Joey Harris began his musical career in the late seventies playing lead guitar for proto-Americana songwriter John Stewart. In 1983, MCA records released Joey Harris and the Speedsters which showcased Harris' skill as songwriter, vocalist and guitar virtuoso. In January 1985, Joey joined the Beat Farmers, perpetually touring the United States and Canada, and visiting England, Germany and the Scandinavian countries. Harris wrote, sang and played on five Beat Farmer LPs released by Curb Records, and indie label, Sector 2. Curb Records produced a music video for the song Hollywood Hills which featured Joey on lead vocals, and the Beat Farmers appeared on the television show Late Night with David Letterman, this time with Harris singing his tune, Hideaway. Joey also toured and recorded with Country Dick Montana, Dave Alvin and Mojo Nixon as a member of their Las Vegas style review band, the Pleasure Barons, releasing a live CD on Hightone Records in 1993. Harris was on hand when Montana recorded another project featuring Mojo, Rosie Flores, Katy Moffett, John Doe, Candye Kane, Dave Gonzales and Dave Alvin titled the Devil Lied to Me, posthumously released by Bar/None in 1996. Country Dick Montana died onstage at the Longbranch Saloon in Whistler, British Columbia, November 11th 1995. The Beat Farmers soon disbanded and Joey toured with his own band, worked with songwriter Paul Kamanski, (author of several Beat Farmer tunes) and Mojo Nixon. Joey was picked by Mojo to play lead guitar on his 1999 Shanachie Records release, Sock Ray Blue. Harris joined forces with Beat Farmer Jerry Raney and his band Powerthud and released a CD in 2002 called Wide.
In June 2009, a new CD titled Joey Harris and the Mentals will be released by San Diego based, Double Barrel Records . The CD, with ten tracks written by Harris, features Joey on vocals and guitar, backed by San Diego musicians, Mighty Joe Longa, Jeff and Joel Kmak, and Josh Mader. Recorded and produced by Mississippi Mudshark, Scottie Mad Dog Blinn, the new CD is the first solo project for Harris since 1983's Joey Harris and the Speedsters.
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..Joey Harris & the Mentals - LIVE - Ridin'
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