User:Dannylectro

Limbo Race

Limbo Race was an American

Boston, Massachusetts in 1979 by Randy Black on guitar, John Neidhart on bass, and Peter Keaveney on drums. In 1981, Keaveney was replaced by drummer Mark Poulin and the band added saxophonist Mark Chenevert. Limbo Race featured an angular, sometimes harsh sound that some critics compared to the Gang of Four and The Cure

. Black's lyrics described an unsettled world where communication was difficult, and drew upon dark anthropological references, images from childhood, and intimate details of his relationships with friends and lovers.
Limbo Race developed a passionate cult following and, after winning the

WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble

in 1982, the band added keyboardist Catherine Coleman and toured extensively throughout the Northeastern United States until 1984 when the band finally broke up.

History

Limbo Race played their first show on October 6, 1979 at the legendary Underground, a rock club in Allston, MA, notable for being one of the first venues to feature acts from the burgeoning

The Rathskellar

("The Rat"), The Club, the Inn Square Men's Bar and in alternative venues along Thayer Street in Boston's South End.

Among the many Boston bands that Limbo Race shared bills with were Someone & The Somebodies,

'til tuesday, The New Models, and The Del Fuegos

.

Drummer Peter Keaveney left the band in early 1980 and was replaced by Mark Poulin. At this time, the band recorded their first tape of the song Cigarettes which received airplay on the

MIT radio station WMBR as well as WERS from Emerson College

.

In 1981, the band caught the attention of producer and engineer Dan Salzman who brought them into the studio to record a song, There Goes Kafka, which was included on a compilation of Boston-area bands called A Wicked Good Time Vol.2.

In early 1982, the band added saxophonist Mark Chenevert and began recording their first single Down & Backwards b/w What It Is which received airplay on the commercial radio station WBCN. The band began to receive media attention and was invited to play at the 1982

WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble

which they went on to win. Interestingly, Limbo Race was not included in the list of bands originally invited but as an alternate; they entered the competition only when another band had to drop out.

The band was picked up by manager Jim Coffman, who also managed Mission of Burma, and began playing shows throughout the northeast including the famed CBGB in New York, the 9:30 Club in Washington DC and other venues. In 1993 they also opened for the Thompson Twins and Echo & the Bunnymen at the Channel in Boston, as well for REM at Streets in Allston.

Beyond Limbo Race

In 1984, drummer Mark Poulin left the band. After attempting to find a new drummer and carry on, the remaining members of the band decided that the end had come and disbanded in the spring.

Randy Black went on to form a new ensemble called Dr. Black's Combo which also included saxophonist Mark Chenevert. He also had a lengthy career as a solo artist playing primarily acoustic and recorded a critically well received CD Below The Tapering for Waterbug Records.

Bassist John Neidhart continued a lengthy career playing in numerous Boston-area bands that included The Wickermen, The Sextons, Stardarts, and Jack Frosting.

Mark Chenevert continues to perform as a respected clarinetist and sax player and has played and toured throughout the United States with bands that include Hypnotic Clambake, Chandler Travis, Stone Lily, and other.

Mark Poulin continues to perform as both a drummer and guitarist, notably in a tribute to Roy Orbison.

Recordings & Discography

Title	Year	Label	Producer/Engineer
Cigarettes	1980	Radio tape	Ted St.Pierre
There Goes Kafka	1981	A Wicked Good Time Vol. 2, Modern Method 011	Dan Salzman
Down & Backwards b/w What It Is	1981	7" Single, 45, Limborations	John Kusiak
Ina's Song b/w Small Talking	1983	7" Single, 45, Limborations	John Kusiak/David Butler
Bless Me Father	1983	Radio tape	John Kusiak/David Butler

External Links

A great listing of records from the era [1]

Waterbug Records [2]