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As his borrowed last name might imply, Jeff Joad's songwriting is aimed squarely at the life and times of the common man. Developing on John Steinbeck's concept, he draws a parallel with what is happening now on the streets of our cities and towns and the struggle that faced a great portion of our people following the collapse of the banking institution in the late 1920's. Using the "dust bowl" heritage of folk songwriting greats like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, Jeff's energies were originally only directed toward the plight of the homeless man. But more recently he has been writing about the need to restore basic rights and freedoms guaranteed by the US Constitution but eroded by the government over the last eight years. Since coming out of semi-retirement, he feels his calling now includes providing a voice for the middle class working man and woman, bringing to light the disasterous effects of thirty years of Regannomics. And of course, to rail against the Ultra-Conservative's concerted efforts to marginalize their quality of life. His activist record speaks for itself.

Jeff has donated profits from his critically acclaimed debut album “Time For A Change” to homeless shelters and hunger outreach programs throughout Southern California. He has spearheaded canned food drives in the form of admission to his live performances. His first album has logged airplay on dozens of college campuses across the country from Plainfield, Vermont to Berkeley, California. “Time For A Change” has also received airplay on major stations here in the Los Angeles area.

Time For A Change cover art

Jeff Joad & the JoadsTime For A Change

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Released in 1990, Time For A Change the debut album by singer-songwriter Jeff Joad marked a watershed moment for the artist. Raised in the pristine spaces of the Pacific Northwest, Mr. Joad's re-location to the crowded, barrio area of Burbank, California in the San Fernando Valley awakened in him an awareness to many of the social ills that still plague our country today. Written and recorded almost entirely by Jeff and drummer Paul Black, this CD set the template for Jeff’s songwriting for the next ten years. A must-own for every fan of socially conscious folk-rock.

As his borrowed last name implies, Ojai singer-songwriter Jeff Joad (who recently performed in Highway 150 Revisited: Songs of Bob Dylan) is a spiritual descendent of John Steinbeck. His sometimes political music (laced with humor and heart) speaks truth to power as he sees it. His first album Time For A Change drew parallels between what is happening on the streets of our cities today and the social ills of The Great Depression. His follow-up album Judgment Of The Flame expanded on that idea. His music is passionate and compassionate
- The Ojai Valley News

The [Pull Down the] Wall lyrics particularly sharp—yes sir!
- Robert Wyatt