By Chris Spiewak
Young musicians are a hungry bunch. Whether raiding the family refrigerator or absorbing themselves in a classic rock album, their growth depends upon receiving not only the proper nutrients but also the much-needed inspiration from the world around them.
For a certain young power trio from Rumson, intriguingly named “Ham By The Pound,” leaped upon the proverbial ladder of success with their music and have climbed several rungs already.
From left, Evan Quigly, Harvey Johnson and Will Smith of ham By The Pound.
Most new fans of the band will ask about the origin of the band name and we can settle the rumors here. No, the band was not ordering lunch at a local deli, nor did they come up with the name while spending time in a federal prison in 2016 awaiting tax fraud charges. (This rumor is certainly false, as all members of the band were 14 years old in 2016). Actually, guitarist Evan Quigley and bassist Harvey Johnson took the name from a math test while in eighth-grade, where one problem-solving question included selling “ham by the pound.” Both budding musicians thought it might work for a band name, and it just stuck. Hundreds of dedicated fans of the band no longer ask “who?,” but “where and what time?”
Although members Quigley, Johnson and drummer Will Smith are all seniors in high school, their talent belies their age. Not content with playing cover music all of the time, these trendy songwriters have already released a five-song EP of original music recorded at Submergent Recording studios in Middletown under the watchful eye of producer Pete Andrews.
Their collaborative and open songwriting sessions have resulted in some fantastic indie/pop rock music that will remind many of the music of the 1980s and 1990s. One can hear classic influences like The Cure, the Goo Goo Dolls and REM, along with more modern influences like The Wombats and The Killers. Messrs. Johnson and Smith provide the infectious, driving rhythm; it is impossible to ignore and it drives people directly to the dance floor. The blistering guitar licks from Mr. Quigley then put their fans over the edge.
This band is all about high energy and they actually witnessed a few zealous fans crowd-surfing during a February 2020 show at The Brighton Bar. Their popularity has also taken them to big nights at The Saint, Asbury Lanes, The Chubby Pickle, RockFest at Monmouth Park and Light of Day shows at The Stone Pony. Great music and positive vibes from the band create a loyal following that endures.
Quigley began his music career on the piano at age 6. Switching to guitar at 14, he is the main lyricist and also lead vocalist and lead guitarist for the group. He and bassist Johnson decided to put something together musically in 2017 while students at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. Johnson, son of renowned Shore rock vocalist Laura Johnson, had originally been a drummer, but took up the bass as his main instrument early in high school. He has also recently become proficient on the guitar, which he says helps him while assisting to arrange new compositions for the group. Groove regulator Smith sits behind the drum kit, and credits his parents for inspiring him at a young age by playing Van Halen and Led Zeppelin in the car. Brother Matthew Smith, currently studying music production at the University of New Haven, has also been a big influence on him.
Hopefully the COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted very soon, as the band would like to perform a few more shows before college this fall. Evan is heading to St. Louis, Harvey to Boston and Will travels to North Carolina. The band will endure; each member is committed to rehearsing and performing together when they are back home during school breaks and summer vacation.
The new 10-track album of original music is about half done and they are working as hard and as safely as they can to get it finished this year. If the album is as good as their EP, this should be a crowning moment in their short but advancing career.
Please visit spotify.com and search for the band to get a good listen of what these talented young men are all about, and their Facebook page has upcoming dates and other info. No matter how you slice it, Ham By The Pound delivers on all levels and their voracious appetite for success will surely take them far.
Chris Spiewak is a 40-year veteran of the Shore music scene.
The article originally appeared in the June 25 – July 1, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
