They took the long road, but the satisfaction from a project with that much dedication and hard work is at hand for the Joe Hoffmann Band. It took three years to self record their first C.D., but the band is ready for its debut at a party March 13 at Mickey Finn's.

"Our music is like America. It's a melting pot," says lead singer Braden Hoffmann.

The band has developed a large following in Toledo frequently packing what they call their home bar, Mickey Finn's. In an effort to branch out, they've moved closer to becoming a regional band playing gigs in Oxford, Columbus, and Tiffin. "I think we're at a plateau in Toledo," says Braden.

The band has put all of its money from gigging back into the band. The have a `trailer you can park your car in' and a P.A. system. With a little help from their parents, they've refurbished an old shed at Joe Phillips' house turning it into a recording studio.

The C.D. started three years ago, and the tedious process of recording a six-piece band track by track and learning how to use their newfound recording equipment began.

"We all wanted to quit at one point. We've all wanted to storm out of the studio," says Braden.

"It's amazing we're still a band after that C.D.," added Braden.

But, their stubbornness has paid off. Their first C.D. has no hint of being a home recording.

"They put a lot of work into this one and it shows, they wouldn't settle for mediocrity," says Bobby May, one of Toledo's best known musicians.

These Clay High graduates and childhood friends formed the band in 2000. The Hoffmann brothers, (Chandler, Adam, Braden) had been playing together since they were kids. Add to the mix the two Joe's, Phillips on bass and Romano on guitar, and you have the Joe Hoffmann band.

The Hoffman brothers came from a musical family and the father taught Braden to play guitar.

"When everyone was out playing street hockey, I was the couch potato playing along to Hendrix and Clapton. I've been playing guitar for 14 years," says the 22-year-old. The other two Hoffmans play percussion and all three, along with Phillips, played in the Clay Marching Band and learned under their mentor, Charles Neal. "He's our biggest musical influence," says Adam.

Neal and longtime local favorite Bobby May make guest appearances on the C.D. Joe Romano picked up a guitar in high school and is self-taught. Phillips started on the piano, moved to bass and later learned the saxophone.

Braden and Joe Phillips started forming the base of the bands sound by heading up to Mona's every Wednesday and playing the blues with Tim Oehlers.

The band is hoping by summer 2005 for a follow up album to be complete.

"The second one should be a lot faster with all we learned from the first one. As we're growing we're trying to get more input from the band members as to what our sound is," says Braden.

"The new songs are heavier and more rock'n'roll. High energy, more intense, high rocktane," says Phillips.

Go to www.joehoffmannband.com

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