HoneyTree is the revamped Slackjaw, the Salt Lake City, Utah band Chad joined after leaving The Duckhills. Slackjaw's first album, "twenty-four" was a live-to-tape effort recorded in, as the name implies, 24 hours. Looking to capture their live sound rather than work on a produced sound right away, the band could take their success as a nice validation of their core sound! twenty-four sold well and earned them enough of a reputation to warrant an overhaul a couple of years later. Honeytree was born and put together their first album with a more involved producer. SureEnoughSugar gained the band more success, a deal with Hollywood Records, and opening slots on some very big shows -- Natalie Merchant, Cake, and Stone Temple Pilots among them!

But Chad's future was as a poppa, and with his first child came the decision to say goodbye to HoneyTree. Chad still finds time, though, to hook up with old musician friends to jam. HoneyTree itself finally called it quits in 1998, struggling with lineup changes (the bassist, Lane, also started a family and ended his tenure wiht HoneyTree). Frontman Reneer continues to write and record in California.

SureEnoughSugar This was the big success for HoneyTree: a well produced album, very respectable sales, tours...the whole rock shebang! I spoke with guitarist/songwriter Dan Reneer, and he pointed me to this quick review of HoneyTree and SES: "Insta-Review: Honeytree SureEnoughSugar (Honeytree): What is it with Provo these days? They’re turning out better music than a lot of the bands here in the Big City — the recording quality and even the packaging for Honeytree’s SureEnoughSugar is slick and decidedly non-local. Despite the BYU connection, this is pure Anytown USA college radio-rock in all the best ways: a little Echo & The Bunnymen, some Lloyd Cole, a dash of Pixies, all tightened up in the garage on the night before finals. Singer Daniel Reneer’s low, nonchalant voice is complimented beautifully by guest vocalist Amy Greetham (of Provo band Sleepy) on three tracks, including "I Won’t Be Here," a top-down summer hit if there ever was one." -- Bill Frost, Salt Lake City Weekly, Scene & Heard: On the Side

twenty-four The first and only SLACKjAW album. Very much a 90s rock album, recorded in live takes. What I get a big kick out of: The Duckhills are listed in the thank-yous before Nirvana! ROCK!