Evolving out of the infamous OHO, Dark Side began as a studio experiment in late 1977. While 70s OHO developed from a weirdly sinister and oddball Ubu/Beefheart approach, Dark Side had a preoccupation with "updated-for-the-80s" 60s pop, manifested i [+]Evolving out of the infamous OHO, Dark Side began as a studio experiment in late 1977. While 70s OHO developed from a weirdly sinister and oddball Ubu/Beefheart approach, Dark Side had a preoccupation with "updated-for-the-80s" 60s pop, manifested in the teen-drama lyrics, neo-Spector production and delightfully squeaky Farfisa organ fills.
The original 6-man line-up recorded 2 EP's in January ("Wholesale Diamonds") and September ("Damaged Goods") 1978 respectively. Thanks to the intervention of Ful Treatment keyboardist, Ray Jozwiak, this incarnation of the band made their only live appearance on a local television program (Baltimore At Ten) in the spring of '78.
The band, reduced then to a quartet, began to play live at the infamous Marble Bar on Franklin St. in downtown Baltimore and The Odd Fellows Hall in Towson, MD. Due to the opportunities afforded by regular gigging, the Side discovered its identity and began to shape its own sound.
An LP (Rumors in Our Own Time/Legends in Our Own Room) was produced with USE guitarist, Paul Rieger, during 1979 and on into early 1980. Joining shortly thereafter, drummer David Reeve (OHO's current drummer) helped the band integrate its various influences and explore a range of music that encompassed 60s R&B, punk, humorous pop, garage and gothic-progressive rock. The band defied easy categorization, living up to the notoriety that Dark Side members Jay & Jeffrey Graboski, Mark O'Connor and David Reeve established in 70s OHO (1973-1977). Dark Side remained true to a music that was stripped down and driving, yet capable of an emotional subtlety not usually associated with bands of their ilk.
"Odd Fellows On An Even Day" includes 6 of the 8 recordings from the band's 1st 2 EPs, the entire "Rumors/Legends" LP, and 3 very rare basement recordings that include 2 never-before-released songs, "Dogs On Drugs" and "Another Crack In the Jaw." ("In the Dark" was included on the late Greg Shaw's "Battle of the Garages Vol. 1" on a Voxx Records LP in 1981 and again together with Vol. 2 on CD in 1993.) In 1986 Dave Jarkowski, Jay Graboski and drummer Bobby Ginyard recorded "Back Up Man," the CDs closer, featuring former OHO/Hand to Mouth chanteuse, Grace Hearn, on backing vocals. Bill Pratt engineered this se
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