About Me
CHECK US OUT ON PUREVOLUME!
NOW STREAMING ON LAST.FM
The Dementia Cookie Box began in 1996 as the brainchild of creator, Steven Baker. Originally to be named, "Andrea's Calendar," the project was finally named Dementia Cookie Box after a suggestion by the first drummer of the group, Jason Goodwill. From the beginning, Baker had his idea of the type of music and image he wanted to create, based around musical influences from the early half of the 1990s.
The band in its first phase consisted of aforementioned drummer Jason Goodwill, and singer/songwriter Steven Baker. Later additions included long-time friend, Barry Corman as lead guitarist, and acquaintance, Shawn Demoray as bassist. The band polished up 3 of their favorite songs and hired friend, John Price to record their first official short-run cassette release, "Covergirl Love." Only 100 copies of this cassette single were made and distributed locally.
The next phase of the band saw the replacement of Demoray and drummer Goodwill by new drummer, Ryan McQuerry and new bassist, Jake McDonald. Along the way, shows were played with several temporary members filling the drum and bass spots, while Baker and Corman continued to be the constants in the equation. One notable temporary drummer was fellow schoolmate, and producer of the first DCB recording, John Price. Price went on to find his permanent home with Lexington rockers, the Hub.
The 3rd and final phase of the band saw the settling in of permanent members, Jason Field on drums, Josh Deeter on Bass. Corman remained the lead guitarist and Baker was still heading up the show.
After all was said and done, the band met its demise by the common cliché of artistic differences in the middle of 1997. One other cassette tape release was produced, compiled of acoustic tracks recorded solo by Baker, and live performances of the band as a whole. Only 25 copies of this tape were distributed.
Not wanting to give up on music, Corman and Baker decided to go a different route, one that placed Baker behind the drums and put Corman as the front-man, singer, songwriter and guitarist. With the addition of Barry's neighbor, Todd Burton, on bass, CLAW was formed and played its first show for a very large crowd at the local town festival at the end of 1997.
Claw's music was of a harder edge, and more punk driven than the poppy, catchy rhythms of the DCB. Influenced by bands such as Helmet and Weezer, Claw's fan base quickly grew and festered as the year went on. However, this new project did not put an end to the Dementia Cookie Box. Baker continued to write and record demos as a solo artist, holding on to the name.
When CLAW was finally laid to rest in 1998, Steven Baker began playing a series of acoustic sets under the name Love Spawns Lament, a couple of which he was happily accompanied by guitarist, Garrett Hodges, from Christian rockers, Fling Down Jezebel. Later, Baker would adapt the Love Spawns Lament alias as an album title for a Dementia Cookie Box release.
After a few months of musical hiatus, Baker began writing new material, this time heavily influenced by the likes of techno-industrial performance group, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult. After about a month of writing and recording, the 4-song EP entitled "Candy For Your Soul?" was completed. The four songs were the first and last to be written for the new project. Two of the tracks went on to find a permanent home in the Dementia Cookie Box's archives, while the other 2 remained with the name.
In 1999, Baker met up with friend, Eric Marcum, during his 2nd semester at Sullivan University. The two began work to reform the Dementia Cookie Box, and bring the music out of the basement and back onto the stage. Several weeks were spent collaborating and writing new material, and in two months time, the duo recorded the first full-length Dementia Cookie Box album, "Escape to Anyville." Only one experimental show was performed by the duo. Lack of available band members caused this attempt to fade away, and saw Baker back on the acoustic.
The Drum Machine tapes were written and recorded with Baker on guitar and a drum machine providing the beats. This 7-song album was released in 2000, and used as a demo in the fruitless search for willing band members. But through it all, Baker never gave up hope, and continued to write.
Today, nearly a decade after the first incarnation of the Dementia Cookie Box, Baker prepares to release his first official, full-scale album through the independent label, Dozing Lady Records. This 15-song collection will span the 10-year writing and performance career of Steven Baker; including works from the Dementia Cookie Box, Love Spawns Lament, as well as various other side projects he has been involved with over the years.
This site will serve as an information hub on the activity of Baker as he begins to revamp the project, yet again. All information, including live performances and the availability of merchandise, will be posted here as it becomes available.
Thank you for your interest in Steven Baker and the Dementia Cookie Box!
