Band of the Week Winners 240 - 259

Week #240                                       Bloodkin performing "I'm On Fire"

 April 25, 2015
                                                             Winner: Chris Hartstonge, London, UK. Co-winners: Andy Johnson,                                                                 Athens, GA; Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire; Steve Fleming,                                                                               Tourmakeady, IR; Darryl White, Melbourne,  AU; Kip Shepherd,                                                                         Huntsville, AL.

Hint: This band came to our place down on Clayton Street version 2.0, not long before I left the 40 Watt. At that point they hadn't developed the fan base that they were to enjoy in the future, but the half-dozen or so people who did show up were enthusiastic nonetheless. I only crossed paths with them a couple of times, but they've played clubs in Athens since and from what I read they are still active to this day, at least with some of the original members. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 241                                      Little Tigers performing "Rock Steady" 

May 2, 2015
                                                             Winner: Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR. Co-winners: Chris                                                                               Hartstonge, London, UK;  Andy Johnson, Athens, GA;Tim Abbott,                                                                   Skipton, UK; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Darryl White, Melbourne,                                                               AU; Robby McMahan, Gainesville, GA; Ken Rogers, Atlanta,                                                                               GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Dan Matthews, Watkinsville, GA.

Hint: This band was a local favorite in the early 80's, setting the record for door take at the Watt on Clayton (version 1.0). They were a personal favorite of my old friend Dave Meltsner and we're dedicating this week's episode in his memory. While this band was an Athens staple in its day, members of this band went on to participate in the lineup of so many other Athens bands that I think it would be safe to call them the cradle of Athens music. There were not many bands that performed reggae in those days, this clip is testimony that this band could. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 242                                     Tupelo Chain Sex performing title unknown

May 9, 2015
                                                            Winner: Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire. Co-winners: Chris                                                                                Hartstonge, London, UK;  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Dan                                                                              Matthews, Watkinsville, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Andy                                                                      Johnson, Athens, GA.

Hint: This was an LA band that came to the Watt on Broad a couple of times before it closed, playing to a small but appreciative crowd when they did. They were categorized as "punk, jazz, rockabilly, psychedelic, psychobilly", none of which adequately described their performance. One of the members played previously with the Mothers of Invention, and the group released at least six recordings, some of them on two labels. I really liked the frontman, who sported a blue Mohawk and favored jeans with the rear pockets worn out. Wish I had the chance to work with him again. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 243                                     the Land Sharks performing "Where's the Beat?"

May 16, 2015
                                                            Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Chris Hartstonge,                                                              London, UK; Ken Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL;                                                                Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR; Andy  Johnson, Athens, GA.

Hint: This was an Athens band known for its fusion instrumentals, which wasn't very appealing to the New Wave crowd in town so they never received the appreciation they deserved. The front man often joked that they were going to play a song that might have been heard on WUOG leading into the news program, but that they were going to play the entire song instead of cutting it off halfway through. They released a self-produced album that was recorded at John Keane's studio, this clip didn't make it on to that effort so to the best of my knowledge this clip is relatively unknown. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 244                                      Peter Holsapple performing "Lonely Is as Lonely Does"

May 23, 2015
                                                             Winner: Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire. Co-winners: Darryl White,                                                                 Melbourne, AU; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Craig Williams,                                                                             Portland, OR; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK.

Hint: This was a well-known singer/songwriter who, as a member of a very seminal band from the late 70's-early 80's, had a tremendous influence on Athens' music community and the creative edge of music in general. He performed as part of a benefit at the Watt on Clayton in early 1989, when this clip was recorded. I've always admired this song a great deal and its composer as well, I hope he'll approve of us featuring it for this week's Band of the Week. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 245                                      Go Van Go performing "Piece of You"

May 30, 2015                                      

                                                             Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Chris                                                                                     Hartstonge, London, UK; Tim  Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire; Kip                                                                           Shepherd, Huntsville, AL.
 
Hint: This was an Athens band that was composed of three members who'd performed in prior Athens bands, plus a newcomer to Athens around 1983. The frontman was well-known in the Athens music community and in a cameo appearance onstage with REM at Tyrone's was referred to as "the grandfather of Cobbham". The female vocalist will be appearing in the debut of her new band next Saturday, an event that Wiz Audio is proud to be a part of. The drummer performed with several bands in Athens over the years, not only on trapset but also as an accomplished bassist. The bassist in this band you might have seen performing at the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies a few years ago, along with Keith Richards and Ron Wood. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 246                                       Poi Dog Pondering performing "Goin' Up the Country"

June 6, 2015
                                                              Winner: Craig Williams, Portland, OR. Co-winners: Kip Shepherd,                                                                      Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Darryl White,                                                                                Melbourne, AU; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK.

Hint: This was a band that came to the Watt on Clayton version 2.0 in my last year of service at the 40 Watt. They can lay claim to Hawaii, Chicago and Austin as home, and their eclectic music styles reflect that diversity. Although they've had several personnel changes over the years, their signature sound that includes accordion, mandolin, pennywhistle and violin is extant in their current work. This year marks their 31st, during which period they've released 9 studio albums and various live/compilation recordings. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 247                                       Love Tractor performing "Fun to be Happy"

June 13, 2015
                                                              Winner: Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK. Co-winners: Andy Johnson,                                                                            Athens, GA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge,                                                                              London, UK; Melissa Bock, Charlotte, NC; Darryl White,                                                                                        Melbourne, AU; Ken Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Steve Fleming,                                                                                    Tourmakeady, IR; Craig Williams, Portland, OR.

Hint: This band was one of Athens' most prominent in the 1980's, releasing several albums and touring extensively. They overcame the difficulty of having to replace the drummer twice, the first when that drummer decided to concentrate on another prominent Athens band. They were kind enough to ask me to appear in their first MTV video, released in early 1983, that also featured a view of the Watt on Broad. This clip is a perfect example of their signature early instrumental sound, although it was recorded in 1986. Good luck everybody!!
 

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Week # 248                                       Webb Wilder & the Beatnecks performing "Devil's Right Hand"

June 20, 2015
                                                              Winner: Melissa Bock, Charlotte, NC. Co-winners: Tim Abbott,                                                                          Skipton, Yorkshire; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Robby McMahan,                                                                  Gainesville, GA; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Chris Hartstonge,                                                                      London, UK; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR.

Hint: This band played the Watt on Broad the month before it closed its doors, they were touring in support of their debut album for Landslide Records. There have been nine since, along with an impressive film career for the front man. Unfortunately the bass amp was uncooperative and I was plagued off and on all night with an annoying crackle that rears its ugly head during this particular clip, but since I promised Robby McMahan I'd feature it I really have no choice. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 249                                      Wheel of Cheese performing "Sex Machine"

June 27, 2015
                                                             Winner: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA. Co-winners: Steve Fleming,                                                                       Tourmakeady, IR; Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire; Kip Shepherd,                                                                     Huntsville, AL.

Hint: This band formed in early 1983 as an alternative to their legitimate identity, in an attempt to please their fans who wanted to hear them jam on radio favorites instead of playing only original songs. They often invited music guests to accompany them onstage, and it wasn't unusual for the stage to be crowded with a dozen people by the end of the night. Speaking of end of the night, this was the final song from that premiere performance in '83, and one of the guests is an old friend that I got to work with again just a couple of weeks ago! Good luck everybody!!
 

 

Week #250                                        Deacon Lunchbox performing "Redneck Sex Change"

July 4, 2015
                                                              Winner: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA. Co-winners: Chris Hartstonge,                                                                  London, UK; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Darryl White, Melbourne,                                                                AU; Melissa Bock, Charlotte, NC; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR;                                                                  Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire.
 

Hint: This was an Atlanta street poet who expanded his performance repertoire by taking his act onstage. He quickly touched a nerve in the Atlanta radio market and scored a Top 10 local FM hit about the time he first came to the 40 Watt on Clayton version 2.0. He and I got to be pretty good friends up to the time I left the Watt, and a few years later he was taken from us when the van he was riding in, along with two members from another band he was touring with, were killed in a head-on collision on a southern Interstate. This one's in his memory, good luck everybody!!
 

Week # 251                                      the Plague performing "Your Generation"

July 11, 2015
                                                             Winner: Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire. Co-winners: Andy Johnson,                                                               Athens, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Darryl White,                                                                                     Melbourne, AU; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Steve Fleming,                                                                             Tourmakeady, IR.

Hint: This was Athens' preeminent post-punk band of the 1980's (imho) and enjoyed a notch of obscure fame when they introduced the old textile mill across from St. Mary's steeple to rock shows September 10, 1983. Three weeks later, minus one day, a local band whose name consisted of three little letters emulated that effort and made Stitchcraft an "in" place for bands to play in Athens. This clip is from that punk band's 40 Watt Uptown show in July of 1984, or 31 years ago tomorrow. Hard to believe it's been that long, but this band is alive and kicking like they were three decades ago, let's play Band of the Week!
 

Week # 252                                      Drivin' n' Cryin' performing "Friend Song"

July 18, 2015
                                                             Winner: Craig Williams, Portland, OR. Co-winners: Darryl White,                                                                       Melbourne, AU; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge,                                                                       London, UK; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Tim Abbott, Skipton,                                                                           Yorkshire; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR.

Hint: This was a band from Atlanta that came to the Watt on Broad as a three piece, then later they appeared at the Watt on Clayton as a quartet. This clip is from the latter location, 26 years ago this past Monday week. They have enjoyed a long-lived career, and are still active to some degree as the front man performing solo and a reunion last year. The lead guitarist was my friend and partner in Wiz Audio until his untimely demise last year, this one's dedicated to him. Let's play Band of the Week!


Week #253                                       the Michael Guthrie Band performing "Big Guitar"

July 25, 2015 
                                                             Winner: Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR. Co-winners: Kip                                                                                 Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; David Finkel, Athens, GA; Marion                                                                                 Montgomery, Danielsville, GA; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU;                                                                             Melissa  Bock, Charlotte, NC; Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire;                                                                           Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK.

Hint: This was a band that originated in Athens in the late 60's and enjoyed success touring in Europe before returning to Athens in the late 70's. They then moved their base to Virginia in the early part of the 80's before returning to Athens to stay about 1986. They played our place on Broad not long before it closed, then played the Watt on Clayton on a regular basis after we reopened in that location. Tragically, this family has lost two of its members in automobile mishaps and we'd like to dedicate this episode to those fine musicians lost much too soon. Let's play Band of the Week!!


Week # 254                                      A Few Kids with Bicycles performing title unknown

August 1, 2015
                                                             Winner: Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire. Co-winners: Darryl White,                                                                 Melbourne AU; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kip Shepherd,                                                                                   Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK.

Hint: This was a band that came through the Watt on Clayton version 2.0, to the best of my knowledge. I remember them being an upbeat, poppy-sounding band with tight harmonies and good original songs. Other than that I really don't have any more information so this one's going to be on you to figure out. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 255                                      Art in the Dark performing "You Can Save Me"

August 8, 2015
                                                             Winner: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA. Co-winners: Darryl White,                                                                           Melbourne, AU; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Jennifer Armour,                                                                     San Diego, CA; Melissa Bock, Charlotte, NC; Steve Fleming,                                                                               Tourmakeady, IR; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL.

Hint: This band was one of Athens' most popular among the college crowd in the early 80's, enjoying a loyal student following and garnering a substantial amount of radio play on WUOG in those days. They had a particularly unique sound that was very recognizable and this clip reflects that quality. Its members have gone on to produce a distinguished member of academia and an outstanding attorney, among other distinctions. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 256                                      Charlie Pickett & the Eggs performing "If This Is Love, Can I Get My August 15, 2015                             Money Back?"

                                                             Winner: Chris Hartstonge, London, UK. Co-winners: Andy Johnson,                                                                 Athens, GA; Tim  Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire; Kip Shepherd,                                                                               Huntsville, AL; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR; Darryl White,                                                                           Melbourne, AU.

Hint: This was a Florida beach band that came to the Watt on Clayton version 1.0 not long before we moved to Broad Street. They were referred to us by Peter Buck, who was a fan and wanted to help them out. They got a weeknight and that meant a minimal crowd, but they received a warm Athens welcome nonetheless. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 257                                      Mercyland performing "Tough Ass Knives"

August 22, 2015
                                                             Winner: Chris Hartstonge, London, UK. Co-winners: Andy Johnson,                                                                 Athens, GA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Burton Hood, Monroe,                                                                     GA;  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Dan  Matthews, Watkinsville, GA;                                                               Robby McMahan, Gainesville, GA; Jennifer Fox Armour, San                                                                               Diego, CA; Ken Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady,                                                                 IR; Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire.

Hint: This was the preeminent Athens grunge band from the 1980s (imho) and they enjoyed a very successful career touring and playing local clubs for several years. The lead singer is currently the head of the UGA music business department. They went through several drummers, one of whom was a regular here on Band of the Week until recently. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 258                                     Dash Rip Rock performing "Johnny Ace"

August 29, 2015
                                                            Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Tim Abbott,                                                                        Skipton, Yorkshire; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Andy Johnson,                                                                    Athens, GA; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady IR; Joel Suttles, Asheville,                                                              NC.          

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Hint: This was a roadhouse touring band from New Orleans that came to the Watt on Broad a couple of weeks before it closed. They played a Monday night, which was usually death for an out-of-town band but they drew a small but enthusiastic crowd and entertained them from start to finish. They are still at it these many years later, I heard from the front man just a few months ago when their latest album was released. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 259                                    40 Watt Needlecushions performing "Runnin' Away"

September 4, 2015
                                                           Winner: Chris Hartstonge, London, UK. Co-winners: Andy Johnson,                                                                 Athens, GA; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Tim Abbott, Skipton,                                                                       Yorkshire; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady IR; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville,                                                             AL.

Hint: This was a concatenation that Paul Scales put together in the summer of '82, consisting of friends and acquaintances who shared his love of music and other hedonistic pursuits. He asked me to record them and I did during a break from working with the Blanks that summer. This was like some of the other recording sessions I was involved in at the Watt on Clayton, we came in on a Sunday, set up and played to the empty, reverberant concrete shoebox. The result is the clip that accompanies this, good luck everybody and au revoir my dear friend Paul..