POETICS' PLAYTIME
Waxing Poetics recording at Elevation 27, summer 2019
Another shot from the E27 recording session
by Randy Holmes
Greetings, Hardcore Norfolk followers! We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. That's a quote from the beloved and beautifully bad "Plan 9 From Outer Space," just one of the many so-bad-it's-good movie lines the members of Waxing Poetics would throw around on our long treks through the wilds of the USA. I was road manager for them on their "Bed Time Story"-era tours, and that was a wild, wonderful, wacky time I wouldn't trade for anything. That was nearly 25 years ago, and the band called it an official 'quit' a year or so after that last album for Emergo. Since then, I've maintained close contact with the band, releasing live videos I shot back in the day on YouTube, archiving never-released songs and live takes on SoundCloud, and managing their merch and online presence. On a whim, I put the video together for "Workers' Playtime." Happily, the band really liked it. Many of you remember and cherish the sweaty, music-filled nights with the Poetics from their many gigs in and around Norfolk and especially the environs of Cogan's, The Corner, the King's Head Inn, and the Boathouse back in the day. All those venues (save Cogan's, but the ole' Instant Art ain't what it used to be) are long gone, destroyed by Mother Nature or, mostly, the wrecking ball.
Hmmm... I don't know about 'quit,' it's really been more of a lot of hitting the 'pause' button, as we've been treated to many reunion get-togethers over the ensuing years. It's not the same as having them around to go see five nights out of seven like the days of yore, but hey... most of us are only a decade or so from actual retirement age, and who could keep up with that out-all-night lifestyle anymore, right?
The four members of Waxing Poetics got together last summer and put in some time on the stage of Elevation 27 for some recording work. Recording's generally a little more precise than a gig; you're not playing tried-and-true tunes that you've grown into over the years, you're searching for something new. That's the case with the latest Waxing Poetics release, "Workers' Playtime," a fast little ditty that sounds just like them, but to my ear like nothing else they've ever done. I guess that's the trick, innit? Paul with a great electric 12-string part, Dave on mega-fuzz guitar, and Bill and Jeff providing their rock-solid intricate rhythm section, with some tasty keys from 'fifth Poetic' Peter Pope of the Rhondels. Anyhoo, I got together will Dave Middleton, Paul Johnson, Billy Shearin and Jeff Bailey via the Interwebz recently and posed a few questions to them about the tune and getting back together this year for another big show.
Randy: Congratulations on the new single, "Workers' Playtime." We know you've treated fans with several reunion shows over the years, but what was it like to be back 'in the studio,' working towards a song to be released?
Dave Middleton: It was a real treat to knock heads and record a tune again. Always loved working (and horsing around) in the studio with these guys, and the added value of having our friend Peter Pope on board really made it special; he's brought a new dimension to our sound.
Paul Johnson: It was as if no time had passed. No pressure. Just pure fun. A little beer and wine and a few takes later we got it. Recorded the live stuff at Elevation 27 with our FOH guy Stuart Badger and Stu and I mixed it.
Jeff Bailey: Every time we get back together, it's as if we never stopped!
Billy Shearin: We always have fun working together - the years melt away!
Randy: Any hints or other info on the origins of the song?
Paul: Dave?
Dave: It's a humorous look at my life as a Teamster, inspired by several things I've experienced while working in a New Jersey shipping hub. At a certain point, the phrase "Workers' Playtime" popped into my head; it's the name of a WWII-era BBC radio show, but it really captured a certain energy we were feeling at that time. The song more-or-less wrote itself from there.
Randy: Can we look for more new music in the future?
Dave: I certainly hope so! There's more material where this came from. But at our production rate, we'll have a full album to you in the year 2377.
Paul: Count me in!
Billy: I don't see any reason why not!
Randy: You're all still active in the music field in different ways; what have you been doing since the 'official' end of Waxing Poetics a quarter-century ago?
Dave: I worked in the record business in New York for many years, when it was still quite literally THE RECORD BUSINESS, and I've spent the last 15 years in shipping. But I still write songs in my bedroom like I did when I was a teenager.
Paul: I moved to New York in 1992. Played in The Master Plan that consisted of myself plus members of The Dictators and The Fleshtones. Did a single and two LP'S. I got to go to Europe several times with them as well as Canada and Mexico. Learned a lot. Great experience. Also had a studio in Brooklyn in the 90s. David and I were in Splotch and Grillmaster together up there as well. The Grillmaster stuff should be released soon. Grillmaster has Jeff Brodnax & Gordon Bradley on it as well. Just put out two songs of my own late last year Under the name "Electric Johnson" with an all-star cast of Tidewater characters. Wade Mathias, Peter Pope, Mark Lawrence, David Hunter and Dave (Middleton) sings on it as well. Oh and most importantly I have a son who is 21 years old now. Great person!
Jeff: I'm a middle school orchestra teacher, in my virus-shortened 21st year. I’m married with 3 children. I also write and arrange music for middle School level string orchestras. Even have a few published!
Billy: We've all stayed quite active musically in different ways; for years I worked with the fun band RumbleFish and am currently enjoying a long tenure working with Brian Grilli.
Randy: Well, it looks like the COVID-19 situation has moved the previously planned spring show at Elevation 27 to August 1. Any guests joining you for that gig? What can fans expect?
Dave: Well, you never know what to expect at a Poetics show, so get there early!
Paul: I know Wade & Mark are going to help me with the Electric Johnson portion of the set as well as Jonah and Allen from Court Street Company. Peter Pope played keys on Workers Playtime and my solo stuff so he will be up there with us. I guess we have plenty of time to think about it now.
Jeff: Guests, maybe...we always try. I don't know if you can call Peter (Pope) a guest anymore...
Billy: We always seem to bring spontaneity to our live shows; not sure who has more fun - us or the audience!
Randy: Thanks for the answers, guys... and as always, thanks for the music!
Waxing Poetics will be playing at the re-scheduled show on Saturday August 1 at Elevation 27 at Hilltop in Virginia Beach with openers Court Street Company. In case you were wondering, the Hilltop area is 27 feet above sea level. That might win you a couple of points on trivia night. You're welcome.
"Worker's Playtime" and Electric Johnson music is available for purchase/download at CDBaby, the entire Waxing Poetics catalog is available for purchase/download on iTunes, Amazon, and most streaming services.
about Debra Persons , The Hardcore Bitch
I am a middle aged stay-at-home mom with a degree in literature from O.D.U. who never got over my love for punk rock. As a lifelong resident of Tidewater, I have a love of and need for time by the ocean, as well as live music experiences. Grey, my husband and playmate of almost 30 years, couldn't agree more. You'll find us either in front of the stage or surfside.