Majosha
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States |
| Defunct | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Winston-Salem , United States |
Key people | Ben Folds, Millard Powers, Evan Olson, Eddie Walker |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Majosha (originally known as Majôsha) was an American alternative rock group established in early 1988 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The ensemble consisted of Ben Folds handling bass and keyboards, Millard Powers and Evan Olson on guitars, with Eddie Walker on drums. In 1988, they independently produced the EP Party Night: Five Songs About Jesus, which contained four tracks unrelated to its title. After gaining regional recognition, their only studio album, Shut Up and Listen to Majosha, was released in 1989. The band disbanded by early 1990 as members moved on to different musical ventures.
Formation and lineup
Majôsha came together in spring 1988 featuring Millard Powers (guitar and lead vocals), Dave Rich (drums), and Ben Folds (bass). To accommodate live performances, Folds quickly incorporated slap bass techniques, influencing the band's overall sound. Their first show earned them victory in Duke University's Battle of the Bands. Later that year, soul singer-songwriter Evan Olson joined the lineup. Majosha performed frequently at bars and fraternity events, distributing their self-produced EP within the local scene.
Their 1989 debut album, Shut Up and Listen to Majosha, released through Fresh Avery Records, included remixed or newly recorded versions of songs from Party Night. The majority of the material was composed and produced by Folds and Powers, with "Emaline" co-written by Olson. Folds contributed bass, keyboards, and drums on all tracks except "We Know," which featured Chris "Hound Dog" Brown on drums. This album was available only on cassette and vinyl formats.
Following the album's release, a dance remix of "Get That Bug," titled "Get That Bug (Outta Your System)," was produced at the Hit Factory and issued as a promotional CD exclusively in Japan. After several drummer changes and Brown’s departure, Eddie Walker joined for live tours.
Songs such as "Emaline" and "Video" were later re-recorded for Ben Folds Five albums; meanwhile, "Kalamazoo" appeared on Folds' solo EP Super D. Additionally, tracks like "Clueless," "Guilty," and "Where's Bohemia" were demoed by Folds.
Post-breakup activities
Following the band's dissolution in early 1990, Ben Folds formed Pots & Pans alongside Evan Olson (bass) and Britt “Snüzz” Uzzell (guitar/vocals). The original Majosha album was re-released under Pots & Pans’ name, who also produced a demo tape. This group lasted roughly a month before Olson and Snüzz created Bus Stop with Chuck Folds (Ben’s brother) on bass and Eddie Walker on drums; Bus Stop independently issued four CDs.
In 1993, Ben Folds established the alternative rock trio Ben Folds Five with Robert Sledge and Darren Jessee, releasing four studio albums. Beyond this band, Folds has sustained a successful solo career while collaborating with artists such as Amanda Palmer, William Shatner, Regina Spektor, "Weird Al" Yankovic, and yMusic. He has also maintained professional ties with former members of Majosha and Pots & Pans.
After Bus Stop disbanded, Millard Powers released a solo album and has served as bassist for Counting Crows since 2008, participating in all recordings following Matt Malley’s exit. Evan Olson, Snüzz, and Chuck Folds have likewise pursued individual solo careers.