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Listener Discretion new article content ... Listener Discretion is a three piece acoustic group from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 1999, the band’s line-up includes Brendan Jackson, PJ Noll, and Ahmad Zeki, all who play acoustic guitar, and contribute to song writing. The band’s music would most accurately be classified as acoustic alternative; however, much of the band’s work reflects an eclectic mix of influences, most notably Dave Matthews Band. Other influences include Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin, Ben Harper & various singer/songwriters.

History

In 1999, Ahmad and PJ met while attending Bellevue College in Bellevue, WA. PJ brought a guitar to school regularly, and found time between classes to play on the steps of the Commons. Ahmad overheard PJ playing a Dave Matthews cover on the steps of the Student Union Building, which sparked a conversation around music, and guitar. The conversation led to a number of sessions where Ahmad and PJ taught each other covers, and worked on original riffs. Over the next year, they played house parties, and worked to expand their library of covers. During the summer of 2000, PJ signed up the pair for an employee concert at Experience Music Project, not realizing that artists were prohibited from playing covers. With less than seven weeks before the show, Ahmad and PJ started looking for a singer to aid in filling the 35 minute time slot. This endeavor would manifest in adding a third member to the band – Brendan Jackson. Ahmad met Brendan at Bellevue College in 1999, and introduced PJ and Brendan at a party. Brendan had been playing coffee shops and various venues for a few years, and had proven to be a strong vocalist with a collection of original songs. His voice and unique writing style impressed PJ and Ahmad, and they invited him to join them for the EMP gig. Soon, the trio began writing, and six songs were completed in time for the show. Those songs debuted at EMP, which included Number One, Dressing Room, Nomad, Remission, Run Away and Fateful Girl. While preparing for the show, the band had yet to decide on a name. PJ suggested Listener Discretion, after hearing the phrase at the beginning of “Loveline,” a television show featuring Dr. Drew and Adam Carroll which aired from 1995 – 2006 and continues with syndicated Radio programming. All three band members agreed this name would be fitting being the eclectic nature of the band’s sound. With the name in place, and the EMP gig under their belt, the trio decided to go into the studio and record.

Recording

In late 2001, Listener Discretion reached out to Rick Hoag, a friend and co-worker of PJ’s at Experience Music Project. Rick’s band, The Humidiflyers, hosted a studio at their house in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, and were working on recording their own CD. Rick offered his services to Listener Discretion, and invited the band in to record a demo. By this time, five more songs had been added to Listener Discretion’s collection, which included What Gives, No Name, Not What it Seems, Withstanding Behavior and a cover of Pearl Jam’s Indifference. Rick liked what he heard, and agreed to record a full-length CD. At first, instrumentation for the CD proved to be difficult and the organization of the records was shoddy at best, but there was an element of unity among the members. Each member knew their various musical diversity and diverging backgrounds somehow bring them together by the music they were expressing. After much diligence, the songs came together - and well. Ahmad played drums on Number One and Nomad, and PJ played drums on Fateful Girl. What Gives featured the Humidiflyer’s Darren Reynolds on drums, and Devin Gaylord on bass. Rick contributed extensively to the CD, adding drum tracks, bass, harmonies, guitar solos, and organ to much of the CD. Listener Discretion’s long time friend Chip Romero also appeared on the CD, playing guitar solos on Run Away and Dressing Room. All of the artwork for the CD was designed by Will Boyd, a local graphic designer, who created all of the art work for the CD, as well as the bands ‘burning ear’ logo.

Shows

Once the self-titled CD was completed, the band started playing shows around the Seattle area. The CD release show was held at the Lock and Keel in Ballard, February 20th, 2003, which was one of two shows played there. Listener Discretion played other venues including EMP’s Liquid Lounge, the Penny Café, Conor Byrne, and The All American. Listener Discretion debuted three new songs during this time period; Bothered Broad, Poison Vein and Weight of Thousands. Brendan and PJ recorded demos for those songs in 2004, though without Ahmad, who was still in law school. The show at the All American on April 11, 2003 would prove to be the last show for six years. Life began to tug at the members of the band, which prompted a five year hiatus. Brendan, seeking a change of scenery, left in the fall of 2003 to travel, eventually settling down in Virginia. Ahmad was accepted to Law School at Texas Southern University, and left Seattle in the summer of 2003. Ahmad later transferred to Concord Law School and completed his law degree in Sacramento, CA in the summer of 2008. PJ got married in June of 2003, and also started to pursue a teaching degree from Western Washington University that fall.

2009- Present

In 2007, Brendan returned to Seattle. Soon after completion of law school, Ahmad starting picking up his guitar again. The trio kept in touch, and spoke often of getting together for another show. Finally, in April of 2009, Listener Discretion played its first show in over six years at SoulFood Café in Redmond, WA. This show was followed up by another show in August of 2009 due to the reunification and energy of the band. The August show allowed Listener Discretion to unveil its first new song in over seven years, Don’t Know.