The Rosemary Pure is celebrating 10 years together with the release of its fourth studio album.
By: Jim Boyle
The sound emanates from the basement of the house in West Windsor. Traveling up the long driveway, the music gets louder. Thumping drumbeat, pounding bass and crashing guitars fill the air, signaling the sound of The Rosemary Pure.
The foursome is rehearsing for a show the next day at the Pontiac Grille in Philadelphia. They used to practice in New Brunswick, but due to noise complaints, The Rosemary Pure had to move to guitarist and lead vocalist Kiki Parry’s home because of its more isolated setting.
"Yeah, it’s pretty secluded," she says. "But I’m about to get 9,000 new neighbors. Toll Brothers bought the land across the street and are starting to build a development."
"Cookies?" asks a voice from behind the drum set. Chip Morrow overheard only part of the conversation, mistaking the multi-million dollar real estate developers for Toll House, as in chocolate chip cookies.
Naturally, the remaining members, including Ms. Parry, lead guitarist Joanna Coopersmith and bassist Neil Odell, throw back some sarcastic comments. It’s the kind of good-natured ribbing used by bands that have been through it all.
The Rosemary Pure is celebrating 10 years together with the release of its fourth album, TIN. The party continues with shows at the 5 Spot in Philadelphia April 11, Court Tavern in New Brunswick April 12 and Triumph Brewery in Princeton May 8.
Their latest effort continues the group’s commitment to straightforward hard rock. With all the highs and lows the music industry suffers, The Rosemary Pure has remained true to its sound.
"We came out at the height of grunge, but we weren’t grunge," says Mr. Morrow. "Then that started to die out and alternative, our music, became mainstream for a while, which was good for us. We continued to progress and we used some of the styles that came around. In the new album, we use some electronic music for the first time."
The Rosemary Pure formed in 1992 after Ms. Coopersmith and Ms. Parry crossed paths with Mr. Morrow and Mr. Odell at the now demolished Melody Bar in New Brunswick. Once everybody discovered they had similar tastes, they decided to join forces.
"Neil and I were already in a band," says Mr. Morrow. "But we just did cover songs on the weekend. Nobody else was really serious about it."
Originally a quintet, the band lost guitarist Andrew Hendry to domestic life four years ago. It was an amicable split, and Mr. Hendry still shows up to watch his old colleagues from time to time.
"I don’t think he would if we replaced him," says Madison resident Mr. Morrow. "I think if there was someone else on stage in his spot, he would have a problem with that. Instead, we just became the four of us. Kiki went from just the acoustic guitar to the rhythm, and Joanna got to become the lead guitarist. But that’s all ancient history."
Their reputation grew quickly in the New Jersey music community. While several major labels have made promising overtures, The Rosemary Pure remains an indie act, producing its records at TRaMP studios, located at Mr. Odell’s home in Griggstown. With strong relationships with local college stations and Philadelphia’s XPN, they manage to keep their name circulated.
"We’re a grassroots band because we have to be," says Ms. Parry. "We trade the mass-media exposure for the lack of pressure to sell 1,000 units in a week."
"It allows us to do what we want," adds Ms. Coopersmith.
It also creates the need for the members to hold down strong day jobs. Ms. Parry is an art director for a CD manufacturer, Mr. Odell works for AT&T, Ms. Coopersmith is an office manager for a company currently caught in the hectic pace of tax season, and Mr. Morrow works in sales and marketing.
"We do a pretty good job of keeping both things separate," says Mr. Morrow. "We don’t travel too far and plan our schedules around work."
With the advent of the Internet, self-promotion has become a little easier. Besides its own Web site (www.rosemarypure.com), the foursome’s albums are available on Amazon, allowing the fan base to expand outside the East Coast. Hanging up in Ms. Parry’s basement is a letter from a listener in India.
The practice space is pretty much like one would imagine for an independent rock band. The floor is strewn with sound equipment and covered by a web of cords. The two front-women stand side by side facing Mr. Morrow. Off to the side, Mr. Odell sits on a stool, because that’s what bass players do.
With a tap of the drumsticks, they launch into "Mermaid," one of the tracks on TIN. With their busy schedules, they only get about four hours a week to rehearse, but the sound is flawless.
By the way, don’t bother asking where the name comes from, because they’re not telling. They prefer to keep that part a mystery.
"A lot of people think my name is Rosemary," says Ms. Parry. "I guess it’s because I’m the lead singer."
"Whenever people ask where Rosemary is," says Mr. Morrow, "I tell them she’s getting equipment out of the car."
The Rosemary Pure plays at the 5 Spot, 1 S. Bank St., Philadelphia, April 11, 8-10 p.m.; at the Court Tavern, 124 Church St., New Brunswick April 12, 9 p.m. For information, call (732) 545-7265; and at Triumph Brewing Co., 138 Nassau St., Princeton, May 8, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. For information, call (609) 924-7855. On the Web: www.rosemarypure.com

