Band of the Week Winners 280 - 299

Week #280                                          Hillbilly Frankenstein performing "Let's Have a Party"

January 29, 2016
                                                                Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Tim Abbott,                                                                          Skipton, Yorkshire; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR; Chris                                                                                  Hartstonge, London, UK; Craig Williams,  Portland, Kip Shepherd,                                                                      Huntsville, AL; Ken Rogers, Atlanta, GA. 

Hint: This band coalesced from a group of Athens/Atlanta bands that had a common link one way or another, and enjoyed a brief but heralded existence in the late 80's. Two members had the distinction of being members of the first band to take the stage of the 40 Watt Uptown in April of '83, and they have surfaced time and again since to make memorable music together. The lead guitarist has been a pillar of an Athens band that continues to tour worldwide in a career that has spanned thirty years, and shows no sign of slowing down. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 281                                         The Feelies performing "I See No Evil"

February 5, 2016
                                                                Winner: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL. Co-winners: Tim Abbott,                                                                          Skipton, Yorkshire; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Andy Johnson,                                                                        Athens, GA; Joel Suttles, Asheville, NC;  Melissa Bock, Cumming,                                                                      GA; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR; Craig Williams, Portland, OR;                                                                  Chris Hartstonge, London, UK.

Hint: This was one of the bands from New Jersey that followed the pipeline to Athens in the 80's from Maxwell's in Hoboken. REM cited their first album as a major influence and that endorsement resulted in a ready-made following when they came to the Classic City. In 1985 Peter Buck co-produced an album with them, which resulted in them touring to support it and led to them opening for Lou Reed and REM.  This recording was one of the last I made at the 40 Watt Uptown before it closed in April of 1987. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 282                                         the Skinpops performing "Stealin' Chickens"

February 12, 2016
                                                                Winner: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL. Co-winners: Tim Abbott,                                                                          Skipton, Yorkshire; Joel Suttles, Asheville, NC; Andy Johnson,                                                                            Athens, GA; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR; Darryl White,                                                                                Melbourne, AU; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Dan Matthews,                                                                           Watkinsville, GA;  Ken Rogers, Atlanta, GA. 

Hint: This band was a power duo that sprouted in Athens at the end of the 80's and performed regularly in the Classic City for a couple of years afterward. They developed a small but enthusiastic following, partly due to an experimental sharing of the stage with an Atlanta street poet who was at the height of his popularity. Drummers being in short supply, as always, the drummer joined another Athens band that is still performing to this day. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 283                                         the Georgia Hellhounds, "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and   February 19, 2016                            Understanding?"

                                                                Winner: Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire.  Co-winners: Steve                                                                                Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Kip                                                                              Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Craig                                                                                  Williams, Portland, OR; Ken Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Chris Hartstonge,                                                                  London, UK.
 
Hint: This band was a re-formed version of an Atlanta band that rode a hit record in England to a successful career back home in the States. This version was the same personnel, minus the front man and with an added keyboardist who had just moved from his native Kentucky to the Big A and notoriety as a master of the 88 black and whites. Their career lasted a couple of years and during that time they came to the Classic City for this performance, which took place at Ken Fulghum's club at the old mill down by the river, a stone's throw from the Episcopal church steeple that gave Athens so much fame. Oh, that club was called O'Malley's Tavern, which ought to make this episode a little easier than last week's! Good luck everybody!!


Week # 284                                        the Kilkenny Cats performing title unknown

February 26. 2016
                                                               Winner: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL. Co-winners: Joel Suttles,                                                                         Asheville, NC; Darryl  White, Melbourne, AU; Steve Fleming,                                                                                 Tourmakeady, IR; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA;  Tim Abbott, Skipton,                                                                 Yorkshire; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Robby McMahon,                                                                                Gainesville, GA.   

Hint: This was an Athens band that enjoyed quite a bit of local success and toured in support of its early records, but never quite made it to the next level. That didn't stop them however, and they endured personnel changes along with the other obstacles that the music business presents till they finally called it a career after about 8 years of making Athens audiences happy. This clip is from late in their effort, a rare instrumental that featured their fine lead guitarist. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 285                                         the Butthole Surfers performing title unknown

March 5, 2016
                                                                Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Chris                                                                                        Hartstonge, London, UK; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Robby                                                                            McMahon, Gainesville, GA; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Vanessa                                                                        Briscoe-Hay, Athens, GA; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR; Craig                                                                      Williams, Portland, OR; Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire; Joel                                                                                Suttles, Asheville, NC; Ken Rogers, Atlanta, GA.  

Hint: This band was a hybrid, claiming Los Angeles and San Antonio as home at various times. They came to Athens and played the Watt on Broad in 1986, then on a return trip purloined an Athens regular who had performed in several bands through the years as their bassist. Their style has been described as "Experimental rock, alternative rock,neo-psychedelia, hardcore punk, noise rock, avant-garde". They were active up to about five years ago. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 286                                        the Hindu Love Gods with Bryan Cook performing "Pills"

March 11, 2016
                                                               Winner: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL. Co-winners: Darryl White,                                                                       Melbourne, AU; Joel  Suttles, Asheville, NC; Steve Fleming,                                                                                 Tourmakeady, IR; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA;  Chris Hartstonge,                                                                       London, UK; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Dan Matthews,                                                                                    Watkinsville, GA; Robby McMahan, Gainesville, GA; Ken Rogers,                                                                         Atlanta, GA; Vanessa Briscoe-Hay, Athens, GA; Tim Abbott,                                                                               Skipton, Yorkshire; Brian Crawford. 

Hint: This band was composed of the members of a local Athens group minus its vocalist, but adding the vocalist from several other Athens bands. To compound things further, the vocalist from the first group joined in on vocals on this particular selection. Although the name this group adopted is more famously associated with its use when they backed a well-known singer/songwriter who came to Athens in 1984 to savor the local color, the local version was the one best known by the name since they employed it as a pseudonym on more than just one occasion. We'll award 5 bonus points for everyone who can name the vocalist who performed with several Athens bands, much like our clue for Juan Molina last week. Good luck everybody!! 


Week # 287                                        Stiv Bators and the Dead Boys performing title unknown

March 18, 2016
                                                               Winner: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL. Co-winners: Darryl White,                                                                       Melbourne, AU; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Andy Johnson,                                                                               Athens, GA; Robby McMahan, Gainesville, GA; Steve Fleming,                                                                             Tourmakeady, IR; Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire; Melissa Bock,                                                                        Cumming, GA; Ken  Rogers, Atlanta, GA. 

Hint: With the Republican convention set to take place in Cleveland later this summer we thought it a good time to break out the Cleveland band in our roster. This band was a mainstay of the punk rock movement that called CBGB in New York home, and appeared in three films based on that famous venue, Punking Out, Live at CBGB's  and Crash 'n' Burn. Although the lead singer of this band performed with and gained fame with other acts, he is usually associated with the band we proudly present in this week's clip. His untimely demise has left a void in the punk rock world. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 288                                        the Chickasaw Mudd Puppies performing title unknown

March 25, 2016
                                                               Winner: Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire.  Co-winners: Chris                                                                                 Hartstonge, London, UK; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy                                                                               Johnson, Athens, GA; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Steve Fleming,                                                                 Tourmakeady, IR; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Robby McMahan,                                                                      Gainesville, GA; Ken Rogers, Atlanta, GA. 

Hint: This band was a unique two-piece group that gained a degree of Athens fame in the late 1980's. They played the Watt on Clayton regularly during that period, enjoying an enthusiastic crowd when they did. Their one-of-a-kind sound left its mark on Athens, and they got together for a reunion not long ago. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 289                                        the Black Crowes performing "Rock n' Roll Damnation"

April 1, 2016
                                                               Winner: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL. Co-winners: Joel Suttles,                                                                         Asheville, NC;  Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire; Steve Fleming,                                                                           Tourmakeady, IR; Andy Johnson,  Athens, GA; Darryl White,                                                                                 Melbourne, AU; Burton Hood, Monroe, GA; Dan Matthews,                                                                                 Watkinsville, GA; Robby McMahan,  Gainesville, GA.  

Hint: This was an Atlanta band that came to the Watt on Clayton when they were starting out in late 1987. They brought most of the audience with them, as they were largely unknown in Athens at the time. I hadn't planned on recording them but they were such a good band that I got a normal bias demo tape from Jared and recorded on that. The quality of the recording may be lacking as a result, but the energy of the group onstage is undeniable. We hope you agree with us, good luck everybody!!

Week #290                                         Mystery Date performing "Horses"

April 8, 2016
                                                               Winner: Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire. Co-winners: Darryl White,                                                                   Melbourne, AU; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Joel Suttles,                                                                                   Asheville,  NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Dan Matthews,                                                                                   Watkinsville, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Steve Fleming,                                                                            Tourmakeady, IR; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK.       

Hint: This was at the time the only all-girl (media term, not mine) band Athens could claim. They developed a loyal and vociferous following that played our place on Broad on a regular basis in the mid-'80s, usually as the opener for more established bands. The lead singer is a major player in the internal affairs of the 40 Watt these days, having held a position of importance there for several years now. Good luck everybody!! 

Week # 291                                       John Cale performing "Dead or Alive"

April 15, 2016
                                                              Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Tim Abbott,                                                                          Skipton, Yorkshire; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy Johnson,                                                                        Athens, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Ken Rogers, Atlanta, GA.

Hint: This was a Welshman who was a member of a seminal band in New York in the late '60s to the early '70s, a major influence on many bands from the '80s to the present. This performance took place at the Watt on Broad in February of 1985, less than a week after yours truly turned 34. Good luck everybody!! 


 Week # 292                                      Blue Wail performing "Funkamatic"

April 22, 2016
                                                              Winner: Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire. Co-winners: Darryl White,                                                                  Melbourne,  AU; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy Johnson,                                                                              Athens, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Joel Suttles, Asheville,                                                                    NC; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR; Craig Williams, Portland, OR.

Hint: This band played our place on Clayton in January of 1990, about a month before I left the 40 Watt. It may well be the last recording I made when I worked at the Watt but I'm not certain. The lead singer/guitarist broke a string during their set and while he replaced the string another guitarist who had been practicing with the band took his place for this marathon funk jam session. They later formed a group whose name is mentioned in the clip and who has been featured on Band of the Week. Our band this week has only been featured once on Band of the Week, and is one of only two episodes that have no winner. Good luck everybody!!


Week # 293                                      Galaxie 500 performing title unknown

April 29, 2016
                                                             Winner: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL.  Co-winners: Tim Abbott,                                                                         Skipton, Yorkshire; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Andy Johnson,                                                                       Athens, GA; Dan Matthews, Watkinsville, GA; Ken Rogers, Atlanta,                                                                 GA; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Steve Fleming,  Tourmakeady, IR;                                                                     Chris Hartstonge, London, UK.

Hint: This band was from the Boston area and formed when they were students at Harvard in 1987. Since the drummer didn't own a kit he borrowed one that belonged to his roommate, Conan O'Brien. They performed together till breaking up in 1991, during which time they released three albums. This clip was from a show they performed at the Watt on Clayton, version 2.0 in 1989 I believe. Good luck everybody!!

Week #294                                       Oh Ok performing "Here's to an Expanding Hope"

May 6, 2016            

                                                             Winners:  Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire. Darryl White, Melbourne,                                                                 AU; Kip Shepherd,  Huntsville, AL; Joel Suttles, Asheville, NC; Tom                                                                     English, Archdale, NC; Andy Johnson,  Athens, GA; Craig Williams,                                                                     Portland, OR; Robby McMahan, Gainesville, GA; Steve                                                                                           Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR;  and Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA.

Hint: This band was a local favorite, all of its members calling Barber Street home at one time or another. At its inception it might well have been called "Linda, Lynda and David". After a change of drummers it could have kept the name but added another member to its lineup. They released a record but it didn't arouse enough attention from the kingmakers in the recording industry so their career came to an early end. This clip is from a recording I made in May of 1984 at the Watt on Broad. Good luck everybody!!

Week #295                                      10,000 Maniacs performing "Manolete"

May 13, 2016

                                                             Winners:  (9-way tie due to contest submission link error on new                                                                     website)  Tim Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire; Tom English, Archdale,                                                                     NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL;  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU;                                                                         Brian Johnson, Jersey; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR; Robby                                                                          McMahan, Gainesville, GA; and Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA.

Week #296                                      Buzz of Delight performing "In the Key of Red"

May 20, 2016

                                                             Winners:  Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL. Tom English, Archdale, NC;                                                                   Dan Matthews, Watkinsville, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Tim                                                               Abbott, Skipton, Yorkshire;  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Craig                                                                         Williams, Portland, OR; Vanessa Hay, Athens, GA; Robby McMahan,                                                                 Gainesville, GA; Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR; and Kenneth                                                                           Rogers, Atlanta, GA.

Hint: This band consisted of two members, one a local Athenian who'd performed in a well-known Athens band (that we featured recently) and a Nebraskan who'd relocated to Athens because of the notoriety of its music scene. They played the 40 Watt on Broad a few times, entertaining an appreciative group of mostly other band members, but when fame eluded them following release of an EP on DB Records the Nebraskan headed west and signed with Columbia. Fame and fortune soon followed, and Athens was left with our live recordings. The song in this clip was written by none other than Michael Lachowski. Let's play Band of the Week!!

Week #297                                       Dream Syndicate performing "Spill the Wine"

May 20, 2016

                                                             Winners:  Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL. Darryl White, Melbourne,                                                                     AU;  Chris  Hartstonge, London, UK; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK; Andy                                                                 Johnson, Athens, GA; Ken Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Steve Fleming,                                                                           Tourmakeady, IR; Craig Williams,  Portland,  OR.  

Hint: This band formed in southern California in the early 80's and came through the Watt on Broad in 1986. They performed together for almost all of the decade of the 1980's, then broke up only to reform a few years ago for another go at the bright lights of the stage. During their career they released 4 full-length LP's, an EP and some live albums. They opened for REM and U2 tours in 1984 but never quite achieved the commercial success everyone yearns for in the music business. Let's play Band of the Week!!

Week #298                                       the New Invincibles performing 'Kogerizer"

May 27, 2016

                                                             Winners:  Chris Hartstonge, London, UK. Dan Matthews,                                                                                     Watkinsville, GA; Kip Shepherd, Hunstville, AL; Tim Abbott, Skipton,                                                               Yorkshire; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU;                                                                 Ken Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Robby McMahon,  Gainesville, GA.

Hint: This band was composed of Athens townies who partied together frequently, which led to them forming (what else?) a band. They developed a small but vocal following, partly as a result of a member of one of Athens' best-known bands sitting in with them on occasion. Unfortunately, both members of the rhythm section of this band passed away not too long ago; we're proud to salute their memory with a clip from Athens' only surf instrumental ensemble. Oh, and the drummer was our first champion on Band of the Week.

Week #299                                       LA's Wasted Youth performing "Tormented"

June  3, 2016                                              

                                                             Winners:  Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL. Tim Abbott, Skipton,                                                                             Yorkshire; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA;                                                                 Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Steve                                                                           Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR; Kenneth Rogers,  Atlanta, GA.

Hint: This band was one of several punk or grunge bands from California that  came through the 40 Watt on Broad in its heyday. They weren't well known and the crowd was something less than capacity that night. That didn't detract from the energy in their performance, however, although I suspect much of that energy was of artificial origin. Their claims to fame, according to their Wikipedia page, consist of Slash wearing a T-shirt of theirs during an MTV broadcast, and grafitti of the band appearing on a wall in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.