The Stepford Five
Band Story
The Stepford Five: From Talent Show Beginnings to Indie Rock Mainstay
What started as a sixth-grade talent show performance in suburban Cleveland has grown into a decade-spanning musical journey for The Stepford Five, an Ohio-based indie rock band known for their textured, guitar-driven sound.
Band members Keith Jenkins (vocals, guitar) and Jason Dziak (guitar, vocals) first connected over a shared love of heavy, distorted guitar music. Through high school and college, they played together in various bands before relocating to Columbus after graduation. Joined by college friend Tim Minneci (bass, vocals), the group was complete with the addition of drummer Mark Kovitya in early 1999.
Within months, the band was recording their debut album at Workbook Studio. The result, Mesh, was released in February 2000 and laid the foundation for their sound—tight rhythms, layered guitars, and emotionally driven lyrics.
Their follow-up album, The Art of Self-Defense (2001), marked a significant step forward. Expanding their sonic palette with the inclusion of Rhodes piano, Farfisa organ, and denser vocal and guitar arrangements, the band distanced themselves from the influences that shaped their debut. Tracks like “Foot Soldier” and “Showing Through” highlighted a more complex and dissonant approach to songwriting.
Despite setbacks—including the theft of their tour van and gear shortly after the album's release—The Stepford Five continued pushing forward. Over the next year and a half, they performed regional shows, completed their first full tour, and recorded the 6 EP, released in April 2003 through Reverbose Records.
Later that year, the band returned to the studio for what would become their third full-length album, A New Design for Living, released in spring 2004. Known for its polished production and refined musical direction, the album further established the band as a steady presence in the Midwest indie rock scene.
Currently, The Stepford Five are back to writing and recording, continuing to evolve their sound while performing live shows across the region.
What started as a sixth-grade talent show performance in suburban Cleveland has grown into a decade-spanning musical journey for The Stepford Five, an Ohio-based indie rock band known for their textured, guitar-driven sound.
Band members Keith Jenkins (vocals, guitar) and Jason Dziak (guitar, vocals) first connected over a shared love of heavy, distorted guitar music. Through high school and college, they played together in various bands before relocating to Columbus after graduation. Joined by college friend Tim Minneci (bass, vocals), the group was complete with the addition of drummer Mark Kovitya in early 1999.
Within months, the band was recording their debut album at Workbook Studio. The result, Mesh, was released in February 2000 and laid the foundation for their sound—tight rhythms, layered guitars, and emotionally driven lyrics.
Their follow-up album, The Art of Self-Defense (2001), marked a significant step forward. Expanding their sonic palette with the inclusion of Rhodes piano, Farfisa organ, and denser vocal and guitar arrangements, the band distanced themselves from the influences that shaped their debut. Tracks like “Foot Soldier” and “Showing Through” highlighted a more complex and dissonant approach to songwriting.
Despite setbacks—including the theft of their tour van and gear shortly after the album's release—The Stepford Five continued pushing forward. Over the next year and a half, they performed regional shows, completed their first full tour, and recorded the 6 EP, released in April 2003 through Reverbose Records.
Later that year, the band returned to the studio for what would become their third full-length album, A New Design for Living, released in spring 2004. Known for its polished production and refined musical direction, the album further established the band as a steady presence in the Midwest indie rock scene.
Currently, The Stepford Five are back to writing and recording, continuing to evolve their sound while performing live shows across the region.
Band Members
Keith.J - vocals n guitar, Jason.D - guitar n vocals, Tim.M - bass n vocals, Mark.K - drums
Keith.J - vocals n guitar, Jason.D - guitar n vocals, Tim.M - bass n vocals, Mark.K - drums
Location: AMERICA NORTH: USA: Ohio (OH)
Genre: Alternative Rock