Pat the Wiz...
...preserving the magic
Week #440 Lava Treatment performing "My Little Private Angel"
February 22, 2019
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA
Hint: we try to keep BotW interesting and present a different genre from week to week in an attempt to prevent it from becoming stale. That's easier said than done and at times it's a real challenge to maintain a semblance of variety in our little Athens music game. We've encountered a spate of power duos it would seem, and it's required us to do some juggling of our list of late. This one will be a little more arcane than most, and if you weren't in Athens in the late 80's and didn't listen to WUOG then you might have trouble identifying this episode. But we hope not. We've said that before and been proven wrong by our incredible panel, so let's find out if they make me out a prophet or a liar!
Week #441 Glenn Phillips Band performing "Talk to My Girl"
March 1, 2019
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK
Hint: this week's artist is a band whose leader is a legend in Atlanta music going back to the late 60's and his presence as an original member of an Atlanta band that counted Frank Zappa as a fan. After that band broke up in 1973 this guitarist went on to perform with the band recorded here, as well as other projects with area musicians. As of this writing he is still active. performing in area clubs on a regular basis. Good luck everybody!!
Week #442 Chattahoochie Coochie Men performing "Mystery Road"
March 8, 2019
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK
Hint: this band has, in the past, proven to be one of the most difficult for our panel to decipher. The reason for this is that two of the members were from another well-known band that we've featured on Band of the Week and whose lead singer has a very distinctive voice. However, this group was an acoustic trio that incorporated another well-known Athenian musical figure to complement the other two. This clip is the title track from the third album of the band that the pair played in, released in 1989, about the time this recording was made. We're looking for the stage name that this group performed under, not the name of any other bands that they performed in or with. Good luck everybody!!
Week #443 Chris Stamey performing "Brush Fire in Hoboken"
March 15, 2019
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Melissa Bock, Charlotte, NC; Steve Fleming, Seattle, OR.
Hint: this band was a group formed as a backing ensemble for the front man's tour in late '82 and early '83, which included a stop at the old Watt on Clayton that February. The frontman had been a member of an influential band from North Carolina that formed in New York in 1978, leaving after two albums to pursue a solo career as a producer. He is still active as of this writing, having released his last album in 2013. Good luck everybody!!
Week #444 Magister Ludi performing "Grab Your Day"
March 22, 2019
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Melissa Bock, Charlotte, NC; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK.
Hint: this band burst onto the Athens music scene in the late '80s, after we moved back to Clayton Street following our stint on Broad. They took their name from the last novel published by Herman Hesse. The one thing I remember about them was their use of a cello on a song or two; I believe that's the only time I've ever miked a cello. Their material was very catchy and accessible and I enjoyed working with them. The frontman now resides on the Isle of Skye in the Hebrides. This is their fourth appearance on Band of the Week. Good luck everybody!!
Week #445 Brave Combo performing "Purple Haze"
March 29, 2019
Winner: Craig Williams, Portland, OR. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA
Hint: this was one of the Texas bands that rolled through the Watt on Broad in 1984, and returned to play the Watt on Clayton in February of 1990, making it one of the last bands I worked as house sound man for the 40 Watt. Forming in 1979 in Denton, Texas, they have toured extensively for 35 years and are still active as of this writing. They received a Grammy for Best Polka Album in 1999 and repeated that honor in 2004. They have released 34 albums over the years, making them one of the most prolific in that category of any band I ever worked with. They have made an animated appearance on the Simpsons by request of a fan, Matt Groening, and performed at David Byrne's wedding reception.
Week #446 Michael Guthrie Band performing "Believe It or Not"
April 5, 2019
Winner: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA. Co-winners: Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA
Hint: this band can trace its roots to Athens in the 60's, and has cultivated one of the most loyal followings in the Classic City over that six decade period. Taking its name from the front man, they have performed primarily as a trio and have toured extensively in the US and Europe. Sadly, the front man's brother (drummer), as well as his son (bassist), were tragically lost in separate automobile crashes some time ago. Since then the front man has drawn on the rich music community in Athens to continue his performance history, augmented by an occasional solo performance.
Week #447 Norman and Nancy Blake performing "The O.B.C. # 3"
April 12, 2019
Winner: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK.
Hint: this group was a trio that performed under a titular name but they were commonly referred to by the names of the Kristofferson, and has performed as a session musician in Nashville for years. He has appeared on albums as diverse as Dylan's Nashville Skyline and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Will the Circle Be Unbroken, and has released 37 studio albums of his own over the years. Frets magazine readers voted him Best Multi-Instrumentalist in 1986. He was born in Chattanooga, my home town, but retired to Leadville, Colorado some years ago. We'll award an extra 10 bonus points to everyone who can provide the titular name that was used by this ensemble the night I recorded this performance in February of 1981. Extra Credit: They performed under the name "Rising Fawn".
Week #448 Squalls performing "Kathy"
April 19, 2019
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Darryl White, Melbourne AU, and Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA.
Hint: you can't discuss Athens music in the 1980s without mentioning this band. They were one of the groups featured on the Athens documentary Inside Out and were one of the top draws at the 40 Watt for most of that decade. They were also one of my all-time favorite bands to work with, although their custom of changing instruments throughout the set could be a considerable challenge. I have said many times that the frontman was Athens' most prolific songwriter, and I stand by that statement to this day. When they first began playing in Athens they had a different name, we'll award 20 points to anyone who can provide that first name.
Extra credit goes to Darryl White with the correct answer of the Quarks.
Week #449 the Silos performing "Just This Mornin'"
April 26, 2019
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Andy Johnson, Atlanta, GA; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK.
Hint: this band hailed from New York, coming to the Watt on Clayton twice before I left, once right after we reopened in that location and once the following year. This is one of those bands that I have tended to overlook and that's on me, they have certainly deserved more attention than has been afforded them. We have featured them twice previously but since the last time it's been six years and they are long overdue. They enjoyed a successful career, being voted the Best New American Band in the Rolling Stone Critics Poll of 1987, the year this recording was made. The front man is still active today, performing at the Georgia Theater earlier this month. They released seventeen albums and participated in twelve other projects, most of which involved only the front man. Everyone who can give me that front man's name will receive extra bonus points under a system that starts with ten for the first correct entry and steps down one at a time from there. Good luck everybody!!
Week #450 Billy James performing "All the People Lost at Sea"
May 3, 2019
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK, Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA.
Hint: this was a local band formed from two veterans on the Classic City stage and two recent additions to the Athens music community. The front man had been a member of one of the most popular bands in town that broke up in the summer of 1984, and he became our light man at the Watt on Broad for a period of time, during which he fielded a couple of groups who usually opened for a name act that played our place. This one played the Watt on Clayton version 2.0 in early 1988, when this recording was made. It's the only one I have of this band. Good luck everybody!!
Week #451 Greg Trooper performing "Hannah's Dreams"
May 10, 2019
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Melissa Bock, Charlotte, NC; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA.
Hint: this artist was a singer-songwriter from NYC who moved to Austin, Texas and then on to Kansas where he attended the University of Kansas. He put together a backing band with the eponymous name and began recording and touring, which didn't cease until his untimely demise in early 2017. During that career he released a total of 13 albums, live and studio, and had songs recorded by other artists, including Steve Earle, Vince Gill and Billy Bragg. It was at a show at the Watt on Clayton version 2.0 that he opened for Billy Bragg and that's when this recording was made. In the past I made the mistake of featuring one of his songs twice in succession on BotW, which mistake we won't repeat this time! Good luck everybody!!
Week #452 R.E.M. "Begin the Begin"
May 17, 2019
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Greg Smith, Nicholson, GA; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Matt Morris, Winston- Salem, NC.
Hint: this band started in April, 1980 at a birthday party for a mutual friend. From there they ascended the peak of musical success over a period that extended 31 years. This clip is from one of the last shows at the 40 Watt on Broad, in February of 1987. We chose this one to acknowledge the release of the biography of the same name by our good friend, Rob Lurie. Good luck everybody!!
Week #453 Deacon Lunchbox performing "Beverly Redneck"
May 24, 2019
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA.
Hint: this artist was an Atlanta street poet who developed a one-man show that drew on expanding social conscience, which effort earned him a loyal following here in Athens and in the Atlanta market. He performed at the Watt on Clayton version 2.0, often with other bands from both towns. Sadly, he died in a tragic crash along with two members of one of those bands on an Alabama interstate a couple of years after this recording was made.
Week #454 Guadalcanal Diary performing "Gilbert Takes the Wheel"
May 31, 2019
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Tom Engliish, Archdale, NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Dana Downs, Athens, GA; Melissa Bock, Charlotte, NC; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Craig Williiams, Portland, OR; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA.
Hint: this band was one of those that straddled the fence between Athens and Atlanta, some members calling Athens home and the others residing in Atlanta. They can lay claim to the distinction of being the first band to take the stage at the 40 Watt Uptown on Broad Street on April 23, 1983, being the opening act for Pylon at that show. We're featuring them this week as a tribute to their lead guitarist, who passed away a few days ago. Good luck everybody!!
Week #455 Gun Club performing "Preaching the Blues"
June 7, 2019
Winner: Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK. Co-winners: Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Melissa Bock, Charlotte, NC.
Hint: this band came from Los Angeles to play the Watt on Broad in the summer of 1984. The group centered on its lead vocalist, who did most of the songwriting and also contributed guitar work at times. Sadly, he passed away in 1996 and his untimely demise signaled the end of a 17-year career for the band. They are styled "tribal psychobilly blues" and referred to as the originators of "cowpunk". Good luck everybody!!
Week #456 Art in the Dark performing "Calling Anyone"
June 14, 2019
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA.
Hint: this band was a local favorite in the early '80s, cultivating a loyal following among the art-rock music community in Athens and supplementing that with regular performance dates on the fraternity circuit in town. They progressed to touring on a regular basis from there, employing a certain olive drab Dodge van that had a history of its own. Like many other bands in Athens, their career came to an end as the members graduated and moved on to other pursuits, but they left a mark on Athens when they did.
Week #457 Mary My Hope
June 21, 2019
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR.
Hint: this band, according to the cassette label, performed the last show I worked at the 40 Watt. That was in February of 1990. I didn't remember much about this band except I liked them enough to put a tape in the deck and record them. I was mildly surprised to find out they had a career that began in 1987 and ran through 1993, releasing an album and an EP during that period. The lead singer went on to a solo career in New Orleans, releasing two albums there that were critically acclaimed but fared poorly in popular reception. They are usually perceived as gothic-rock, performing that genre well before bands such as Smashing Pumpkins. Good luck everybody!!
Week #458 the Primates performing "Shout Out City"
June 28, 2019
Winner: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Melissa Bock, Charlotte, NC; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Kenneth Rogers, Atanta, GA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA.
Hint: this band was an Athens favorite in the mid-to-late 80's, performing at the Watt on Broad and the Watt on Clayton in that time period. Consisting of a three piece ensemble that called Ellijay, Georgia home, they made their way to the Classic City to make music. They developed a very loyal following and I usually recorded their shows for the guitarist, who then took them home and I never got to hear how they turned out. This particular recording was the one I kept out of all those, only to surrender it to the bassist when we crossed paths about ten years ago. We have featured them twice previously, this makes the third time around for them. Good luck everybody!!
Week #459 Charlie Pickett and the Eggs performing "Shake Some July 5, 2019 Action"
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Melissa Bock, Charlotte, NC; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA.
Hint: this was a punk-blues beach bar band from the Florida shores that came to the Watt on Clayton shortly after I assumed "official" duties as house sound man in late '82. Here's Pete Buck's assessment of them, published in Bloodshot Records' bio page: "Situating themselves at the crossroads where Johnny Thunders and Son House intersect, C*****e whipped up a bad voodoo vibe of heroin rock and midnight blues. These guys were one of the undiscovered giants of the late eighties." - Peter Buck, REM
I honestly don't think I can improve on that, so let's just play Band of the Week!!