It started out with just me, singing and playing a piano. Playing my songs that I wrote. Then over time I formed a couple of bands, worked on a couple of projects and now...
It's just me and a piano again, singing and playing songs that I write. It has always been my natural inclination after an "event" to run to my piano and capture my reaction in the form of a song. I've done this since I was a child and I probably will continue to do this until I drop...
John Bis
My songs are like my children. Like with children, there comes the time for them to leave the nest, whether you think they're ready or not... Welcome to "The Hobonaut Legacy", a collection of Un-Mastered Demos from my days as a Hobonaut.
All songs written and performed by John Bis.
All recordings produced by Ahmed Mahmoud.
Now available on iTunes.
Blendre Music
Copyright © 2022
The music of The Hobonauts has distinctive influences spanning from the lyrics of Morrissey to the catchy hooks of 60s pop. The songs are inspired by John Lennon as much as they are inspired by Isaac Asimov.
The process of recording these songs began at a humble, home studio, just minutes from Manhattan. Then Hurricane Sandy hit and everything stopped. Two years later at a professional recording studio, the pieces were put back together and this collection was born. Sea Monkeys In Space is a whimsical look at topics such as "strokes of insight" (Turn Off My Left Brain), "liberating emotional breakdowns" (I Love My Lava Lamp), "ambiguous cyborgs" (Dance Robutt Dance) and plain old "rising from the ashes" (Meet You In The Sky). When I first wrote the songs for this EP, I never dreamed that it would take so long to record and release them. It's been a long journey to get these songs completed and now that the dust has settled and the project is no more, all I can remember is the music, not the conflict.
I sang and played keyboards on these tracks. Ahmed Mahmoud played the guitar parts and sang backups along with carrying recording engineer duties. The band artwork was created by Roxanne Mulcahy.
Now available on iTunes.
Hobonaut Music
Copyright © 2014
On The Day After I Die was the last track recorded at Hobonaut Studios. For legal reasons it was released as a Blendre song. The lyrics were inspired by the writings of the philosopher, Emanuel Swedenborg. This piece speaks about the pressure we feel when we place self imposed deadlines over our heads. Hearing the final product, it's hard to imagine that this song was written on just a Wurlitzer Console Piano.
Now available on iTunes.
BFDM Tunes
Copyright © 2015
The band Blendre had it's roots in the alternative, skate, punk and pop genres. High energy, garage sounds topped off with lyrics that evoke feelings of rebellion and adrenaline filled contemplation.
Founded by Edmund Mulcahy and myself. The band recorded 2 albums, played at the "New York City Marathon", the "911 Concert at Battery Park" and has toured the United States playing concerts and shows at skate festivals. Though the group, Blendre has disbanded, the songs from both EPs, Off The Ground and Fingers Crossed For Fuses continue to be heard on Indie Radio stations around the world..
The band line up featured, Adam Kestin and Jason Shaw on guitars and backing vocals, Edmund Mulcahy on drums and percussion and myself on bass, keys and lead vocals. When Adam departed, Jason took his place, changing the bands sound. This is why both releases sound vastly different. All songs were written by Bis/Mulcahy.
Now available on iTunes.
Blendre Music
Copyright © 1996 - 2015
Tears Of The Tearful is an original song, that has an arrangement meant to evoke the same "feel" as Sarah McLachlan's "Angel". It was written to be used in the background to a Kickstarter video for the indie film, "Whatever Goes TV: The Movie". The fund raising video itself, was made to spoof the ASPCA ads that used the McLachlan tune.
"Tears Of The Tearful" is beautifully sung by singer, Ryan Kelly. Even though this is a scratch recording, I thought it deserved it's day in the sun. It was great working with Ryan because she's smart, funny and a good singer. She got the "joke". She knew how to deliver a performance that suited the bigger picture. In the end I believe this recording played a big part in making the Kickstarter campaign a success.
Rachael's World Theme Song was written for the TV Pilot, "Rachael's World". A throw back to the sitcoms of the 80s, the show was a mix between "Strangers With Candy" and the "Facts Of Life" The song captured all the fun and irreverence of the show it represented. Ryan Kelly did a great job singing both of these, very different songs.
Written By John Bis
Sung By Ryan Kelly
Blendre Music
Copyright © 2013
It's just me and a piano again, singing and playing songs that I write. It has always been my natural inclination after an "event" to run to my piano and capture my reaction in the form of a song. I've done this since I was a child and I probably will continue to do this until I drop...
John Bis
My songs are like my children. Like with children, there comes the time for them to leave the nest, whether you think they're ready or not... Welcome to "The Hobonaut Legacy", a collection of Un-Mastered Demos from my days as a Hobonaut.
All songs written and performed by John Bis.
All recordings produced by Ahmed Mahmoud.
Now available on iTunes.
Blendre Music
Copyright © 2022
The music of The Hobonauts has distinctive influences spanning from the lyrics of Morrissey to the catchy hooks of 60s pop. The songs are inspired by John Lennon as much as they are inspired by Isaac Asimov.
The process of recording these songs began at a humble, home studio, just minutes from Manhattan. Then Hurricane Sandy hit and everything stopped. Two years later at a professional recording studio, the pieces were put back together and this collection was born. Sea Monkeys In Space is a whimsical look at topics such as "strokes of insight" (Turn Off My Left Brain), "liberating emotional breakdowns" (I Love My Lava Lamp), "ambiguous cyborgs" (Dance Robutt Dance) and plain old "rising from the ashes" (Meet You In The Sky). When I first wrote the songs for this EP, I never dreamed that it would take so long to record and release them. It's been a long journey to get these songs completed and now that the dust has settled and the project is no more, all I can remember is the music, not the conflict.
I sang and played keyboards on these tracks. Ahmed Mahmoud played the guitar parts and sang backups along with carrying recording engineer duties. The band artwork was created by Roxanne Mulcahy.
Now available on iTunes.
Hobonaut Music
Copyright © 2014
On The Day After I Die was the last track recorded at Hobonaut Studios. For legal reasons it was released as a Blendre song. The lyrics were inspired by the writings of the philosopher, Emanuel Swedenborg. This piece speaks about the pressure we feel when we place self imposed deadlines over our heads. Hearing the final product, it's hard to imagine that this song was written on just a Wurlitzer Console Piano.
Now available on iTunes.
BFDM Tunes
Copyright © 2015
The band Blendre had it's roots in the alternative, skate, punk and pop genres. High energy, garage sounds topped off with lyrics that evoke feelings of rebellion and adrenaline filled contemplation.
Founded by Edmund Mulcahy and myself. The band recorded 2 albums, played at the "New York City Marathon", the "911 Concert at Battery Park" and has toured the United States playing concerts and shows at skate festivals. Though the group, Blendre has disbanded, the songs from both EPs, Off The Ground and Fingers Crossed For Fuses continue to be heard on Indie Radio stations around the world..
The band line up featured, Adam Kestin and Jason Shaw on guitars and backing vocals, Edmund Mulcahy on drums and percussion and myself on bass, keys and lead vocals. When Adam departed, Jason took his place, changing the bands sound. This is why both releases sound vastly different. All songs were written by Bis/Mulcahy.
Now available on iTunes.
Blendre Music
Copyright © 1996 - 2015
Tears Of The Tearful is an original song, that has an arrangement meant to evoke the same "feel" as Sarah McLachlan's "Angel". It was written to be used in the background to a Kickstarter video for the indie film, "Whatever Goes TV: The Movie". The fund raising video itself, was made to spoof the ASPCA ads that used the McLachlan tune.
"Tears Of The Tearful" is beautifully sung by singer, Ryan Kelly. Even though this is a scratch recording, I thought it deserved it's day in the sun. It was great working with Ryan because she's smart, funny and a good singer. She got the "joke". She knew how to deliver a performance that suited the bigger picture. In the end I believe this recording played a big part in making the Kickstarter campaign a success.
Rachael's World Theme Song was written for the TV Pilot, "Rachael's World". A throw back to the sitcoms of the 80s, the show was a mix between "Strangers With Candy" and the "Facts Of Life" The song captured all the fun and irreverence of the show it represented. Ryan Kelly did a great job singing both of these, very different songs.
Written By John Bis
Sung By Ryan Kelly
Blendre Music
Copyright © 2013