First of all you need to know that Edison and Hirsch both quit smoking long ago and look 20 years younger than these pics. We are only 39-years-old and were even younger when these shots were taken ... smoking is a bad thing and we realize that now. Sorry. We strongly feel that we are great reformed role models for teenagers to twenty-somethings worldwide. Again, sorry, can't seem to find a file photo without us smoking, which just shows you how insidious tobacco additives are ...
More about Edison can be found here
More about Lonnie can be found here
FAQ and interview...
Question: Some people aren't familiar with the names 'EDISON & HIRSCH' or your music, can you give us some background here?
Answer: Hirsch: That's because our names don't get mentioned much, but we do radio and TV commercials and industrial videos in Japan- a few for Europe and couple for North America. I'd say a few hundred to date. We sell you the cars that pollute your skies and the colas that rot your guts with cute, soulful or fun music. Really dastardly, we know, but we have to eat too and corporations and governments do it all the time.
Q: Ah ... Hundreds? Why aren't you guys rich and famous?
A: Hirsch: We are ... Edison: Because we work in Japan. Creative arts are at the bottom of the feeding chain ...
Q: So what was the idea behind your releases?
A: Hirsch: Uh ... frustration mostly ... Edison: Nothing special ...
Q: Do you plan to release more?
A: Hirsch: Yes, the response has been great.
Q: And what styles do they like?
A: Hirsch: Well, we're thinking about a new genre called "genre". Our stuff would fit in that genre well, and it's less confusing that way.
Q: How do you classify something like that?
A. That's a bit of a problem for us, especially in trying to get the word out and get heard by djs and radio stations and such. Our genre is "all of the above". Edison is classically trained, yet he has the unique ability to take a musical concept and run with it. As a kid I held a transistor radio to my ear and sang along with everyone from the Coasters to Jimmy Reed to the Beatles and from Elvis Presley to Patsy Cline to Johnny Mathis. Look, we both grew up with everything that was popular music of the day, from the 50's to the present. I believe that the current genre driven market has fractured the listener's ability to find good music and has alienated mature adults from the marketplace. It's all pre-packaged happy meals, no substitutions please. Genres?
Q: I hear a little C&W in some of your tracks, when did you play country?
A: Hirsch: I actually got hired by a club owner when I was playing with a top 40 nightclub band back in the 80s. He picked me up after my band was done for the night and took me to his club, it was still rocking way past 2 AM. He introduced me to his band, I got up and sang the only country/rock tune I knew, and I was hired. With this band I got a crash course in classic and modern C&W and Rock-a-Billy and shared the stage with Hank Williams Jr, Johnny Paycheck, Little Jimmy Dickens and others that slip my mind now.
Q.: What does C&W music mean to you personally?
A.: "Cunningly Worded" or "Cuddly and Warm" You can talk about those feelings one wouldn't share with strangers over a beer, yet can listen to a stranger sing about over an evening of beers in room full of strangers.
Q.: How important is the world-wide presence of C&W music in your eyes?
A.: Not much.
Q.: What are your future plans?
A.: Music. More music. And then more music.
Q.: Who was your model role in C&W music?
A.: Well, Johnny Paycheck barfed a whole chimney glass of peppermint schnapps on my microphone ... that was classy.
Q.: Why do you prefer making C&W over other music-styles?
A.: I have no idea what you're talking about. Have you really listened to any of our stuff?
Q.: Will you make a tour through Europe with "It's All About the Money?
A.: You booking us?
Q.: What do you think about mixing C&W music with pop?
A.: I understand that purists don't like that idea much, but if the music is worthy of a listen, get off your narrow mindedness and listen. But more importantly, get online and buy a CD from that artist you like, whether they're making records on their own, like us, or on a big label.
Q.: Which arguments would you use in order to convince someone that C&W music is the best music there is?
A.: There you go again ...
Q.: What has been your greatest success in C&W music so far?
A.: Geeze, again with the C&W ... greatest success .. ah ... this interview, of course. Oh, no, is our 15 minutes over already?
Come on Edison, we've still got the Chinese and Indian markets to conquer. I've got this great idea for a sitar solo...in a song about a cow...yeah...that's it...and then another in which, ah, ... Confucius is cycling down a pastoral road when he's struck by Taoist day labourer in an oxcart ... no, wait, no bicycles yet ... anyway ... tempers flair and philosophical pursuits are threatened ... then these two ... discuss the promise versus the reality of communism ... naw, too boring, and marx hadn't been thought of yet ... how about a little ditty about giving the farmer's daughter a ride in the back-seat of a new Chinese-made GM Cadirrac ... yeah, that's the ticket ...