Jeff “Ffej” Herb
Vital Statistics

Personal Bio
    Jeff is the youngest member of Number Nine.  Easy-going and friendly, this highly creative multi-instrumentalist enjoys home recording, writing songs, reading books about music/musicians (especially the Beatles!), listening to music, watching movies, and wasting time with his wife, Brandi.  He began playing the snare drum in the 4th grade because it was the only instrument he was allowed to pursue since lessons in school were free and an instrument did not have to be rented.  He acquired a snare drum from his uncle's basement and he was on his way.  At age 12, he began playing the drum kit in earnest and has never looked back.  Music eventually took over his life to the point where it became pretty much the only thing that interested him.  That's not a bad thing, though.  In high school, he was President of the Shamokin Area High School Band and was also a member of the jazz band, chorus and percussion ensemble.  His past drumming credentials include work in the original bands Blather’s Kite, Bunker Hill and Victoria’s Secret Service (he was also a founding member of all three bands) before joining Number Nine in May, 1999, where his off-the-wall sense of humor fits in perfectly with the “other four guys from Berks County.”  Actually, Jeff’s not originally from Berks County...he’s hails from good ol’ Shamokin, PA, a city in Pennsylvania’s north-east coal region.

    His favorite Beatle songs include: “Across the Universe,” “Penny Lane,” “I Am the Walrus,” “With a Little Help From My Friends,” “A Day in the Life,” “Ticket to Ride,” “Happiness is a Warm Gun,” “When I’m Sixty-Four,” “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” “I’m Only Sleeping,” “She Said She Said,” “Rain,” “A Hard Day’s Night” and side two of Abbey Road...just to name but a few!  Aside from listening to the Beatles, Jeff enjoys the music of Rush, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Phish, R.E.M., Primus, The Doors, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones and a bevy of others.  In the group, Jeff co-handles bookings with Tom and also maintains the mailing list and newsletter.  He also creates the Beatles quizzes for every show.  Aside from all these duties, he still finds time to manage and update the band’s web site.  “Despite my age,” he says, “I still know more about the Beatles than the rest of the guys in the band...heh  heh heh!”

Personal Beatle Stories

Paul McCartney "Driving U.S.A." Tour 2002

"Paul still has it!  His performance on April 16 at the First Union Center in Philadelphia was fantastic!  He performed more than twenty Beatles classics, including "Hello Goodbye," "Lady Madonna," "Getting Better," "Hey Jude," "Yesterday," "Eleanor Rigby," "Let It Be," "The Long and Winding Road" and more!  He even played "Mother Nature's Son" and did a tribute to George Harrison, performing "Something" on the ukulele.  Aside from the slew of Beatles tunes, he performed some great Wings classics like "Band on the Run," "Jet" and "Live and Let Die."  He also played some new material from his Driving Rain album and the Vanilla Sky soundtrack.  All in all, Paul performed for about 2 1/2 hours straight through with no break!  His band of unknown musicians (except Wix on keyboards) was great!  Paul can still deliver the goods...and he's pushing sixty!"

     “I was fortunate enough to visit the wonderful city of London in the summer of 1999 on my honeymoon with my wife, Brandi.  One of the highlights of the trip was a Beatles/Rock and Roll London tour and actually getting to walk across Abbey Road...about six times!  I even took off my shoes as a nod to Paul!  Of course, I have about eight pictures to prove it!  We also got to see lots of other interesting Beatle-related places, like Paul’s Cavendish Avenue home, and memorabilia at the Hard Rock Cafe, including Lennon’s black Rickenbacker guitar!”

    “In high school, we took a class trip to New York City and I remember taking a cab to Central Park, then walking through the park to the Dakota building where John lived and was later murdered.  What an amazing, albeit disturbing, experience.  We also visited Strawberry Fields, the tribute to Lennon, which is basically right across the street.  There always seems to be flowers there no matter when you visit.”

    “Another great Beatle experience was actually getting to see Paul McCartney in concert at Veteran’s Stadium in Philadelphia during his 1990 “Flowers in the Dirt” tour.  I got the tickets from an ad in the newspaper for $35 each (actual cost).  They were upper level (nosebleeds) with an obstructed view (which turned out to be a big pole).  Luckily, it wasn’t blocking Paul, except for one or two songs.  But I had binoculars and there were large screens onto which images of the band were projected.  He played lots of Beatles songs, including a tribute to John (probably due to the 10th anniversary of his death) with “Help,” “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Give Peace a Chance.”  That was really cool!  Even though the seats pretty much sucked, it was a fantastic show and I can say that I saw an actual Beatle live in concert!  Our seats were so far away, that I heard the drums about a second after he hit the drum heads!  Were were in a different zip code!  But he did play a lot of my favorite songs at the time!  Paul’s the man!”

    "Perhaps the most meaningful Beatle experience I've ever had was attending the John Lennon gathering in Central Park, NYC on December 8, 2000, to pay tribute to John on the 20th anniversary of his tragic death.  Hundreds of fans were drawn to Strawberry Fields, where a group of musicians performed while the large group of fans held lit candles and sang Beatles and solo John Lennon songs.  It was indeed a very moving spiritual experience.  I literally sang until I was on the verge of losing my voice!  The fact that I had a sore throat and it was 15 degrees outside didn't help much either.  Brandi, Don Birnesser, Vinny and I traveled to the city together via train from New Jersey, and visited Strawberry Fields, the Dakota Building, where we left candles and an apple, and paid our respects.  The day was dreary and bitter cold, but we overlooked the intolerable conditions.  Even though we were mourning the death of John, we were also celebrating his life as a singer, songwriter, musician, artist, and person.  It turned out to be quite an uplifting experience...a celebration of the life of John Lennon.  Then, to cap off the day, we attended a screening of the newly re-released A Hard Day's Night film!  It was truly awesome to see it on the big screen, and ended a very worthwhile trip to NYC."

Listen to Jeff's version of "I'm Only Sleeping"...he plays everything!

  Visit Jeff's personal web site, featuring his original music!

   Check out herbie, an original band featuring Jeff on drums (info, schedule, mp3 samples, etc.)!
  Check out music by Jeff's recording project,  Cosmic Vending Machine!