The Jody Grind (band)

The Jody Grind was an American band from the Cabbagetown neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia, United States.[1]

The Jody Grind
OriginCabbagetown, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
GenresAlternative
Years active1988-1992
LabelsDB Records
Associated actsRock*A*Teens, Wee Hairy Beasties, Pine Valley Cosmonauts, Neko Case, Another Evening with the Garbageman, Smoke (American band), Hubcap City and W8ing4UFOs
Past membersKelly Hogan, Bill Taft, David Ellis, Walter Brewer, Robert Hayes, Rob Clayton

Karen Schoemer’s review of their debut album for The New York Times put their sound in historical context: “This young band from Atlanta is so at home with the musical languages of past eras, one can imagine it sharing cocktail chitchat with Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra and the Gershwins.”[2]

Billboard’s Chris Morris described them as a “sweet, swinging.”[3]

The Jody Grind opened for R.E.M.,[4] Bob Margolin,[5] Robyn Hitchcock and Poi Dog Pondering.[6]

History

In 1988, vocalist Kelly Hogan met Bill Taft at one of his open mic nights at the White Dot in Atlanta. A mutual appreciation of old-time jazz and swing kicked off the friendship, and Taft soon invited Hogan to perform with him. They were soon joined by David Ellis (bass) and Walter Brewer (drums) and performed as An Evening With the Garbagemen.[1][7]

Ellis left soon after, and the band continued as a three-piece. He was eventually replaced by Robert Hayes.[1]

By 1989, they were known as The Jody Grind.[8]

In 1990, the band released their debut album, One Man's Trash (Is Another Man's Treasure). It was produced by John Keane and released by DB Records.

Said Schoemer of that debut album: “Their eclecticism never sounds forced; the performances are loose and enthusiastic, and each song is linked by the smoky, sashaying vocals of Kelly Hogan Murray. Her singing, like the album, feels effortless and lovely.”[2]

By 1990 they were playing packed crowds in Atlanta, many times sharing the bill with Atlanta performance artist and poet Deacon Lunchbox.[1]

In 1992, The Jody Grind released their second album, Lefty's Deceiver. It was also produced by John Keane and released by DB Records.[9]

Soon after the album was recorded, Rob Clayton joined the band as their new drummer.[10]

On April 19, 1992, less than a week after the release of Lefty’s Deceiver, a camper driven by a drunk driver crossed the I-65 median near Greenville, Alabama, and struck a borrowed van carrying Clayton, Hayes and Deacon Lunchbox, who were heading back to Atlanta from shows in Florida. Clayton, Hayes and Deacon Lunchbox died at the scene.[11][12][13][14] Hogan and Taft had decided to spend the night in Pensacola and did not learn of the crash until arriving home.[10]

After the crash, Hogan and Taft disbanded The Jody Grind and formed a duo called Kick Me.[10] Allen Page joined Kick Me, but the band broke up following his heroin overdose in 1994.[15]

Hogan later moved to Chicago to continue a solo career, and has since played with a variety of bands, including Rock*A*Teens, Wee Hairy Beasties and Neko Case.[16] Taft still lives in Atlanta and has been involved with several project since, including Another Evening with the Garbageman, Smoke, Hubcap City and W8ing4UFOs.[17]

Discography

Albums
  • One Man's Trash (Is Another Man's Treasure) (1990, DB Records)
  • Lefty's Deceiver (1992, DB Records/GMM Records)
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References
  1. "Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current, March 07, 1990, Image 33 « Georgia Historic Newspapers". Gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu. 1990-03-07. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  2. "Home Entertainment/Recordings: Recent Releases". The New York Times. 1990-06-24. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  3. "Billboard". 1994-11-19.
  4. "1990/91 Concert Chronology". Remtimeline.com. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  5. "Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current, September 27, 1989, Image 14 « Georgia Historic Newspapers". Gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu. 1989-09-27. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  6. "Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current, July 11, 1990, Image 16 « Georgia Historic Newspapers". Gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu. 1990-07-11. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  8. "Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current, August 09, 1989, Image 7 « Georgia Historic Newspapers". Gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu. 1989-08-09. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  9. "The Red and Black (Athens, Ga.) 1893-current, April 20, 1992, Image 3 « Georgia Historic Newspapers". Gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  10. Freeman, Scott (2010-06-24). "The triumph and tragedy of the Cabbagetown sound". Creativeloafing.com. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  11. "Hogan Here | This is my favorite picture of my first real band". Hoganhere.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  12. "Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current, April 22, 1992, Image 4 « Georgia Historic Newspapers". Gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu. 1992-04-22. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  13. "Deacon Lunchbox, 41, A Performance Artist". The New York Times. 1992-04-22. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  14. "The Red and Black (Athens, Ga.) 1893-current, April 21, 1992, Image 1 « Georgia Historic Newspapers". Gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu. 1992-04-21. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  15. "When the Fire Broke Out". Oxfordamerican.org. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  16. Heather Phares. "Kelly Hogan | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  17. "Biography". W8ing4ufos.com. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
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