"CAROLINE´S SPINE" originated as nothing more than a title for the first solo record by singer/songwriter, JIMMY NEWQUIST. Released by San Diego´s, now defunct, Anza Records, NEWQUIST composed and performed virtually every instrument & vocal track under the direction of producer/bassist, Dan Calderone and engineer/guitairist, Joe Statt. For almost a year, this trio (Line-up #1) molded NEWQUIST´S compositions into what became known as a hard rock "melodic train wreck" - heavily influenced by engineer Nick Didia´s work with Pearl Jam & Stone Temple Pilots. NEWQUIST came up with several titles for the record and settled on the name, "CAROLINE´S SPINE" - a thematic reference to a character he created during his college days. The first "CAROLINE´S SPINE" record garnered impressive college radio play with the songs "Psycho" & "Monsoon."

The need for a "live" band to perform under the "CAROLINE´S SPINE" moniker was immediate. NEWQUIST added guitarist Scott Nelson, drummer Mike Carnicom, guitarist Mark Haugh, & bass player Bob Curran. The highlight for Line-up#2 was an opening slot for alternative darlings, DRAMARAMA in Phoenix, AZ. Nelson remembers, "Jim was nervous because this was a "coming out" party for his new band. The band was super tight that day and we really rose to the occassion. It wasn´t a huge crowd (around 2000, I think), but it was the biggest crowd I´d ever played for." Shortly thereafter, NEWQUIST dissolved Line-up #2 and set up auditions in Los Angeles, CA.
Bassist, Adam Shore, joined the 3rd Line-up and would bring another founding member of WARRANT, Josh Lewis on guitar. The five-piece group was completed when NEWQUIST approved drummer, Jason Gilardi, and Line-up#3 attacked the LA & PHX club scene. This period was highlighted by an opening slot for Catherine Wheel - one of NEWQUIST´S favorite bands. Anza Records began recording ..SO GOOD AFTERNOON, a collection of six NEWQUIST compositions. NEWQUIST reached a new songwriting level with songs entitled, "King For A Day," "Wallflower, & "...So Good Afternoon." Once again, band-related problems forced NEWQUIST to perform most of the tracks himself and Line-up #3 was quickly dissolved.
Frustrated, NEWQUIST relocated to Asia. While there, he composed the songs for a defining third ANZA release called, IGNORE THE ANTS. This record contained "Hippie Boy," "Sweet&Sour" & "Sullivan" - a true story about the five Sullivan brothers lost in WWII.
"Sullivan" characterized Newquist´s story-telling composition style. Out of the blue, CAROLINE´S SPINE was named one of Yamaha Music´s "Top 5" unsigned bands in America. NEWQUIST flew back to the U.S. and performed showcases featuring Capitol Pusher bassist, Nick Richetta, and musicians from the previous line-ups. As record label interest grew, Line-up #4 was completed with the addition of permanent bassist, Luis Moral. The next tour would see the band performing in AZ, NM, CO, UT & CA. Moral´s unexpected departure left NEWQUIST to play bass & sing during concerts as the band added TX & OK shows to the tour. Anza producer, Dan Calderone, saved a show at SXSW by covering bass duties during a defining CAROLINE´S SPINE showcase. Newquist added bassist, Robert Jones, and the 5th Lineup would tour a dozen states relentlessly. Anza records released HUGE - a "best of" compilation that included acoustic-driven tracks. All the while, NEWQUIST and McGhee Entertainment were negotiating a major label contract with Hollywood Records.
In a surprising twist of fate, mixing guru Nick Didia, signed on to re-mix the original Anza recordings and Hollywood Records released them as MONSOON - a nod to the late summer storms NEWQUIST experienced growing up in AZ. NEWQUIST kept Line-up #5 and McGhee´s Sandy Rizzo was named acting manager. NEWQUIST started 7thKid Music Publishing. The next 18 months saw the band tour non-stop. Highlights include Germany´s ROCK AM RING & ROCK IM PARK festivals and opening slots for KISS & Aerosmith. NEWQUIST´S song, "Sullivan," reached the Billboard/R&R Top40 and CAROLINE´S SPINE was honored with an "at sea" performance on the USS Enterprise.
Amid the touring, NEWQUIST composed the title track for the motion picture, "VARSITY BLUES." The next year, Hollywood Records released ATTENTION PLEASE - a collection of brand new NEWQUIST compositions. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker and mixed by Nick Didia - ATTENTION PLEASE earned NEWQUIST his first Top10 hit with "Nothing to Prove." Another 18 month tour followed with Line-up #5 intact. Highlights included U.S. & European shows with Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, & New Model Army. NEWQUIST started his own indie label, 7thKid Inc..
Shortly thereafter, personal difficulties plagued the hired members of Line-up #5 as NEWQUIST pushed to get his compositions recorded on two more "indie" CAROLINE´S SPINE records for 7thKid. NEWQUIST performed many shows by himself and Line-ups #6 & #7 were created to handle "sold out" club tours. While working with Grammy-winning producer, Malcom Welsford, Sandy Rizzo re-united with NEWQUIST as manager for "CAROLINE´S SPINE." NEWQUIST & Line-up #8 traveled to Austin, TX to record tracks for the new CAROLINE´S SPINE record, entitled WORK IT OUT. Nick Didia, once again, jumped on board to mix.

Credits:

All Words & Music by Jimmy Newquist (7thkid Music - ASCAP)


1.) Vocals - Jimmy Newquist
2.) Guitars- Jimmy Newquist, Matt McHan, Dan Calderone, Scott Nelson, Mark Haugh, Brad Mitcho, Seth Saltow
3.) Bass - Jimmy Newquist, Dan Calderone, Bob Curran, Adam Shore, Nick Richetta, Luis Moral, Robert Jones, Rob Wilson, Brandon Olsen, Jeff Rambo
4.) Drums/Percussion - Jimmy Newquist, Greg Bissonette, Mike Carnicom, Jason Gilardi, Mark McGuiness, Ryan Maves, Dustin Rhodes, Dave Percefull
5.) Keyboards - Jimmy Newquist, Dave Lon, Dave Percefull
6.) Strings - Charlie Bisharat, Eve Butler, Armen Garabedian, Michele Richards, Larry Corbett, Steve Richards, Dan Smith, Rudy Stein
7.) Producers/Engineers - Jimmy Newquist, Roy Thomas Baker, Nick Didia, Carem Costanzo, Rob Jacobs, Dan Calderone, Joe Statt, Ed Knoll, Dave Percefull, & Neal "Doctor" Tiemann
8.) Sound/Techs- Ed Knoll, Seth Saltow, Paul Johnson, Bobby Mathis, Andy Parades, Rich Koffer