Also known as No Evidence of Disease Years active 2008–present | Genres alternative rock Labels Motéma Music | |
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Members John Bogess
Joanie M. Hope
Nimesh Nagarsheth
William "Rusty" Robinson
John Soper
William Winter | ||
No Evidence of Disease or N.E.D. is an adult-oriented alternative/folk rock band whose members are all medical doctors, mostly gynecologists and gynecologic oncologists. Their members include John Bogess, M.D. on lead vocals, guitar, and harmonica; Joanie M. Hope, M.D. on lead vocals and guitar; robotic surgeon Nimesh Nagarsheth, M.D. on drums and percussion; William "Rusty" Robinson, M.D. on bass and harmonica, John Soper, M.D. on guitar, slide guitar, and mandolin; and William Winter, M.D. on guitar and backing vocals. They made their self-titled debut on Motéma Music in 2009, and followed with a self-produced CD in 2010 titled 6 Degrees. They have been profiled by Lifetime Television and thinkMTV.com, and are the subject of the documentary No Evidence of Disease produced by Spark Media. Their songs focus on emotional content and make no explicit cancer references.
Contents
History
The band formed to play at the annual medical conference of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance in 2008 and decided that it should be more than just a side project. Their musical style is derived from U2, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Foo Fighters, Rush, Weezer, and Natalie Merchant.
One of the goals of the band is to increase awareness and education about women's cancers. Says John Bogess, "“GYN cancers are not things people talk about in our culture, and they’re woefully underfunded and misunderstood. “We really believe that we’re starting a conversation. Because there are worse things than getting cancer, and that’s feeling isolated and without help and understanding.” Their song lyrics deal with issues of hope and survival, as well as partying and relationships. The band members have the case studies that show that music therapy is beneficial to the healing of cancer patients, and that is the band's mission.
Documentary
A 2013 documentary about the band, also titled No Evidence of Disease, was directed by Andrea Kalin. The film is about the life of the band as well as their patients, their families, and cancer awareness advocates.
Education and Advocacy
N.E.D. is an official part of Marjorie J. Johnson Uterine Cancer Education Fund, a Portland, Oregon, based charity named for a musician who died of uterine cancer.
In 2010, Nagarsheth's Music and Cancer: A Prescription for Healing, which quotes his and his bandmates' songs, was published by Jones & Bartlett Learning. Dr. Nagarsheth also gave a talk at 92YTribeca about the topic.