Press Kit
Everything a journalist, promoter or radio producer needs in one place: quick facts, a biography cleared for reprinting, high-resolution promo photographs, the discography and a direct press contact.
The five members
Roles as credited in the 2003 archive. Short credits are given here; the full biographies are linked below.
- Patrick J. McMahon
- Lead vocals. Classically trained in voice from the age of eight; a featured performer at the Junior Bach Festival of Berkeley, California; first place in vocal competitions across the state; BA in Theatrical Performance from Pomona College, Claremont, California; headliner of the Claremont Shades a cappella group; a veteran of stage and screen.
- Belinda Bach
- Guitars and vocals. First took the stage at the age of four; attended Magnet Arts schools in South Florida including the New World School of the Arts; began guitar and composing at fifteen; a full performance scholarship to Brevard College of Music; studied guitar at the North Carolina School of the Arts; at sixteen was sole composer for the “Spellman/Corben” production “Seven Minutes In Heaven”.
- Jonathan “Stickman” Bach
- Drums and backing vocals. Began drum kit and percussion in 1994; marching snare with his high school band; invited to the “Spirit of America” marching band ensemble tour of Europe; played in the Appalachian State University marching band, choreographing dance marches and percussion trick moves; has performed with jazz bands and orchestras and works as a studio musician.
- Jeremy Wheeler
- Keyboards and pianos. The fourth addition to the band; able to duplicate and elaborate on piano and synthesizer parts after a few moments of listening; a software and hardware technician who understood the instruments and the electronics behind them; a classically trained trumpeter who has played in small bands and large ensembles.
- Sheldon “Lurch” Morley
- Guitar and bass, also sings. The most recent addition to the line-up. The original site noted that his full biography was still to come.
Biography for reprinting
The paragraph below is approved for editorial use in print, online and in event programmes.
Ockham's Razor is a five-piece darkwave, synth-pop and ethereal music band from Los Angeles, California, released by Midnight Magic Records. The band formed around a shared interest in pairing the hard-hitting sounds of the latest electronic technologies with the smooth and elegant tones of live acoustic instruments: sequenced electronics sit beneath live guitars, pianos and voices, and the lyrics carry what the band describes as a haunting but true-to-life ring.
The line-up brings together performers from classical voice, musical theatre and a cappella, marching percussion, jazz ensembles and studio work. Patrick J. McMahon, lead vocals, was classically trained in voice from the age of eight and has performed on both stage and screen. Belinda Bach, guitars and vocals, began guitar and composing at fifteen and has performed in Miami, Asheville, Brevard, Greensboro, Ferndale and Los Angeles. Jonathan “Stickman” Bach, drums and backing vocals, began drum kit and percussion in 1994 and was invited to the “Spirit of America” marching band ensemble tour of Europe. Jeremy Wheeler, keyboards and pianos, is a classically trained trumpeter and a software and hardware technician. Sheldon “Lurch” Morley, guitar and bass, is the most recent addition to the band and also sings.
In 2003 the band released its debut album, catalogue number MMR200301, and was nominated in Category 31 — Best Goth Band at the Rock City News 20th Anniversary Music Awards, “The Rockies”, held at Club Qtopia in Hollywood.
Longer version: the complete long-form biography, with each member's full history from first stage appearances to studio credits, is on the band biographies page. Quotations from the band and additional background can be requested from the press contact below.
High-resolution images and artwork
Nine images from the band's press pack, promo shoots and album artwork. Select any thumbnail to open the full-size file.
Usage: these photographs and artwork may be used for editorial coverage of Ockham's Razor, with a credit to the band. One poster survives only as a low-resolution archival copy and is marked as such. For interviews, print-resolution files or artwork in another format, contact the press office below.
Midnight Magic Records releases
The complete catalogue as documented in the 2003 archive. All prices include shipping except the t-shirt.
| Catalogue | Title | Format | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMR200301 | Ockham's Razor | Debut album | $10.00 | Shipping included |
| MMR200301-1 | Ockham's Razor | Signed debut album | $15.00 | Signed by band members; shipping included |
| MMR200302 | Disturbed | Limited edition mini-disc single | $10.00 | Individually numbered; only 100 copies; shipping included |
| MMR200303 | Signed band photos | Photographs | $8.00 | Signed by all four signing members; shipping included |
| MMR200304 | Ockham's Razor t-shirt | T-shirt, sizes L, XL, XXL | $15.00 | Plus shipping and handling; black shirt with the band logo on the front and the definition on the back |
Documented recordings
Time, Mad World (a Tears for Fears cover), Disturbed, I've Been Losing You, Chasms and Far Away. Two further archived recordings, Angel and Did Anyone, were recovered alongside them. Four low-resolution previews stream free on the sound clips page.
Album artwork
The sleeve, the printed track list on the back cover and the CD tray card are shown at full size on the album cover page and in the photo gallery.
2003 Rockies nomination
Ockham's Razor was nominated in Category 31 — Best Goth Band at the 2003 Rock City News 20th Anniversary Music Awards, known as “The Rockies”.
The awards night took place on 15 November 2003 at Club Qtopia, 6021 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028. Doors opened at 8:00 PM for a nonstop show from 9 PM to 4 AM, admission was free and Ockham's Razor performed at 2:00 AM. Fans were asked to vote by e-mail to webmaster@rockcitynews.com with the subject “2003 Rock City News Awards”.
For listings and captions
“Ockham's Razor — darkwave, synth-pop and ethereal band from Los Angeles, California. Debut album MMR200301 on Midnight Magic Records. Nominated Best Goth Band, 2003 Rock City News Music Awards.”
Requests, interviews and review copies
One address handles everything: interviews, review copies, artwork requests and corrections to the archive.
E-mail the Ockham's Razor press office
Send press enquiries to MidnightMagicPro@aol.com. Please include the name of your outlet, the editorial deadline, and whether you need photography, a biography or an interview.
Booking and promoter enquiries can also be sent to the same address, or through the contact page. Radio producers who need a specific track should say which title they intend to play and the format they need.