Absolute Grey’s New York City Adventure

Absolute Grey was a band out of Rochester, New York, who put a dark, North Country spin on the jangly guitar sound of R.E.M. upon their arrival on the college radio airwaves in 1983.

Originally comprised of singer Beth Brown, drummer Pat Thomas, guitarist Matt Kitchen and bassist Mitchell Rasor, the band debuted with the Greenhouse mini-LP in December 1984, receiving kudos from music critics and radio DJs alike for their musicality and lyrical honesty.

“Long before self-reflective female singers became the hip trend on the alternative music scene, Beth Brown of Rochester, New York’s Absolute Grey was writing and singing about loneliness and the challenge of independence,” said Karen Schomer in Trouser Press Record Guide.

Within a few months following the release of Greenhouse, Absolute Grey found themselves on the New York State Thruway heading to New York City and appeared on a bill at CBGB on the Bowery. Once the hallowed manger that birthed American punk, by 1985 Hilly Kristal’s club was more known for their infamous hardcore matinees than the original stomping grounds of Talking Heads, Blondie and the Ramones. Yet, CB’s was still a destination for indie rock bands as well, which is how Absolute Grey found themselves playing alongside such fellow underground hopefuls as Life In A Blender, Low Life and headliners Floor Kiss back on April 12, 1985.

If you missed the gig back then, don’t sweat it, because Thomas has released the band’s full set from that night on his Heyday Again Records imprint. CBGB’s 1985 consists of 10 tracks and features extensive liner notes, rare photographs, gig flyers, set lists and more in the CD version plus new essays from early supporters like music journalists Jim DeRogatis and the aforementioned Ms. Schomer as well as a teenage, obsessed Rochester fan turned musician/record executive Luke Wood (Girls Against Boys, Beats Electronics). 

“Worthy art stands the test of time, remaining as vital in the present as it was in the moment,” DeRogatis said of the band’s live sets and debut album. “And that Absolute Grey set forty Easters ago, as well as the debut album Greenhouse, move me as much today as they did then.”

Rock & Roll Globe caught up with Thomas to gain further insight into that night on tape.

 

What inspired the band to record this particular show at CBGB? Did Absolute Grey record all their shows?

I tried to record any show that seemed like it would be worth it — obviously, for a young unknown band for us to play that legendary venue, it was a big deal — I wanted to record it — NOT thinking it would eventually be an album — but because I wanted it for myself. 

 

Absolute Grey played CBGB at a time when the New York hardcore scene was very prominent at CBGB. What was the vibe like there when you played? Or, rather, was CBGB more diverse in 1984 than I’m led to believe?

By 1985 when we got there, I think there was not that much “hardcore” happening there (or least not every night) — in my mind, it was bands like the db’s, Dream Syndicate, Dumptruck, Salem 66 playing there — plus various Manhattan based (second tier) legends. I’m sure there was still some hardcore shows there — but I wasn’t paying attention to that. 

 

Did you guys drive down to New York City from Rochester that day? What was the trip like?

It was an all-day drive — we had to get up at like 5 a.m. to get going, rent and load a van, etc. However — one band member did a ‘prima donna’ thing and flew down (that only takes about an hour) which upset the rest of us — and made us feel like less of a team that day. But the performance didn’t suffer — I suppose it gave us more of an intense edge. 

What were the other acts on the bill like? Were you fans?

We were far too nervous to pay much attention (nor did we really know who they were) — we were focused on ourselves as if we were getting ready to play the Super Bowl. Plus, we knew a few indie journalists and industry types might stop by — to see our first ever NYC performance and that increased the nerves — however, Jim DeRogatis came by — made us feel welcome and we’ve stayed friends til this day. He wrote a review for The Bob — which was the premier indie rock magazine of the day. 

 

What was your reaction to reading DeRog’s review in The Bob when you first got a copy?

Probably a little mixed — I think he said something about a “depressed Michael Stipe on acid” — but we also could tell he dug us. Hence, we had him write something new for this CD — which he gladly did.

 

I have read a lot of comparisons to R.E.M. and the Paisley Underground bands in terms of the Absolute Grey sound. Were these the groups you were consciously inspired by? What other artists and/or album inspired the group’s sound?

Yes — all that for sure, plus Echo & the Bunnymen, Velvet Underground, Big Star — the usual stuff. However — in 1984-85, Big Star wasn’t yet a household reissue name yet. And to some degree, the VU weren’t quite — but they were rapidly getting there. 

 

What radio stations in New York were playing Absolute Grey ahead of the CBGB gig? Did the band have a following in the city?

Hard to say — only college stations for sure — and we had the most below the radar following ever — except for folks like Jim who was tuned into us already and we had gotten a really great review for our debut album a few months earlier in a magazine called ROCKPOOL — which was the CMJ of the day. That’s how we got the gig — from that review – the manager of 10,000 Maniacs saw that review — booked us at CBGB’s — so he could see us play — but then he was unable to attend the gig! Welcome to the music biz. 

 

AUDIO: Absolute Grey “Remorse”

What did you all do while you were down in the city? How long did you stay? Did you stay overnight?

It’s all kind of a blur and distant memory — we for sure, stayed overnight — as it would be too late to drive back — but other than walk around and probably hit some record stores — we did not sightsee — and probably came back within 24 hours or so. 

 

Did any of you ever get to see a show at CBGB before you played there? 

No — it was all new to us — and therefore, more daunting. However, this was an era when a beer in a bar in Rochester was probably $2 (not that we were heavy drinkers — we were not) but when I asked if there was a “band discount” on a beer at CBGB’s — they said “you get $2 off our $7 dollar bottles of beer” or something ridiculous like that! 

 

What is your favorite memory of this show and why?

Just doing it! Just being on that iconic stage in that legendary room. I’m glad we have a recording — wish we had a photo or three from it.