Let’s discuss any and all music here. Got a new artist who’s rocking your boat that you want to talk about? Post a video! Found out about that unearthed Coltrane album that has the jazz freak in you losing your mind? Lay it out for us! Have a theory about what your favorite band might do for their next album? Let’s hear it! Anything and everything music-related goes here.
This week’s discussion prompt comes courtesy of The Avocado’s very own Shit-Master Sløtface ᶜˡᵃˢˢᶦᶜ:
Bands that improved after a founding member (or founding members) left
While we’ve discussed line-up changes here at least twice before, this puts a slightly different spin on it. That said, while a few “Well, ACTUALLY…” cases are bound to pop up (e.g. – there are probably a lot of people who consider Chuck Mosley to be Faith No More’s original singer, even though this is not the case), try not to worry too much about doing a deep dive into a band’s complete origin story and early history before posting!
Rocket from the Crypt was formed by John Reis in 1990.1 Consisting of Reis on guitar and lead vocals, guitarist Andy Stamets, bassist Pete Reichert, drummer Sean, and backing vocalist Elaina, the band released their debut full-length album Paint as a Fragrance the following year. However, soon after Sean and Elaina left the band, as they moved away from San Diego (where the band was based). Sean was soon replaced by Adam Willard; it was then that the band decided to start using stage names, with Reis going by “Speedo”, Stamets as “ND”, Reichert as “Petey X”, and Willard as “Atom”. After this, the band decided to add a horn section, starting with saxophonist Paul “Apollo 9” O’Beirne and then trumpeter Jason “JC 2000” Crane joining the following year.
While the band’s debut album holds up quite well – and already features RFTC’s distinct guitar sound and Reis’ instantly recognizable vocals – it wasn’t until they adopted the stage personas and its unusual-for-the-era horn section that the band really came into its own.
As always, any and all music-related posts are welcome. Have fun, and rock out with yr guac out!