Swimming Pool Q’s

21+

Founded in Atlanta in 1978, The Swimming Pool Q’swere among the first generation of Georgia’s celebrated New Wave bands that included THE B-52’s, THE BRAINS, PYLON and R.E.M. When original members Jeff Calder and Bob Elsey were joined by Anne Richmond Boston, the initial configuration of the Q’s quickly established a reputation for superb musicianship and originality. With a barrage of East Coast and regional dates beginning in 1979 (including the Southern leg of the first major POLICE tour), The Swimming Pool Q’s developed the confident live presentation they have maintained into the present era. MITCH EASTER... In 1980, Easter started the Drive-In Studio, a professional recording studio located in what was originally his parents’ garage. One of his earliest recording sessions was the debut single by R.E.M., “Radio Free Europe.” Drive-In Studio became an integral part of the local indie-rock scene of Winston-Salem, recording a number of bands at low “knock-down” rates. Easter closed the Drive-In Studio in 1994, and moved from Winston-Salem to Kernersville, North Carolina, where he opened his current recording studio, Fidelitorium Recordings. In 1981, Easter formed Let’s Active with then-girlfriend Faye Hunter and drummer Sara Romweber. Around the same time, Easter worked with R.E.M. to record their debut single, “Radio Free Europe”. This initial work led to a number of collaborations with the band, with Easter producing their debut EP and (with Don Dixon) their first two albums. Let’s Active toured with R.E.M., which led to a recording contract with I.R.S. Records. Although Let’s Active was not commercially successful, Easter’s offbeat style of guitar-based pop music, which came to be known as jangle pop, was considered a major influence on groups such as R.E.M. As a record producer, Easter is probably best known for his work with R.E.M. from 1981 through 1984. Since 1981, Easter has produced, engineered, and often made musical contributions to albums from many other recording artists, including Mary Prankster, Ex Hex, Ben Folds Five, Pylon, Helium, Pavement, Suzanne Vega, Game Theory, The Loud Family, Marshall Crenshaw, The Connells, Velvet Crush, Ken Stringfellow (of The Posies), and Birds of Avalon.

OVE TRACTOR Love Tractor (1980–2002) a band from Athens, Georgia, founded in spring 1980 by guitarists Mark Cline, Mike Richmond and bassist Armistead Wellford. Like The B-52’s, Pylon and R.E.M., Love Tractor is lauded by critics and music historians as one of the founders of the Athens, Georgia, alternative rock scene. Love Tractor toured extensively and recorded six critically acclaimed albums, consistently topping the college and alternative charts. Love Tractor was particularly known for their instrumental rock.1 After a return to the public eye in the late ’90s, Love Tractor released 2001’s swan song The Sky At Night. The group disbanded in 2002. THE SWIMMING POOL Q’S Founded in Atlanta in 1978, The Swimming Pool Q’swere among the first generation of Georgia’s celebrated New Wave bands that included THE B-52’s, THE BRAINS, PYLON and R.E.M. When original members Jeff Calder and Bob Elsey were joined by Anne Richmond Boston, the initial configuration of the Q’s quickly established a reputation for superb musicianship and originality. With a barrage of East Coast and regional dates beginning in 1979 (including the Southern leg of the first major POLICE tour), The Swimming Pool Q’s developed the confident live presentation they have maintained into the present era.

The Swimming Pool Q’s formed circa 1978, on the leading edge of Georgia’s thriving new wave scene. Establishing a presence alongside such likeminded musical pioneers as R.E.M., Pylon, the B-52’s, the Brains, and Kevin Dunn, the Q’s founding members, singer/guitarist Jeff Calder and guitarist Bob Elsey, along with singer Anne Richmond Boston kicked off a legacy of cerebral music. With a catalog of albums, including career-defining titles such as 1981’s The Deep End (DB Recs), 1984’s self-titled LP (A&M), and 2003’s Royal Academy of Reality (Bar None), the Swimming Pool Q’s helped define Atlanta’s musical landscape. For this show, the group celebrates 40 years of live performances, recordings, and living the life of Southern sophisticates — anchors in an ever-changing musical climate. Wuxtry Records (CL’s 2018 pick for Best Record Store) also shares the date, celebrating its 40th anniversary. To celebrate, longstanding record shop fixture Richard Kuykendall plays drums with Ken Schenck (guitar) and Max Koshewa (bass) of Atlanta’s legendary post-punk trio, 86. For this show, they perform under the name 3. $20 (adv), $25 (Door). The first 200 tickets include a free drink. The Vista Room, 2836 Lavista Road (North Decatur). 404-321-5000. www.thevistaroom.com.