Josh Miesmer first learned blues guitar from the well-known teacher, author of instructional books, columnist (Guitar Player magazine), and senior editor (Guitar One magazine) Dave Rubin. Through high school he put his learning to use in a ska/dub band called the Crumb Tynees, before going off to Bennington College for further study of the jazz guitar. While there, Miesmer also began to write and perform with his own jazz band. After a move back to New York City, he quit jazz and began playing the bass guitar in various rock (Duckwood, Peck Slip, Chris Max) and Afro-beat (Synopsis) groups, before striking out on his own in the bands Downie and the Ferns and then finally going solo under the pseudonym Mr. Forky. Miesmer next contacted Johnny Society frontman Kenny Siegal, who he had known when both his band Duckwood and Siegal's first combo Hunk were signed to a deal with the same Polygram publisher, to produce his songs for a debut recording. The resulting record, Mr. Forky, was released by Fang Records in the summer of 2002. A tour with Johnny Society followed. ~ Stanton Swihart, All Music Guide