Cold Water Army
Encyclopedia
Cold Water Army was an American rock band that existed for several years in Tallahassee, Florida
, and broke up over the summer of 1995. The band had two recordings that were released, the first a cassette-only release entitled 'Eliot Ness,' and the second (released by Manufacture Sound Output Company on cassette and compact disc) entitled Cold Water Army. The second release was remastered in 2007, and is available on iTunes
. The band's sound combined elements of disco, punk rock, funk rock, pop and big harmonies.
(aka Man Baby) was initially in a band called 'Das Bellows,' which broke up after playing a party for the Florida Flambeau
, a student newspaper. He met the editorial staff of the paper at that party, who, coincidentally, were all musicians. Cold Water Army formed, essentially, to fill in at the last minute for a Das Bellows gig, since Bellows had broken up and clearly weren't gonna be able to play the show.
Thus Cold Water Army, or "CWA" were formed. They usually got done with working on the paper around 10 or 11 at night, and then they and David would practice until two in the morning, fuelled by beer, thus explaining the ironic origin of their name. (The original Cold Water Army was a temperance movement, back in the days before prohibition.) Also, the size of the band lent itself to the 'army' designation.
Though the band would go through many different lineups, Morris, Butler, MacQueen, and Kairies-Schardl would form the core of every subsequent incarnation of the band. In 1989, Richardson and Altman left the band, and were replaced by
It was this version that recorded their lone album.
, Glass Eye, They Might Be Giants
, the B-52s, Oingo Boingo
, Talking Heads
, Jackson 5 and Motown. Cold Water Army was known for having elaborate stage shows, with mock fist-fights between members, including surprise appearances by Jeff Lynne
's even-more-evil twin.
As listed in the liner notes, the members of the band were:
Kevin Alexander (Lead Guitar), Paul Barnes (At this point an Ex-member, but he came back to play session guitar on Marty, Love Balm, and Dicksie), Pete Butler, Ann Fleet (Played Flute on 'Ann B. Davis' and gave the scream at the beginning of 'nice car' and is, coincidentally, David's wife), Kati Kairies (Backing vocals), Jennifer Kermeen (Vocals), Emily Kurtz (Played Cello on 'Pepper Angel'), Bland Lawson (an on-again/off-again member who played Keyboards), Kim MacQueen (Backing vocals), Steve MacQueen (Rhythm guitar), David Morris (Bass, lead vocals), Mark Morse (Helped the band go "hoo" and "ho" on 'South Dakota'), Pat Puckett (Of the Tallahassee band 'Casual T's', who played session guitar on Nice Car.), Stan Rosenthal. (Played Trombone on 'Jeffersons.')
Dave Murphy, the bassist for the Tallahassee band 'Casual-Ts,' produced the album. The band lineup stayed pretty much the same until '94, when Kevin Alexander left, and was replaced by Danny Foster.
The post-album incarnation of the band was when two additional percussionists were added, Joe Williams and Tim Schardl. MacQueen says, "With the three backup singers, two guitars, keyboard, bass, drum and percussionists, we had too many people on stage and it was just cacophony when the percussionists played in a small club. Seems like this lasted less than a year, and peaked with a pretty dreadful experience in Pensacola, FL." (E-mail 1/23/03)
Then the on-again/off-again Bland Lawson was replaced by full-time Keyboardist Ben Wilcox at about the same time. Ben was a Tallahassee rock legend, the keyboardist and 'only sane member' of the proto-punk 'Slut Boys', and member emeritus of a dozen other bands. Kim MacQueen left the band around then, because she 'preferred being in the audience to being on stage,' and she was not replaced.
for two years, but there was a one-shot-deal reunion on new years '97/'98, and that, as they say, is that.
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
, and broke up over the summer of 1995. The band had two recordings that were released, the first a cassette-only release entitled 'Eliot Ness,' and the second (released by Manufacture Sound Output Company on cassette and compact disc) entitled Cold Water Army. The second release was remastered in 2007, and is available on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. The band's sound combined elements of disco, punk rock, funk rock, pop and big harmonies.
Formation
Lead Singer David MorrisDavid Morris (artist)
David Morris is an artist who is best known as the energetic and charismatic frontman for Cold Water Army, and his current band Bag We Bag...
(aka Man Baby) was initially in a band called 'Das Bellows,' which broke up after playing a party for the Florida Flambeau
FSView & Florida Flambeau
The FSView & Florida Flambeau is a for-profit newspaper owned by the Gannett Company that covers the on-campus events, happenings, and trends of the Florida State University as well as concerts, museum and art exhibits, movies, literature and poetry readings, and other events from the larger...
, a student newspaper. He met the editorial staff of the paper at that party, who, coincidentally, were all musicians. Cold Water Army formed, essentially, to fill in at the last minute for a Das Bellows gig, since Bellows had broken up and clearly weren't gonna be able to play the show.
Thus Cold Water Army, or "CWA" were formed. They usually got done with working on the paper around 10 or 11 at night, and then they and David would practice until two in the morning, fuelled by beer, thus explaining the ironic origin of their name. (The original Cold Water Army was a temperance movement, back in the days before prohibition.) Also, the size of the band lent itself to the 'army' designation.
Members
According to the group's guitarist Steve MacQueen, the original members of the band in those days were:- David Morris (aka Man Baby) (Bass, Vocals);
- Pete Butler (Drums);
- Steve MacQueen (Rhythm Guitar);
- Kati Kairies-Schardl (Backing Vocals);
- Jim Richardson (Lead Guitar);
- Heidi Altman (Backing Vocals).
Though the band would go through many different lineups, Morris, Butler, MacQueen, and Kairies-Schardl would form the core of every subsequent incarnation of the band. In 1989, Richardson and Altman left the band, and were replaced by
- Jen Kermeen (vocals – her cover of the Jackson 5's "I Want You BackI Want You Back"I Want You Back" was released in 1969 and in early 1970s became a number-one hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. The song, along with a b-side cover of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Who's Lovin' You", was the only single from the first Jackson 5 album, Diana Ross Presents...
" was a longtime show stopper.); - Paul Barnes (Lead Guitar);
- Kim MacQueen (Backing Vocals, and Steve's wife.) Then, in 1991, Paul left the band and was replaced by
- Kevin Alexander (Lead Guitar).
It was this version that recorded their lone album.
Influences
Cold Water Army was influenced by Camper Van BeethovenCamper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven is an American alternative rock group formed in Redlands, California in 1983.An eclectic band, Camper Van Beethoven mixes elements of pop, ska, punk rock, folk and alternative country, as well as various types of world music. Their aggressive musical pluralism created a...
, Glass Eye, They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years Flansburgh and Linnell were frequently accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG became a full band. Currently, the members of TMBG are...
, the B-52s, Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
, Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
, Jackson 5 and Motown. Cold Water Army was known for having elaborate stage shows, with mock fist-fights between members, including surprise appearances by Jeff Lynne
Jeff Lynne
Jeffrey "Jeff" Lynne is an English songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer who gained fame as the leader and sole constant member of Electric Light Orchestra and was a co-founder and member of The Traveling Wilburys together with George Harrison, Bob...
's even-more-evil twin.
History
Cold Water Army's performances included:- Showcase in Austin, Texas at the South By SouthwestSouth by SouthwestSouth by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
Music Festival in 1989 - Show at the Warehouse with the Wild Seeds in 1989
- Halloween Bash in 1989 attended by the members of PylonPylon (band)Pylon is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The band's danceable jangle pop sound influenced the Athens music scene and the 1980s American pop underground. Allmusic wrote that Pylon's "role as elder statesmen of the alternative rock explosion is unassailable".-History:All four members of...
and R.E.M. who were playing at the Leon County Civic CenterLeon County Civic CenterDonald L. Tucker Center is a 13,800 seat multi-purpose arena in Tallahassee, Florida, located within the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. The arena opened in 1981 and was built at a cost of $33.8 million, financed by the city. It has hosted WCW and WWE, and men's and women's basketball...
the following night. - Show in Auburn, AlabamaAuburn, AlabamaAuburn is a city in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It is the largest city in eastern Alabama with a 2010 population of 53,380. It is a principal city of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area...
in 1990. The promoter for the show was a teenager named Brian TeasleyBrian TeasleyBrian Teasley is an American musician from Alabama. He is a founding member of Man or Astro-man? , The Boster & Servotron . Brian has also recorded and performed with the CauseyWay, ShannonWright, Japancakes, Tyro, Watts, The Mono Men, Har Mar Superstar, the Vue and The Polyphonic Spree...
, who went on to play drums in Man or Astroman as Birdstuff, and is the current percussionist for Polyphonic Spree. - Show with Dick DaleDick DaleDick Dale is an American surf rock guitarist, known as The King of the Surf Guitar. He experimented with reverberation and made use of custom made Fender amplifiers, including the first-ever 100-watt guitar amplifier.-Early life:Dale was born in South Boston, Massachusetts and lived in nearby...
at the Cow Haus. Cold Water Army had to play an extended set because Dick Dale refused to come out until he found his special feather, which had been blessed by a Shaman. - Show with the LemonheadsLemonheadsLemonheads may refer to:*Lemonhead, a brand of candy produced by the Ferrara Pan Candy Company*The Lemonheads, an alternative rock band from the United States...
in 1990 - Show at the Warehouse with Dumptruck in 1990
- Multiple shows between 1989 - 1993 with the Swimming Pool Qs
- Multiple shows between 1989 - 1993 with Glass Eye
As listed in the liner notes, the members of the band were:
Kevin Alexander (Lead Guitar), Paul Barnes (At this point an Ex-member, but he came back to play session guitar on Marty, Love Balm, and Dicksie), Pete Butler, Ann Fleet (Played Flute on 'Ann B. Davis' and gave the scream at the beginning of 'nice car' and is, coincidentally, David's wife), Kati Kairies (Backing vocals), Jennifer Kermeen (Vocals), Emily Kurtz (Played Cello on 'Pepper Angel'), Bland Lawson (an on-again/off-again member who played Keyboards), Kim MacQueen (Backing vocals), Steve MacQueen (Rhythm guitar), David Morris (Bass, lead vocals), Mark Morse (Helped the band go "hoo" and "ho" on 'South Dakota'), Pat Puckett (Of the Tallahassee band 'Casual T's', who played session guitar on Nice Car.), Stan Rosenthal. (Played Trombone on 'Jeffersons.')
Dave Murphy, the bassist for the Tallahassee band 'Casual-Ts,' produced the album. The band lineup stayed pretty much the same until '94, when Kevin Alexander left, and was replaced by Danny Foster.
The post-album incarnation of the band was when two additional percussionists were added, Joe Williams and Tim Schardl. MacQueen says, "With the three backup singers, two guitars, keyboard, bass, drum and percussionists, we had too many people on stage and it was just cacophony when the percussionists played in a small club. Seems like this lasted less than a year, and peaked with a pretty dreadful experience in Pensacola, FL." (E-mail 1/23/03)
Then the on-again/off-again Bland Lawson was replaced by full-time Keyboardist Ben Wilcox at about the same time. Ben was a Tallahassee rock legend, the keyboardist and 'only sane member' of the proto-punk 'Slut Boys', and member emeritus of a dozen other bands. Kim MacQueen left the band around then, because she 'preferred being in the audience to being on stage,' and she was not replaced.
The Breakup
In summer, 1995, the band broke up for a variety of reasons. David Morris (and his wife Ann) headed off to FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
for two years, but there was a one-shot-deal reunion on new years '97/'98, and that, as they say, is that.
Re-Release
In the summer of 2007, David Morris, Pete Butler, and Steve MacQueen formed a new band called Bag We Bag http://www.bagwebag.com/, and decided to completely re-master the Cold Water Army album.External links
- http://www.bagwebag.com/images/sxsw_austin_american_statesman_3-21-89.jpg Press clip from March 21, 1989 from the Austin American Statesman, highlights Cold Water Army's Showcase Performance at the 1989 South By Southwest Festival
- Press Clip from 1989 published in the Austin American Statesman )
- Tampa's Creative Loafing article published in April, 1991 (http://www.bagwebag.com/images/tampa_creative_loafing_april_1991.jpg)
- Louisville Courier Journal article published in April 1991 (http://www.bagwebag.com/images/louisville_courier_journal_5-18-1991.jpg)
- South By Southwest Music Festival participating bands in 1989 (http://www.the-faces.com/lane/articles/19890210AusAmSt.htm)
- Bag We Bag CD release show on January 16, 2009 http://tallahassee.com/article/20090116/ENT/901160304/1005
