Pat the Wiz...
...preserving the magic
Band of the Week Winners 500 - 519
Week #500
April 17, 2020
Galaxie 500
Winner: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC. Co-winners: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA
Hint: this band formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1987 while the members were attending Harvard. They derived the band's name from that of a friend's car. They didn't do particularly well in the U.S. market but did dent the U.K. charts, registering #7 in the Indie Chart with their second album (of three studio releases) from which this clip is taken. The release of their third studio album signaled the end of the band, and they broke up in 1991. Members went on to other projects after the band's dissolution. Good luck everybody!!
Week #501
April 24, 2020
Limbo District performing "Encased"
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Bryan Cook, Tulsa, OK; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA, Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA
Hint: this band was Athens' entry in the pop art music genre in the early 1980's. They developed a loyal, cult-like following that always showed up for their performances. They created a video, in collaboration with Jim Herbert from the UGA Art School, and planned a gala premiere at the 40 Watt that had to be postponed due to a burglary of some of their equipment from their practice space. This clip is from a show at the Watt on Clayton, version 1.0. Good luck everybody!!
Week #502
May 1, 2020
Butthole Surfers
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Craig Williiams, Portland, OR; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, NC; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Bryan Cook, Tulsa, OK; Susan Murphy, Atlanta, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA.
Hint: this band had its beginning in San Antonio, Texas when two students at Trinity College met and shared their eclectic tastes in music. That led to the formation of this band in 1981 and it has performed largely uninterrupted since, although they have been "on hiatus" since 2016. They came to the Watt on Broad in the spring of 1984, when this recording was made. While in Athens they enticed a well-known Athenian to play bass for them, which he did for a brief period thereafter. They have released 8 albums to date, the penultimate of which produced a single that reached #1 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks. Good luck everybody!!
Week #503
May 8, 2020
the Plague performing "Stupid Job"
Winner: Chris Hartstonge, London, UK. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; David Judd, Alexandria, VA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA.
Hint: this band was Athens' entry in the punk/grunge arena beginning with its debut at the Broad Street Watt on July 4, 1983. They made an impression with that show and its successor, which was at a defunct textile concern across the road from the old Episcopalian church at the foot of the Oconee Street hill. That place was called Stitchcraft and that date was September 10, 1983. A witness to that performance was Bill Berry, and he felt motivated to arrange a show with his band at the same location, which took place on September 30th. Good luck everybody!!
Week #504
May 15, 2020
10,000 Maniacs performing "Katrina's Fair"
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; LH Sales, Athens, GA; David Judd, Alexandria, VA; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Melissa Kemmerly, Atlanta, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Melissa Bock, Marietta, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA.
Hint: this band hailed from Upstate New York, forming in 1981. They came to our place on Broad Street in May of 1983, about 5 weeks after we opened there. They played for a small but very appreciative audience and made several trips back to the Watt after that. During their career they released nine studio albums, six EPs and five live albums. Four of those charted in the top 50 in the US. They have survived the untimely demise of their original guitarist and the departure of their original lead vocalist/songwriter, who went on to a very successful solo career. This track was the seventh on their debut album, released in the same year they first appeared in Athens.
Week #505
May 22, 2020
Is Ought Gap
Winner: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Bryan Cook, Tulsa, OK; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA.
Hint: this band was one of Athens' most unique, certainly they weren't easily confused with any other. They appeared in about 1984 and performed together until the pull of other bands took some of its members to other pursuits. Although they were best remembered for their iconic vocalist this particular selection represents their sole instrumental effort, much like Pylon's Italian Movie Theme or REM's Generic/White Tornado. Sadly, the band broke up shortly after recording and before the release of its debut EP.
Week #506
May 29, 2020
Dream Syndicate performing "Boston"
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Bill Hancock, Atlanta, GA; Bryan Cook, Tulsa, OK, Craig Williams, Portland, OR.
Hint: this band is usually associated with the Paisley Underground movement, having formed in Los Angeles in 1981. The name was derived from that of an early 1960's experimental ensemble that featured John Cale. They were signed by several labels but didn't reach commercial success with any of them, including what was arguably the biggest, A&M. They played the Watt on Broad in the autumn of '86, touring in support of their third studio album; this clip is the fourth song on that record . They eventually broke up in 1989, and re-formed by the efforts of the guitarist/frontman in 2012. Good luck everybody!!
Week #507
June 5, 2020
White Buffalo performing "We are Happy Here"
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Melissa Bock, Marietta, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA.
Hint: this was an Athens jam band that blossomed on the Athens scene in the very late 80's. I crossed paths with them when I worked with Chris Queen at Athens Pro Audio after leaving the 40 Watt in early 1990. This recording was from a show at O'Malley's Tavern down by the river in 1992, which means it is possibly the last recording I made until beginning Wiz Audio in 2014.
Week #508
June 12, 2020
Circle Jerks
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL, Tom English, Archdale, NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK, LH Sales, Atlanta, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Dennis Berndt, Grafton, WI; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA.
Hint: this band was one of the West Coast punk bands that came to the Watt on Broad at the height of its popularity in the mid 1980's. The band incorporated ex-members of Black Flag along with members of other veterans of the LA punk scene to round out its roster. They have released six studio albums to date, the first five during their heyday of the 80's and the last in 1995.
Week #509
June 19, 2020
Love Tractor performing "Highland Sweetheart"
Winner: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL, Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Jennifer Griffith Barnhart, Athens, GA; Bryan Cook, Tulsa, OK; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Melissa Bock, Marietta, GA; LH Sales, Atlanta, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Melissa Kemmerly, Atlanta, GA.
Hint: this band was one of Athens' most well-known and best-loved during and after the 1980's, surviving a change in drummers twice. Their repertoire went through changes too, evolving from an instrumental-only presentation to one that incorporated crowd pleasing dance jams as needed. They appeared in the documentary Athens, GA Inside Out, being one of the bands that recorded their segment at the 40 Watt, and they also recorded part of a video that appeared on MTV in 1983 at the Watt.
Week #510
June 26, 2020
Fugazi performing "Waiting Room"
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Melissa Bock, Marietta, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Dennis Berndt, Grafton, WI; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; LH Sales, Atlanta, GA.
Hint: This band formed in Washington DC in 1986 and came to the Watt on Clayton in May of 1989, when this recording was made. Their first album was released in 1990 and followed by five more studio efforts, the last of which was released in 2001. However, the band made a career of touring and performing live up to 2003, when it took an "extended hiatus" which continues to the present. Called "the spirit of punk" by Joe Strummer in a Rolling Stone interview, the band has been cited as an influence by multiple bands whose commercial success has eclipsed their own.
Week #511
July 3, 2020
Club Ga Ga performing "Mystic Savannah"
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR
Hint: This band came to be in 1983 and spent most of the 80's as a mainstay of Athens progressive music. They performed at the 40 Watt and the Uptown and were a staple at the annual Human Rights Festival. They released a 45 that was recorded at Atlanta's Songbird Studio, and an LP. Sadly, their drummer passed away a few years ago. Good luck everybody!!
Week #512
July 10, 2020
Georgia Satellites performing "Can't Stand the Pain"
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Lynn Berndt, Grafton, WI; LH Sales, Atlanta, GA; David Judd, Alexandria, VA.
Hint: this band formed in Atlanta in the early 1980's and recorded a demo in 1984 at Axis Studios, only to break up shortly afterward. Their English manager took the demo to a Yorkshire label -- Making Waves -- which released it as an EP in 1985, the same year that this recording was made. The next year, 1986, saw the band record an eponymous LP at Cheshire Sound in Atlanta; one of its tracks produced a #2 single in the U.S., and the rest is musical history. Good luck everybody!!
Week #513
July 17, 2020
Land Sharks performing "Slippery When Wet"
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Greg Veale, Athens, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Dan Smith, Hillsborough, NC; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR.
Hint: This was Athens' entry in the fusion/rock genre, beginning in 1983 and performing for about 4 years afterward. Their main recognition came from a cart that WUOG played as a lead-in to the news segment almost nightly in '83/'84. Composed of well-known members of other Athens bands, this ensemble released a John Keane CD, which represents the total of their discography.
Week #514
July 24, 2020
J. J. Cale performing "Cajun Moon"
Winner: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Dan Smith, Hillsborough, NC; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Celeste Dickson, Athens, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Melissa Kemmerly, Atlanta, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Tim & Denise Abbott, Skipton, UK; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Caryl Kaylor, Newnan, GA.
Hint: This troubadour called Oklahoma home but he is usually associated with New Orleans due to his lengthy domicile there. His debut album was released in December, 1971 and was followed by 14 more, the last of them posthumously. Although the sound quality of this recording leaves much to be desired, I can only say that my job was to reinforce the sound produced onstage, and I did that to the best of my ability. Sorry. Good luck everybody!!
Week #515
July 31, 2020
Dreams So Real performing "History"
Winner: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC. Co-winners: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Melissa Kemmerly, Atlanta, GA; Dan Matthews, Athens, GA.
Hint: this band was one of Athens' all-time favorites, forming in 1983 and performing till they broke up in 1993. During that period they released four studio albums as well as a debut 45 which, along with the first album, was produced by Pete Buck. This clip was the first song on their first album, released in 1986. They signed with Arista Records and released their second album in 1988, which saw the title track reach #28 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, but the followup album failed to chart and Arista lost interest afterward. The band reunited twice, in 2009 and 2012, but has been dormant since. Good luck everybody!!
Week #516
August 7, 2020
the Lyres performing "Cinderella"
Winner: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA. Co-winners: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Jim Adams, Athens, GA; LH Sales, Atlanta, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Andrew Carter, Charlottesville, VA.
Hint: this band formed in 1980 in Boston and came to the Watt on Broad in 1985, then returned several times up until that club closed for good in 1987. They have survived multiple personnel changes over the years but the front man/keyboardist has remained a constant throughout. Their Wikipedia page indicates they are still performing, but that seems doubtful considering that an article from rockinBoston.com that appeared in 2006 indicates that they have broken up some time ago. Good luck everybody!!
Week #517
August 14, 2020
Normaltown Flyers performing "Fox on the Run"
Winner: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA. Co-winners: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Dan Smith, Greensboro, NC; LH Scales, Atlanta, GA; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA; Celeste Dickson, Athens, GA; Melissa Bock, Marietta, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK
Hint: this band was a local legend due to its years of performing Wednesday nights at a well-known bar and grill in northwest Athens. They regularly kept their rabid following happy with a staple of favorites that included Top 40, country, classic rock n' roll and others. They began playing the Watt on Broad beginning in 1983, and appeared there right up till the month before we closed in 1987. Since we're getting close to the end of our calendar year on Band of the Week we're going to make things interesting: there are 5 members performing on this clip, we'll award a bonus of 10 points each to everyone who can identify any of those members. That makes for a possible 50 points people! Good luck everybody!!
Week #518
August 21, 2020
Matt "Guitar" Murphy performing "Goin' to Kansas City"
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Bill Hancock, Atlanta, GA; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR.
Hint: this band was created as a backup group for the frontman, whose reputation in Memphis and, later, Chicago is part of the blues legacy those two cities enjoy to this day. They came to the Watt on Broad several times in the mid-'80s and developed a loyal and satisfied following every time they did. Although he passed away a few years ago, I will fondly remember him as a musician who paid me one of the nicest compliments I've ever received. Good luck everybody!!
Week #519
August 28, 2020
Pylon performing "Cool"
Winner: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC. Co-winners: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; David Judd, Alexandria, VA; Celeste Dickson, Athens, GA; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; LH Sales, Atlanta, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR.
Hint: this band literally needs no introduction so we'll eschew presenting one. This particular song was the "A" side to their first single, released on DB Records in April, 1980. It also appeared in a commercial for the 2016 Lexus RX. Good luck everybody!!