Spencer the Gardener is an American band formed in Santa Barbara, California, in 1989.
Spencer the Gardener | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Santa Barbara, California |
| Genres | Indie pop; zydeco; latin; mariachi; alternative; folk; big band |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | Spencer the Gardener; Love That Records |
| Members |
|
| Website | https://www.spencerthegardener.com |
History
editThe band, known for its genre-bending, was founded in 1989 by Spencer Barnitz, who was previously a member of the band The Tan. According to Barnitz, Spencer the Gardener is “a Latin, Big Band spy movie, set on the beach in the Sixties.”[1] They released their debut album, a double-part album called "The First Two Albums", in 1991. They have also released two children's albums: "Organic Gangster" in 2009 and "Organic Gangster Vol. 2" in 2019.[citation needed]
Spencer Barnitz has had several health issues throughout his life. In 1991, he got into a car accident which led to him needing open heart surgery, and before then he had gotten a kidney transplant.[2] Despite this he has still continued to tour and perform with the band.
In May 2023, a documentary film based on the band called More Than Just a Party Band debuted at the New Vic theater in Santa Barbara.[3]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- The First Two Albums (1991)
- Run Away with Lulu (2005)
- Fiesta (2006)
- Organic Gangster (2009)
- Breaking My Own Heart (2012)
- Organic Gangster, Vol. 2 (2019)
- Shine On (2023)
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "The Gobble Song" | 2007 | Organic Gangster |
| "Going to a Party" | 2017 | Non-album single |
| "Carolina" | 2023 | Shine On |
References
edit- ^ Locey, Bill (December 4, 1990). "Digging the Sounds of Spencer The Gardener". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Woodard, Josef (July 21, 2022). "Life of the Party, Man About Town". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Palminteri, John (May 18, 2023). "Documentary movie brings 40 years of Spencer Barnitz and the Spencer the Gardener band to the screen". News Channel 3-12. Retrieved November 11, 2023.