Biography
Seth Justman lacks the widespread recognition of Ray Manzarek among rock keyboardists and does not share the signature contemporary approach of Cars virtuoso Greg Hawkes, yet like the rest of the J. Geils Band he embodies Euclid's principle that the collective exceeds its individual components. His production expertise, compositional input, and sonic contributions proved indispensable to the ensemble that delivered his own commercial breakthrough, matching the impact of any other participant.
Online searches yield the predictable volume of results stemming from his songwriting and production credits on several key group successes. Detailed fan-site entries offer revealing portraits of the musician responsible for "Just Can't Wait" and the complete Love Stinks album following earlier collaborations with Peter Wolf. Although Barry & the Remains supported the Beatles in 1966, the J. Geils Band held the title of New England's foremost act. Their original Atlantic Records contract, detailed in Fred Goodman's The Mansion on the Hill, came about through radio-promotion executive Mario Medious, who arranged an introduction to Jerry Wexler for the ultimately scrapped Jon Landau sessions that excluded Justman.
Before linking with Peter Wolf, Danny Klein, Stephen Bladd, and Magic Dick, Justman attended Boston University. J. Geils later recounted to AMG that Seth arrived a year or two afterward, attending numerous performances and closing nights by playing Otis Spann material at the piano; as the youngest member and a capable performer, he prompted the suggestion that the band consider adding him. Discovery that Justman owned a Hammond organ and Leslie cabinet—rather than a B3—led to a rehearsal invitation. Stephen Bladd, an admirer of the Rascals' organ-driven sound, endorsed the move, and after roughly a song and a half the group declared him in. J. Geils also recalled Peter Wolf appreciating the sound yet remarking on the instrument's appearance with the observation that the piece of furniture resembled something from his grandmother's living room.
Justman emerged as a principal author of original material and the guiding production force that elevated the band beyond the commercial reach of earlier Atlantic efforts helmed by Bill Szymczyk, Brad Shapiro, and Geoffrey Haslam. With Monkey Island his skills reached full expression, shaping the group's most radio-ready EMI America singles—"Centerfold," "Freeze Frame," "Love Stinks," and "Just Can't Wait"—all crafted for immediate airplay. His brother Paul Justman directed numerous J. Geils Band videos.
An early co-write with Peter Wolf, "Wait" from the band's debut Atlantic album, later appeared in recordings by Lew Lewis, the Inmates, and Dave Edmunds, though soundtrack placements brought wider attention. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts included "Love Stinks" in the 1996 film Mr. Wrong; the J. Geils Band version featured in 1998's The Wedding Singer; and in 1999 actor French Stewart, known from Third Rock From the Sun, portrayed a character named Justman in a film titled after the song, with the title track performed by Ms. Toi/Himalayaz. The coincidence of the lead role sharing the keyboardist's name is difficult to dismiss. Shortly afterward, "Freeze Frame" surfaced in the 2000 film Lucky Numbers.
Justman might have been expected to pursue further production and film projects. He did produce Debbie Harry's second solo album, Rockbird, released in 1986, co-writing "Buckle Up," "You Got Me in Trouble," and "Free to Fall" with Blondie, and contributed arrangement work on "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" for the Standing in the Shadows of Motown documentary directed and co-produced by his brother Paul Justman. An elusive yet gifted figure, the final addition to the J. Geils Band remains its most contradictory member.
Online searches yield the predictable volume of results stemming from his songwriting and production credits on several key group successes. Detailed fan-site entries offer revealing portraits of the musician responsible for "Just Can't Wait" and the complete Love Stinks album following earlier collaborations with Peter Wolf. Although Barry & the Remains supported the Beatles in 1966, the J. Geils Band held the title of New England's foremost act. Their original Atlantic Records contract, detailed in Fred Goodman's The Mansion on the Hill, came about through radio-promotion executive Mario Medious, who arranged an introduction to Jerry Wexler for the ultimately scrapped Jon Landau sessions that excluded Justman.
Before linking with Peter Wolf, Danny Klein, Stephen Bladd, and Magic Dick, Justman attended Boston University. J. Geils later recounted to AMG that Seth arrived a year or two afterward, attending numerous performances and closing nights by playing Otis Spann material at the piano; as the youngest member and a capable performer, he prompted the suggestion that the band consider adding him. Discovery that Justman owned a Hammond organ and Leslie cabinet—rather than a B3—led to a rehearsal invitation. Stephen Bladd, an admirer of the Rascals' organ-driven sound, endorsed the move, and after roughly a song and a half the group declared him in. J. Geils also recalled Peter Wolf appreciating the sound yet remarking on the instrument's appearance with the observation that the piece of furniture resembled something from his grandmother's living room.
Justman emerged as a principal author of original material and the guiding production force that elevated the band beyond the commercial reach of earlier Atlantic efforts helmed by Bill Szymczyk, Brad Shapiro, and Geoffrey Haslam. With Monkey Island his skills reached full expression, shaping the group's most radio-ready EMI America singles—"Centerfold," "Freeze Frame," "Love Stinks," and "Just Can't Wait"—all crafted for immediate airplay. His brother Paul Justman directed numerous J. Geils Band videos.
An early co-write with Peter Wolf, "Wait" from the band's debut Atlantic album, later appeared in recordings by Lew Lewis, the Inmates, and Dave Edmunds, though soundtrack placements brought wider attention. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts included "Love Stinks" in the 1996 film Mr. Wrong; the J. Geils Band version featured in 1998's The Wedding Singer; and in 1999 actor French Stewart, known from Third Rock From the Sun, portrayed a character named Justman in a film titled after the song, with the title track performed by Ms. Toi/Himalayaz. The coincidence of the lead role sharing the keyboardist's name is difficult to dismiss. Shortly afterward, "Freeze Frame" surfaced in the 2000 film Lucky Numbers.
Justman might have been expected to pursue further production and film projects. He did produce Debbie Harry's second solo album, Rockbird, released in 1986, co-writing "Buckle Up," "You Got Me in Trouble," and "Free to Fall" with Blondie, and contributed arrangement work on "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" for the Standing in the Shadows of Motown documentary directed and co-produced by his brother Paul Justman. An elusive yet gifted figure, the final addition to the J. Geils Band remains its most contradictory member.