Pat the Wiz...
...preserving the magic
Band of the Week Winners 520 - 539
Week #520
September 4, 2020
R.E.M. performing "Radio Free Europe"
Winner: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Melissa Kemmerly, Atlanta, GA; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Mike Czysz, Cedar Grove, NC; Melissa Bock, Marietta, GA; Bill Hancock, Atlanta, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Suzanne Perry, Winston-Salem, NC; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; LH Sales, Athens, GA; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA; Celeste Dickson, Athens, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Matt King, Olean, New York.
Hint: This band needs even less an introduction than last week's if that's at all possible. They formed in Athens in 1980 and took the local music scene by storm. It was my good fortune to work with them almost exactly a year after their first performance together and that condition repeated several times over the next 9 years. Since this episode concludes our tenth year of Band of the Week we want to go out with a bang, so we're going to award 25 bonus points to everyone who can complete the lyric: "You ankled up the garbage sound but we were busy in the rows.... Gardening at Night just didn't grow"... Good luck everybody and thanks for supporting Band of the Week this past year!!
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Final Points at End of 10th Year: Congratulations!!
Darryl White 690 / Tom English 537 / Kip Shepherd 517
Andy Johnson 509 / Matt Morris 486 / Chris Hartstonge 424 / Kenneth Rogers 223
Craig Williams 218 / Steve Fleming 198 / Melissa Bock 126 / LH Sales 88
Mitch Harris 83 / Dan Smith 79 / Celeste Dickson 78 / Melissa Kemmerly 64
Tim Abbott 63 / David Judd 40 / Mike Czysz 36 / Bryan Cook 32 / Suzanne Perry 32
Matt King 21 / Bill Hancock 18 / Jennifer Barnhart 8 / Dennis Berndt 7
Greg Veale 6 / Andrew Carter 6 / Tommy Jordan 4 / Jim Adams 4 / Lynn Berndt 3
Denise Abbot 3 / Susan Murphy 2 / Greg Smith 1 / Caryl Kaylor 1 / Dan Matthews 1
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Week #521
September 11, 2020
Heartfixers w/Fingers Taylor performing "Oh What a Thrill"
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Melissa Kemmerly, Atlanta, GA; Melissa Bock, Marietta, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta.
Hint: this band was an Atlanta blues legend for most of the 1980s, usually billed as the frontman and the backing group. On this occasion, they were joined by a harmonica player who had established a reputation for being an original member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band. The guitarist in our featured band has gone on to a highly successful solo career which has included 17 studio albums. For our purposes today we want the name of the band as they were billed, which was the frontman and the backing band, and we'll award 10 bonus points to everyone who gives us the name of the featured harmonica player. Good luck everybody!!
Week #522
September 18, 2020
Waylaid performing "Trailer Park Song"
Winner: Chris Hartstonge, London, UK. Co-winners: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA
Hint: this was an Athens band that came along in the late 1980's, garnering a local following and playing the 40 Watt on Clayton (version 2.0) several times. They were a good representation of the knock-heads grunge movement that Athens fostered in that time period. This recording was made the summer before I left the Watt, which was in February of 1990. Sadly, when I found one of the band members online a few years ago I was advised of the passing of the drummer, who used to live around the corner from me in Normaltown.
Week #523
September 25, 2020
Cowboy & Spin Girl
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Co-winners: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK; Craig Williams, Portland, OR.
Hint: this band came to the Watt on Broad in the summer before we closed for good, that being in June of 1986. I don't remember much about them except I think they were from California (not positive about that though). Although there were four band members the band's persona centered around the guitarist/vocalist and a female vocalist, as I remember it. This recording was made a couple of years prior to their initial release, which proved to be the first of several to follow. One thing of interest I found on their website was a credit for producing to Mitch Easter. That's about all I know, good luck everybody!!
Week #524
October 2, 2020
Squalls performing "Uh!"
Winner: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Tom English, Archdale, NC; David Judd, Alexandria, Virginia; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, OR; Dan Matthews, Athens, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK
Hint: This band was an Athens favorite that enjoyed a loyal and devoted following during a career that spanned the decade of the 1980's. They were also a personal favorite for me to work with the many times our paths crossed. When they performed at the Watt on Broad the top floor would shake so much I genuinely feared it would collapse on the crowd below, which included me. They recently released a live compilation CD, consisting of tracks derived from shows I recorded for them over the period of several years. I was also honored to be asked to produce their first studio record, a 45 RPM "Crickets" b/w "Bride of Frankenstein". Good luck everybody!!
Week #525
October 9, 2020
Winter Hours
Winner: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Craig Williams, Portland, OR
Hint: this band was a New Jersey entry in the pop-rock music scene of the middle-to-late 80's, coming to the Broad Street Watt in late 1985. They registered a 12 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1989. One of its members also played in the Feelies. Sadly, both the lead singer and the lead guitarist suffered early demises, the former in 2004 and the latter in 2015.
Week #526
October 16, 2020
the Primates performing "James Dean"
Winner: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA. Co-winners: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Lisa Venegas, Nashville, TN; Kim Antrim, Athens, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA
Hint: this was an Athens band that played the Watt on Broad and moved along with the Watt when we resumed business at the Clayton Street location. The band consisted of a pair of brothers on bass and drums and a guitarist, who collectively called Ellijay, Georgia home until they moved to Athens for the music scene. They were one of the bands that enjoyed the distinction of having REM "open" for them at the Watt, that event occurring in the summer of 1989, which happens to be the last time I worked with REM. Good luck everybody!!
Week #527
October 23, 2020
Mary My Hope performing "Hourglass"
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Co-winners: Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; LH Sales, Atlanta, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Vanessa Hay, Athens, GA; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA
Hint: this was an Atlanta band that generated a loyal fan following in the late 80's, which is when they played the Watt on Clayton (version 2.0) and when this recording was made. This particular song is from an LP they released in 1989, called Museum. Their local success never really translated to a larger audience, and they broke up in 1993. The lead vocalist went on to a notable solo career, and other members of the band continued performing and recording with other Atlanta artists.
Week #528
October30, 2020
Limbo District performing "Bamboo Ruin"
Winner: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA. Co-winners: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Dan Matthews, Watkinsville, GA.
Hint: this Athens band represents what I think Athens music personified as much as any because of its originality and non-conformist precept. Although they only performed a few times, on those occasions they drew a loyal and appreciative audience. We chose them this week as a way to pay homage to the 40 Watt on Clayton, which evolved into the Caledonia Lounge and which, it has been reported, has gone out of business. Here's to the 40 Watt I helped get off the ground, where I lived for 5 months, and was the last 40 Watt I worked for. Good luck everybody!!
Week #529
November 6, 2020
the Lyres performing "I Know You Don't Love Me No More"
Winner: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA. Co-winners: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Melissa Kemmerly, Atlanta, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Dan Matthews, Watkinsville, GA.
Hint: Hint: this band was one of the Boston bands associated with the Ace of Hearts label that came to play the Watt on Broad in the mid 1980's. They had a unique sound and stage persona largely as a result of the keyboardist/lead singer, whose nickname of MotoMan has survived for years. Their recording career has produced 8 albums along with several EPs and singles.
Week #530
November 13, 2020
Damage Report
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA
Hint: This band was an Athens icon for the tech-oriented, consisting of two of Athens' more intellectually inclined personages. They burst upon the Athens music community in the summer of '86, quickly establishing what could be termed a cult following which started out at the 40 Watt Uptown and moved along with the venue back to the Clayton Street location. Setting their stage proved to be a challenge, but it was one I welcomed because the guys always did their best to cooperate, and I appreciate that effort to this day.
Week #531
November 20, 2020
Fab Area
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA ; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA
Hint: In keeping with our ongoing theme of featuring groups that we've tended to neglect in the past, we present for your listening pleasure an Atlanta band that made a splash in the Big A music scene in the late 80's. There wasn't much to be found online as far as history or a bio, so I'm afraid our intrepid panel will be forced to rely on their own devices in figuring this one out. Don't forget we posted a list of these groups on our Facebook page several weeks ago.
Week #532
November 27, 2020
Time Toy performing "You're Dead"
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR.
Hint: this was an Athens band that was composed of members who'd performed in other Athens bands previously. They formed in the mid-'80s and performed on a regular basis at the Watt on Broad for a couple of years, till they broke up. They developed a devoted and loyal following during their tenure. The only adequate adjective to describe them would have to be avant-garde. Sadly, the guitar/bassist passed away much too soon a few years ago.
We apologize for the intermittent glitch in the bass, it was the result of a faulty cable.
Week #533
December 4, 2020
Glass Eye performing "Clean Living Room"
Winner: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA. Co-winners: Tom English, Archdale, NC; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR.
Hint: this was one of the Austin, Texas bands that played the Watt on Broad in its heyday of the mid-'80s. We've featured them twice previously, most recently in 2016. I don't remember a lot about the band but I remember being impressed with their vocal harmonies at soundcheck and that gave me a reason to record the show. According to their Wikipedia article, the band was acknowledged as an "influential art-rock group". Their career spanned the decade of 1983-1993, releasing 5 studio albums as well as 3 EPs. They re-formed for a reunion in 2006, performing at SXSW as a result.
Week #534
December 11, 2020
REM performing "Burning Down"
Winner: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA; Celeste Dickson, Athens, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Dan Matthews, Watkinsville, GA; LH Sales, Atlanta, GA, Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA.
Hint: this was an Athens band that I started working with about a year after I moved here in the summer of 1980. When I began thinking of a group to feature that would complement the occasion of our tool shed burning down this past Wednesday, there really was no other choice.
Week #535
December 18, 2020
8 or 9'
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR.
Hint: this band hailed from Raleigh, NC. They played the Watt on Clayton, version 2.0, in early 1989. I was unable to find any information on the web regarding this band, so I'm afraid our intrepid panel will be left to their own devices in identifying this one.
Week #536
December 25, 2020
Christmas
Winner: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA. Co-winners: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Tom English, Archdale, NC; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Celeste Dickson, Athens, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Dan Matthews, Watkinsville, GA.
Hint: This is was a Boston band that came to play the Watt on Broad in 1986. We're featuring them this week for obvious reasons, we really don't know more about them, unfortunately. Hope that helps, and that you enjoy a safe and happy holiday season. Good luck everybody!!
Week #537
January 2, 2021
Pylon performing "M Train"
Winner: Darryl White, Melbourne, AU. Co-winners: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Tom English, Archdale, NC; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Arthur Johnson, Atlanta, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA; Dan Matthews, Athens, GA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; LH Sales, Atlanta, GA; Celeste Dickson, Athens, GA; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA.
Hint: this band was arguably Athens' most renowned of the early 1980's. They have been a major influence on innumerable bands both in the Classic City and around the globe, and their legacy is carried on by a reunion group that features one of its original members. Their sound is so distinctive it should be easily recognized by anyone who bore witness to Athens music from the early part of the 1980's.
Week #538
January 8, 2021
Little Tigers performing "Pretty Blue"
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Andrew Carter, Charlottesville, VA; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA.
Hint: this band was an Athens favorite in the first half of the 1980's, setting the house records for take at the door and total bar receipts at the Watt on Clayton in January of 1983. They were also the last band to perform at Tyrone's OC, as they took the stage the night of January 6, 1982 ((editor's note: my calendar doesn't have them listed, it shows the Family Rebirth band, in which Paul Scales played keyboard. They were the opening act). Sadly, two of the four performers on this clip have passed away much too soon. We'd like to dedicate this episode of Band of the Week to them. We're going to offer a five-point bonus to everyone who can name the four performers on this clip.
Week #539
January 15, 2021
10,000 Maniacs performing "Scorpio Rising"
Winner: Tom English, Archdale, NC. Co-winners: Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL; Matt Morris, Winston-Salem, NC; Andy Johnson, Athens, GA; Darryl White, Melbourne, AU; Chris Hartstonge, London, UK; Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA; Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK; Craig Williams, Portland, OR; Mitch Harris, Athens, GA; Celeste Dickson, Athens, GA; Melissa Kemmerly, Atlanta, GA; Steve Fleming, Seattle, WA.
Hint: this band arrived in Athens just about a month after we moved from Clayton Street to the Broad Street location. It was their first trip to the South from their home state of New York. Although there were only a dozen or so in the audience that night, word quickly got out and their next appearance saw a much more substantial crowd at the Watt. They became a regular on the trip from New York to Athens and their career fared well after those early days. Sadly, one of the original members passed away much too soon, but the remaining lineup survived the departure of their lead vocalist and the aforementioned tragedy to leave a music legacy of renown. Good luck everybody!!
Week #539
January 15, 2021