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Andy Sturmer

Andy Sturmer Sturmer would stand while playing drums The King in 'Half-Undressed' video

Andy Sturmer is a highly accomplished songwriter, producer and musician and a major factor in the success of Puffy AmiYumi.

While growing up in Pleasanton, California he developed a love for a variety of music listening to Queen, ELO, Beach Boys, the Who and jazz groups. He first gained fame during the early 1990s as part of a songwriting team with his school friend Roger Manning. Their first group, Beatnik Beatch, would eventually become the highly respected Jellyfish.

Much like Puffy, Jellyfish showed a wide variety of styles and influences. Sturmer was both the lead singer and drummer for their albums Bellybutton and Split Milk. Jellyfish achieved a minor success when their single "Baby's Coming Back" reached number 62 in the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Fortunately for Puffy fans the group went their separate ways in 1994. Sturmer sojourned to Japan where he began his collaboration with Japanese rock star Tamio Okuda. Sturmer co-produced songs for Okuda's album "30." Their budding relationship would lay the foundation for the creation of Puffy.

His other producer credits include the groups Bleu, the Merrymakers, Black Crowes and Size 13. Other song credits include the theme for Ben 10.

While there would still be a "Puffy" without Sturmer, there can be no doubt that his musical genius and inspiration have been a key element to Puffy AmiYumi's ongoing global success.

While Sturmer doesn't maintain an official site you can checkout his MySpace page. For quotes from Puffy about Andy Sturmer see his bio at Puffy AmiYumi World here.