Pharmacose 5/21/2020 Interview

Pharmacose was formed in 2017 by singer-songwriter-guitarist Wes Jones and producer Lucio Rubino, in
the Jacksonville and St. Augustine, FL area. Previously releasing material under the name Digital Array,
they have since rebranded as Pharmacose– a portmanteau of “pharmaceutical” and “comatose.” Jones,
a Memphis native who played bass in Chicago pop-punk band Cuddle Riot, formed Pharmacose in 2017
with producer Lu Rubino shortly after moving to Jacksonville to pursue new career opportunities. Rubino
is a veteran producer and bassist who has played with Paramore, Storyside B, and The Showdown.
Albert Cruz, who has toured previously with A Flock of Seagulls, came on board to play drums and their
lineup was completed with the addition of Kevin Horne, writer and producer of Flynn, on lead guitar. In
creating their current material, Jones, a medical doctor, decided to open up about his struggles with
bipolar disorder. Their music discusses such themes as reintegration to life in the wake of a manic
episode, and the detrimental side effects of medication necessary to control the disorder. The group
hopes that in addressing these issues, they can raise awareness not just about bipolar disorder, but
mental health as a whole.
Their first single, “Victory at Wit’s End,” peaked # 34 on FMQB Sub Modern Rock Chart, with radio airplay
at Q104.3 New York City, WKQX Chicago, KTCL Denver, WAQX Syracuse, WEDG & WLKK Buffalo, and
more. Their second single, “Checked Out,” has seen radio airplay at KPNT St. Louis, WAQX Syracuse,
WCYY Portland, ME, KJEE Santa Barbara, KFMG Des Moines, KACV Amarillo, KDRT Missoula, MT,
WCSF Joilet, IL, and WQRR Tuscaloosa. The video for “Checked Out” debuted February 4, 2020, on
Pure Grain Audio. It was directed by Kurt St. Thomas, a veteran music video director and former record
label A&R exec, media exec and radio DJ, credited with being the first in America to play Nirvana’s
Nevermind on the radio.
Their latest EP, Prescription Fiction, Part 1, is available on all streaming outlets on 5/1/2020. In June,
they plan to release an official video for Their next single, “The Clearing.” A second EP, entitled
Prescription Fiction, Part 2, will follow later in the year.