Episode 78 - Jim Garcia, The Nerds

Jim Garcia, whose alter ego is Spaz is the bass player and frontman of The Nerds, America's Rock & Roll Fun-Omenon. The Nerds are definitely fun and a phenomenon. They have been a live music institution on the Jersey Shore circuiy and well beyond, entertaining literally generations of music lovers and revellers for 34 years. The Nerds have played the most sought-after clubs, sold out out Carnegie Hall, and have played private events for top companies across the country like GSK, KPMG, Merrill Lynch, eTrade, TAG Heuer, Morgan Stanley, Pfizer, and so on. Not ones to rest on their past success, The Nerds are arguably the hardest working band in show business, maintaining a rigorous touring schedule that often features multiple gigs in a day. Jim Garcia grew up in a musical household of Cuban immigrants and started playing music at an early age. Success came fairly early on after the band gained some traction as a humorous party band with the nerd persona. Jim credits the band's original manager with teaching them the importance of treating their band as a business. You may not hear the phrase sex, drugs, and health insurance every day, but Jim and the Nerds flourished with this mindset and were able to achieve things like salaries, benefits, buying houses, etc. early in their career. Today Jim does marvel at the relationships he has made with fans over the years, and the new generations that have replaced them at gigs. Jim has passed his love of music on to his sons who are both following their passions with music. Jim has started thinking about post-Nerds life some and is currently researching real estate as something that may fill some time and allow him to work with his hands when gigs slow down. For now there is no sign of gigs slowing down. In the coming weeks you can catch The Nerds here: 10/18 Artie's in Frenchtown, 10/25 Cooper's Riverview, Trenton, 10/31 blu alehouse, 11/2 Riverdale, Cedar Garden 11/2 Cedar Garden, Hamilton, 11/14 Moore's Tavern, 11/23 Wind Creek Casino & Hotel. For the full schedule and additional information visit www.the-nerds.com and follow @thenerdsband