The O'Jeez is a side project of several musicians, similar to the Golden Smog. The Golden Smog was formed from members of Soul Asylum, the Jayhawks, Wilco, and Run Westy Run by combining musicians in the Minneapolis area. Originally Dave Pirner was drumming for the Golden Smog, just like he had in Loud Fast Rules (which became Soul Asylum). Other members included Dave Murphy (Soul Asylum), Marc Perlman (Jayhawks), Gary Louis (Jayhawks), Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Kraig Johnson (Run Westy Run) and Noah Levy (The Honeydogs).
The Geraldine Fibbers were referred to Jessy Greene and she became one of their violinists. While touring with the Golden Smog, Jessy made a decision to leave the Geraldine Fibbers. She left after finishing the album Butch, becoming a member of the Jayhawks (and the Golden Smog) as a violinist. (How did the Geraldine Fibbers feel? Lets just say there video for "California Tuffy" includes a burning violin being smashed to bits.) Then sometime in the summer of '97, Jessy, Kraig, and Dave got together and played at the 400 club in Minneapolis. They were recording by that winter and had 10 recorded songs by December 23. By April of '98 at least 14 songs were worked out and ready to go. The songs were never officially released.
So where did they get the name? From this comment: "Oh Geez its Golden Smog all over again!"
The emphasis of the O'Jeez was on song writing rather than performance, and the band members used instruments that were different than what they were previously well known for.
(Jester) Previously played the violin and viola and sang backup vocals. With O'Jeez she played guitar, and picked up the violin only for "Walk at the Lake". When I spoke with her she suggested taking non-classical violin lessons, since she took Cajun lessons herself. Find her playing violin on Butch or Lost Somewhere Between the Earth and My Home by the Geraldine Fibbers, or Sound of Lies by the Jayhawks. Currently in the band Viovoom. Check them out at www.viovoom.com.
(Stew) Known for playing guitar with Run Westy Run and the Jayhawks, he played the bass in O'Jeez. Has a new band, Iffy. Check it out at www.iffy.net.
(Reno) Known for playing guitar and singing/songwriting for Soul Asylum, but started out on the drums in Loud Fast Rules. He plays the drums, picks up a trumpet, and a recorder in O'Jeez. He has also done some producing work for a few other bands, Gazebo Princess is the name of one of them. Has done solo work and continues to be a part of Soul Asylum. His webpage is located at: http://www.davepirner.com/.