THE NEIGHBORS - WELCOME WAGON (1987)
In 1985, John Moremen, Scott McKnight and Steve Woehrle were in a group called Punch Me Judy. Then Pete Gilstrap joined up for the experience that was to be, in a basement in Arlington, Virginia.They deemed themselves Herschel's Neighbors, Days later, they played at a club in Washington, DC calling themselves Bag 85. Only months later, the band now called The Neighbors, entered the Arlington studio of Don Zientara called Inner Ear to record the album "Famous Potatoes" which would see release on a small french label (Closer). Later there were tours and gigs with Roy Orbison, NRBQ, Marshall Crenshaw, The dB's and others too wonderfully obscure to mention. Then, under the managerial guidance of a man named John Rowny, more action came. More tours and a second album, "Welcome Wagon" from a small label in New York (Upside). It burst forth in 1987. The label soon went out of business. Yet strength within the group remained. New songs were written, crappy jobs were attended to. Bass player Scott McKnight recorded the band on four-track (or was it an 8-track?). The outcome was "Masterpiece" tape, musically God-like but commercially ignored. Time passed and in 1989 The Neighbors split up. None of the Neighbors albums have been reissued on CD but in 1996 the spanish label Bam Balam released "Power Pop Art" a compilation of the first two LP's + the 3rd unreleased. Then, John Moremen moved to San Francisco joined Jimmy Silva's band, played drums & guitar with Allen Clapp & The Orange Peels on the "So Far" CD and is still active. Scott McKnight released "It Works For Me" in 2000 a double CD of home recordings. (Peter Gilstrap)
Notes from Scott McKnight
The original band mixes of Welcome Wagon were shelved by Upside (the record company) in favor of mixes supervised by Upside. In some ways the Upside mixes were considered superior. In some ways, not. The tunes from Welcome Wagon and Famous Potatoes which appear on the Power Pop Art CD were remixed for that CD using mid-'90s gear rather than the mid-'80s gear used originally. The mixes of Welcome Wagon tunes on the CD are closer to the band's original vision than those that appeared on the album, as released. Not all of the tunes from Welcome Wagon and Famous Potatoes appear on the CD. Good luck finding the CD.
Songs
Shadow Of A Fool / Will You Ever Come Down / Valerie / Everyone's Got One / Lovin' Tonight / I Don't Wanna Say Bye-Bye / Burst Your Bubble / Two Ninety Eight / You Like A Good Rumble / I'm Right / Heaven / Inside And Out / Make It Alone / Welcome Wagon
Notes from Scott McKnight
The original band mixes of Welcome Wagon were shelved by Upside (the record company) in favor of mixes supervised by Upside. In some ways the Upside mixes were considered superior. In some ways, not. The tunes from Welcome Wagon and Famous Potatoes which appear on the Power Pop Art CD were remixed for that CD using mid-'90s gear rather than the mid-'80s gear used originally. The mixes of Welcome Wagon tunes on the CD are closer to the band's original vision than those that appeared on the album, as released. Not all of the tunes from Welcome Wagon and Famous Potatoes appear on the CD. Good luck finding the CD.
Songs
Shadow Of A Fool / Will You Ever Come Down / Valerie / Everyone's Got One / Lovin' Tonight / I Don't Wanna Say Bye-Bye / Burst Your Bubble / Two Ninety Eight / You Like A Good Rumble / I'm Right / Heaven / Inside And Out / Make It Alone / Welcome Wagon
