Ping Pong over the Abyss

The 77s released their debut album in 1983 on the Exit Records label.

One song from that album, "Renaissance Man," was later recorded by The Ocean Blue. "It's So Sad," was later rerecorded, with a drastically different arrangement, by Roe's other band, the Lost Dogs for their album MUTT.

The title comes from Allen Ginsberg's poem "Howl," section 3: "I'm with you in Rockland / where you scream in a straight jacket that you're losing the game of the actual ping pong of the abyss."

Track listing

Side one

1. "A Different Kind of Light"'
2. "How Can You Love"
3. "It's So Sad"
4. "Falling Down A Hole"
5. "Someone New" written w/Gene Mascoli

Side two

1. "Renaissance Man"
2. "Ping Pong Over The Abyss"
3. "Time Is Slipping Away" written w/Gene Mascoli
4. "Denomination Blues (That's All)"

Bonus Tracks (CD) *

1. "A Different Kind Of Light" (Live)
2. "How Can You Love" (4 - Track Demo)
3. "It's So Sad" (Live)
4. "Falling Down A Hole" (Live)
5. "Ping Pong Over The Abyss" (4 - Track Demo)
6. "Denomination Blues" (Live)

• Bonus Tracks originally found on CD's in the 123 boxset.

The band

• Mike Roe on guitars and lead vocals.
• Mark Tootle on Keyboards, guitars and vocals.
• Jan Eric on bass guitars and background vocals.
• Mark Proctor on Drums and vocals.