(Artist Report)

Written by: Cody Denning  

In the heart of Austin's vibrant music scene, Dr. JOE stands out as a distinctive piano-centered rock band led by Joe Sparacino, a practicing dentist who also serves as the group's primary songwriter and frontman. The ensemble has garnered attention for its unique sound, dubbed "fuzz gospel" by Sparacino, a fusion of rock and roll, soul, western blues, and gospel elements.

Sparacino's musical foundation traces back to his upbringing on a farm outside Salina, Kansas, where he received piano instruction from a southern gospel choir director and immersed himself in the works of artists such as Ray Charles, Leon Russell, Randy Newman, Elton John, and James Booker. After moving to Austin, he formed the band with local musicians Pierson Saxon (also known as Pierce Saxon), Brennan Howell, and Patrick Young, with occasional contributions from Mario Castellanos and Sterling Steffen.

At the core of Dr. JOE's sound is a restored 1922 Ship's piano, an antique instrument originally designed for Victorian-era pleasure boats. With only 68 keys across five octaves, compared to the standard 88 keys and seven octaves of a modern grand, and weighing approximately 300 pounds, the piano is modified and routed through guitar amplifiers to produce a heavily distorted tone. This approach underpins the "fuzz gospel" style, characterized by gospel-inspired chord progressions amplified for a raw, overdriven texture.

The band's has been making some great achievements over the years, a 2019 nomination from Black Fret (now Sonic Guild) and consistent airplay on KUTX, where several tracks have been featured as Song of the Day. Their debut single, "Tell Your Mother" (2019), was produced by Vance Powell (known for work with Jack White and Chris Stapleton). Other releases like "Good Days" (2019) where produced by Austin Jenkins (Leon Bridges, White Denim) with contributions from Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas) and mixed at Abbey Road Studios; in 2020 they hit us with "Believer" co-produced with Abhi the Nomad; and others. As of late 2025, the discography consists primarily of singles and one EP, with no full-length album yet released.

Dr. JOE has performed at venues across the U.S., including recent appearances at Globe Hall in Denver and in Evergreen, Colorado, delivering energetic, piano-led sets.

Beyond the band, Sparacino leads the Hella Ivory initiative, which involves restoring discarded pianos and placing them in public spaces around Austin. The group's music is represented for licensing by Secret Road Music, with placements in advertising, television, and film.

We join the fans hoping for a full album to soon come. Our team will do our best to keep you up to date on any new music emerging from this camp and as always support snd shop Soundwave. Thank you for reading, keep rocking!

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