Bicycle Face - "I'm The Devil (and your not)" and "Let's Get Depressed"
from "Joy" the Blue House Sessions - 1990-1991

Bicycle Face was a band from Greensboro, North Carolina that existed from February 28, 1988 to August 30, 1994.The group originally consisted of Brian Huskey, Mike Barker (later of RUebarb & Mind Sirens), and Jimmy Triplett (former member of The Naked Ramblers). This line-up only practiced twice and nothing really came of it.The core group consisted of Brian Huskey on bass and vocals, Chris Longworth on drums, and Mitchell McGirt on guitar and vocals. This line-up was joined for a time by Paul Dresel (later of Ruebarb & Norwegian Forehead) on second bass and Carrie Shull (later played with Eugene Chadbourne) on oboe. Bicycle Face played its first show in February 1988 at Mary Foust dormitory on the campus of U.N.C.-Greensboro. The band played mainly in Greensboro basically anywhere they could: house parties, nightclubs, Piney Lake, in the middle of Tate Street. Later they made occasional jaunts to Asheville, Winston-Salem, Charlotte and finally Chapel Hill and Raleigh, the hotbeds of college rock in North Carolina. In the spring of 1990 the band put out a self-produced tape recorded by Ben Thomlison and Roy Nilsen entitled "Joy" which caught the attention of a man named Glenn Boothe. Glen told the fledgling Chapel Hill record label Moist Records about the band and later that year Bicycle Face became the first group to record for Moist. The group's first 7" single; which contained the songs "Irrelevant, "Speck O'Dust", "Citizen Kane", and "Walter & Cassandra"; came out in early 1991. In the summer of 1991, Bicycle Face went into Lloyd Street studios in Chapel Hill to record a full-length album under the direction of Caleb Southern. The album was finished in a week, but Moist delayed the release until the spring of 1992. The album, "Trust & Obey", although played and reviewed nationwide, did not sell very well and received a lukewarm reaction by the record-buying public, including admitted Bicycle Face fans. Moist Records held a party to showcase its roster at the CMJ Music Convention in New York City in the fall of 1991. Bicycle Face, Finger, Metal Flake Mother, and The Monks of Doom played on a boat docked in the Hudson River. It was a fun time had by all even though the boat's electrical system wasn't very well grounded and the guitarists got a shock each time they touched the microphones. The summer of 1992 saw Bicycle Face embark on its first out-of-state tour to support the long-delayed release of their album: a three show jaunt to New York City; Danbury, Connecticut; and Boston. The band had a lot of fun, but had to face the disappointment of people who came expecting to see a band that "sounded like Superchunk" (a common problem for many North Carolina bands of the time). The owners of Moist, J. Kelley Cox and Andrew Peterson, as well as Chapel Hill club owners organized "The Big Record Stardom Convention" later in the summer of 1992 to showcase the many varied and talented groups that were based around North Carolina. Bicycle Face's "stardom" hit its high-water mark at the event. In 1993, Moist Records had stretched itself too thin financially, collapsed and folded. Bicycle Face, playing shows to dwindling audiences and hearing that they were "just too darn clever" to be offered a contract by a major label, became discouraged. In 1993, the group was given a little help from its friends. Butch Lazorchick at Squealer Records put out a single, "Christafari" produced by Caleb Southern which contained the songs "Oatmeal Truck",

"Shave the Pickup", and "Little House". Eric Shepherd at D-Tox records gave them a spot on the compilation "Pyloric Waves" for their song "Brand New Attitude" and later released their four-song single, "The Red Hat Man", also produced by Southern, which contained the songs "The Hall of Unappealing Food", a cover of the Move song "I Can Hear the Grass Grow", "Big Fat Kitty Cat", and a collaboration with Charles "Big GMC" Smith called "The Red Hat Man". Todd Goss at Jettison Records put their song "Pogo Stick" (which was actually recorded back in 1989 by Ted Raison) on his compilation, "Falling Off the Planet". Bicycle Face kicked off 1993 with an extended tour through the Southeast with legendary Chapel Hill bands The Archers of Loaf and Zen Frisbee. The tour included stops in Athens, Georgia; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Tallahassee, Gainesville, Tampa, and Orlando, Florida; and finished up in Columbia, South Carolina. Throughout 1993, Bicycle Face toured and played shows almost every weekend in North Carolina and Virginia to nearly empty clubs and bars. Despite their decreasing popularity, the band actually became better friends and were enjoying themselves more onstage. In early 1994, Brian Huskey, the group's founder, announced to the group that he was leaving for New York to pursue his first love, photography. The band went out to play at all of its favorite haunts one last time and on August 30, 1994 they played their "farewell" show at Local 506 in Chapel Hill. Soon after the group's demise, Ross Grady's cred factory Records put out their last recording of "Liars Beware" on "Who the Hell?"- a tribute album to Richard Hell. Other posthumous releases by the band included 1999's cassette-only "Face It", an odds and ends collection, released by Willard Simmon's Bees Make Honey label. The band also released the song "French Girl" (recorded by Jon McLean & Greg Adams in 1993) to be added to a charity compilation CD assembled by Karen Mann. Between 1988 and 1994, Bicycle Face had the good fortune to play shows with some great bands at almost every gig. Some notable acts were Robyn Hitchcock, Redd Kross, Mojo Nixon, Ween, King Kong, Southern Culture on the Skids, Metal Flake Mother, What Peggy Wants, Ben Folds Five, Zen Frisbee, The Archers of Loaf, Snatches of Pink, Finger, Geezer Lake, Rebar, The Raymond Brake, Chew Toy, Boil, The Godbullies, Cosmic Psychos, Rural Swine, Crowsdell, Blue Green Gods, Milk Badger, Norwegian Forehead, Polvo, Ruebarb, Snuzz, Well Nigh Forgotten, Blast Off Country Style, Unrest, Shiny Beast, Willard, Kickin' the Bucket, Sex Police, Notes from a Strange Mailbag, Jeff Carroll, The Monks of Doom, Helium, Mecca Normal, The Beatless, Grover, Howtown, Slow Change Madagascar, Picasso Trigger, Erectus Monotone, The Subsonics, Hop Flop Fly, True & True, 81 Mulberry, Spatula, Evil Wiener, Vanilla Trainwreck... the list goes on and on. The band felt truly lucky to have had a free ticket to see all of these acts. As of 2006, Brian Huskey has been busy with his new career as a comedic actor. He honed his talents in the New York comedy group Naked Babies, made several appearances on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" as well as "The Upright Citizen's Brigade" and VH1 's "Best Week Ever". Brian and his new wife Maureen have recently relocated to Los Angeles. Christopher Longworth lives in New York City with his wife Christina and their daughter. Chris works in a metal sculpture studio and has made brass shower curtain rings for Lou Reed as well as a bar for Harrison Ford. He now runs marathons and is in the best shape of his life. Mitchell McGirt lives in Atlanta with his wife Fred6rique and is a father of two. He now speaks French and lives a very quiet life. He is still battling his addiction to saturated fat. He hasn't written a song since Bicycle Face broke up. Bicycle Face now plays weddings on occasion.

For more info about Bicycle Face: mitchellmcgirt@yahoo.com

Band Members:
Brian Huskey- Vocals, Bass, Organ
Chris Longworth- Drums, Percussive Instruments
Mitchell McGirt- Guitar, Vocals

The Outer Limits - Once In Your Life - 1990
from the self-titled demo cassette

The Outer Limits consisted of Will Marley (Guitar, Lead Vocals), Greg Pope (Bass/Percussion/Guitar,Vocals) and Rob Schladensky (Percussion/Bass). The band originated in Boone, NC where each member was a student at Appalachian State University. The band was together from 1987 – 1993 and received positive reviews from music critics. Some of these reviews included:

“Outer Limits are one of North Carolina’s brightest and best pop hopefuls. Without question, the band draws influence and inspiration from pop’s rich tradition. It steers clear of derivation, pretension, and the cliché, however, by fashioning cleverly arranged songs that pique the listener’s interest with subtle harmonic twists, a strong rhythmic punch, and inventive melodies. The songs are studiously constructed and melodically advanced- energetic, upbeat performances presented with admirable dynamic grace confidence and power. Topped with loud ringing guitars, intelligent lyrics and strong vocal harmonies, it makes for a powerful sound that is as invigorating as it is appealing.” – Ed Bumgardner, Winston-Salem Journal, Friday, January 4, 1991.

“Grand gestures abound in the Outer Limits’ music. The vocals frequently soar in harmonic alliance. Poppy, reverb drenched guitar spirals through the rousing songs. Everything comes together in a full-blown melodic jolts that hit like blazing, warming flood lights.” - Charlotte Observer, Friday, October 12, 1990.

The Outer Limits recorded an 11 song self-titled cd which actually comprised their studio work from 1987-1991. The cd was recorded at Overdub Lane and TGS Studios in Chapel-Hill, NC where it was engineered by Wes Lachot and Steve Gronback, respectively. The album was produced by The Outer Limits and Lee Daniels.

The Outer Limits played on the college circuit in NC, SC, and VA. They opened for groups such as The Romantics, Melissa Etheridge, Hootie and the Blowfish, Dreams So Real, Majosha (Ben Folds), Royal Crescent Mob, Winter Hours, Naked Prey, Hege V and others.

Band Members:
Will Marley - Guitar, Vocals
Greg Pope - Bass, Vocals
Rob Schlad­ensky - Drums

Other contributing members with the band included: founding member Chris Dolack (Bass), Steve King (Rhythm Guitar), and Rob Scholl-Burrell (Bass).

Dom Casual- Unapproachable - 2001
from High of Lowbrow Records cd "This is the Sound of DOM CASUAL"

From Dom Casual's MySpace page--

"Dom Casual was born out of the ashes of the Chapel Hill-based trio Siddhartha in the spring of '96. Several lineup changes later, the band now boasts 5 members and incorporates brass and organ. Elements of surf, rockabilly, baroque-, and indie-rock leanings all converge to create a heady mix of modern rock and roll."

From "The Independent Weekly"--
"Dom Casual evoke the innocent optimism of '60s pop as it slams headfirst into the disillusionment of '70s punk with a healthy dose of carbon monoxide-imbibed garage choke, plus clever instrumentals that come off like Hugo Montenegro chatting up go-go girls at a Sandals session."

Band Members:
Jamie McLendon--vox, guitars
Nate Stalfa--drums, percussion
Sean Patrick Murphy--guitar, organ, percussion
Andy Ware--bass

Small 23 - chopsocky - 1994
from the Alias Records cd - True Zero Hook

from allmusic.com

Along with the classic Icky Mettle by contemporaries the Archers of Loaf, Small 23's True Zero Hook announced the arrival of an unusually vibrant early-'90s indie and punk rock scene in Chapel Hill, NC. Although neither band lived up to the potential promised by these records, both albums are exciting snapshots of a post-Nirvana/Husker Dü moment when it seemed like great indie guitar rock was poised to take over the world. True Zero Hook is led off by the irresistibly catchy title track, which accomplishes the rare feat of combining a great indie-punk melody with the sort of emotionally charged vagueness that made R.E.M. albums like Murmur and Reckoning so amazing. Like the Archers, Small 23 (later known as Small) rocks royally, but also possesses an uncommon, appealingly melancholic lyrical directness that sets the band apart. In addition, True Zero Hook is filled with subtle hooks that reveal themselves on repeated listenings. Overall, a don't-miss album for any serious fan of the early-'90s indie rock genre.

Band Members:
Matt Walter
Mike Kenlan
Dave Hollinghurst
Chuck Garrison

Fabulous Knobs - Don't Stop Now - 1981
from the Moonlight Records album - Hugs and Kisses

from Matt Barrett's Golden Age of North Carolina Music

In the early eighties The Fabulous Knobs were the Rolling Stones and The Dads were the Beatles.

The Fabulous Knobs were actually better than the Stones. This may raise some eyebrows. How can a band that had maybe one album, playing in bars in North Carolina be better than the Stones? First of all you have to take into consideration that the Stones themselves though musically competent, in their live performances rarely rise above the level of a good high-school rock band playing Stones covers. So musicianship alone puts the Knobs over the Stones hump which in baseball would be the equivalent of the Mendoza line. Where the Knobs left Mick and company in the dust was in the category of lead singer. Debra Demilo was like Mick with the voice of Aretha Franklin. So what happened to the Fabulous Knobs? Debra got married and moved to Indiana. Terry Anderson, David Enloe and Jack Cornell formed The Woods who became an area favorite and were imortalized when the Georgia Satellites were signed on the strength of Terry's song Battleship Chains which somehow found its way onto that band's demo. Terry still shows up with a band at the occasional Sparkle Fest where he thunders through his style of redneck pop with balls and humor.

Band Members:
Debra Demilo - Vocals
Terry Anderson - Drums, Vocals
Keith Taylor - Guitar, Vocals
David Enloe - Guitar, Vocals
Jack Cornell - Bass, Vocals

Southern Culture on the Skids - Nashville Toupee - 1992
from the Plan 9/Caroline cd - For Lovers Only

from the SCOTS.com web site:

Southern Culture on the Skids, the NC-based swamp-rock, trashabilly rock & roll trio whose odyssey started out with tiny clubs and DIY releases two decades back, just get better with age. Frontman Rick Miller is recognized as one of the finest players in the swamp/surf/rockabilly tradition, just ask any guitar geek, and on these nights he was playing like his soul was on the line. Bassist Mary Huff (she of the hi-style wighats) and stand-up drummer Dave Hartman (he of the “Mama Tried” t-shirt) are as solid and intuitive as any rhythm section in rock. With Doublewide and Live, SCOTS deliver a sweaty rock & roll party that fires on all cylinders, takes it into high gear and damn near jumps outta the speakers. This is what a live album is all about – capturing a band at the top of their game doing what they love in a place they call home.

Now with that in mind, pop a top and put on SCOTS’ latest, Doublewide and Live, and throw a party. That’s what SCOTS did - they threw one for 3 days in November 2004 at Chapel Hill’s Local 506. To record the revelry for posterity the band hauled in longtime co-producer Mark Williams and locked him up upstairs in a closet (aka "control room") and made him pay hi-fi attention to the lo-fi sounds blasting away downstairs. Each night had a different set list and a different crowd. The band played songs from each of their records going back to 1991's Too Much Pork through Ditch Diggin,' Dirt Track Date, Plastic Seat Sweat, Liquored Up and Lacquered Down and their latest, Mojo Box. All the spices and fine ingredients that make up the band’s musical stew are represented on Doublewide. When Rick yells out, "Come and get it!" at the top of the set, get ready to chow down on a heapin’ helping of the guitar-driven, swamp-rockin’, toe-suckin' geek-rock sounds that have made SCOTS a unique taste treat.

So there you have it, gentle reader, Doublewide and Live: the licks are sick, the crowd is wound and the band is tighter than Dick’s hatband. Instant dance party, all you gotta bring is your own drinks and cheese puffs …

Band Members:
Rick Miller - Guitar, Vocals
Mary Huff - Bass, Vocals
Dave Hartman - Drums, Vocals

Queen Sarah Saturday - Zoom - 1994
from the Thirsty Ear cd "Weave"

Formed in 1990 while its all members attended Northern High School, in Durham NC. Queen Sarah Saturday went on to release 2 EPs and the full-length "Weave". Since breaking up in the late 90s Johnny Irion married Sarah Lee Guthrie (daughter to Woody and grandaughter to Arlo) and tours with her. Zeke Hutchins was last seen drumming for Tift Merritt.

Band Members:
Johnny Irion - vocals, guitar
Ryan Pickett - guitar
Chris Hollaway - bass
Zeke Hutchins - drums

Big Kids - Facing Out - 1989
from the cassette "Happy Kick & RIP"

It was Fall 1987 and all were students at UNC Greensboro. Britt 'Snuzz' Uzzell was playing guitar in the Sociopaths, and Jeff Carroll was playing guitar in Notes From a Strange Mailbag. With Notes on indefinite hiatus Uzzell & Carroll began cowriting. After a handful of songs emerged they recruited Mike Fowler (Sociopaths drummer) to start Big Kids. Shows and recordings followed. Eventually Fowler was replaced by former Notes drummer Eddie Walker. Walker left and the group dissolved after difficulty nailing down a suitable drummer. In late 1990 Big Kids reformed with Carroll, Uzzell & Walker only to break up again in 1991.

Snuzz and Eddie Walker went onto to form Bus Stop with Evan Olson (Notes From a Strange Mailbag and Majosha) and Chuck Folds (brother of Ben Folds). Snuzz is still recording as a solo artist.

Jeff went onto to form Jeff Carroll and The Desmonds. He is now a mastering engineer.

Band Members:
Snuzz: Bass, Vocals
Jeff Carroll: Guitar, Vocals
Eddie Walker: Drums

Johnny Quest - The Heisman - 1992
from the Blue Dude cd "10 Million Summers"

Johnny Quest was a fun funk metal band from Raleigh, NC. They played a lot of shows in the late 80's/early 90's. They released "10 Million Summers" in 1992. Anyone who saw Johnny Quest will admit that they were a great live band.

Band Members:

Joe Farmer: Vocals
Jack Campbell: Bass, Backing Vocals
Bill Ladd: Guitar, Vocals
Steve Hill: Drums

Butchwax - I'm Dangerous & Saturation Point - 1981
recorded live @ Silver Bullett Saloon February 8th 1981


Butchwax was formed in 1977. They made their stage debut in '79 and then suddenly fizzled in '83. They reformed in 2000 and recorded 32 demos. They played 5 shows and fizzled again. So endeth the lesson.

Band Members:

Mike Burnette - drums
Michael Dupree - guitar/vocals
Richard Martin - bass/vocals
Ron Taylor - vocals

AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION

I got an email from a former NC native who suggested doing a similar site referring to show posters. One of the best I've seen so far is here:

http://www.northcarolinatravels.com/music/goldenage/scrapbook.htm

If anyone has any others that they can scan in and send to me I'd be happy to create a gallery on the site to showcase these long lost artworks.

Thanks,
Michael

I wanted to mention that there are now well over 100 songs available on this blog. That's a heck of a lot of bands from NC, and I feel like we've barely scratched the surface.

There have been a lot of folks lately sending me anonymous thank you notes for creating this site. Well, thank you!!! It means a lot to me every time I get an email. I save ALL of them. Also, the stories that folks have written about these bands and the fact that so many musicians from these bands have written comments as well. Most of the bands have offered to send me even more songs that were never released or just lost to time, so that I can post them for you to hear. That is exactly why I started the site. So please send me ideas or postings, I can't do this by myself.

Today, I am posting three songs from the Didofare concert August 29,1998. This was a benefit honoring Sam Moss' late wife Diane (Dido) Foster Moss. A lot of great bands played that night and actually the benefit continued on for several more years, raising money and awareness for breast cancer research. Sam Moss is currently playing in the band The Sams with K.D. Rouse (see previous post 3/08/2006).

Peter Holsapple - Love Is For Lovers

Don Dixon - Heart In A Box

Mount Rushmore (featuring Don Dixon, Mitch Easter, Jon Heames, Peter Holsapple, and Sam Moss) - Time Has Come Today

4 Who Dared - Urine Trouble
from the lp "Kids With Dynamite"

After my post on the X-Teens, I was contacted by Todd Jones. He was nice enough to send a link to his current web site which has several mp3's available for download. Among those was this lost classic from the short-lived 4 Who Dared. You be the judge, but I think this is about as catchy as they come. Enjoy.

Other Bright Colors - Incredible Shrinking Man & One of Us - 1987
from the previously unreleased lp "Drive In"

A few months back I posted a track from the one and only Other Bright Colors lp "Endlessly Rocks the Cradle". Through the greatness of the internet I was contacted by Joe Jaworski, drummer for OBC. Now living in Texas he filled me in on the fact that an entire record was recorded in the summer of 1987 with Mitch Easter at his Drive-In Studio. Joe was kind enough to send me a copy of this long lost record. I am extremely happy to post two songs from this record to share with you. As I hope you have realized, this is exactly why I started this blog. Thanks so much to Joe for allowing me to post this. We need more this folks.

Snapdragon - Superhero's Club - 1994
from the Clutch Artery Records cassette "Drinking Watermelon Sugar"

While lead Snapdragon Tara VanDevender is technically from Mississippi, the rest of the band and the recording is all NC. Produced by Jolene's John Crooke and Dave Burris this collection of songs is fantastic. Hear for yourself.

Band Members:
Tara VanDevender - Vocals, Guitar
John Crooke - Vocals, Guitar, Banjo
Dave Burris - Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin
Mike Kenerley - Drums
Didier Rubio - Bass
Brenda Gambill - Violin

Gild the Lily - Ryan Ran Away - 1995
from a 2-song cassette on Reverie Records

A side project for Eight or Nine Feet member Chris Eselgroth. I am told that Gild the Lily and Eight or Nine Feet were both around at the same time. These two songs were recorded by Jerry Kee at his Duck-Kee Studios in Durham, NC.

Band Members:
Chris Eselgroth - Guitars, Vocals
John Gillespie - Bass, Vocals
Ian Schreirer - Drums

Jolt Wagon - Ready Side - 1996

Another band from Charlotte, NC. I really don't know anything about these guys except that this cassette if fanstastic. Chock full of killer riffs and excellent vocals. I can't help but wonder what happened to them. Produced by Jamie Hoover.

Band Members:
Eric Detoro: Drums
Patrick Wilhelm: Vocals, Bass
Gary Wireman: Guitar, Vocals

Discord - Child Warriors - 1988
from the Droscid cassette - Crime

A 3-piece band from Charlotte, NC that I honestly don't know much about Dischord except that everyone says that their bass player was French. What that means or says I have no clue. Listening to this cassette this morning I can't help but think how popular they would be if they were doing the same thing today, and whatever happened to that slap bass style that was oh so popular back then as well. I wonder how many bass players were out of a job when that felt out of fashion.

Band Members:
Andrew Verville - Vocals, Guitar
Jim Rumley - Drums
Benjamin Marcellin - Bass, Vocals

Let's Get Mikey - I Went West - 1990
from the Hey Boy Records cassette (& CD) - Crazy Days

Let's Get Mikey were a 3-piece jangle pop outfit from Albemarle, NC. That had a huge following in Charlotte and played quite a bit in the triangle area as well. Crazy Days was recorded by Jamie Hoover (Spongetones) and Jack Cornell (The Woods). After the demise of the band lead "mikey" Bryan Shumate recorded a solo record called "Alamo" with Hoover. This led to Shumate and Hoover forming The Van Delecki's, who released two records on the Permanent Press label in the late '90's. (that's a post for another day) A reunion Let's Get Mikey gig was held a few years ago in Albemarle with all original members plus Hoover lending a helping hand.

Band Members:
Nat Hammer: Drummer
Bryan Shumate: Guitar, Lead Vocals
Eddie Snuggs: Bass, Backing Vocals

The Cosmopolitans - Chevy Baby - 1981
from 2006 Bacchus Archives CD "Wild Moose Party: New Wave Pom Pom Girls Gone Go-Go, NYC 1980-1981"

It's a tragic twist on the usual tale. Southern artists head for the bright lights of Manhattan to seek success in the court of culture but dream is cut short just on verge of fulfilment.

Jamie K. Sims of Asheville, who played in a high school psychedelic band, met future dB's Chris Stamey and Will Rigby at UNC, forming a modern dance ensemble including Rigby (doesn't get to move around too much behind his drum kit). Sims headed to NYC with Stamey into the maelstrom of the legendary late '70s CBGBs scene and hooked up with Nel Moore of Wilmington to revive the Cosmopolitan Dance Troop (with appearances by Stamey).

Troop struggled through the modern dance world, getting kicks on the side performing as go go dancers during dBs and Fleshtones gigs, then performed a song of their own at CBGBs and were an immediate hit. The renamed Cosmopolitans start playing the clubs, singing and dancing with drum (often Rigby) and tape backing, then headed back to NC to Mitch Easter's new home studio to lay down three tracks for a demo tape with backing from Easter, Faye Hunter and even Mitch's mother Lib and help from Don Dixon and Stamey.

Sims' neighbor just happened to be Shake Records label founder Alan Betrock, who loved the tape and turned it "(How to Keep Your) Husband Happy"/"Wild Moose Party" into a hit single with NYC radio stations and college stations elsewhere. Sims and Moore added more musicians and headed out on tour and started work on an album.... But then Sims was diagnosed with chronic Epstein Barr infection and the band abruptedly called it a day.

25 years later, the Cosmos' single is suddenly out on CD along with a bunch of never released studio and live tracks ("Chevy Baby" appeared on B-side of British release of the single). Both Sims and Moore still play music and talk of a reunion is in the works. It's a wacky world. Buy the disk!

Posted by: Zach Coleman

Faye Hunter - Blinded - 1988
from Water Music Records, The Water Music Compilation Album LP

Faye Hunter was part of the same Winston-Salem high school crowd as Mitch Easter and the dB's, apparently the one female in the lot and perhaps naturally the focus of a lot of male attention. By the time Easter organized Let's Active, Hunter was his girlfriend as well as sharing lead vocals and playing bass.

Hunter broke a lot of hearts during her tenure with Let's Active. A reviewer citing knowledgeable sources says the dB's song "Never Before" is about the Hunter-Easter relationship. The high school classmate of mine who introduced me to the club scene had his eyes on marrying Faye not least because they already shard the same surname. (Personally I was more taken by bassist Kitty Moses of the X-Teens...)

Hunter left Let's Active and broke up with Easter after the debut album Cypress. She toured with Chris Stamey for a while and played backup on some of his recordings as well as tracks laid down by Marshall Crenshaw and the Windbreakers (both while Easter was producing), but this track seems to be the only thing she's ever released under her own name.

She's backed here by three members of the dB's (Jeff Beninato, Will Rigby and Gene Holder), future solo success Amy Rigby (Will's ex wife), Janet Wygal and Mary Mac.

Posted by: Zach Coleman

Peter Holsapple - 96 Sec. Blowout - 1978
from Car Records 45

In honor of Mr. Holsapple's post to this site, we revisit his debut recording under his own name, recorded after the breakup of the H-Bombs but listing him as "Peter Holsapple of the H-Bombs."

Best as I can tell, this record was the first to bring Holsapple, Chris Stamey (here on backing vocals) and Mitch Easter (drums) back together in the studio after Rittenhouse Square and it's one of the few solo recordings he's released.

A bit after this came out, he headed into the studio with Easter, Stamey and Alex Chilton but those sessions unfortunately have been buried in a deep hole though occassionally a track or two leaks into the environment. Yet according to thedbsonline.net,a Car Records promotional postcard went out saying "Peter is presently ensconced in Manhattan, with 47 new songs and a can of Black Cherry Tab, recovering from grueling sessions at Sam Phillips' Sun Studios with Ardent/Stax wunderkind Richard Rosebrough."

The other two songs from this 45 resurfaced on a Shake Records compilation a bit later, but this gem has been orphaned. Not sure about the title as the song is actually about 105 seconds but maybe Peter will enlighten us.

Posted by: Zach Coleman

Don Dixon - Girls L.T.D. - 1984
from 1985 Demon Records LP "Most of the Girls Like to Dance But Only Some of the Boys Like to"

After Arrogance broke up, bassist Don Dixon turned his focus to producing and racked up quite a resume with the likes of R.E.M., Hootie & the Blowfish and Matthew Sweet as well as NC acts like the X-Teens, Graphic, Fetchin' Bones and Connells. As that snapshot might indicate, it was hard to be far from an album with Dixon's fingerprints for a good stretch of the '80s, but in between he squeezed in some of his own recordings, such as "Girls L.T.D." which he recorded in the control room of Mitch Easter's studio while producing Let's Active (His liner notes says it was because he was getting up much earlier in the morning than the band and was bored & inspired by a photo from a Bar Mitzvah party).

As with The Connells and others, Dixon first got his debut album, Most of the Girls Like to Dance But Only Some of the Boys Like to, released in the UK and generally had more commercial success in Europe than the grand ole USA. A good chunk of the album was reissued a couple years back as the 'lost' Arrogance album 5'11'', including Most of the Girls' standout radio hit, "Praying Mantis."

Dixon's still at it and just released another solo album.

Posted by: Zach Coleman

Sex Police - Will - 1992
from the Scuffcakes Goods cd "Second String"

After the demise of the Pressure Boys, head Pressure Boy John Plymale teamed up with former Notes From A Strange Mailbag's Norwood Cheek to form the much more rockin' Sex Police. In 1991 they released their debut "Medallion" on Moist/Baited Breath which had several fun moments including "Elevator", "Hectors", and "Amanda Falls". Their strength truly lay in their live shows which became their calling card. With the addition of Robert Jones on trombone their sound grew even bigger and they recorded "Second String". In honor of my new son being born I thought it only fitting to use "Will". My son's full name is William Roane Slawter.

Band Members:
John Plymale - Vocals, Guitar
Norwood Cheek - Vocals, Bass
Jody Maxwell (Shoney) - Drums
Jay Widenhouse - Trumpet
Robert Jones - Trombone

Squatweiler - One Eyed Woman - 1995
from Huel Records CD "All Tempo Hot Pants"

Rittenhouse Square may have fathered an amazing string of pop bands, but a germ of MC5-inspired furor burrowed into the ground of Winston-Salem to emerge in the mid-1990s in the form of Squatweiler.

The band had something of a local college radio hit with "Willie Fight" on their debut album Full Bladder in 1994. I never managed to see Squatweiler play when I was living in Winston, but caught them a couple years later as an opening act playing before a dozen people in Atlanta.

Calling for the one familiar song only got me the belated explanation that it had been dropped from their repertoire. Soon after I stumbled on copy of All Tempo Hot Pants which kinda made up for it. Recorded in Mitch Easter's studio with a guest appearance by him on one track, this record is punk fury as it should be. Oddly, hardcore godfather Henry Rollins, who had fallen in love with the first record, panned this one as too restrained, but later took them out on tour. Their next album, New Motherstamper, may have been more tuned to his liking but lacks subtlety.

Band members:
Haydee Thompson: vocals
Stacey Matarrese: bass, vocals
Trip Costner: guitar, vocals
Fred Mann: drums

Posted by: Zach Coleman

Rittenhouse Square - The Hots - 1972
from eponymous R-Squared EP

In honor of our host Michael's new fatherhood, a tune from the grandfathers of NC music history, Rittenhouse Square.

According to legend, Mitch Easter had the vision of forming Rittenhouse Square after seeing MC5 open for Ted Nugent in Winston-Salem in 1971. Easter had already been through several bands and he, with friend Bobby Locke, went through several lineups with Rittenhouse Square before hooking up with high school classmates Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey with the intention of capturing the sound of Move. Rittenhouse Square chug like classic early 70s guitar heroes, but with sillier and poppier lyrics and singing. To be honest, none of the tracks rank among career highlights for the band members but yet the record is fascinating for what the songs tell about the times. Indeed, according to Easter the record was put out by Locke on his own after the band broke up. "We were all horrified at the time because we didn't think it turned out very well."

Somewhere someone has an actual copy of the record (failing on that score, above is a photo instead of the actual Rittenhouse Square). What does it look like? Well, the article "How North Carolina Got Its Punk Attitude" provides as comprehensive a history as exists of the band and says "Original copies of this album have an odd line drawing of a little animal silkscreened on the plain white cover, while later versions have a cartoon "R" with bell bottomed legs or just a blank cover."

Easter himself told the B.O.B. magazine: "There's like a limited edition, of about twenty, that have these cardboard sleeves that are silk-screened by hand.Actually after the record came out and I accepted that fact I made those sleeves.I realized that was going nowhere fast so I just sort of disappeared from doing that.Then the drummer went on and got those sleeves made up from this horrible publicity picture that we had taken wearing matching shirts really hideous picture - and he had these printed on those sleeves that have a hole in the middle so there's four bodies there but all our middles are missing because of the hole, so all the ones that exist have that sleeve as far as I know."

Anybody got the sleeve?

Band members:
Bobby Locke- drums
Mitch Easter - guitar
Peter Holsapple - guitar
Chris Stamey - bass

Posted by: Zach Coleman

Thanks to Zach Coleman for several great posts. We have now hit the 100 posts mark!!! If you have an idea for a post or want to write one yourself PLEASE email me. My life has just gotten a heck of a lot more hectic (see below) so I need all the help I can get.

Another reason for celebration: On April 25th at 4:55 pm my wife and I welcomed a new son William Roane Slawter into the world. Baby and mother are happy and healthy.

The Connells - Hats Off - 1985
from Black Park Records LP "Darker Days"


The Connells were the sounds of high school for me, a transition from insulated and isolated commercial radio down to the indy underground (plus one member was dating a high school classmate and we often went to go see them play around the nearby universities).

The Connells were earnest to a fault, well scrubbed and buttoned-down and fit well into a time when U2 and REM were posing a mannered challenge to the musical establishment. They were ours and seemed just as good and far more accessible.

Steady touring and album releases built them a wide if not deep following and the band achieved its biggest success in Europe - indeed "Darker Days," their debut album, was released first in the UK.
.
The core of the band are the brothers Connell, David and lawyer Mike, nice guys who have kept the band alive for 22 years now. Doug MacMillan, who joined early on as vocalist, is still part of the crew, but the rest have changed.

Band members:
Michael Connell: Guitar
David Connell: Bass
Doug MacMillan: Vocals
Peele Wimberley: Drums
George Huntley: Guitar, keyboards and vocals

Posted by: Zach Coleman

The Slushpuppies - Assimilation - 1987
from the Palindrome Productions singles box, "evil i do not/to nod i live"

The Slushpuppies were another of Mac McCaughan's pre-Superchunk bands, as straight ahead as they come. He was certainly a busy boy.

Aside from the single in the Palindrome box, band release a couple other singles.

Band members:
Jonathan Newman - Drums
Mac McCaughan - Guitar, vocals
David Whisnant - Bass

The Mayflies USA - Baby's Got Her Own Ideas - 1999
from Yep Roc Records CD "summertown"

The Mayflies USA were the Great White Hope of late 1990s NC power pop. The dB's may have fallen short of world conquest because of bad timing, but it's hard to say why the Mayflies did.

Sweet, carefully constructed guitar pop melodies, great harmonies, a knack for hooks, good live shows, enough crunch to keep 'em honest... all the ingredients seemed to be in place. dB's alum Chris Stamey produced "summertown," their first full length, as well as its follow up, "Pity List." They cobbled together one rougher EP before he came on board and another album after he left.

Then they broke up and just disappeared. Hopefully it won't take them 15 years to get back together like the dB's because they will be missed.

Posted by: Zach Coleman

Antiseen - N.C. Royalty - 1986
from Chopper/Bona Fide Records LP "Honour Among Thieves", 1988

Don't mind the dirty sound. Everything about this band is dirty. Forget Nirvana, this is grunge, pure and raw.

Antiseen emerged from some back woods shack round about 1983 with a sound that didn't quite fit in North Carolina and was closer to the nastier fringes of the Subpop world around Seattle. These were self proclaimed trailer trash ready to rumble - and they often did. Common practice when I saw them was for singer Jeff Clayton to break off the top of a beer bottle on the mic stand, cut his forehead with the jagged remains, then slam the mic into the wound so that blood would ooze down and envelop his face.

Somehow he and guitarist Joe Young have managed to keep their 'Destructo Rock' going and the band is still playing and releasing albums though the rest of the line up has changed. Over the years, there have been a number of spinoff records under other names plus ones together with upstanding members of society like GG Allin. Doug Throgmorton's gone on to play with other bands including Liquid Devil

"N.C. Royalty," first put out on the band's second release, the Royalty EP was a flip-off to Christian fundamentalist political group Concerned Charlotteans, led by preacher Joe Chambers.

Band members:
Jeff Clayton - vocals
Joe Young - guitar
Doug Throgmorton - drums
Tom O'Keefe - bass

Posted by: Zach Coleman

electro-LUXE - Lined With Fur - 1994
from Madame Records 45

Another preview of things to come. Charlotte combo electro-LUXE would eventually evolve into Come on Thunderchild, who made a much bigger splash.

This may have been electro-LUXE's only release, but hard to say. I just remember an enjoyable gig where I picked up the 45 -- there's little trace left of them on the Web and the cover doesn't even say who played what, so what follows is my guess

Come on Thunderchild included three of the four electro-LUXE members, omitting Michael Glaser. John Morris current band is TyreFyre. Rainy Day Lewis leads Les Dirt Clods. Ben Towle still gigs around a bit, but is mostly cartooning. Coming up empty on Michael Glaser.

Band members:
John Morris - vocals
Randolph "Rainy Day" Lewis - guitar
Michael Glaser - drums
Ben Towle - bass

posted by Zach Coleman

Bad Checks - Johnny Bring Your Girlfriend Home - 1985
from Loretta Records EP "Graveyard Tramp"

from The Independent:
A mutant blues/punkabilly/garage rock outfit, Bad Checks was founded in 1980 by the Mann brothers, Robin and Clif. The old school rockers became one of the area's signature acts playing with about every important underground punk and alt-rock group of the time. Alternating between a laconic rumble with the despondent blues pulse of Jon Spencer and a muscle car guitar hum racing hell-bent for leather down old-fashioned rock-n-roll highways and unmarked dirt roads, the quartet sizzles like steak gristle cooking on V-8 manifold.

Bad Checks recording debut, the 1982 single "I'm Paranoid," was a pleasant enough bit of Ramone-ology. By the time of the follow "Graveyard Tramp" on their own Loretta label, the Durham band had grown to a foursome (three-fourths of which amazingly still holds together today) and developed its own compelling sound.

"Graveyard Tramp" was a masterpiece of growly menace that perfectly evokes its title and which has now been reissued on CD by Clif Mann's co-owned label Demonbeach. Somehow I've never had the chance to see them live and haven't heard any of their albums since the disappinting follow up, "Innocence." But "Graveyard Tramp" remains the supreme soundtrack of the Halloween holiday season.

Band members:
Robin Mann - guitar, backing vocals
Clif Mann - bass, percussion, backing vocals
Hunter Landen - lead vocals, percussion
Mike Griffin - drums, percussion, backing vocals

Alaska, "YeahYeahYeah (Atomic Mix)," 1995
from Hello Recording Club Selection, May 1995

What could be more North Carolina than Alaska? The band was something of a NC supergroup, led by Chris Stamey (ex-dB's) but this disc seems to be the only record of its existence.

From what I gather though, the guys in Alaska had been touring with Stamey for a while as 'Chris Stamey's Big Band' before gathering at Mitch Easter's home studio in Kernersville to record this delightful slab (one track of which appeared reworked on Stamey's recent solo album).

Stamey's one-time bandmate Easter is credited with "adding guitar textures." Bassist John Chumbris was a member of DC combo Slickee Boys, then the NC band Pinetops and now Glory Fountain. Drummer John Howie formed Two Dollar Pistols soon after this disk came out.

Hello Recording Club was a subscription CDEP service run by a member of They Might Be Giants; Eugene Chadbourne was also among the artists honored with an issue.

Band Members:
John Chumbris - bass, background vocals
John Howie - drums
Chris Stamey - guitar, vocals

By: Zach Coleman

Wwax, "Just Like" 1987
from the Palindrome Productions singles box, "evil i do not/to nod i live"

Wwax was Mac McCaughan's pre-Chunk/Superchunk combo, offering a good taste of what was to come next from Chapel Hill. The band released three or four singles; this one came in a artfully decorated box. with ones from four other bands (including another Mac-powered group).

Drummer Brian Walsby also pounded sticks for a number of other bands including Patty Duke Syndrome, Polvo, Daddy and Scared Straight, but has made his biggest mark creating covers as a comic artist.

The box, Mac's production project before founding Merge Records, haunted me for weeks from the back of the record store shelf before I buckled.

Band Members:
Brian Walsby - Drums
Mac McCaughan - Guitar
Wayne Kerr - Bass

by: Zach Coleman

Eugene Chadbourne - Nazi Punks
previously unreleased

"A seemingly endless-and endlessly eclectic-series of releases made Eugene Chadbourne one of the underground community's most well-known and well-regarded eccentrics. Chadbourne had a definite singular style, comprised of equal parts protest music, free improvisation, and avant-garde jazz, topped off with his absurd, squeaky vocals."* His topics ranged from Lee Harvey Oswald to David Crosby to the Pope and his instruments varied from the guitar, the banjo, the electric rake (which he invented and invited audience members to play), and even to a wire bird-cage (which he would play with the cage surrounding his head--see photo). He blended jazz, country, and folk and would be at times both captivating and grating, but always hypnotically baffling. Besides his solo work (and countless home-made tapes) he is also known as being the frontman for Shockabilly (an early '80's rockabilly revisionist outfit) as well as joining members of Camper Van Beethoven to form Camper Van Chadbourne (or as they were also known-Eugene Van Beethoven). During his heyday in the mid- to-late 80's, Eugene resided in Greensboro (I think he still does) and became a popular attraction on the NC music scene.

*Part in quotes is courtesy of the "All-music guide".

By Patrick Richardson

Chuck - AJB - 1986
previously unreleased

Chuck was a duo consisting of Dave Nikias and Murray Reams. Chuck was a cross between industrial noise and improv--a combination of noisy guitar and erratic percussion. Dave would use two guitars to produce "untraditional" guitar sounds while Murray on percussion would use everything from garbage can lids, Coke signs, floors, ceilings, and basically anything else he could hit to get a sound. They could best be summed up as a "mind-opening experience to delve into the use of sound as music..." (quote courtesy of "Rock N' Biscuits"). I believe they were based out of Greensboro and were around for a short period from 1986 to 1987. Their shows were usually very short in length (usually 30 minutes top) but were intense in feel and delivery (almost dramatic in a way). They never had any official releases, but instead sold "do-it-yourself" tapes at their shows.

The song is "AJB" as recorded at the Brewery in Raleigh, NC on 8-13-86.

Band Members:
Dave Nikias - Guitar
Murray Reams - Drums

by Patrick Richardson

Worried Sick - The Hideout - 1992
from the cd "It Rained Fire Today"

Worried Sick were equal parts piss and vinegar. This is a pretty hard cd, but track it down if you can. It is full of the loudest raunchiest guitar sounds I've ever heard. It reminds me of The Small Faces or a grittier Badfinger. This song in particular reminds me of Uncle Tupelo on a good day.

Band Members:
Neal Dewan - Bass
Mike Kennedy - Drums
Michael Wilcox - Vocals
Peter May - Guitars, Vocals
Brian Sides - Guitars, Vocals

The Carneys - Bells -1990
from the unreleased album "1000 Nights and Counting"

from www.jeffreydeanfoster.com

Singer, guitarist and songwriter Jeffrey Dean Foster dates his musical career back in the mid-Eighties, when he co-founded The Right Profile. One of the first and best bands on North Carolina's fertile indie music scene, the Winston-Salem-based quartet played high-energy, rootsy rock and roll. Like many of Foster's musical undertakings over the past two decades, the Right Profile were ahead of their time. (Interesting footnote: Foster's foil in the Right Profile, pianist Stephen Dubner, went on to fame in the writing field as co-author of Freakonomics.)

Long before the Americana movement caught fire in this decade - before the genre even had a name - Foster also piloted an early-Nineties group called The Carneys which included Andy York (now with John Mellencamp), whose unreleased album is a veritable blueprint for Americana's synthesis of country, folk, roots and rock.

Band Members:
Jeff Foster - Vocals, Guitar
John Wurster - Drums
Tim Fleming - Bass
Andy York - Guitar

The Face Of Change - Sister Truth- 1992
from the American Helix cd "The Hour Of War"

When I played in Speck we played lots of shows with The Face Of Change. Mostly at places like the Wake Radio House. I have very fond memories of those days. We all had a lot of fun and I think there was a lot of creativity going on in those days. I always loved this band. Listen for yourself, I think you'll agree. Singer Michael Ramsey continues to make music with pearlmerchant.

Band Members:
Michael Ramsey - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Meredith Jones - Violin, Vocals, Bass
Charles Bonner - Drums
Forrest Maready - Electric Guitar, Piano, Bass, Vocals
Vera Ramsey - Vocals

Django Haskins - Ex-Best Friend - 2003
from the Alyosha Records release "OverEasySmokeMachine"

Described variously as "a cross between Elvis Costello and Tom Petty," "a pop stylist, with a quick lyrical wit and a card shark's finesse in delivering a hook" and "Norman Rockwell with a Telecaster," Chapel Hill, NC based songwriter Django Haskins makes mongrel American music. Django has recorded with producers Don Fleming (Sonic Youth, Pete Yorn) and John Plymale (Squirrel Nut Zippers), has had his music featured on MTV's 'Real World' and WB's 'Felicity', and received rave reviews in Billboard, CMJ, and many other publications, but it's in the live shows where the music really comes alive, thanks to good old-fashioned showmanship and grit. Django is now touring both solo and with his band, The Old Ceremony.

for more on Django Haskins visit his site or his myspace page.

Band Members:
Django Haskins - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion
Byron Isaacs - Bass, Backing Vocals
Neil Nunziato - Drums, Percussion

K.D. Rouse - Dirty Boys - 1999
from the cd K.D. Rouse and The Dirty Boys

In the fall of 1998 KD Rouse sprung onto the W-S music scene with a list of original songs that would have made the most seasoned songwriter blush. Recorded in live conditions that captured KD's honest and beautiful voice (as well as Sam Moss's blistering guitar work). "KD Rouse and the Dirty Boys" was released in the spring of 1999. Bad timing and unappreciative audiences caused K.D. to become disenchanted and she slowly fell out of sight. There the story may have ended but good news for us in 2005 KD was coaxed out of retirement to form The Sams.

Band Members:
KD Rouse - Vocals, Guitar
Sam Moss - Guitar, Background Vocals
Troy Pierce - Drums, Percussion
Randall Johnson - Acoustic Bass

Sons Of Adam - Everything Ain't Everything - 1994
from s/t cassette

What could only be considered a freakout of time and space. Sons of Adam appeared on the triad music scene and left a mark that will not soon be forgotten. They left behind this little 6-song cassette and a ton of memories for their fans. For more about Sons Of Adam check out The Dickens.

Band Members:
Fran Sandifer - Vocals, Guitar
Steve Graham - Bass
John Pfiffner - Guitar, Vocals
Frank Pyrtle - Drums

Soda Can - HouseDrunk - 1990
from the Forefront Records album - Powertool

Soda Can may have been from New Jersey but as far we're concerned they were North Carolinians. Trip Costner (now living in DC), Fred Mann (still living in W-S - I think in the same house) and Tom Gerridge (current residence unknown) moved to Winston-Salem and became a favorite band of Wake Forest U. frat parties. They spent endless weekends traveling the southeast spreading the Soda Can gospel. I have never in my life seen a tighter band live. Anyone who saw them knows what I am talking about. After a few years Fred had to take a break from music for medical reasons. Trip continued on with what became Squatweiler (a post is coming...trust me!). Fred later joined Squatweiler for their last album "Horsepower".

Band Members:
Trip Costner - Vocals, Guitars
Fred Mann - Drums
Tom Gerridge - Bass

Blackgirls - Broken Leg - 1990
from the Mammoth Records cd "Frequency - A Mammoth Sampler of North Carolina Sounds"

Blackgirls, including Eugenia Lee (guitar/vocals), Dana Kletter (piano/vocals), and Hollis Brown (violin/vocals), are a folk-pop band from North Carolina. Their two albums, released on the independent North Carolina label Mammoth Records, were produced by Joe Boyd, the head of Hannibal Records and a noted producer of such folk-rock performers as Fairport Convention.

Band Members:
Eugenia Lee - Guitar, Vocals
Dana Kletter - Piano, Vocals
Hollis Brown - Violin, Vocals

The Veldt - It's Over - 1990
from the Mammoth Records cd "Frequency - A Sampler of North Carolina Sounds"

from CMJ.com

The Veldt fell just short of being an anathema in the Chapel Hill indie rock scene of the early '90s. Sounding and looking nothing like the striped shirt contingent of Superchunk, Polvo, or Archers of Loaf, the band was more at home with the likes of England's dream pop bands. They were predominantly Black, an unfortunate mark against them. What could be more natural than Black men playing rock & roll? Keep the atmosphere of the Cocteau Twins and AR Kane, add some aggression and more prominent guitars -- that was the Veldt. They were influenced by Echo and the Bunnymen just as much as Jimi Hendrix and Prince, adding discernible lyrics and upping the emotional power where most bands of their ilk shied from the microphone, burying their vocals in guitar wash.

Founded in 1986 by vocalist Daniel Chavis and his brother and guitarist Danny Chavis, they added drummer Martin Levi two years later. With Cocteaus and AR Kane associate Lincoln Fong producing, engineering, and providing bass, the Veldt recorded Marigolds, an EP released in 1992 on Stardog/Mammoth. Shortly after its recording, they recruited a full-time bassist in David Burris. Signed on the strength of the EP to Mercury, they released Afrodisiac, an excellent, muscular dream pop record. In keeping with the AR Kane ties, studio comrade Ray Shulman (Gentle Giant) produced, while the Cocteaus' Robin Guthrie provided some guitar. A number of the record's tracks had "alternative radio hit" written all over them, but unfortunately this didn't happen. Ejected from the major label world, they issued Universe Boat on the independent Yesha, an EP of demos. At some point prior to the recording of the quietly-released 1998 album Love at First Hate (on their own End of the World Technologies), tensions between the Chavis brothers led to Danny's dismissal; Burris also left. Daniel carried on with Sam Clowney and Des White, but the band didn't survive long after support dates for the record.

Somewhat fittingly, the band received their warmest response while touring in the U.K with the Cocteau Twins. The textured guitars went over well, and concert goers were more than happy to see a band who could sound layered and emote vocally at the same time. As the well-worn cliche goes, this didn't translate across the ocean.

Band Members:
Daniel Chavis - Vocals, Guitar
Danny Chavis - Guitars
Joe Boyle - Bass
Marvin Levi - Drums

I am passing this along because I was really moved by the whole project. It actually relates to the site in any number of reasons and I encourage everyone to buy a copy to support this great cause. Kudos to John Plymale for organizing this. I will be adding a proper link on the site shortly but I really wanted to get the word asap.

www.songsforsixtyfiveroses.com

thanks to Patrick Richardson for bringing it to my attention.

Cheers,
Michael

Eleven Eleven - Real Men - 1988
previously unreleased

Imagine four college kids decide to start a band one day (we've never heard that story before, right?). One gets a job in Winston-Salem, NC (of all places) and the rest are coaxed into moving with offers of booze and free women, or was it women and free booze (doesn't matter because neither were free). They move into a killer old house in downtown W-S and commenced to making a whole lot of racket. They decided to throw a party and invited another local band Jonathan E (see my very first post) to join them. The party was a huge success and the rest is history as they say.

If I had a band that left behind just 2 songs and this was one of them I'd have a grin on my face. What started out as a drunken party game turned into a 2 minute experiment in... well I don't rightely know what ya call it. But its good!!!

Band Members:
Chris Myers - Vocals
Mike Morse - Guitar, Vocals
Richard Skinner - Bass
Richard Rothermel - Drums

Sugarsmack - Zsa Zsa - 1992
from the 3 AM cd ep - Zsa Zsa

from allmusic.com

The North Carolina alt-rock quintet Sugarsmack is led by vocalist Hope Nicholls, who was previously a member of roots rockers Fetchin Bones (issuing a string of albums that proved to be favorites of college radio during the late '80s). After the group's breakup, Nicholls formed Sugarsmack with her boyfriend/guitarist Aaron Pitkin, enlisting percussionist Deanna Gonzales, drummer John Adamian, and second guitarist Chris Chandek to round out the band. Sugarsmack issued their debut album, Top Loader, in 1993 on Chicago's Invisible label, while a sophomore album, Tank Top City, saw the light of day in 1998 (which also proved to be their major-label debut for Sire).

Band Members:
Hope Nicholls - Vocals & Saxophone
Aaron Pitkin - Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Sequencing
John Adamian - Drums
Chris Chadnek - Guitar and Sequencing
Deanna Gonzales - Percussion and Electronic Percussion

Zen Frisbee - Crazy Steven - 1994
from the cd "I'm As Mad as Faust"

Chapel Hill's Zen Frisbee were ridiculously popular in their hometown. I don't really know much about them. Outside of owning this cd, I have seen the video to "Jonesin" on Norwood Cheek's excellent video collection "Young Rock". Those more knowledgable than myself, I invite you to comment on this band.

Band Members:
Clint Curtis - Drums
Kevin Dixon - Guitars, Vocals
Laird Dixon - Guitars, Vocals
Andrew Maltbie - Bass, Vocals
Brian Walker - Vocals, Guitar

Jeff Hart and the Ruins - Lovesick - 1995
from the album "Glances from a Nervous Groom"

Guitarist and songwriter for the Americana styled "Brown Mountain Lights", "The Nervous Grooms," the power pop "Frosted Sugar Bombs" and his own rock combo "Jeff Hart & The Ruins". He's played bass and guitar in other NC standouts such as the "Two Dollar Pistols", "Chris Stamey's Big Band" and "Robert Kirkland & The Hanks" (following the breakup of "Arrogance"). A 17-year veteran of the NC music scene, primarily in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill clubs. An NC original, he covers the gamut of styles from Flying Burrito Brothers, The Byrds, Ray Davies to Tom Petty and the Replacements.

Band Members:
Jeff Hart - Vocals, Guitar
Glenn Jones - Bass, Vocals
Bryan Sodemann - Drums
Brian Yamamoto - Guitar

Riff Doctors - Turn Me On - 1985
from the cd Teen Line Volume One - Powerpop & poprock 45s: R & S

from the liner notes:

In powerpop's darkest hour, "jangle" appeared in North Carolina. Partly from the usual powerpop roots (Mitch Easter loved Big Star) and a jangly guitar sound that Mitch inexpensively resurrected from mid-period Byrds records —but just as much from Don Dixon's long-running country-pop band. Arrogance. Unleashed on the masses, jangle quickly degenerated into guitar-band mumbling and jamming, but you might think of Frank Bednash's Riff Doctors as the first of the counter-revolution: twangy, hook-laden, brief, and totally popped-out. A couple years later, he'd hooked up with NYC's Donna Esposito (ex-Cyclones), and cut an amazing demo (with Mitch) that went nowhere til it became the B-side of the debut Cowboy & Spingirl 12" (Subway UK).

For those not familiar with the brilliant Teen Line series go here NOW!

Band Members:
Frank Bednash

Annabel Lee - Sweet Caroline - 1991
from the Accidental Records cd "Self Recognition - NC Sampler Of The Unsigned"

Raleigh's Annabel Lee were as polished and groomed for greatness as any band from NC. Led by the smoother-than-silk voice of Ashley Carter, Annabel Lee seemed destined for greatness. How many times have you seen me write that here? Great band, lost to time.

Band Members:
Ashley Carter - Vocals
Celeste Hodgins - Keyboards
Thomas Mills - Bass
Chris Sheridan - Drums
Christopher Stevens - Guitars

Sorry for the lack of postings lately. I was out of town all week AND we had some problems with the server. I am back now and the server has been fixed so I will be back to it asap. Thanks to all the folks who have responded to my request for guest postings. I can't wait to get them and share with the world.

UPDATE: someone just pointed out that my last posting by Superchunk was sort of telling. Well you're right I guess I have been one. HAR HAR!!! Please keep spreading the word!!!!

Cheers,
Michael

Superchunk - Slack Motherfucker - 1990
from the S/T Matador release

from cmj.com

Perhaps no band was more emblematic of the true spirit of American indie rock during the 1990s than Superchunk, the pride of Chapel Hill, NC. Following the D.I.Y. ethic to the letter, the group operated solely by their own rules, ignoring all passing trends by sticking to their trademark sound -- typified by the buzzing guitars and high, impassioned vocals of frontman Mac McCaughan -- and rejecting all major-label advances in favor of the unlimited freedom afforded by owning their own company, the highly successful Merge Records. Although Superchunk's resistance to the overtures of the music industry may have deprived them of the wider audience their work clearly deserved, perhaps their greatest legacy remains their unwavering dedication to the indie tradition, a model which all up-and-coming bands should strive to emulate.

Superchunk was formed in the college town of Chapel Hill in 1989 by singer/guitarist McCaughan, bassist Laura Ballance, drummer Chuck Garrison, and guitarist Jack McCook. Initially dubbed merely Chunk -- the "Super" prefix was later added to avoid confusion with a similarly named New York City avant-jazz band -- the group's debut single, What Do I, was soon issued on Merge, a label jointly run by McCaughan and Ballance. The follow-up was 1990's epochal Slack Motherfucker, MacCaughan's blistering tirade against a lazy Kinko's co-worker; the single was immediately hailed on both sides of the Atlantic as one of the definitive indie anthems of the era; and with the subsequent release of their self-titled debut LP, Superchunk was widely celebrated among the most promising young bands in America.

Band Members:
Mac McCaughan - Vocals, Guitar
Laura Ballance - Bass
Chuck Garrison - Drums
Jack McCook - Guitar

Mitch Cooper - Always On The Horizon -1986
from his self-titled 7" ep on Prismic Records

Charlotte's Mitch Cooper led the area's retro-60's psychedelic revitalization with the release of this e.p. in 1986. Shortly after, he formed "The Inn" and his vision was fully realized. The Inn released three LP's all with the same wonderful 60's-influenced West Coast-styled psychedelic-pop. They went from free-form freakouts to more structured flowing rock pieces. I saw them numerous times at the Milestone and remember a vivid light show, tons of balloons floating all around, and other sorts of visual enticements. From what I understand, they are still together.

Before the Inn, Mitch was the original drummer for Fetchin' Bones. He caused a local stir when he released an unauthorized bootleg of early Fetchin' Bones demos in the late '80's (right as Fetchin' Bones were signing to Capitol Records--and appeared to be on the verge of breaking out). Hope Nichols and Capitol Records threatened legal action, but nothing ever came of it.

Mitch is probably best known for a Todd Rundgren tribute cd he released in 1991 ("For The Love Of Todd") which featured contributions from Peter Holsapple, Mitch Easter, Don Dixon, The Woods, Jamie Hoover, Parthenon Huxley, and Bill Lloyd. He released a follow-up Todd tribute cd in 1995 ("Still There's More").

Fred Mills adds:

Cooper, along with his Inn cohorts, was also responsible for the now-lengendary series of "Psychedelic Psunday" happenings in Charlotte; each concert featured a brace of lysergic locals jamming from early in the afternoon until way into the wee hours of the next morning -- on Sundays, naturally -- in true Fillmore fashion.

Patrick Richardson

Band Members:
Mitch Cooper - all instruments

Marsha - Not Lookin For Action - 1995
from the cd Tornado Bait

In 1995, ex-Leap of Faith bandmates Joe Romweber and Norman Underwood were beginning to assemble material to take into the studio to record the follow up to Joe's first solo record - All Over. Norman suggested that they enlist the help of ex-Orange Driver bandmate/guitarist Matt Paul. They enjoyed playing so much they decided to form a band and make a go of it as Marsha. They then recruited bass player Jeff Umbarger to fill in the final spot releasing a full length cd - Tornado Bait on Joe's own Vertical 8 label. Making the Local 506 their "home away from home," the guys enjoyed limited success and played and recorded more for fun than anything else. Matt Paul called it quits a few years later and the band forged ahead as a trio recording a second full length album - Wigged Out in 1998.

Band Members:
Joe Romweber - Guitar
Norman Underwood - Drums
Matthew Paul - Guitar
Jeff Umbarger - Bass