Maurice Davis Band

Band History

Maurice Davis used to have a problem with bands. Drummers would invariably get out brushes or play lame cross-stick under his songs. Guitarists would automatically turn down to 1. That ended when Maurice met South Jersey hardcore drummer Justin Troster by accident in a recording studio hallway. Invited to sit in on the session, Troster hit hard - and loud - and brought fire to Davis' songs. The producer was horrified. Maurice loved it.

Davis plays an acoustic 12-string guitar like no one has ever played it before. His wall of sound draws comparisons to The Who and Led Zeppelin. These are strange comparisons for a singer songwriter, but given the power of these songs and the chemistry of this band, it makes sense. When Davis sits down solo at the edge of the stage and plays The Article, it's almost a whisper. When they hit the last choruses of Good Guy, Bad Guy, it's a howl. Troster was holding out on that first day. He grew up playing in orchestras and percussion ensembles, and practiced his chops in drum competitions. He's razor fast. Guitarist Brendan Root rides the waves as a consummate sideman, happy to be the looker in the band.

“I try to get the whole song in one sitting,” Davis says about his writing. “Sometimes it doesn’t happen but that’s the goal.” All of Davis’ songs - the tongue in cheek Live It Up, the disconsolate Thanks I Get, the deeply bitter Salesman and the good natured Ladies of Love – have the same intensity of focus. His portrayal of loss and waiting, and the way they thread through Missing Children, is stunning. There is no one who isn’t touched by it. In his agonizing self-portrait, Doorman, Davis is passed over for the most menial job in heaven.

As of early 2009, the singer-songwriter from Dallas was reportedly recording an album at Water Music Studios in New Jersey, where other notable bands have recorded, including Dave Matthews Band, Jimmy Eat World, Ben Folds Five, and Joey Ramone.

Information from Infidel Records

Members

• Maurice Davis guitar, lead vocals, vocals
• Justin Troster drums
• Jim bass
• Brendan Root guitar