Convoy (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founder | Jason Hill, Brian Karscig, Robbie Dodds, Mark Maigaard |
| Headquarters | San Diego , United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Number of employees | 5 (initial lineup including Jeff Winfrey) |
Convoy was a rock ensemble originating from San Diego, created by Jason Hill, Brian Karscig, Robbie Dodds, and Mark Maigaard.
History
The inception of Convoy followed the dissolution of Dishwater, sparked by the composition of their debut track “Weekends” by Dodds and Hill during a tour with that band. The group expanded with the addition of bassist Jeff Winfrey.
Their debut offering, a self-produced cassette titled “Red Tape,” contained five tracks and was recorded at Golden Track Studios in San Diego. This release included a live recording from their first performance opening for Leon Russell. Limited to 1,000 copies, it showcased a blend of honky tonk influences combined with rock guitar elements.
Following this, the band produced their first full-length album, Pineapple Recording Sessions, created in Jamul, California. They isolated themselves in a rented remote house to compose and record using an analog 8-track recorder. The resulting sound was raw and drew comparisons to groups such as the Beach Boys, The Byrds, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles. This setting encouraged prolific songwriting and rehearsals, heavily influenced by The Band’s album “Music From Big Pink.” Despite facing multiple evictions due to noise disturbances, the album garnered several San Diego Music Awards and led to a contract with Hybrid Recordings, associated with Atlantic Records.
Their third album, Black Licorice, recorded at Mad Dog Studios in Burbank and co-produced by David Bianco alongside Jason Hill, represented their peak in commercial success. It featured refined re-recordings of selected tracks from Pineapple Recording Sessions tailored for radio appeal. Key tracks included “Caught Up In You” and “Eleventeen.”
Convoy established a dedicated following on the West Coast through extensive touring and performances at notable venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheater and The Great American Music Hall. On a national scale, they supported major acts including the White Stripes, Coldplay, Tom Petty, and Aerosmith. Their television appearances included performing on the CBS Late Show with Craig Kilborn.
Following the release of Black Licorice, bassist Jeff Winfrey was succeeded by Shaun Cornell. During this period, the band also recorded a national television commercial for Sheraton Hotels featuring their rendition of The Rolling Stones' “Let's Spend the Night Together.”
The group disbanded in 2003. Subsequently, members Jason Hill, Brian Karscig, and Mark Maigaard formed the band Louis XIV.
Studio albums
- Pineapple Recording Sessions (1999)
- Black Licorice (2001)