The Graphic - I Flew Like A Bird - 1985from the Welcome To Comboland lp
Greensboro's The Graphic were a hugely talented group. Sometimes referred to as Treva and The Grafics. They featured the vocal talents of Treva Spontaine and the guitar work of Brad Newell, The Graphic seemed destined for success. They released one Don Dixon produced ep called "People In Glass" on Dolphin Records in 1984. Treva had a solo album on Moonlight Records called "Si'l Vous Plait" that was released in 1982. Treva continues to have a solo career. Brad Newell began Eight Eyes right after the Graphic split and continues to record and play live.
Band Members:
Treva Spontaine - Vocals, Guitar
Brad Newell - Guitar, Vocals
Dwight Mabe - Bass, Vocals
Jim Hoyle - Drums
11 comments:
The Graphic was one of the first bands I remember in the new age of the early 1980s. I was in working in radio when People in Glass came out. I still have it. You can see the cover here.
I first met Treva way back. Then I got to know Brad. In fact, I started taking guitar lessons from him in early 1994 but could not keep up with my lessons because I was not feeling well (turned out I was preggo with Avalon). Hubby took bass lessons from Brad when he was in high school.
My 21st century connection has been with drummer Jim Hoyle, who is an UnReal!! photographer. Check out his amazing work at www.hoylephoto.com. I ran into Jim recently at a Christmas party and he said he wanted to start doing more with his photography again.
I remember playing I Flew Like A Bird on Try This, one of my music radio shows. This band was always popular with our radio listeners. A talented bunch, they are. Thanks for giving them this recognition, Michael. - DD
Michael, i stumbled across your site after seeing some of your picks posted at Little Hits....it is so cool to see this Graphic song posted, one of my all time faves....i must have spent about 7 years looking for a copy of Treva's solo record after i got The Graphic ep. Reminded me of Marti's Color Me Gone ep, too.
Thanks Kelly. I wish I could post Color Me Gone. That is a great ep. I have Treva's solo record and am planning on posting a song from it shortly. Thanks for writing.
Brad was a nice guy--although he shoplifted at the store I worked in--for some reason, back then, (in the early 90s) I'd confused my music history and thought he'd been in Let's Active. If I had remebered correctly--I wouldn't have let him shoplift. Oh well.
Treva has more than one solo albun. She released a second (produced by Don Dixon, I think) called 'Better late than never.'
Last I heard she was at Replacements Ltd. Where she worked with Benjy Johnson of Diggin' Taters. They did a couple of side gigs together.
Well, well. Thanks Michael for remembering us. Boy it's been a long time now, eh? I am still alive and yes working at Replacements. Benjy is long gone and I never see Brad. My life is mostly all about baseball now but then you never know.....All the old recorded tunes can be downloaded for free at lastFM.com. Thanks for the nod.
Jim Hoyle, taught my friend and me how to play the drums about 9 years ago. He is one of the most articulate, nicest, dynamic and multi-talented people I know. In response to his photography, it is just one of the many facets of his brilliant and numerous passions and I don't think he has ever stopped his photography. He took some great photos of my wife and I on the beach this year. Jim has been doing great work with his company in Greensboro(NC) at Audio & Light, Inc. Check it out him and Natile Vail do the best work by far in that area.
Also check out this utube video of the Graphic preforming "it's my dance", off of "Lets Dance, live.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHdRvmUqVAA
try it again http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHdRvmUqVAA you may just have to cut and paste
I came across this while searching for another NC band and it caught my eye as I was the original drummer for Treva Spontaine & The Grafics. I departed midway in the making of "People In Glass." Somewhere there is a video of "I Dream Alone" with Jim in the vid, but I am ghosting the drum track.
Not too long ago I played again w/ Treva in the short lived Mystic Buzz Band. We did a couple of Graphic tunes among them "I Flew Like a Bird." Nice to hear what I was supposed to play. :) thanks/
Post a Comment