Formed in the neo-boheme and dog-eat-dog New York City music scene, and fronted by guitarist and lead vocalist Dave Slomin, Mr. Henry released their first album, As Good As the Ground in 1995. The album was comprised mainly of songs Slomin had written prior to the band's formation, with Slomin, Neil Nunziato (drums), Tom Leiner (electric guitar, background vocals), Ed Stein (organ), and Mike Visceglia (bass). Shortly after the release of As Good As the Ground, the band's lineup changed with Steve Conte (lead guitar and vocals) and Tom Spagnardi(bass and vocals) joining the group as they began developing a name for themselves in the New York City club scene.

It would not be until 1998, when Mr. Henry's line up had been perfected with the addition of Andy Hollander (piano, organ, accordian) that the band would hit mainstream radio. The band's "All Fell Out" from their album Jackhammer was featured on Aware Record's AWARE 6 Compilation disc. With a long track record of breaking new artists, inclusion on the album immediately garnered attention from several mainstream alt-rock stations, including WRAX, 107.7 the X in Birmingham, Alabama, one of the most progressive commercial radio stations in the south.

Mr. Henry is a New York band. And an American band. A band that – in the words of NY Press’ 1997 IntelFest Critic’s Pick – "proves why intelligent, heartfelt words plus a solid 4/4 punch remains irresistibly moving".

Since Mr. Henry debuted, they’ve made quite a dent in the New York City music scene...and beyond. Mr. Henry brings a "loose live gritty energy to their American songs." "Poetic lyrics, big hooks and Rock & Roll, " defines the music. In support of these releases, the band’s constant touring has broadened their following from NYC, (where they regularly pack The Mercury Lounge and Rodeo Bar), to cities throughout the Northeast, Southeast & Canada. They’ve opened for Counting Crows, Live, Squirrel Nut Zippers, From Good Homes, Jonathan Richman, Peter Gabriel & Joseph Arthur, Lisa Loeb, The Honeydogs and Old 97’s. Their performance at the South by Southwest Conference in 1996 earned them a coveted review in Concrete Marketing’s F Magazine, which named them the "Best Unsigned Band of the 1996 SXSW Week."

Mr. Henry has had a hard work ethic and a love of touring. In early June of ’97 they signed a publishing deal with EMI Music. That began a sequence of events which led to signing a record deal, in December of '98, with Deep South Records out of Raleigh, North Carolina. Mr. Henry's second self-released CD, Jackhammer, which appeared in spring 1998, was released under the Deep South banner in early 1999. That same month, they won the $25,000 grand prize at the Discmaker’s Independent World Series of Music – "Battle of the Bands" - #1 out of thousands. In July of 1997, their songs attracted the attention of Producer John Hampton (Gin Blossoms, Replacements) who recorded them that summer at Ardent Studios in Memphis, TN. Mr. Henry also recorded in September with Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Kevin Salem, Fiona Apple) at the rustic Longview Farm Studios in Massachusetts. These tracks became Jackhammer.
 

Mr. Henry’s growing buzz has packed houses at ’96 & 97’s SXSW, NXNE, & CMJ, 98's NXNE, NEA, CMJ & PMC, brought national press, film soundtrack cuts, and much critical note. The N.A.R.A.S. Grammy Showcase Committee selected Mr. Henry as one of New York’s five best-unsigned bands. The Los Angeles Times supported this by listing them as one of NYC’s top six acts ready to break – signed or unsigned – and noted that they were one of NYC club scene’s biggest draws. Their song "Lonesome Bus" is featured in Orion Pictures’ release and the BMG soundtrack for "Ed’s Next Move". Recent sales and reviews have also stretched into England, Italy, France, and Germany. Mr. Henry has found strong support at national press and radio. The Album Network advised, "For anyone who might be looking for the next big thing, you should check out Mr. Henry...excellent music with major staying power!" College Music Journal (CMJ) pointed out the "emotional pitch of Mr. Henry’s poignant song-writing," while Gordon’s Flash warned: "You will play their CD repeatedly, - I have." NYC’s Music Paper dubbed the band’s CD a 5-Star Home Run."

On radio, Jackhammer was received very well. In December of 1998, The song "Lonesome Bus" was added to regular rotation on WRAX (Birmingham). Jackhammer also received heavy support on WXDX in Pittsburgh, PA; KWRS in Spokane, WA, WEBX in Champaign, IL; and KNBA in Anchorage, AK. The single "One" received even heavier airplay, securing Mr. Henry's spot on the alt-rock stations.

Mr. Henry’s debut disc got great response from programmers. Constantine Radio Consulting recommended Mr. Hank to their stations saying, "As Good as the Ground from Mr. Henry is about as good a debut album as I’ve heard all year...you’ll be hooked." Ian Harrison, APD, at WEQX, Manchester, VT said: "All Mr. Henry needs is distribution and a few dollars worth of hype and they’ll be set at radio. The hard part, the music, is already there." Kim Rossi at WTTS, Bloomington, IN lauded, "I love it. Steve Earle meets Live = Mr. Henry." Dave Bryson from Counting Crows has said, "I totally get what these guys are doing. What I don’t get is why they don’t have a major record deal yet."

Throughout 2000, Mr. Henry worked with Counting Crows' guitarist David Bryson, and in September of 2000, unveiled their latest work complete with Bryson's production, 40 Watt Fade. Led by a cleaned up version of "One," 40 Watt Fade has been successfully dazzling music lovers nation-wide. "One" was recently added to the top 40 on WRAX in Birmingham, Alabama. With relentless touring (including a southeastern tour with Counting Crows and Live in the fall of 2000), Mr. Henry has made sure that their adoring fans never get enough of the rootsy, well-crafted, hook-laden music that they have come to love.

Mr. Henry definitely has a voice. A voice unique enough to give them their own place on the scene, but familiar enough to be accessible to all ears.