Play on Words (band)

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Play on Words was a rock and roll band formed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania in the mid-1980s. Committed to Jesus, the band was formed by guitarist Robert "Rob" Garrison and singer Kevin A. McIlwain. The duo's first attempt at collaboration yielded the Garrison-penned "Psong", later wisely retitled "Believing Heart", and a cover of Petra's "It Is Finished".

Shortly after the group's founding, Kevin's brother Keith McIlwain joined as bassist, Kevin taking on drums. It was this trio which formed the core of the band throughout its several incarnations. The group quickly put together Garrison's "Walkin' on Thin Ice", Kevin's "Focus", and Keith's "Virgin Love". Shortly thereafter, they added to their repertoire Garrison's "Suicide (Give it to Him)", his "Run from the Darkness", and a cover of the Stryper song "Sing-Along Song".

Other members of the band at one time or another included Frank Dachille (keyboards), David Geiser (keyboards), Jim MacMurdo (bass), Josh Warren (drums), Tim Wicks (guitar), and Jason "Pants" Williams (guitar).

The group also managed to put together a version of the "Doxology", Garrison's "Real Men Cry" and "When He Comes Again", Kevin's "Daddy's Little Girl" and "Stomp", and Keith's "T.V. Stars" and "Love Like None".

Though they said their primary influences were well known bands such as the Beatles and U2, the band most often sounded like other guitar-based groups such as the Romantics.

The band split in 1989, but continued to make music together in various incarnations, notably in the Pittsburgh-area band Doctor Jones (which featured Kevin on lead vocals and Garrison on guitar). Garrison, known first as Scab and later as Tripper, was a member of the popular Pittsburgh-based alternative band Buzz Poets, which split in 2004.