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