Not The Joneses (NTJ) is a modern rock band that fuses contemporary sound with a melodic focus. The blending of musical influences has created a unique backdrop allowing them to explore their distinct musical style - their own individual sonic fingerprint.


With strong radio airplay supporting their first record - and numerous on-air interviews - the band has become a favorite of many people around the country. A week doesn't go by without an email or letter from a fan reaching the band proclaiming them as their favorite. The band's reaction is typically - "how did they hear our record in Alaska?"

NTJ has cultivated their underground fan base by utilizing the World Wide Web to its fullest. Their web site, which receives 10's of thousands of hits per year - is a technological tour-de-force of marketing and fan support.

The web site offers fans a way to correspond directly with band members, listen to demo versions of their new material, download files, add their two cents to the NTJ bulletin board, audition their album, participate in the hilarious database of band names - and, of course, order NTJ merchandise.

The web site is very unique - as it is directly maintained on a daily basis by the band. They are very involved in the success of the web site, and committed to communicating with their fans.

NTJ began in 1993 with singer/songwriter Mark Chaffee. His goal was to create music with a powerful message and a broad appeal. Mark convinced bassist Russell Bergum to leave his then current band and join him. Since Russell had spent his formative years playing in the Minneapolis Punk underground - his energy greatly complemented Mark's melodic Rock influences.

Soon the two had found their match with local guitar hero Dug Schoenbeck and Drummer Vince Consolo. After convincing Dug and Vince to leave their current projects - it was immediately apparent that they shared the NTJ vision. Bringing an even edgier background to the project, the four members came to the center and managed to create a dynamic sound and feel which was fresh and exciting.

In 1996, Chicago-based record company Spire Records president Jeff Grossberg heard the band and invited them to record their debut self-titled CD. With nepotism on his side, Mark tapped his older brother, veteran producer Thomas Chaffee, to produce the band. Thomas brought in engineer Rick Fritz which created a production team with over 50 records and countless pieces of commercial music to their credit.

During the summer of 1997, Russell decided to achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a physician - and in the most difficult decision of his life, bowed out to make room for a replacement. The band knew a groovemeister who would perfectly fit the bill, and with one phone call, NTJ had their new bass player - known only as "Freakboy."

Given their overall depth, variety and creativity, NTJ continually impresses audiences with their powerful and exciting live performances, as well as their studio work. As their multifaceted audiences grow larger, so does the awareness that Not The Joneses is a vision being realized.

Not The Joneses currently have their self-titled debut album for sale on their website.

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The Shimshaws	8/5/2008 2:32:19 PM Really enjoyed I Don't Know great tune. Thanks.
Loren DiGiorgi	8/21/2007 8:22:57 PM Great tune, "Greenfields." :)
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