Guadalcanal Diary (band)
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Guadalcanal Diary | |
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Background information | |
Genres | |
Years active | 1981–1989, 1997–2000, 2011 |
Labels | DB Records, Elektra Records |
Members | Murray Attaway Jeff Walls Rhett Crowe John Poe |
Guadalcanal Diary was an American alternative jangle pop rock group who originated in Marietta, Georgia. The band formed in 1981, released four major label albums and disbanded in 1989. They reformed in 1997, releasing a live album, but never again recorded new material. After going on hiatus in 2000, Guadalcanal Diary temporarily reunited for a second time in 2011 for Athfest, where they celebrated their 30th anniversary.
History
In 1984, the band signed with DB Records (a small independent label based out of the Wax 'N Facts
In 1986, Guadalcanal Diary released its second album,
In 1988, Jeff Walls and Rhett Crowe married, and Rhett gave birth to a daughter, Lillian, the following year. After recording again with Don Dixon, 1989 saw the release of the band's fourth and final studio album, Flip-Flop. While the music video for "Always Saturday" saw rotation on MTV, critics noted that the album lacked some of the consistency of their previous albums, perhaps due to the band's busy touring schedule. However, with all members contributing to the songwriting, it took on a more diverse and upbeat sound, compared to darker themes of their previous works. "...Vista", a song inspired by a campfire chant from Rhett Crowe's childhood, and John Poe's "Pretty Is As Pretty Does" each became a fan favorite. Due to new family commitments and exhaustion from heavy touring, the band began to drift apart; they chose to break up in order to preserve their friendships. In the early fall of 1989, they played their collective final show in a free performance at Legion Field on the University of Georgia campus, and organized by the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity's Nu Chapter.[2]
In late 1989, Murray Attaway was signed as a solo artist to Geffen Records. He began recording with producer Tony Berg in 1992, along with various guest musicians, including Jackson Browne, Aimee Mann, Benmont Tench, and Nicky Hopkins. In 1993, His only solo album, In Thrall, was released, and received critical praise. Despite Geffen's high budget and innovative promotional tactics, including the giving away of the first 50,000 copies, the album fared less well commercially than Guadalcanal's releases.
In the same period:[vague]
- Jeff Walls produced, and played guitar, on numerous local records,
- John Poe briefly pursued a solo career, and
- Rhett Crowe retired from music, citing a desire to spend more time with her family.
Attaway began recording for his second solo album in 1995, and invited his former bandmates to contribute, but (concurrent to a change in A&R personnel) Attaway negotiated a release from Geffen, and the recordings were shelved.
The band's members describe enjoying their working together again, and decided in 1997 to re-form Guadalcanal Diary temporarily. They played a handful of local shows, and self-released a live album, At Your Birthday Party,[3] in 1999.
In 2000, they again ceased activity, leaving open the possibility another revival. In 2009, perceiving increasing online demand for new music and shows, Murray Attaway and Jeff Walls formed a band, Bomber City, as an outlet to play their large backlog of solo material and favorite Guadalcanal Diary songs, and — more recently[when?] — formed Blasting Cap.[4]
In 2011, Guadalcanal Diary briefly reunited to play Athfest, and celebrated their 30th anniversary there.[5]
Jeff Walls died, May 29, 2019, of a rare pulmonary disease.[6][7][8]
Members
- Murray Attaway – vocals, guitar
- Jeff Walls – guitar
- Rhett Crowe – bass
- John Poe – drums
Discography
Albums
Year | Album | Label |
---|---|---|
1983 | Watusi Rodeo EP | DB Records |
1984 | Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man | Elektra |
1986 | Jamboree | Elektra |
1987 | 2X4
|
Elektra |
1989 | Flip-Flop | Elektra |
1999 | At Your Birthday Party (live) | Self-Released |
Singles
Year | Title | Album |
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1985 | Trail of Tears | Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man |
1985 | Watusi Rodeo | Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man |
1986 | Lonely Street | Jamboree |
1986 | Spirit Train/Cattle Prod | Jamboree |
1987 | Litany (Life Goes On) | 2X4 |
1987 | Get Over It | 2X4 |
1987 | Lips Of Steel | 2X4 |
1989 | Always Saturday/Kiss Of Fire | Flip-Flop |
1989 | Pretty Is As Pretty Does | Flip-Flop |
References
- ^ Jackson, Josh. "The 80 Best Albums of the 1980s :: Music :: Lists :: Paste". Pastemagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2015-08-14.
- ^ Mark Deming. "Guadalcanal Diary | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-08-14.
- ^ "Guadalcanal Diary — at Your Birthday Party – Omnivore Recordings".
- ^ "Q&A with Murray Attaway of Bomber City; Playing The EARL with Tiger! Tiger!, August 13". Atlanta Music Guide. August 11, 2010.
- ^ "Life Goes On for Murray Attaway as Guadalcanal Diary Rises Again 30 Years Later at Smith's Olde Bar". Atlretro.com.
- ^ Melissa Ruggieri. "Jeff Walls of Guadalcanal Diary has died". Ajc.com. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
- ^ Tony Paris Thursday. "Jeff Walls, 1956-2019". Atlanta Creative Loafing.
- ^ Jackson, Josh (May 30, 2019). "Jeff Walls, Guitarist for Guadalcanal Diary, Hillbilly Frankenstein, and The Woggles, Has Died". PasteMagazine.com. Retrieved January 16, 2021.