In 2005, as their previous band the John Tower Group was dissolving, Arty LaVigne and Mark Christensen headed into Egan Media Productions in Colchester, Vermont to record some of the songs Arty had been writing. They took with them drummer Zak LaVigne (JTG drummer and Arty's son) and bassist Mike Scott. Also on hand for some of the sessions was JTG guitarist Mike Colbourn. As the sessions progressed, it became more and more apparent that this was less a JTG swan song and more the beginning of something new. That something would grow into what is now Vermon'ts Radio Underground.
This recording is a document of that time and the birth of the Radio Underground. The pairing of Arty's voice and Mark's guitar being the framework the rest of the sound was built on. But like many young(ish) bands the sound quickly developed and evolved, being informed by the players involved. The live outfit originally featured Chris Simard on bass and Owen Price on drums and mayhem. After Owen's eventual departure drummer Anderw Bedard ascended the throne and the line-up was solidified that continues to this day. The band quickly moved onward from the original sound of the recording and the hard drive holding the tracking sessions ended up collecting dust.
Then in 2017, as the band was working in the studio on a new recording, they revisited the mixes from those original sessions and were pleasantly surprised by what they heard. So much so that they decided to release them as an "archival" album with the hopes of helping to fund the current sessions. So, here you have a glimpse into history that will hopefully assist the future.
credits
released November 17, 2017
Arty LaVigne - vocals, rhythm guitar
Mark Christensen - lead guitar, electric 12-string, resonator, piano and looping
Zak LaVigne - drums and additional guitar
Mike Scott - bass
special guest Mike Colbourn - lead guitar on Wondering Why and Brand New Day
Produced by Marty
Engineered by Aaron Flinn and Rob O'Dea
Recorded at Egan Media in the Summer/Fall of 2005
all songs written by Arty LaVigne except Turn Out the Lights, by Zak LaVigne
Cover photo credit: Paul Ciosek
Massive thanks to: Aaron Flinn, Rob O'Dea, Joe Egan, Page McConnell, Zak LaVigne, Mike Scott, Mike Colbourn, Chris Simard, Andrew Bedard and Paul Ciosek. Special thanks to our families and RU fans everywhere.
This Michigan-based trio trip, swirl, and echo their way through 11 songs of psychedelic, surf-tinged, garage rock. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 27, 2015