Raybeats

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The Raybeats were an instrumental rock 'n' roll combo from New York City that arose from the No Wave musical scene. The original line-up consisted of Don Christensen (drums), Jody Harris (guitar), Pat Irwin (guitar, saxophone, Acetone organ), and George Scott III (bass).

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[edit] History

The Raybeats formed in 1979, brought together by George Scott. He had worked with Jody Harris and Don Christensen in James Chance and the Contortions, and he had worked with Pat Irwin in 8-Eyed Spy. When Scott died from a drug overdose in August 1980, he was replaced by Danny Amis. Amis left in the spring of 1982, after which the Raybeats used several bassists-for-hire, including David Hofstra, Bobby Albertson and Gene Holder. Amis later formed Los Straitjackets.

With Amis, the Raybeats recorded an EP called Roping Wild Bears, which was released in 1981. Later that year, they recorded and released a full-length album titled, Guitar Beat, produced by Martin Rushent. It featured ten original tunes, plus a cover of Jan Berry's B-Gas Rickshaw. After Amis's departure in 1982, the Raybeats recorded one more album, It's Only A Movie!, which was released on Shanachie Records in 1983. They disbanded in 1984.

In 1990, Christensen, Harris and Irwin reunited one more time, playing a benefit concert for the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Jared Nickerson played bass.

[edit] Discography

  • Roping Wild Bears (Don't Fall Off the Mountain \ Beggars Banquet 1981)
  • Guitar Beat (Don't Fall Off the Mountain [UK] \ Passport Records [US] 1981)
  • It's Only A Movie! (Shanachie 1983)

[edit] Compilations

  • Start Swimming (Stiff Records 1981) (recorded live at the Rainbow (London) on 20 Feb 1981)
  • Children of Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the Second Psychedelic Era - 1976-1996 (Rhino 2005)

[edit] External links

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