American Standard Band

Formed in Worcester, Massachusetts, The American Standard Band was a five man group that gained significant notice in the 1970s and early ’80s on both the local and national level. Kevin Falvey: Lead singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and co-founder. Cliff Goodwin: Lead guitarist and co-founder. Deric Dyer: Saxes, keyboards, and second lead vocalist. Howard Hersh: Bass player John Riley: Drums ASB toured extensively around New England for several years, focused on what could best be described as hip pop music. Strong on vocal harmonies, high-level musicianship and a fair share of showmanship, they carved out a successful place as a live act. They had an active following and continued to mature as a band over time. In the late mid-1970s, they connected with Dan Cole Productions and formed a relationship that led to new opportunities, including producing a number of demo recordings of their material, and obtaining an audition for ASB to become the backing band for Joe Cocker’s comeback effort starting in 1976. Joe liked what he heard and they were hired to become his band for the next year and a half, touring in Australia and South America, as well as playing gigs in the US. In the meantime, Island Records had heard good things about the band and signed ASB to an independent production agreement through Dan Cole Productions. The band recorded two albums with Island, the first received very good reviews, but failed to be promoted well due to issues by Island’s marketing distribution rights through the Warner Bros. music conglomerate. With a massive recession at the start of the 1980s that damaged the music industry as a whole, the band’s second album has never been released and the option on the band’s contract was not picked up by Island. Falvey continued songwriting and producing music until his early passing in 1999. Goodwin continued to play for Cocker for most of the 1980’s and found success as a sideman for a number of notable music acts. Hersh and Dyer also continued with Cocker and each found similar success as side- and session men with a variety of known artists.