Spinning Jennies started innocently enough...the result of three Bay Area rock nuts
  looking to form a band in early 1993. The original line-up consisted of founding
  drummer/band patriarch Dave Friel, bassist Doug Free and frequent hat-wearing
  songwriter/front-man Jeff Shelton. Gigs were plentiful in the pre-Internet, pre-
  Reality TV, pre-Dot.com 90's when people actually showed up to local clubs and
  supported original live music. As such, the band played extensively around San
  Francisco and garnered a decent loyal following. The band's first LP Bloom, recorded
  on a non-existent budget (ie: "free") was released in February 1995 and the follow-
  up Pop N' Serve (done on a much more extensive budget) arrived soon after in
  June 1996. Both records helped establish the Jennies as one of the Bay Area's
  premier local acts.

  Change was in the air in late 1996 - not only did the Jennies come to realize they
  were in fact, a "power pop" band (thanks to the unshakable comparison to the genre's
  flag-bearers The Shoes), but the year also saw the departure of Friel who, despite a
  ravaging heroin habit, went on to pursue a different musical path. After several months
  of grueling drummer tryouts (including a brief sit-in from South Africa's "baddest"
  drummer) the band's true rock groove was sealed with the addition of Nick Laquintano in early 1997.

  The Jennies continued to soldier on in the late 90's - taking advantage of the internet explosion to bring their music to the far corners of the globe. Their third LP, in fact (1998's adventure in lo-fi called Starstruck) made the Swedish fanzine Poppin Up's "Best Album of 1998".  Peer Pressure, the Jennies' fourth full-length album, marked a major sonic improvement over previous albums and helped bring the band to a new level of prowess in the recording studio. The album's soaring production, and bright, thundering melodicism was enough to garner the attention of Seattle's
  Vast Records who quickly signed the band in early 2000.

  In 2000 and 2001 Spinning Jennies continued to forge their path in the San Francisco scene by playing many live shows and even embarked on several "mini tours" throughout the Western U.S. Released in Fall of 2002 on pop-friendly Jam Records Stratosphere, the band's fifth (and final) album, was an even deeper endeavor into the world of big pro-duction, strong hooks, soaring melodies, and a driving rock edge. The record is hailed by many as the best in the Jennies' large cannon of music and has served as a poignant swan song to their illustrious career.

  Deep into the new millennium, the band members continue to carry on - musically and non-musically. In 2004, Jeff started a Jennies-esque side project called The Well Wishers.  Nick now plays in San Francisco's Family Arsenal (featuring members of Mover, and the Mr. T Experience), and the ultimate Smiths tribute This Charming Band. Following stints with Ontario and local popsters The Bobbleheads, Doug is currently searching for the right Black Sabbath tribute band. Founding drummer Dave Friel continues his benevolent dictatorship and Casnova lifestyle in the Washington, DC
area (women...beware!) and is currently drumming for DC indie rockers Hotel Yes.