The original band line-up consisted of Kerry Renninger on drums, Rick Snell on bass, and Rez on guitar and vocals. Rez had been a member of Chyld, a Pottsville, PA based band which had scored a deal with New Rennaissance Records. The band released a record "Conception" in 1998 to much critical acclaim in the States, Europe, and Japan. Unfortunately, bad business practices ultimately lead to the demise of the band.
Kerry Renninger and Rick Snell had played together in many Reading, PA based bands off and on since high-school. Kerry and Rick were in the band Scaredey Catwhen they were in need of a guitarist. Scaredey Cat were regional favorites playing clubs in PA, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware and had the opportunity to open for various national acts such as Quiet Riot, Heaven's Edge, and Dirty Looks. Kerry and Rez had met years before when Kerry's band, Tux, opened for Chyld. WHen Scaredey Cat was looking for a guitarist, Kerry called Rez. Scaredey Cat evolved into the Sun Dogs who had a nice run on the regional scene. As the Sun Dogs wound down, Rez, Rick, and Kerry started "The Joker".
Not long after inception, guitarist TOm Clark came aboard. The band recorded a five song EP in 1995 called "Straight Jacket Sex", played numerous local shows, and opened for various national acts including Quiet Riot. Eventually, the band faded but the members' friendships remained intact. Over the past years, the band members all pursued different interests and projects both musical and non-musical.
Fast forward to the year 2004. Kerry and Rez started to collaborate with a local songwriter and a few of the old "Joker" songs reappeared. The need to play and record straight ahead rock songs was back.
Following two years of songwriting and recording, and the addition of Todd Hinnershitz on bass, The Joker rose again, and the band is currently performing live, loud, rock shows with reckless abandon... In the words of Lemmy - "Don't forget the Joker!"
