Clamtones

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Clamtones is the name of Jeffrey Frederick's most famous band. To complicate matters, the Clamtones were simultaneously the (West Coast version of the) Holy Modal Rounders. When Jeffrey fronted, the band performed as the Clamtones. When Steve Weber fronted, they were the Holy Modal Rounders. These "two bands in one" were one of the most popular music groups throughout the Northwest and wherever hipsters gathered during the late 1970s and 80s.

[edit] Biography

Based out of Portland, OR, the Clamtones usually comprised Jeffrey (vocals and guitar); Jill Gross (vocals); Robin Remaily (mandolin, fiddle, guitar, other strings); Richard Tyler (piano); Dave Reisch (bass); Teddy Deane (woodwinds and horns); and R. "Willy" North (drums). As the Clamtones, Jill, Dave and Rube joined Jeffrey, Peter Stampfel, Michael Hurley and friends on the legendary 1976 Rounder record, "Have Moicy." However, their definitive recording was the following year's "Spiders In The Moonlight." Some of the tracks from that album and from "Have Moicy" were included in 2003's Rounder compilation "I Make A Wish For A Potato".

The best document of what the Clamtones sounded like in their heyday can be found in "Jeffrey Frederick & The Clamtones B.C. (Frederick Productions)," remastered from a 1976 radio broadcast of their show at Rohan's Roadhouse in Vancouver, B.C. in 1976.

"Jeffrey Frederick and the Clamtones is the best hippie jam band you've probably never heard of. The real deal, that is, original 1970s hippies, not any Phish or Blues Traveler or Donna the Buffalo-style latecoming wannabes." Gary Whitehouse, Greenman Review.

Weber's portion of that same show has also been released as "Steve Weber, The Holy Modal Rounders, B.C." (Frederick Productions). It is remarkable how the band shifted styles as they moved between these two identities. The Clamtones, without Jeff and Jill, also can be heard on the Holy Modal Rounder's Adelphi recording, "Last Round".

Although Jeffrey and Richard are no longer with us, the rest of the Clamtones continue to be musically active. When he is not touring with Michael Hurley, backing the Holy Modal Rounders or on some other project, Dave Reisch plays bass with Portland, OR's wildly popular cult band, the Freak Mountain Ramblers [1]along with R. "Willy" North -- creator of the North Drums -- on percussion. Remaily also plays with the Freaks from time to time, as well as with a number of musical collectivities on the Oregon Coast. Teddy Deane had an active musical career in Portland, OR, most notably leading the Swingline Cubs, a seven piece swing band for 17 years, before trying to retire to the San Juan Islands. Not being good retirement material, he has continued to play and sing, currently as part of the duo, the Play-Rite Boys [2]. Jill Gross performs from time to time in the Boston, MA area, and appeared on Michael Hurley's recent CD, "Sweetkorn."

[edit] Discography

• Jeffrey Friderick and the Clamtones "Spiders In The Moonlight" (1977)
  • It was never released on CD. A new and expanded version will, however, be released from Frederick Productions in 2006 [3].