Spin Doctors

The Spin Doctors originated in the late 1980s in New York City, initially forming as ‘Trucking Company’. The band’s classic lineup, featuring Chris Barron on lead vocals, Eric Schenkman on guitar and vocals, Aaron Comess on drums and keyboards, and Mark White on bass, was solidified by early 1989. They quickly gained a reputation for their extensive live shows and jam band style. In 1990, Spin Doctors signed with Epic Records/Sony Music, leading to the release of their debut EP, ‘Up for Grabs…Live’, in January 1991, recorded at Wetlands Preserve in Manhattan. The band’s inaugural studio album, ‘Pocket Full of Kryptonite’, followed in August 1991. Initially, the album received limited commercial attention, but sustained touring and grassroots support propelled its growth.

Commercial success for ‘Pocket Full of Kryptonite’ escalated in the summer of 1992, driven by radio airplay and MTV rotation of “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” and “Two Princes.” The album achieved Gold status in September 1992 and saw a significant boost following their performance on Saturday Night Live in October 1992. By June 1993, the album reached Triple Platinum, eventually selling over five million copies in the U.S. and an additional five million internationally, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The band’s visibility expanded with appearances on ‘Sesame Street’, where they performed modified versions of their hits, and contributions to film soundtracks, including a cover of “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” for ‘Philadelphia’.

Their second studio album, ‘Turn It Upside Down’, released in June 1994, sold a million copies in the U.S. and another million internationally. Following this, the band performed at Woodstock ’94 and the Glastonbury Festival. Eric Schenkman departed in September 1994, replaced by Anthony Krizan, who contributed to ‘You’ve Got to Believe in Something’ (1996). After further lineup changes and a period of inactivity due to Chris Barron’s vocal cord paralysis, the original members reunited in 2001. This reunion led to the album ‘Nice Talking to Me’ (2005) and ‘If the River Was Whiskey’ (2013). In January 2022, long-time bassist Mark White departed, and touring bassist Jack Daley officially joined the band in August 2024. The band is set to release their album ‘Face Full of Cake’ in January 2025, marking a new chapter in their career.