SUPERHONEY It began in 1998 with the release of their eponymous CD SuperHoney. What followed is a string of successes from sold-out shows, to multiple Boston Music Awards, to tours in Europe and China. SuperHoney, the high-octane band from Boston, has preached the gospel of their original soul music throughout New England, the U.S. and around the globe.
The band is fronted by Joan Pimentel, a woman with extraordinary talent, charisma and raw energy. She’s been compared to everyone from Aretha Franklin to Janis Joplin to Bonnie Raitt and with good reason. Joan’s voice is a torrent of emotion, lush with sincerity and dense with complexity. On stage she’s drawn the attention of George Clinton, Phillip Bailey, and Yo-Yo Ma. She’s a true vocal genius by any measure.
The rest of SuperHoney is comprised of some of the top players in Boston. Paul Schultheis, piano tuner to the stars, on keyboards. His wizardry is only matched by his high leg kicks and penchant for tequila. Sean Nelson, a.k.a. the little man on the tambourine, layers multiple textures of percussive sweetness and ferocity into the mix. Drummer Dean Johnston propels the entire ensemble with his incendiary groove and leaves no room for discussion when it’s time for everyone to hit the dance floor. Doug Sherman scratches up some of the baddest, gravy-laden rhythm guitar and then steps up on a moment’s notice to decimate his fans with classic, over-the-top solos. The bottom is held together by world-renowned bassist and pastry chef, Rich Palma. He’s in demand for recording session work all around the area and makes an incredible cheese danish. Then there’s Johnny Mingles. He’s never met a group of strangers or a saxophone solo he didn’t like.
2004 was the most successful for the band to date. In April, SuperHoney embarked on a fantastically victorious tour of Europe. With shows in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and the Czech Republic, a whole new legion of ‘honey fans came to life. Next came the release of their fifth CD, Theorems and Anthems, a ten-song masterpiece mixed by none other than Mudrock, famed engineer to countless indie-rock and major label artists. His list of credits is far too long to cite but start with Godsmack’s self-titled 1998 smash or Mega Kung Fu Radio from Powerman 5000. In June of 2004, SuperHoney opened-up for legends Earth, Wind and Fire at Mansfield’s Tweeter Center. And in the fall, the band toured again. This time to China. Beijing and Shanghai are now thirsty for more of that special SuperHoney magic.
The band has been nominated for ten Boston Music Awards since 1998 and has taken home the trophy for Outstanding Funk/R ‘n B Band three consecutive years. Other awards include: the 2000 Boston Phoenix Poll for Best Soul Band, Runner-up in CDnow’s Best Unsigned Band contest, Best Local CD for 2001’s Through the Radio Window as voted by the Boston Herald and scores of others.
They’ve shared the stage with Maceo Parker, Earth, Wind and Fire, Chicago, the Tom Tom Club, Rustic Overtones, the Grey Boy All-Stars, the Average White Band, Deep Banana Blackout and Original P. To date, nearly 20,000 copies of their five CD’s have been sold.
Download PDF version of Band Bio SEAN NELSON, "Nelly"
Sean Nelson, percussionist extraordinaire and self-proclaimed “little man on the tambourine” is the glue that binds the SuperHoney machine. Born and bred in the holding cells and interrogation rooms of the Massachusetts correctional system, Sean started hitting the skins (liggly/figgly) as a way to escape the stench of broken dreams and fishing boat heists gone bad.
After a brief stint at the University of Lowell, where he majored in Miller High Life, Sean went on to receive degrees from both the University of Massachusetts and Tufts University where he intensely studied, among other things, music and hanging out by the ladies’ room.
In addition to his musical pursuits, Sean is an avid sports fan. His passion most fervently lies with the Boston Red Sox. Along with celebrating the World Series Championship, Sean is also a little misty over the losses of his beloved Pedro Martinez and Nomar Garciaparra. He has petitioned the New York Mets to allow him to be the new little Nelson good luck charm in the clubhouse. He loves the Patriots, too, it’s just that football has, in his own words “all kinds of complimicated rule-thingies”. Since Sean has very close ties to Governor Mitt Romney, he is currently lobbying to make wiffle ball and mooning official Olympic sports.
Anyone who knows Sean knows that he has a peculiar knack for meeting and befriending the rich and famous. Here’s a short list of his acquaintances: Justin Timberlake (and the rest of the ‘N Sync gang, Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs, Isaac Hayes, Joss Stone, Red Sox players Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek, and Lenny DiNardo, American Idol’s Constantine Maroulis (whom he hired and fired from SuperHoney), Carlos Santana, Ron Jeremy, President Bill Clinton, and Elka from MTV’s Real World – Boston to name but a few.
Sean is a founding member of SuperHoney. It has been his drive, insight, business savvy, creativity, as well as the fact that he is a tremendous percussion player and performer that has made the band what it is today – a group that has the best looking fans and runs up the largest bar tabs in Boston. Thanks, little man.
You can contact Sean at: superhoney76@yahoo.com. RICH PALMA, "Tate"
Red Auerbach once said “Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” What more can be said about Richie Palma? A lot more! Raised in the heartland of Dedham, Massachusetts, Rich was born with a bass guitar in his diaper and a shot of Jose Cuervo in hand.
At age 9, Rich ventured into the precarious world of the “carny.” He traveled the European countryside entertaining millions of people with his juggling skills and his penchant for ball tricks. On one of his adventures, Rich befriended a monkey, Glieb, who he trained to dance beside him while Rich played bass. They traveled to Italy where Rich and Glieb would play on the cobblestone streets every night to a warm and receptive crowd. This became the first installment of the avant garde genre called, “Monkey with Bass.”
Years passed, and Glieb died in New Orleans after a brief encounter with fame and a German prostitute. Rich, then 15 years old, returned to Dedham and formed Ovidian, a rock band with one mission – apathy. Sadly, Ovidian folded after their first show – a less-than-sold-out performance at the mall. Depressed, Rich decided the music business was not for him and tried his hand at a different occupation, hair stylist. He changed his name to Franz Makus and started wearing beanie hats hoping to attract a high end clientele. But this, too, became short-lived and Rich ran back to his first love, the bass guitar.
In 1989, Rich would form yet another bewildering band out of pure sweat and balls. They took their name from the famous Michael Caine drama Blue Ice. This ensemble took Dedham by raging storm with a mix of diverse songs, like the country layered “Cheese Curls and Yum Yum’s,” the African flavored “Taint Misbehavin” and of course the impassioned rock ballad “I LIKES CUDDLIN, Y’ALL!”
With immortality knocking at his door, and a stint at the Betty Ford Clinic behind him, it would take Rich, now dubbed “The Hammer”, another 15 years of hard drinking and sleeping to land his most lucrative gig, subbing for the maimed bass player Scott “Swatty” Watson in the funk/rock outfit known as SuperHoney. Still, when fans ask the left-handed bass slinger if he’s been officially inducted into the band, his reply is always the same, “The trick to being a male performer is to get up, get in, get out, get off.” If that doesn’t answer your question, welcome to the world of Rich Palma.
You can contact
Richie at: palmarich@yahoo.com
JOAN PIMENTEL, "Joanie"
She’s been nominated for Best Female Vocalist three times by the Boston Music Awards. She can be heard on the radio on advertisements such as the catchy Weymouth Toyota jingle. She is worshipped by critics, children and fans alike. She is Joan Pimentel –
Joan grew up in Hingham, MA and cut her vocal chops around the old school clubs of Boston – the Channel, Club Three, the Rat, Bunratty’s, Derringer’s and the Glass Slipper to name but a few. She started to become a recognized figure in the music scene when singing for Chicopee’s Maelstrom in the late ‘70’s. After hearing Joan perform at a local meat raffle, Jamie Farr commented “That girl can sing – she could be on Love Boat!”. Joan left the band soon after and moved on to sing back-ups for Tavares, Dionne Warwick, Eddy Grant and Kaja Goo Goo (where she performed the now famous ‘buttered popcorn and bunny rabbit’ stage stunt).
Next for Joan was Flunky, a very popular soul band known mostly for the fact that they didn’t shower all that much. And then, finally, Joan found the boys in SuperHoney. They’ve been making great music and racking up enormous bar tabs ever since.
Joan’s Top Five Cheeses:
1. Cheddar
2. Havarti
3. Gruyere
4. Whiz
5. Tony Danza
Joan’s favorite hobbies include stealing baseball hats, attending peta rallies, wearing hot pants, Carson Daly, writing poetry, anything starring Peter North, flute, origami, looking for her keys or cell phone, ballads, sparkly things, and re-runs of One Day at a Time.
You can contact Joan at: joanpimentel@hotmail.com.
JOHN ARUDA, "Mangles"
John Aruda, despite being the youngest member of SuperHoney, has risen into the role of “Band Spiritual Leader”. Always exuding a sense of serenity and calmness on the stage, John truly discovered the meaning of everlasting Zen tranquility after a ninety minute foot massage during a recent trip to Beijing, China. Afterwards, he was heard to say “hmmm, did I fall asleep?”
Definitely an outstanding musician, John remains one of Boston’s most sought after saxophonists for live performance, studio sessions and, after hour nightcaps. Always a thoughtful and generous man, John can also be heard sharing his considerable musical gifts with the most excellent Dwight Ritcher Band.
Career Highlights:
• Was able to earn a spot in Medford’s own “All Aruda 18 piece Fado-Swing orchestra.
• Once flew all the way to Frankfurt Germany just to meet his friends in the band for a breakfast of coldbutter sandwiches and hot dogs.
• Has successfully overseen the development of a variation of his primary band nickname; “Mingles” to ”Gla”
• A humanist, John once saved the life of actor Dustin Hoffman by deftly swerving his speeding Vespa scooter out of the way of the oncoming, oblivious Tootsie on the island of St. Bart’s.
• Has finally managed to have the same car inspected and operable for more than 20 months.
A keen observer of culture, John’s eclectic influences range from the intellectual worlds of literature, philosophy, the fine arts, and whatever Doug’s wearing.
You can contact John at: saxaddict@hotmail.com. PAUL SCHULTHEIS, "The Doctor"
If you couldn’t be a major league ball player, a U.S. President, or a platinum-selling recording artist, what would you do to get close to the action? If your name isn’t Marilyn, the answer is become a bat boy, an intern, or a piano tuner, respectively. And by day Paul is one of the most sought-after piano tuners in New England. Included among those Paul has tweaked a nut for: Aretha Franklin, Harry Connick, Stevie Wonder, Sarah McLaughlin, and David Crosby. Believe it.
The St. Louis native disavowed his affection for the Cardinals after they lost the 1968 World Series to the Detroit Tigers. Today he’s a sworn Red Sox fan and -- after the World Series last October – even shared a victory Bud Light with Kevin Millar. It’s true. His fickle baseball allegiance aside, Paul’s wiffle-ball slurve is nearly impossible to hit. His favorite up-and-coming star: Tampa’s Rocco Baldelli. Gibson or Schilling? Ask Paul.
Now back to drinking. As an ancestor to the famous Schultheis(s) brewery in Berlin, Paul’s most notable band moments have occurred while holding a cold one. His impressive resume includes drinks at:
The Great Wall of China (Badaling, China)
The Astronomical Clock and Joe Thorton’s Grotto (Prague, Czech Republic)
Frankie and Johnny’s (New Orleans, LA)
Rosie’s Disco (Venlo, Netherlands)
Katy’s Garage (Dresden, Germany)
Papa Joe’s (Key West, FL)
Routes 6, 81, 84, 90, 93, 95, 106, and 140
Airports in: Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, Biloxi (that’s in Mississippi), Philadelphia, Frankfurt, Beijing, and Shanghai.
Whether it’s a cheap Chinese haircut or a free round of drinks, Paul loves a bargain. He’s particularly proud of the analog keyboard gear he’s found in the dumpsters, trash bins, and Goodwill stores throughout Boston. It’s a vintage collector’s dream: a Fender Rhodes, a Hohner Clavinet, a Rogue Moog, a Wurly, a Hammond B3, and a Melotron. Paul has rescued them all from extinction, sharing their sonoral treats with the throngs of honeyfans who come to hear them. And if you’ve been to a Superhoney show you know exactly what I’m talkin’ about. The Doctor lights ‘em up like a long string of Christmas lights. Hey Paul: got a receipt for that?
You can contact Paul at: pschult2002@yahoo.com
DEAN JOHNSTON, "The Dux" Dutch-American musician, cynic, born Schuyler Dejong in Venlo, The Netherlands. Raised in Zeeland, Michigan where he still holds the schoolboy record for the pole vault (12’ 10.5”). Schuyler learned to play the drums at age 16 after a traumatic inflatable boat racing accident irreparably damaged his senses of balance and humor (he never vaulted again but was known to be amused on rare occasion).
Noting the successful overseas solo career of early influence Micky Dolenz, he left high school and set off to Sweden in search of professional guidance from the former Monkee (then a resident of Stockholm). After more than a decade of constant touring he earned a reputation as one of Scandinavia’s great folk drummers. In April of 1994, Dejong finally managed to meet his would-be mentor when they shared a bill (Dolenz then with the Torkless Monkees) at Stockholm’s famed Operahauset. Micky’s advice was simple: “Find your Davy Jones.”
Under pressure from the Swedish Royal Family (due to a highly publicized romance with the then still quite young Princess Victoria) and in an attempt to escape the tabloid media, Dejong changed his name to The Dux (a reference to his former high school mascot and not the famous Ljung family bed) and set off to Boston, USA. Soon after, in the fall of 1994, The Dux met the smaller, better looking and less talented Sean Nelson on the dance floor of a popular Leominster disco. Are you?
Davy.
It was the beginning of a musical partnership that produced such critically acknowledged groups as Lion’s Cage, The Well and Shang’s HiFi. (He stated in a Noise interview years later that at this point he believed Nelson was his Jones only to realize it was in fact future SuperHoney band mate Joan Pimentel. “Oh the ironicy.”)
The Dux built a small but loyal following in the Boston drumming community and became a sought after instructor (Matty A, Doug Flutie, Larry Mullen Jr). When local funk legends Flunky were in the market for a percussionist, Nelson refused to take the gig without his partner. This led to a shake up in personnel and the eventual birth of SuperHoney. One of the area’s best bands of the late 90’s and early 2000’s SuperHoney solidified The Dux as the best funk playing folk drummer in Boston (his bilinear drumming during this time with acid folk band Gaffney is also recommended listening).
In the spring of 2004 he sought to rediscover his Dutch roots and returned to Venlo with SuperHoney to little acclaim. In the winter of 2004, discouraged and in search of enlightenment, he went to China to find the perfect chicken wing. He found them all. But much like his favorite Beatle George Harrison before him, The Dux took his eastern experience to the level of absurdity. Today he spends his days (and nights) sequestered; deep frying chicken parts; hunting the holy wing. Though some claim you can find him on Tuesday nights at 9:00 wandering the streets, jonesing for musicians to play with...
You can contact Dean at: hisgrayness@yahoo.com
DOUGLAS SHERMAN, "Dugzilla"
Musical Influences: Miles Davis, Slayer, Air Supply
In the words of Woody Allen, “Eighty percent of success is showing up”. And when you show up to a Superhoney show you will see for yourself that Douglas “Guitar” Sherman is an extraordinary entertainer. From his signature ‘back-kick’ dance move to his Ecko sweat suits and wailing guitar solos, Sherman lights the stage on fire (no pyrotechnics needed). Sherman’s electrifying presence will have you covered in sweat from dancing - and spit (if you get too close).
Sherman grew up in Medford, Massachusetts and was on a steady diet of Hungry Herb’s chicken tips, Bob’s subs, and bagels for several years, which is what he attributes to the “extra” hair on his chest. He was definitely a rocker in high school and played in a few cover bands including: Blue Sabbath, Crazy Brain, and Shred Zep. As he got older, he started listening to WCOZ and became a big fan of Dr. Demento. It was then that Doug decided he wanted to do comedy. After a brief stint at the Aku Aku in Saugus, Sherman was banned from the comedy scene for fighting with the customers at an open mic comedy slam.
When the comedy clubs blacklisted Doug, he enrolled at Bunker Hill Community College to become a professional Disc Jockey. Doug was “Rockin’ the Bunker” all spring semester ‘92. He actually created that slogan for Bunker Hill, and they still use it today on their radio station. It was here that he honed his skillful DJ scratching techniques that have carried over to his guitar rhythms. You can see some of Sherman’s DJ skills in action in Prague on the movies section of this website (click here to view the honeys’ in Europe movie). After Doug finished his broadcasting degree at Bunker Hill, he enrolled at Berklee College of Music and formed the band Heimlich Maneuver. The band was named after his friend Robert who saved Sherman’s life from choking on a condom one Saturday morning in Somerville. One hundred and twenty seven days later, Doug met the members of SuperHoney who thought that he was the second best player they auditioned. Fortunately, the guy that finished first wanted to fire The Dux so Doug was in and the rest is history.
Keep a crazy eye on this young guitarist from Medford. You can expect big things from the man in the hooded sweatshirt in the coming years.
Sherman can also be heard with another amazing band in town called Gaffney. Gaffney does over 100 shows a year as well, so you shouldn’t have a problem experiencing “THE D”, coming to a club near you!
You can contact Doug at: sherman.doug@gmail.com
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