| The Refreshments | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Mortals |
| Origin | Arizona, USA |
| Genres | Alternative rock, post-grunge |
| Years active | 1992–1998 |
| Labels | Mercury |
| Associated acts | Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers |
| Past members | |
| Roger Clyne Brian David Blush Arthur Eugene "Buddy" Edwards Paul "P.H." Naffah Dustin "Dusty" Denham Greg Culler |
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The Refreshments were a band from Arizona. The band is best known for the single "Banditos" from their 1996 breakthrough album Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy, and also for "Yahoos and Triangles," the theme music to the long-running animated series King of the Hill. The latter was a piece the band traditionally performed at soundchecks.[1]
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Originally The Mortals in 1992, Roger Clyne and Dustin "Dusty" Denham wanted to continue playing after that band's tenure had come to an end. They formed The Refreshments in early 1994. The original lineup consisted of Clyne (rhythm guitar, lead vocals, harmonica, kazoo), Brian David Blush (lead guitar, backing vocals), Arthur Eugene "Buddy" Edwards (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Denham (drums, percussion, backing vocals). In one year the band went from opening for such powerhouse local bands as Dead Hot Workshop and the Gin Blossoms to headlining and packing venues five nights a week. The Refreshments applied for entry to South By Southwest in Austin, TX and were not only received, but learned that the band's demo tape had been played for an A&R rep for Mercury Records; as a result of their performance at the music festival, the band was signed by the label. In 1995, original drummer Dustin "Dusty" Denham departed, and was replaced by Paul "P.H." Naffah. The Refreshments recorded their first record in the summer of 1995 and it was released in January 1996. The band hit the number one spot on Billboard's Heatseekers list with the single "Banditos" and toured throughout the U.S. The Australia tour the band was slated to leave for in the late fall was canceled by the new president of Mercury Records, and the band members were told to hit the recording studio. They wrote and recorded their second album in early 1997 and it was released in the fall of that year. As there was no support coming from Mercury to promote the tour, The Refreshments decided that the writing was on the wall and left Mercury before they were dropped from the studio's lineup. The band had sold 10,000 units in December 1997, their last month with the label. Internal problems led to two members being replaced. Roger Clyne and new member P.H. Naffah decided to rename the band and to continue touring and making music; the band still plays today as Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers.
The group was known for its "Southwestern Sound," similar to other bands hailing from Arizona such as the Gin Blossoms, The Meat Puppets and Dead Hot Workshop. The group had two charting singles, both from 1996's Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy (both written by Roger Clyne and Brian Blush): "Banditos" (U.S. Mainstream Rock #11, Modern Rock #14), and "Down Together" (Modern Rock #38).[2]
Rhythm guitarist, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter Roger Clyne and drummer Paul "P.H." Naffah renamed the group Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers in 1998, and still perform many Refreshments songs in concert. They also went on to form a close relationship with the Major League Baseball team the Arizona Diamondbacks, writing/performing the teams official/unofficial theme song. The band has also performed concerts for the team after ballgames at Chase Field and other various team events.
Arthur Eugene "Buddy" Edwards is now a writer, and self-published his novels, Stuck Outside of Phoenix and Ghost Notes with another one on the way.
Guitarist Brian David Blush is now a member of The Toluenes. The band’s first album with Blush is tentatively scheduled for release in February, 2011.
| Year | Song | US Mod[3] | CAN[4] | CAN Alt[4] | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "Banditos" | 14 | 20 | 13 | Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy |
| "Down Together" | 38 |