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Super Genius

Super Genius

About Me


Super Genius is a Boston-based band featuring singer/songwriter Michael Barry, guitarist Milt Reder, bassist Dean Cassell, and renowned drummer David Mattacks.
The band first gigged at Cambridge's "Lizard Lounge" in 1999, and their debut record came out in January, 2003. Mr. Steve Morse of the Boston Globe called Super Genius "one of the most appealing bands to emerge" that year, and Mr. Bob Harris of BBC Radio 2 picked the debut album as one of the top records of 2003.
Their second album, "Heel Thyself" was released on July 17, 2007. It was produced by Michael Barry and Dave Mattacks.
Michael Barry was the leader of Boston club favs "Pooka Stew". He's been called "Boston's Best Songwriter" -- and has the tattered award from Boston Magazine to prove it. As far as he's concerned, that makes him "Boston's Best Songwriter". Michael's secret is that he's afraid to fly, which kept Super Genius from doing dates in the UK to support their first album.
Englishman Dave Mattacks is widely considered the world's best folk/rock drummer, and has played with the royalty of English music, including Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Elton John, Richard Thompson, XTC, and others too numerous to mention. Along with fellow members of "Fairport Convention" he was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the BBC. Now a resident of the seaside town of Marblehead, Massachusetts, DM divides his time between Super Genius, producing music, and touring with artists like Rosanne Cash, Grey Delisle, and others too numerous to mention. DM's secret is that he drives a Mercedes.
Milt Reder and Dean Cassell have played with artists as diverse as Sue Tedeshi, John Cafferty, and Four Piece Suit. Members of the seminal band "Barrance Whitfield and the Savages", Milt and Dean have toured the world multiple times, and had their music on three seasons of "Sex and the City" -- mostly the really perverted scenes. Milt has an insane collection of guitars, sitars, and "mando-cellos". Mike thinks "Amando Cello" was the guy who taught his European Lit class. Milt played one through a Marshall stack on the first Super Genius CD. Milt's secret is that he's really, really, tall. Which isn't much of a secret, actually.
Dean plays bass, and well, you gotta have it. Dean's secret is that he's not serious about anything except coffee.
The debut Super Genius record is available in the U.S. on Ignatius J. Records as "Super Genius", and in the UK and Europe on Track Records UK as "The Cult of Money".
The new Super Genius record, "Heel Thyself," is available on Ignatius, and features guest vocals from Syd Straw , Ramona Silver , Amy Fairchild , and Elaine O'Rourke.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 7/2/2006
Band Website: supergenius.us
Band Members: Mike Barry - Vocals, six and twelve-string electric and acoustic guitars, electric dulcimer, songs.

Dave "DM" Mattacks - Drums, cymbals, percussion, piano, Hammond, Wurlitzer, Mellotron, etc.

Milt Reder - Six and twelve-string electric and acoustic guitars, sitars, mando-cellos, etc.

Dean Cassell - Electric bass, pithy criticisms.
Record Label: US on Ignatius J. Records, UK on Track Records UK
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Super Genius at Waterville Valley

A fun time was had by all at Waterville Valley yesterday, as Super Genius played the WXRV 92.5FM The River/Bass Ale Aprés Ski Party. Many thanks to Rita Cary, Chris Centore, and Steve Friedman of the...
Posted by Super Genius on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:00:00 PST

Super Genius at Loon Mountain event time change.

The Loon Mountain 92.5/Bass Ale event has been changed to 2-4PM. See below.92.5FM The River and Bass Ale Present Super Genius at Loon Mountain Super Genius will play its first show since the release ...
Posted by Super Genius on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:24:00 PST

MBRQ Gig

The Mike Barry Rock Quartet (MBRQ) will play Toast Lounge in Union Square, Somerville on Saturday, February 23rd.
Posted by Super Genius on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:20:00 PST

Super Genius Show

There will be a Super Genius show Wednesday, February 13th. Details TBA. This will be the first show since "Heel Thyself" was released. It's sponsored by 92.5FM The River and Bass Ale.
Posted by Super Genius on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:19:00 PST

A Word About "Heel Thyself."

A number of people have asked what the songs on "Heel Thyself," are about, what the lyrics, title and cover mean, etc. So, a little background info, for those playing along at home:The working title...
Posted by Super Genius on Sat, 15 Dec 2007 03:25:00 PST

New Super Genius Website and "Electronic Press Kit," plus new CDs on the way.

Hi. Three pieces of news:1. Super Genius has a brand-new website at our homepage URL: www.supergenius.us. It was designed and built by Michael Born of Born Illustration, based on Eric Sean Murphy's...
Posted by Super Genius on Sat, 15 Dec 2007 01:18:00 PST

Super Genius Ringtones

You know you want them.Ringtones for your phone from "Heel Thyself."
Posted by Super Genius on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:09:00 PST

"Heel Thyself" from Super Genius

1. Heel2. Just Won't Wait3. Annie4. What We Are5. The Story of John Crowley6. Marie7. Here We Are Again8. Change9. China, May10. Do I Still Want You?11. Since You've Been Home12. Our Little Lullaby13...
Posted by Super Genius on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 09:25:00 PST

News, etc.

A few pieces of news:1. The new Super Genius CD is being mixed by Huck Bennert. Should be out in the spring.2. The song "Careen" from the first Super genius CD will in the August issue of "Drumhead M...
Posted by Super Genius on Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:06:00 PST

"Heel Thyself" now available on CDBaby

"Heel Thyself" is now available on CDBaby at:CD Baby.
Posted by Super Genius on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 05:27:00 PST