The Clay People

The Clay People is an alternative rock band based in Albany, New York, United States. Singer Daniel Neet has been the only constant member throughout the band's history, providing lyrics and a frontman persona, while an ever-changing lineup of musicians shaped the sound of the band as its style evolved from American cold wave to post-grunge rock.

The Clay People
Background information
Also known asClay People
OriginAlbany, New York
Genres
Associated acts
Members
  • Daniel Neet
  • Dan Dinsmore
  • Brian McGarvey
  • Vegas Nacy
  • Eric Braymer
  • Jared Weed
Past members
  • Mike Guzzardi
  • Eliot Engelman
  • Peter E. Porto
  • Brendan Slater
  • D. Patrick Walsh
  • Walter Flakus
  • J. Alexander Eller
  • Eric Schwanke
  • Karla Williams
  • Duane Beer
  • Will Nivens
  • Kevin Bakarian
  • John Stevens
  • David Bourgeois
  • Kevin Micheal Scott
  • Jon McClendon
  • William Ralph

Biography

Forming in 1989 as "Clay People", the band debuted with the 1991 EP Toy Box before signing to Re-Constriction Records and issuing their debut album Firetribe in May 1993.[1] Clay People's second EP The Iron Icon and studio album Stone-Ten Stitches followed in 1995 and 1997 respectively. The group added "The" to their name with the release of their 1998 self-titled album, marking a change in direction from their dance club roots to a live rock band with a lineup featuring Neet, Brian McGarvey (guitar), Mike Guzzardi (guitar), D. Patrick Walsh (bass) and Dan Dinsmore (drums).[2] The album was produced by Neil Kernon for Slipdisc Records and was the band's most successful release. Songs from the record were included in the soundtracks to the films Strangeland and Universal Soldier: The Return.

Internal conflicts caused the band to go on hiatus in the early 2000s as members pursued solo and side projects or launched new bands. A new album from The Clay People, Waking the Dead, was released on May 22, 2007 via Overit Records with a lineup featuring only Neet, Dinsmore and McGarvey from the 1998 band. Along with the new release was a music video for the album's first single, Supersonic Overdrive. Metroland, the local Albany weekly newspaper, featured the band on their front page as “The Return Of The Claypeople” following the album release and a successful performance at Edgefest, a local radio station music festival. Shortly following the release of Waking the Dead the band once again become inactive.

In June 2012 Neet, McGarvey, and Dinsmore revived The Clay People to perform at the Cold Waves festival: The Jamie Duffy Memorial Concert" in Chicago in honor of the guitarist from Acumen Nation who took his own life earlier that year. The Clay People began recording again, however continuing internal conflicts and ongoing problems associated with substance abuse led to more band member lineup changes and an unfinished album as of five years later. The Clay People released a new album, Demon Hero, featuring a revolving-door of recording musicians in September 2018. They began to play shows in the Albany, New York area again citing their “return” as a band.

Members
  • Daniel Neet – vocals
  • Brian McGarvey – guitar
  • Dan Dinsmore – drums
  • Vegas Nacy – backing vocals, percussion
  • Eric Braymer – bass

Former members
  • Mike Guzzardi – guitar
  • Phil Montelone – bass
  • Eliot Engelman – bass
  • D. Patrick Walsh – bass
  • Brendan Slater – bass
  • Eric Schwanke – bass
  • John Delehanty – guitar
  • J. Alexander Eller – keyboards and programming
  • Peter E. Porto (co-founder) – bass
  • Walter Flakus (ex-Stabbing Westward) – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Karla Williams – guitar
  • Duane Beer – guitar
  • Will Nivens – guitar
  • Bill Rettie – keyboards
  • Kevin Bakarian – drums
  • David Bourgeois – drums
  • Kevin Micheal Scott – guitar
  • Jon McClendon – drums
  • William Ralph – drums

Discography

Compilation appearances
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References
  1. Reed, Lou (2000). "Schwann Spectrum". Schwann Spectrum. Stereophile, Incorporated. 9 (2): 49. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  2. Prato, Greg. "Clay People > Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  3. "Various - Tribute To Black Sabbath: Eternal Masters". Discogs. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
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