Urban Verbs
Encyclopedia
Urban Verbs were an American New Wave
band from Washington, D.C.
In 1977 Urban Verbs rehearsed in the Atlantis Bldg at 930 "F" St. NW Washington D.C.. Robert Goldstein began to book bands in a derelict bar in the Atlantis Club, which was where Urban Verbs played their first shows and became a nexus of the DC New Wave/punk rock scene. In 1980, the Atlantis Club became the 9:30 Club
.
Urban Verbs played at the CBGB
club in 1978 with the Cramps and producer Brain Eno was in the audience. Eno offered to record several of the band’s songs (“The Next Question” and “Pensive Lives”) which have never been officially released.
The band received numerous positive reviews in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the City Paper among others. Urban Verbs became the darlings of the DC avante garde art scene playing numerous shows at the Washington Project for the Arts
, DC Space, the Pension Building and the Corcoran School of Art.
In late 1978, Urban Verbs returned to CBGB to perform with Cleveland band Pere Ubu
. Urban Verbs played the Peppermint Lounge and various NY clubs as well as numerous DC shows. In early 1979, the Urban Verbs shared the stage with the B-52's
at the Corcoran School of Art.
Warner Brothers executive Bob Krasnow
signed the band to a two record contract. The band's first album was recorded with Mike Thorne (producer of Wire
, Soft Cell
and Bronski Beat
) in 1979 and released in early 1980.
Urban Verbs were scheduled to tour with Joy Division
in May 1980. Arriving in Toronto for the first show, the band found the tour was canceled due to the suicide of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis.
The Urban Verbs second album for Warner Bros.
, “Early Damage”, was recorded in Atlanta with producers Jeff Glixman and Steve Lillywhite
.
After touring in 1980, Robin Rose and Linda France left the band. France was replaced by bassist Billy Swann. The band toured the United States and Italy until 1981.
In 1995, Urban Verbs reunited to perform at the closing celebration for the 930 "F" street location of the 930 club.
Urban Verbs reformed in 2008 to play a show at the 930 Club which was featured on NPR’S All Songs Considered
.
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
band from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
In 1977 Urban Verbs rehearsed in the Atlantis Bldg at 930 "F" St. NW Washington D.C.. Robert Goldstein began to book bands in a derelict bar in the Atlantis Club, which was where Urban Verbs played their first shows and became a nexus of the DC New Wave/punk rock scene. In 1980, the Atlantis Club became the 9:30 Club
9:30 Club
Foo Fighters Promise to come back to D.C. and play the 9:30 ClubNightclub 9:30 is a nightclub and concert venue in Washington, D.C. Originally located at 930 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C., in the 1970s it was called the "Atlantis Club", and hosted primarily rock, New Wave, and punk bands...
.
Urban Verbs played at the CBGB
CBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
club in 1978 with the Cramps and producer Brain Eno was in the audience. Eno offered to record several of the band’s songs (“The Next Question” and “Pensive Lives”) which have never been officially released.
The band received numerous positive reviews in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the City Paper among others. Urban Verbs became the darlings of the DC avante garde art scene playing numerous shows at the Washington Project for the Arts
Washington Project for the Arts
Washington Project for the Arts, founded in 1975, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support and aid of artists in the Washington, D.C. area.-History:...
, DC Space, the Pension Building and the Corcoran School of Art.
In late 1978, Urban Verbs returned to CBGB to perform with Cleveland band Pere Ubu
Pere Ubu
Pere Ubu is an experimental rock music group from Cleveland, Ohio.Père Ubu may also refer to:* Ubu, the enigmatic central figure of a series of French plays by Alfred Jarry, including Ubu Roi, and subsequent plays Ubu Cocu and Ubu Enchaîné...
. Urban Verbs played the Peppermint Lounge and various NY clubs as well as numerous DC shows. In early 1979, the Urban Verbs shared the stage with the B-52's
The B-52's
The B-52's are an American rock band, formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976. The original line-up consisted of Fred Schneider , Kate Pierson , Cindy Wilson , Ricky Wilson , and Keith Strickland . Following Ricky Wilson's death in 1985 Strickland switched to guitar...
at the Corcoran School of Art.
Warner Brothers executive Bob Krasnow
Bob Krasnow
Bob Krasnow is a leading music industry entrepreneur. His early career included working as a promotions man for James Brown and sales representative for Decca Records. In the early 1960s, Krasnow founded MK Records, which released the novelty record "," a parody of the 1960 presidential campaign...
signed the band to a two record contract. The band's first album was recorded with Mike Thorne (producer of Wire
Wire
A wire is a single, usually cylindrical, flexible strand or rod of metal. Wires are used to bear mechanical loads and to carry electricity and telecommunications signals. Wire is commonly formed by drawing the metal through a hole in a die or draw plate. Standard sizes are determined by various...
, Soft Cell
Soft Cell
Soft Cell are an English synthpop duo who came to prominence in the early 1980s. They consist of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. The duo is most widely known for their 1981 worldwide hit version of "Tainted Love" and platinum debut Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret...
and Bronski Beat
Bronski Beat
Bronski Beat were a popular British synthpop trio who achieved success in the mid 1980s, particularly with the 1984 chart hit "Smalltown Boy". All members of the group were openly homosexual and their songs reflected this, often containing political commentary on gay-related issues...
) in 1979 and released in early 1980.
Urban Verbs were scheduled to tour with Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
in May 1980. Arriving in Toronto for the first show, the band found the tour was canceled due to the suicide of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis.
The Urban Verbs second album for Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
, “Early Damage”, was recorded in Atlanta with producers Jeff Glixman and Steve Lillywhite
Steve Lillywhite
Steve Lillywhite is an English Grammy Award winning record producer. Since he began his career in 1977, Lillywhite has been credited for working on over 500 records and has collaborated with a variety of musicians including XTC, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Dave Matthews Band, U2, Peter Gabriel,...
.
After touring in 1980, Robin Rose and Linda France left the band. France was replaced by bassist Billy Swann. The band toured the United States and Italy until 1981.
In 1995, Urban Verbs reunited to perform at the closing celebration for the 930 "F" street location of the 930 club.
Urban Verbs reformed in 2008 to play a show at the 930 Club which was featured on NPR’S All Songs Considered
All Songs Considered
All Songs Considered is a weekly online multimedia program started in January 2000 by NPR's All Things Considered director Bob Boilen. At first, the show featured information and streaming audio about the songs used as bumper music on All Things Considered. The program has turned into a source of...
.
External links
- NPR; All Songs Considered; Interview and Concert; http://www.npr.org/artists/90777767/urban-verbs
- Brightest Young Things: Interview by John Foster: http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/interviews/byt-interview-the-urban-verbs/
- Dance of Days, Two Decades of Punk in the Nation's Capital: http://books.google.com/books?id=CU1jKq0TlvQC&pg=PA60&lpg=PA60&dq=urban+Verbs+Warner+brothers&source=bl&ots=1iAXGPsFeH&sig=rb6OZbUVMZNXIASv3WUwgMb-O5Y&hl=en&ei=o604TcWdG4P68Aap1IChCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBzgK#v=onepage&q=urban%20Verbs%20Warner%20brothers&f=false
- Places That Are Gone ; WTOP, January 5, 2007; http://www.wtopnews.com/?sid=1018175&nid=226&pid=0
- Welcome to the Club: 930, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/16/AR2010041602110.html