|
He played in numerous Cumberland bands - The Names (with Don Ullery and BleeChild Dennis), Major Stryker (with Steve Whiteman of Kix), and many others. He and Treefrog moved down from Cumberland area to pursue original music in a more condusive atmosphere to creativity. They formed " More Heroes" with Danny Brayton (of Full Steam Eddy and brother of Jon Brayton-aka Treefrog) - which later became SHOCK OPERA. This unit played together on and off for more than 20 years in the DC Baltimore area...with shows in NYC, Cleveland and the Eastern US. Their one Album release " Mer De Mente" was engineered by Frank Marchand and Mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Studios. It stands the test of time of a true DC original sound, mixing metal, punkcore and Go-go beats. Tracks from the CD can be found on the music site Soundclick.com under Shock Opera US. There were bands using the name illegally through the years - but this unit IS the original.
They played shows including - The National Smoke-in on The Mall in Washington DC (on Eddie's birthday-no less!), CBGBs, The College Music Journal Showcase in NYC (twice), and opened for such acts as The Ramones, The Bus Boys, The Circle Jerks, The Dwarfs, Flock Of Seagulls (who for the record were peckerheads), Killing Joke, Suicidal Tendencies, Pussy Galore, The Dead Milkmen, and shared the bill with DC locals - Black Market Baby, The Factory, Danse Of Guilt, Fear Of Man, High Lamas, City Gone Wild, Scarlett O, East Is East, Beyond Words, Monkeyspank ... (this list is endless).
Eddie played with many different musicians throughout the Early 80's and 90's in the DC punkcore scene. He played bass with Kim Garcia (of Full Steam Eddy) and Treefrog in KGB.
Billy Swann of The Muffins, and Les Lokey of Lust For Life, all did short stints on bass in the band at various times.
The band drummers included were Dan Fritz, Rick "Deeno" Martin, and Mike Custer. James Dail was the long standing Bass Player in Shock Opera.
The band was featured on the Cable program "The Larz From Mars Show" several times, and their madness, sense of humor, and hyperbole were showcased accurately. Eddie loved to costume on stage and off, especially if it frightened Yuppies, Persons Posing as Punk, Christian Missionaries - (who he would often threaten to eat), Politicians, or bad rock bands. His street and stage persona were contrasted by his true nature. He was a gentle person with an acerbic sense. He took in stray animals and people. He was gentle and loved by children because of his ability to make them laugh with his slapstick humor and offbeat charm.
He recorded guitar tracks with Esmirelda, Bleechild Dennis (Salo,Big Black Nun,Shock Opera, and Ron Holloway on the song "Teenage Romance Makes Me Sick"). He was nominated for a Whammy in 1987 as best instrumentalist. His songwriting, lyrical content and virtuosity on the album " Mer De Mente" was evident and received critical acclaim.
Eddie was TRULY an original and impossible to forget.
His sense of humor and approach to the guitar was unique and unrivaled.
Brother To Many. Peace has found you.
MY EX=BEST FRIEND
THIS IS WHAT'S LEFT, A COLD HAND
SIFTING THRU THE CINDERS AND THE ASHES
MY BEST LAST PAST SERIOUS EX-BEST FRIEND
I GUESS WHEN THE POLAR ICE CAP MELTS
I GUESS WHEN THE EARTH ROTATES BACKWARDS
AND THE RIVERS FLOW IN REVERSE
AND THE BLOOD TURNS TO SAND
THAT'S WHEN YOU'LL FLOAT
BACK DOWN THE BOILING DIRTY RIVER AGAIN
MAYBE I'LL SEE YOU THEN
AND FIX THAT GAZE
A CROOKED POSSUM-SMILE
I'M SURE I'LL JUST STAND ON THE SAND AND BLINK
A COLD NON-HELLO
EX-FRIENDS ARE LIKE STAMP COLLECTIONS
EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE
YOU TAKE THEM OFF THE SHELF AND LOOK AT THEM
SHUNTED HISTORY FLAT OPAQUE AND CERTAINLY IN
BLACK AND WHITE
YOU THINK-THANK GOD THAT ISN'T ME STUCK TO THAT
MYSTERIOUS MEMORY DARK DUSTY ANGRY FILED PAGE
AND DECIDE:
I'D RATHER BE BY MYSELF THAN IN A COLLECTION OF
DISMEMBERED THOUGHTS
MAYBE I NEVER KNEW YOU
MAYBE I DID BUT DIDN'T KNOW
MAYBE I ALWAYS KNEW YOU DIDN'T
BUT DIDN'T CARE
JUST A TANGLED TATTER OF UNCENSORED RECOLLECTION
THERE'S NOT A LOT OF ROOM FOR SENTIMENT
LEFT THERE.
MY BEST LAST PAST SERIOUS EX-BEST FRIEND BECOMES
THE RECOGNITION OF TIME I'LL NEVER GET BACK AGAIN.
AND HONOR THAT IS USELESS TO DEFEND.
|
