farris

Los Angeles based record label GRM Records will additionally identify as Phony Blues Band Records

_{FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE}

LOS ANGELES – Dec. 3, 2021 – GRM Records announced today that it has formally changed its name to Phony Blues Band Records. Although the legacy label name GRM Records will continue to be used in conjunction with Phony Blues Band Records, for marketing and branding purposes the company will immediately begin to refer to itself under the new brand name.

Phony Blues Band will also be used as a pseudonym for the label’s partner owner, Los Angeles based singer/songwriter Darren Farris.

“I always wanted to release my music under a band name. I never really wanted to market myself, but a name and face has to be on the package,” says Farris. “PBB (Phony Blues Band) is a way for me to let my music live outside of me.”

Farris, most notable for the 2008 hit single “Jenna” says that under the new name, comes new ideas and new directions for the Grammy Recording Academy alumni.

“I have all these ideas, but I just don’t have time in my life to go back through the “mainstream machine” again. It’s an overwhelming hassle, with very little payoff, outside of getting your work seen. Although I do appreciate all the organizations that supported my music when we released PI (Psychopathic Issues) in 2008, I just want to enjoy creating,” continued Farris.

“PBB (Phony Blues Band) is a way for me to let my music live outside of me.”

Several tracks from Darren’s 2008 album Psychopathic Issues were picked up for radio airplay between the years 2008 and 2009. The most successful track, “Jenna” received heavy rotations on Clear Channel (now iHeart Radio) radio stations around the country during the early summer of 2008 and charted worldwide. However, in the fall of 2008, his father passed away, causing Darren to lose interest in promoting the album. By the spring of 2009, Farris reluctantly resumed promotion of the single “Save Me” with a “deep space transmission” of the song’s debut. At that time, the only broadcast of a song into deep space was The Beatle’s, Across the Universe, making Farris the first American artist to transmit similarly into deep space, and only second to The Beatles worldwide.

No doubt, there will be similar creative adventures coming under the new brand/band name. The name implies a lot about the new direction and attitude.

“I want the new label to represent my new outlook on life,” says Farris. “I don’t take myself- or much of anything too serious these days. I want people to see my brand name and know there is a momentary escape plan available to them.”

Phony Blues Band is based out of Los Angeles, California and will be used to represent Darren Farris Music (ASCAP) and other related projects.

 

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I decided before we brought back the website that this would be a place for POSITIVE and UPLIFTING vibes! And most of all- not a place for me to virtue signal, convince you to THINK like me, or try to increase my already overly inflated ego. At the same time, I wanted to use this is somewhat of a journal and bookmark of things I like or come across that interest me- trying to uphold the aforementioned at the same time.

I know we are late setting up a lot of stuff, but like you I am living a life along the way. I have 3 daughters, a wife- all 3 at different levels in their life (my dog is even a girl- God is trying to show me something, I am certain). I am literally the last man standing in my house. Then everything else that comes flying into my universe along the journey. I am spread pretty thin- to say the least.

I know we got a lot of regulars again (than you kindly). Let me know how I am doing!

 

Re: the photo:

Okay this a photo of my first REAL job besides my paper route. I lied and said I was 16 (back then you could get away with that). I worked there all through high school. 3:25 an hour!

Luckily the name of the place was NOT a foretelling of my future! or my life would have been severely altered- and I like THIS ONE a lot!  Ha Ha

This is a huge day. So huge I had to make a REAL POST!

Today we completed our Van Halen vinyl LP collection! We officially have them ALL. Auby has been so patient and she genuinely has an affinity for all of these albums.

Today she finished her collection off with Diver Down (the first VH album I completely listened to- on cassette BTW) and Fair Warning which simi-inspired Guitar Bizarre. She also scored a 2nd copy of 1984 and a copy of Pink Floyd – Darkside of the Moon (think it’s a second pressing).

We have most of Sammy Hagar’s solo stuff. I think she needs 2 more to complete David Lee Roth- but she has the essentials.

Later skaters!

d.