The Semantics
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Jody Spence, Millard Powers, Will Owsley |
| Headquarters | Nashville, Tennessee , United States |
| Products | Music albums |
The Semantics was a pop rock ensemble originating from Nashville, Tennessee, established by Jody Spence on drums, Millard Powers handling bass, and Will Owsley on guitar and vocals. Drummer Zak Starkey later took over Spence’s role. Their sole album, Powerbill, was exclusively issued in Japan. Following their release from the record label soon after the recording process, Powers, Owsley, and Starkey each advanced into notable careers within the music industry. Powers collaborated with artists such as Ben Folds and Counting Crows and also gained recognition as a producer and recording engineer. Owsley pursued a solo career until his passing in 2010. Starkey went on to become the drummer for Oasis and The Who.
History
The songwriting partnership between Jody Spence and Will Owsley began after they toured with Judson Spence, who is Jody’s brother. In 1990, through the efforts of Scott Siman, they secured publishing agreements with Sony Music Publishing. The following year, Siman discovered Millard Powers performing with the band Majosha, which included Ben Folds. Powers relocated to Nashville and established connections with Spence and Owsley via Folds.
Within a month of their first meeting, Spence, Powers, and Owsley composed and recorded numerous tracks at Sony Tree studio; seven of these were featured on the Geffen album Powerbill. The trio performed locally under different monikers such as "Spence Powers Owsley" and "Parade," occasionally joined by Folds on keyboards. After moving to Los Angeles and adopting the name "The Semantics," they attracted attention from major record labels, culminating in a contract with John Kalodner at Geffen Records.
During the search for a producer, internal friction resulted in Spence leaving the group, with Zak Starkey stepping in as drummer. Working alongside producer Peter Asher, the band invested four years developing Powerbill, gaining valuable experience in production and management. Although slated for release in 1993, the album was withheld from the U.S. market because it was deemed “too pop for alternative audiences and too alternative for pop listeners.” Ultimately, it was released in Japan through Alfa International in December 1996.
The label’s decision to drop them caused financial difficulties for some members; nevertheless, they continued pursuing musical careers while preserving The Semantics’ influence. In 1999, Owsley re-recorded "Coming Up Roses" for his Grammy-nominated solo debut album. Powers included "Jenny Won't Play Fair," originally from Powerbill, on his 2001 solo release. Powers, Starkey, and Spence have all remained active within the music scene. Will Owsley passed away in April 2010 from an apparent suicide.
Discography
- Powerbill (1993), Geffen Records (unreleased)
- Powerbill (December 21, 1996), Alfa International (Japan)