Cheater Slicks played with Blacktop on what, I think, were some of that band's only live shows on the east coast, or maybe anywhere. We played with them at Maxwell's in Hoboken and I think in Manhattan somewhere. There was already tension in the band because of Darin's "use" of the studio money. We later played with Darin when he was in 68 Comeback on our much underattended "Gutter Rock" tour of 1995. So much drama during that tour- which I won't go in to.
Mick is truly a one of a kind. So glad that I got to hang out with him a few times during those years. We were all in a little club of bands playing a style of music a little ahead of its time, in terms of what people were accustomed to. I'm glad the Gories are now able to work it to their advantage, since their reputation and following has grown over the years.
What a great tour! You know, I always get the timing screwed up in my head. I thought Wood was in The 68 Comeback BEFORE he was in Blacktop...he was in that classic line-up of Jack Taylor and he on guitars along with Jeffery Evans, Dan Brown (future Royal Trux) on bass....and when I saw them a super young Greg Cartwright (Future Oblivians and Reigning Sound) on drums. What a band that was. Did Wood go BACK to the Comeback after Blacktop? Or did he ever leave? Most people have no idea how great The 68 Comeback were, or The Bassholes were (or The Gibson Brothers for that matter). And of course...The Cheater Slicks. Which...rumor has it....COULD have played out west here this past year or in 2025....
Not sure of the chronology of 68 Comeback. All I know is that tour was in '95. We moved to Columbus in '96. It was Darin and his girlfriend and a guy known as "little Jeff" on bass. Darin's band Fireworks was also touring on the bill, with James Arthur on guitar.
We could not make the money work on the tour out west this spring. I hope people aren't talking badly about us. If you can't draw enough people to make a tour break even, you shouldn't be on the road. That's all I have to say about it.
Darin gave me a cassette tape of the Blacktop demos shortly afterwards, such a powerful collection of songs, the chemistry with Mick and Alex is fire. I briefly played with him and Janet in Cat Fur and released the Fireworks album Lit Up. Thanks for sharing your experiences about that session, adds some context to what I knew per Darin.
Great to see the Velvets atop the Discogs chart. Around 1871 when I was the Music editor for SPACE CITY NEWS, I decided to take a course in Rock Music as taught by a professor at St. Thomas University. . Midway through the first day's lesson someone asked about the Velvets as he had left them out. "They're not rock 'n' Roll" was his reply. I got up and left and never came back.
Really enjoy these rambles through your (professional) past, especially since they often bring context to my (listening) past. Agree that Mick Collins is one of the great under-heralded rock and soul cats of our generation. Happy Holidays David!
Cheater Slicks played with Blacktop on what, I think, were some of that band's only live shows on the east coast, or maybe anywhere. We played with them at Maxwell's in Hoboken and I think in Manhattan somewhere. There was already tension in the band because of Darin's "use" of the studio money. We later played with Darin when he was in 68 Comeback on our much underattended "Gutter Rock" tour of 1995. So much drama during that tour- which I won't go in to.
Mick is truly a one of a kind. So glad that I got to hang out with him a few times during those years. We were all in a little club of bands playing a style of music a little ahead of its time, in terms of what people were accustomed to. I'm glad the Gories are now able to work it to their advantage, since their reputation and following has grown over the years.
What a great tour! You know, I always get the timing screwed up in my head. I thought Wood was in The 68 Comeback BEFORE he was in Blacktop...he was in that classic line-up of Jack Taylor and he on guitars along with Jeffery Evans, Dan Brown (future Royal Trux) on bass....and when I saw them a super young Greg Cartwright (Future Oblivians and Reigning Sound) on drums. What a band that was. Did Wood go BACK to the Comeback after Blacktop? Or did he ever leave? Most people have no idea how great The 68 Comeback were, or The Bassholes were (or The Gibson Brothers for that matter). And of course...The Cheater Slicks. Which...rumor has it....COULD have played out west here this past year or in 2025....
Not sure of the chronology of 68 Comeback. All I know is that tour was in '95. We moved to Columbus in '96. It was Darin and his girlfriend and a guy known as "little Jeff" on bass. Darin's band Fireworks was also touring on the bill, with James Arthur on guitar.
We could not make the money work on the tour out west this spring. I hope people aren't talking badly about us. If you can't draw enough people to make a tour break even, you shouldn't be on the road. That's all I have to say about it.
Everyone is just disappointed! We needed the Cheater Slicks!
Darin gave me a cassette tape of the Blacktop demos shortly afterwards, such a powerful collection of songs, the chemistry with Mick and Alex is fire. I briefly played with him and Janet in Cat Fur and released the Fireworks album Lit Up. Thanks for sharing your experiences about that session, adds some context to what I knew per Darin.
They had such an incredible moment that burned so fast.
Great to see the Velvets atop the Discogs chart. Around 1871 when I was the Music editor for SPACE CITY NEWS, I decided to take a course in Rock Music as taught by a professor at St. Thomas University. . Midway through the first day's lesson someone asked about the Velvets as he had left them out. "They're not rock 'n' Roll" was his reply. I got up and left and never came back.
Really enjoy these rambles through your (professional) past, especially since they often bring context to my (listening) past. Agree that Mick Collins is one of the great under-heralded rock and soul cats of our generation. Happy Holidays David!
I AM GLAD YOU SAID THAT....about the under-heraldedness of it all. It is so very true. What a legendary voice.