From San Francisco's Radio Waves to Guitar Strings: Joe Simpson’s Musical Beginnings
Published on TRK TLNT
Born in San Francisco in the early 60s, Joe Simpson’s journey into music began as a young child, inspired by the Bay Area radio stations he grew up listening to. At just 7 or 8 years old, he was drawn to the music that came blasting through his sister’s bedroom, especially the iconic sound of Jimi Hendrix. Hearing Hendrix ask, “Why did you shoot my old lady down?” in "Hey Joe" ignited something inside him, leading him to pick up an acoustic guitar gifted to him by an uncle.
Despite early frustrations with trying to play the music that resonated with him, Joe’s determination grew. As a skinny, unathletic kid, he found his outlet in music, knowing that success would mean proving to his parents that he wasn’t giving it up. Then, a game-changer: Joe’s dad came home with a borrowed wood-grain Gibson Les Paul. With fingers strengthened from years of struggling with a worn-out acoustic, the Les Paul felt like a perfect fit. This would set the stage for his musical evolution throughout the ‘70s, learning from the likes of Alvin Lee, Peter Frampton, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton.
Grey Matter and Legal Reins: Joe Simpson’s Bay Area Music Scene Legacy
In 1983, Joe’s musical journey took a new turn when a friend invited him to start a band, which became Grey Matter. The band quickly made waves in the Bay Area, opening for national acts like Level 42, The Romantics, Fishbone, The Smithereens, and many others. Their energetic performances in clubs and theaters defined an era for Joe, but in 1989, another opportunity arose. Joe auditioned for Legal Reins, an Arista recording act, and spent the next year or so rehearsing and touring with them.
However, after his time with Legal Reins, Joe decided to take a break from touring, get married, and focus on a domestic lifestyle. He sold his touring rig and thought his music career had come to a halt. But fate had other plans. Butch Berry, a friend and fellow musician, moved in across the street and sent Joe a demo. Joe and his wife Julie were immediately drawn to it—pop music inspired by Jellyfish. This marked the beginning of his time with The Rubys, a band that played around the Bay Area for a few years, shopping demos before disbanding.
Family, Collaboration, and Proud Moments: Joe Simpson’s Personal and Musical Milestones
Throughout his career, Joe has seen both professional and personal milestones. One of his proudest moments was collaborating with his daughter, Karina Smith, on the song "Get Us There." As a father, this was a special moment, and it was just one of the many highlights of his musical journey.
Another significant moment came from working with his wife, Julie Simpson. The two began releasing music this year, including Joe’s tracks “Rabbit Gun” and “Walls Will Crumble.” Additionally, Joe has explored Dylan covers, such as “Things Have Changed,” which features Jerry Raney from the Beat Farmers, and “Man of Peace,” which he recorded with artist Steve Hartsoe. He also contributed guitars and other instruments to Steve's upcoming 2024 release, Faithless Town.
Rediscovering His Sound: Joe Simpson’s Return to Music and Creative Growth
Joe’s musical career hasn’t followed a defined path, and that’s part of what makes his sound so unique. After taking a break, he rediscovered his passion for creating music in the mid-2000s when he formed Barrelfish. The band’s 2005 album “Born Real Lucky” was a reflection of Joe’s growth as a songwriter and musician. Even now, as he continues to write and record, he embraces the freedom to explore different styles.
Although his track "Walls Will Crumble" stands out as an anomaly in his catalog, Joe finds it gratifying to know that people are connecting with it. He’s open to exploring more nostalgic 70s-style tunes, mainly because it’s fun and brings back memories of a different time in music.
Keep an eye out for Joe’s upcoming projects as he continues his journey in the world of music, blending nostalgia with new sounds, and creating music that resonates with fans of all ages.
Endless Evolution: Joe Simpson's Diverse Influences and Future Musical Ventures
Looking forward, Joe remains committed to writing, recording, and releasing music. He plans to continue collaborating with his wife and daughter, as well as taking on session work with other artists. By the end of the year, Joe has plans to release one more original song and several live tracks from his band Grey Matter.
Joe draws from a diverse range of influences, including Americana, with a particular admiration for female artists like Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris. On top of that, he enjoys listening to prog rock, which has been a significant influence on his approach to songwriting. As he moves forward, Joe’s music will continue to evolve, offering something fresh and personal to his listeners.
