindalong
09:25 - 10:05 Altar Boys
10:10 - 10:25 Paul Valadez (of Adam Again)
10:30 - 11:25 The Prayer Chain
11:25 - 11:30 Tribute video
Date: Sept. 2, 2000
Event: the Gene Eugene Tribute Concert
Venue: Echoes of Faith Church
Street Address: 11255 Central Ave
City, State: Ontario, CA
Admission: $15 at local stores
Doors Open: 5:30pm
Showtime: 8:10pm sharp!
Contact: Lisa Shugart
Phone: 714-573-0245
E-mail: concert411@aol.com
Website: www.transparent1.com
Tickets available at:
Berean Colton :1330 E. Washington Ave., Colton (909)824-7200
Berean Riverside :3396 Tyler Street, Riverside (909)688-1237
Berean Fullerton :1440 S. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton (714)680-9500
Addeybug Records has announced the following line-up for the Choir tribute, To Cover You:
alaca nation: spin you around
tim keeler : render love
the atonement : to cover you
the world inside : wide eyed wonder
friction bailey : grace
farewell to juliet : chase the kangaroo
john r williamson : baby i love your mind
robert deeble : to bid farewell
project aberdeen (formerly 7day Jesus) : sentimental song
jerry chapman (life in general) : about love
vesper : never more true
the wayside : merciful eyes
the normals : restore my soul
14 August, 2000
14 July, 2000 
L-R: Jeff Elbel, Phil Madeira, Steve Hindalong, Kate & Maddie Madeira
12 July, 2000
PO Box 1222
El Segundo, CA 90245-6222
Ping (featuring Jeff Elbel of FTJ, with background vocal by Ruth Ann Mobley)
Saviour Machine
Evanescence
Autovoice
Nova Sphere
Caul
21 March, 2000
Visit http://www.comteck.com/~tinklejw/jeff1.htm to read a new interview with Jeff at JT's Christian Music Review magazine. The article covers a lot of ground, touching upon Farewell to Juliet, Ping, LSU, etc.
Visit mp3.com/ftj to download free MP3 files of FTJ songs!
A web publication of unusually high content quality called The Phantom Tollbooth has just released their latest issue (June 1999). Currently in the FEATURES section is an interview with FTJ guitarist/producer Jeff Elbel. Click HERE to go directly to the article.
Addeybug Records has begun work on a tribute project for FTJ's collective favorite band, The Choir. FTJ plans to submit a version of the cover of "Chase the Kangaroo," slightly re-worked from the version which appears on Grace and Dire Circumstances. As soon as we know the release date, the info will be posted here.
Every Day Life's Moment of Clarity has been completed. A September 14, 1999 release is planned jointly by KMG Records and Paradigm Records. Jeff played bass and trombone, assisted with vocal production in the studio, and co-wrote the album with the band.
Gotta love those tribute projects. On the one hand, they allow a band to offer a tip of the hat to a favorite musician or guiding light. On the other hand, fans of that artist are exposed to said band's music. If the cover versions show sparks of originality and aren't half-baked, they can be pretty cool. That's what we think, anyhow. Now that we've justified ourselves...
"Healer," an album cut from Grace and Dire Circumstances, will appear on Etcetera Records' We the Living, Volume Two compilation CD. Jeff Elbel's project band, ping, will have a track entitled "We the Living" on Volume Three.
Johnathan David Krejci was born this January in Champaign, Illinois to proud parents Stacey and Megan. Johnathan has a beautiful and brilliant big sister named Rebecca.
Megan Raelene Elbel arrived in Torrance, California on November 19, 1998, at 8:15 p.m. (04:15 GMT on 11/20/98), weighing 5 pounds, 12 ounces. She's 19 inches long. Megan is a beautiful girl, who seems to most resemble her mother, Melinda. We're glad she's finally here.
Jeff Elbel has been moonlighting with his friends in heavy-alternative Southern California "rap-core" band Every Day Life. While EDL is a far cry from the melodic, acoustic/electric modern rock of FTJ, Jeff reports that it has been fun, challenging, and has been helping him to develop his skills as a rhythm section player and producer. The band plans to enter the studio in January of 1999 to record an album entitled Moment of Clarity for KMG Records.
Thanks to all those who have sent prayers and happy thoughts on behalf of Jeff Elbel's wife, Melinda, who was hospitalized for over two weeks due to complications with the pregnancy of the couple's first child. Melinda is currently resting at home, and the baby (a girl) has not arrived yet... which is very good news. The Elbel's daughter is due any time now.
The True Tunes website is still updating coverage from the Cornerstone festival, which was held way back in July. The following is an excerpt from a diary on the New Band Showcase. You can read the full story by clicking here. Note that the link will take you away from the FTJ website, so use your browser's "Back" button if you wish to return here.
The LSU album, Dogfish Jones, has been released by Platinum Entertainment. FTJ guitarist Jeff Elbel plays bass on the album. Dogfish Jones is a concept album; the story details a sailor's adventures on the high seas, with an underlying them of the struggle to free onesself from envy and strife.
The Farewell to Juliet set at this year's Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, IL went very well. We had a great time, and it was fantastic to see so many people in the tent on the first day of the festival.
Ever Be
We had "Adam's Chain" from Echoes of Laughter ready to go, but the stage was running on a tight schedule, and we had to drop it. Next time!
Bittersweet
Holiday on Ice
Browning's Pearl
Healer
Seconds Count
Hear My Cry (brand new song)
Thermostat
See Farewell to Juliet perform at this year's Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, IL:
Wednesday, July 1
2:45 p.m.
Farewell to Juliet and FTJ guitarist/producer Jeff Elbel have placed tracks on the forthcoming Ricochet Internet Magazine compilation CD, entitled v.beta.
FTJ guitarist/producer Jeff Elbel and his wife Melinda are expecting their first child near the end of 1998. Jeff is excited, nervous, and worried (his usual state, to be honest), and Melinda is trying not to throw up (not her usual state).
Stacey and Megan Krejci: parents of Rebecca, one on the way
Chad and Ella Dunn: parents of Zoe
Carl and Kimberly Oberg: parents of Christopher, one on the way
Jeff and Jennifer Schmale: parents of Abraham
Jeff and Melinda Elbel: one on the way
7ball Magazine has chosen the song "Seconds Count" from FTJ's Grace & Dire Circumstances album for inclusion on the latest 7ball promotional CD. The compilation is entitled GAS Collection #5. This CD goes out to 7ball subscribers and retail outlets. With a circulation of approximately 60,000, we're looking forward to having a lot more people hear our music!
FTJ drummer Chad Dunn and his wife Ella celebrated Christmas Day '97 with the arrival of their first child: a beautiful baby girl. The proud parents have named their daugther Zoe. Mother and baby are doing well. Chad just seems bewildered. ... but it's a good bewildered.
Here are some photos from our August '97 tour. Click an icon to see the full image.
Photography by Douglas J. Anderson @ True Tunes Upstairs, in Wheaton, IL.
Farewell to Juliet guitarist John Bretzlaff and his wife, Kim, are releasing a six song EP entitled Songs from the Orange Couch on Marathon Records. Kim sings backup on Browning's Pearl from the new FTJ CD, Grace and Dire Circumstances. FTJ drummer Chad Dunn is also featured on the EP.
Songs from the Orange Couch will be available from Marathon Records' On-Line Order page.
August '97 Grace and Dire Circumstances introductory mini-tour:
Back to the Farewell to Juliet home page!
Last updated: 21 December 2005
[ Meet the Band |
Hear the Band |
Reviews |
Lyrics ]
[ Photos & Press |
Merchandise |
No Walls ]