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Though he's been taunted on local message boards for being a Kid Rock rip-off, JOCAINE has proven he doesn't need a "Piggy Back Ride" to make things happen. The Mt. Clemens pop singer/songwriter and his band, 75 North have been outselling the competition in regional markets, filling A-rooms all over town and have managed to land on more than one Hollywood motion picture soundtrack. With his gathering momentum, there may yet be room for another red-neck pop-star from the state of Michigan. Click "Read More" for the article, vital statistics and a special concert announcement. - Mitch
by Mitch PhillipsCREEM photos by Bob Alford
"The toes you step on today may be connected to the ass you kiss tomorrow." Words of warning that grace the homepage of the Jocaine & 75 North website and a backlash from the ribbing Jocaine has taken locally for sounding even remotely like red-neck rapper Kid Rock.
If there are similarities there's good reason. As teens, both Joe Binki & Bob Ritchie (Jocaine & Kid Rock respectively) spent time at North Lake Studios, once owned by the infamous gansta rapper Awesome Dre of Awesome Dre and The Hardcore Committee. Binki and Ritchie didn't talk much, but knew each other as the only other white kid who frequented the studio at 7 Mile & Van Dyke.
When Kid Rock's career took off, Jocaine thought it might be a good omen. "He'd got the door opened up a couple of months before I got my stuff out. At the time I figured If he sold 12 million copies of his debut, who's to say I couldn't sell 1/12 of that?" But ultimately, the Kid Rock comparisons would stall Jocaine's career and create a flurry of anonymous spam on local message boards taunting him as a rip-off. "It's funny, I could let you listen to songs I recorded over ten years ago and it's much like what I'm doing now. It wasn't until 5-6 years ago I started with the rock-rap style and everyone started saying I sounded like Kid Rock. It just so happened that there were three fuckers from Detroit (i.e. Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, and Jocaine) with the same influences and writing style shopping their material at the same time. We just got beat to the punch."
But with over a decade in the business, Jocaine paid his own dues. Together with friend Will Foxx, Joe managed to get his single, "Do you wanna Hump?", into top 10 rotation at a local radio station and since then he's worked with some of the most respectable names in Detroit including mix-master Jeff "The Wizard" Mills and B.S.A. producer Gary Spaniola. Though neither pairing garnered worthy material, it eventually led to his deal with Life/Bellmark Records that included a tour with Tag Team ("Whoop, there it is"). Despite some attention from Billboard magazine, the relationship and subsequent tour left Jocaine feeling used and unfulfilled. "We opened for R. Kelly at the Freak-Nic in Atlanta, GA. and we did spring break Daytona Beach - just a bunch of shit - but we werent seeing any money. Me not really knowing the business at the time and what was going on I felt like a puppet making money for everyone else but me. Honestly, I dont really even think there was that much money coming in but I didn't like the predicament so i bailed out."
Jocaine continued writing new material under his three year deal but the Kid Rock comparisons persisted. Finally, he abandoned rap-rock altogether. "I had a hard head about it for years," said Jocaine of the similarity of his music to Kid Rock. "A friend of mine said 'even though you've been around as long as Bob you can't go on doing the same kind of music.' It was too similar, he said. So Scott Guy from Universal told me to change, cut my own niche."
The result of that prophetic advice created a momentum for Jocaine that is still picking up speed. In 2002, Jocaine & 75 North landed material on two motion-picture soundtracks, "Lone Start State of Mind" (cable) & "Laurel Canyon", and the popular television series C.S.I. (Crime Scene Investigations). According to his website, he's been picked-up for the 2003 season of C.S.I. as well.
But the ultimate result of Jocaine's recent transformation is the brand new release entitled "Piggy Back Ride", recorded at Pearl Sound (MPA) and produced by the infamous Chuck A (Tori Amos, Tool, Bob Seager, Eminem, Robert Plant). The title is a reference to the wishful thinking and hangers-on characteristic of the entertainment industry. "That (title) means a lot to me," said Jocaine. "It's about the people waiting in the wings, hoping to get that free ride if you 'make it. But It don't work that way, believe me. You gotta work it and make things happen for yourself. You can't sit on your ass and you can't count on anyone to help you in this business. It's fucked up. There's people I know, who don't owe me anything, who could open the door a bit, you know? Give a little piggy back ride? (laughter)."
Although the Soprano-esque Italian from Mt. Clemens has done well for himself in the construction business, he'd give it all up for a chance to show the world what he can do on stage. "I've got a dream that I've had since I was a little kid and Im just trying to make it come true. If anyone gets in my corner and helps, it's greatly appreciated. If they don't, well, you know my slogan: the toes you step on today....".
Vital Statistics: Name: JOCAINE Why they call me JOCAINE: It's a footballl thing. I was like a hurricaine when I ran with the ball, so they took the 'Joe' and ran it together with the 'caine.' Born: Joe Binki Grew up in . . . Hazel Park, MI. Lives in . . . Mt. Clemens, MI. Height / Weight: 6'4" 250lbs Brothers & Sisters: I have a sister and a couple of brothers in Kentucky. Hobbies: Music, sports, drinking - I always wanted to be a professional partier. I think I conquered that dream. Favorite Musical Artists: ...crazy 'bout Elvis, George Jones, my boy (Uncle) Kracker. On my dads side of the family, down the line, is Eddie Arnold, famous country singer. Country's been in my blood since I was little, so Bob's not the only redneck in town. Favorite Food: White Castle. One night I stopped to order my regular Grave Case but it was taking forever and I was getting pissed. When I asked what the hold-up was, It turned out (Uncle) Kracker outside ordering the same thing! Two fat boys who love music and eating huh? 75 North Band Members: Gash (Bryan Boschma) on lead, Ton-to (Ryan Hyland) on guitar, KD (Kevin Davis) on bass, The Wizzard (Todd) on drums, Pistol Pete (Pete Pisarczyt) on keys, then there's me, Jocaine, doing what I do..... |
