If you've never heard my band from the '80s, The Bam Bam Club, I can guarantee you that I have a better version of every one of the songs you are about to hear in my vault somewhere. Such is the nature of my energy and time for archiving. The impetus to pull out this tape from the shoebox was news that the Capitol Expo was back!!! Also, my old drummer was playing with something called the Jeff Barnes Band, and that he, in a statement to the press, was happy about it or something!! The fact that he eats gas station BBQ when in Bowling Green Ky tells you a little something about where he's coming from.
A brief timeline of 80's Jimmy Honeyman 1981-1983 was Eardamage, 1984-1985 was The Bitter Brothers, I'm thinking the Bam Bam Club or BBC as we'll refer to it going forward started when Archer Prewitt left town to return to KC with Mike Sump to form the Bangtails. I wanted to try to start a new band with Bill that might include Sam Kennedy and my brother Jp who had both guested with the live Bitter Brothers. Kevin Blevins who I knew from his friendship with my older brothers was interested in playing in a band. He was willing to get on his motorcycle and ride to Middletown to get a crates of Ballantine Ale every Sunday- puzzles on the inner beer cap!!!
1985-1986 we tried to get something going with Sam on keyboards. He didn't have his own gear which is always a bad sign. His taste leaned a little more toward Journey instead of the Stranglers or Steve Nieve!! We loved his trumpet playing though.
We didn't have a proper PA or mic so the times we did try it with JP he was too quiet to be heard. Little did we know he was studying in the next room!! We did our first 4 song demo with keyboards at the Leymone Pilchers studio despite his previous lecture to the Bitters Brothers “What you boys play is called New Wave…..” Another case of beer- this time Stroh's.
We sobered up and decided to get serious. John Paul was ready to step out of the bathroom. I'm not sure how Sam ultimately left other than he didn't own a keyboard!!!
We were trying to make our way. Mainly gigs at the Bottom line in Lexington and the odd job elsewhere like our night at the Chapparal on Holmes street.
Expo was a big deal in the 70's and 80's. It was maybe the first place i ever saw a live band. Getting on the bill was a big deal for us. I suspect Bill knew somebody. I was as close as you could get to announcing your intention to the world. We were given a Sunday afternoon spot. No sound man, tarp or PA. We had to do it ourselves. I will be eternally grateful for the support Kenny Gilbert gave me at this time. He was always game to be Watson to my Holmes in all things rock and roll. Since the selection of PA equipment was always transient at House of Guitars, we found a place in Richmond that would let us reserve the gear for the big date. If only it came with a real sound tech!!
The tracks as you can hear them on Bandcamp. This show was recorded on a Sony Boombox (or was it JVC) doing double duty with the pre-show warm up date. We were playing Sigue Sigue Sputnik and the other band playing with us (XS Overdrive) asked if we wanted to play "some Rock and Roll" I informed them that we were listening to the future of Rock and Roll.
She's So Selfish all the time- I imagine that the reason this version is incomplete is that someone remembered they were supposed to be recording this back by the mixer!! A medley with a kinky chestnut that I can't mention the name of here. For $1 you can get several songs like this one.
Wheatfield- The first memorable song I wrote for the band. The fact that we still do it today speaks to it's quality. John Paul has made it his own.
Birds Kiss The Butterflies- alright…I admit it. My nerves f%Ked up a perfectly good take. Sam Kennedy did an amazing cameo despite lack of warm up and the mid-90 degree temps heating up his trumpet.
Weird- another song from that original 4 song demo. Sometimes we'd stretch the solo out but we wanted to keep things punchy.
Carnal Knowledge- Another tune that continued to rear its pointy head. You might know the version from “Beggars Bathroom.” A bit thrashy and not as sexy on this early version.
Best Things In Life are Free- Lyrics by Bill Lynch- The tune inspired by a capo on the 4th fret. I later crafted a classic lyric and it ended up as “Haunted like Mr's. Muir” on the 1st Jimmy Honeyman CD.
Hawk heckles Jimmy Honeyman- The Hawk (R.I.P.) was our friend, advisor, roadie hanger on. He was always up for a good time and there for all our important shows. His comments throughout this show tickle me as he goes thru a range of emotions. All of them always honest. His laugh at the end of the final song “Drive” meant we did well.
I think I hate you- A nice collaboration with Kevin- He came up with the middle part. Good improv by JP.
I want everything- get in line!!
Quit Breathing my air- If you listened to the last archive release- You will have heard another version of this song.
Cheap Meaningless Sex-Lyrics by Les Wheat- a rocking cry for prudishness.
Drive- A Bitter Brothers tune that was always our show closer. Another showcase for JP.
Bonus tracks: Communication Breakdown- Cock in my pocket- Pay $1 and you can hear them all
https://jimmyhoneyman.bandcamp.com/album/the-bam-bam-club-love-riot-at-the-capital-expo-1987