Fletcher (1993 - 1996)
I've attached some Fletcher songs. I'll do it in two batches. It's
only four. I should figure out yousendit or zip files but I haven't
yet. Anyway, this is our 7-inch. The songs are
1) Teenage Keg Party
2) Sheep
3) You're a Tramp and I Own Half This Fucking Town
4) White Trash Quiz Bowl Champion
It came out in the summer of 1995. We recorded it at night on the
stage of the Dalton Center on the WMU campus. Todd Carter worked the
knobs.
Fletcher got together in the fall of 1993 but it took us a while to
get our act together. Maybe we never did. At first we were
Bryan Charles--guitar, vocals
Paul Bayer--bass
Dan Storchan--drums
Our first show was at Dagobah Square, sometime early in 1994. It was
an all-ages benefit. Wick was big on those. We played with twitch, the
Sinatras and one other band. The Deconstruction, maybe? We were the
first band to take the stage at Dagobah. Shellac was the last. For a
long time we were terrible but I think we got better. I still kind of
like the 7-inch songs.
Dan quit the band in 1996 and Paul and I took a hiatus. That summer we
got together again and wrote a whole set of all-new songs. The songs
were a lot better than what we'd ever written before. Around that time
the Deconstruction broke up and Paul and I and Sean Barney, the
Deconstruction guitarist, would play. We showed Sean all the songs and
we learned some of his. Paul Wartella had always been after me to play
music with him. He was playing in Quixote at the time but swore up and
down he could handle the action so he became part of Fletcher.
Wartella was a powerhouse, way better than Dan. He was maybe a little
too tricked-out and aggressive for us--Paul Bayer and I always had
more of a pop sensibility--but he gave us a louder sound and it was
good. Barney wasn't into it, though, and he dropped out after a while
so we were a power trio again. We played all the songs and got better
and better. We played some great shows at 31G, including one with the
Promise Ring where I think we held our own. Joan of Arc opened for us.
We were all excited but of course Wartella was spread too thin and I
don't think the Quixote guys were into sharing and Paul B. and I
wanted some real commitments and a tour and so forth. Wartella kept
flaking but never saying he wanted to quit and some other shit
happened and it got sort of strange and finally there was some kind of
big two-band meeting with everyone in Fletcher and Quixote except me
and it was somehow worked out that Wartella would play only with
Quixote. Our last show was at Club Soda with Dead River Drag. It was
their first show. This was December 7, 1996. I remember driving around
that day and one of the big modern rock radio stations in town ran a
stadium-rock-style spot for the show. TONIGHT! AT CLUB SODA! DEAD
RIVER DRAG! WITH SPECIAL GUEST! FLETCHERRRR! It was like they were
announcing some monster truck thing. But our name was out in lights on
the marquee. I took a Polaroid. I'm looking at it right now.
Bryan Charles--guitar, vocals
Paul Bayer--bass
Dan Storchan--drums
LT EXCLUSIVE - FLETCHER
![[SND]](/icons/sound2.gif) 01 Teenage Keg Party..> 09-Mar-2008 11:44 3.2M
02 Sheep.m4a 09-Mar-2008 11:44 2.1M
03 You're a Tramp.m4a 09-Mar-2008 11:45 2.1M
04 White Trash.m4a 09-Mar-2008 11:46 1.6M
Comments from the world
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Posted by: Wendy on 02-03-10 about Fletcher
Hi, guys! I must say that I downloaded your songs on torrent search engine http://www.picktorrent.com and never regretted it. You are telling your story with such warmth and nostalgia that I could understand you miss those times. I wish you good luck and inspiration to create new masterpieces:)
Reply to this message |
Posted by: Thor on 12-13-09 about Fletcher
Dan S. was a great drummer as well, and was the backbone behind the band for the formative years. Simple and to the point, ala Chris Mars. Listen to the songs posted and you'll see what I mean. color="silver">In response to: jim cherry on 08-30-09 for Fletcher
I thought this band was one of the best bands I'd ever seen when Paul Wartella was in it- Paul W was a close friend of mine and of all the bands he played in he told me this was his favorite band to play with- He had mad respect for Bryan Charles- I always thought Skip and Bryers should have started a band together- They would have been the Lennon/MacCartney of Kalamazoo-
I only saw this band 3 times but they were definately one of my favorite bands I'd ever seen --- end of previous message ---
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Posted by: johnny on 10-22-09 about Fletcher
id actually love to hear that uno comp/deconstruction lp....been looking for that comp for years and no dice...
In response to: on 09-02-08 for Fletcher
thanks Rich. Maybe i'll get around to putting together Checker Records info for here and i'll send in the uno comp, inourselves/jihad and the never released Deconstruction LP.
In response to: rich on 08-27-08 for Fletcher
That's the song I speak of, Paul... The one from the UNO comp.. I somehow recall it being about specific people but... Yeah. Good song.
In response to: tony party on 08-27-08 for Fletcher
i don't remember anything hitting bill. in fact bill was our very first drummer for a couple hours or so but O A was demanding too much time from him . there is a song on the UNO comp that hits back at some of the rhetoric that was plopping about in those days.
--- end of previous message ---
Reply to this message |
Posted by: jim cherry on 08-30-09 about Fletcher
I thought this band was one of the best bands I'd ever seen when Paul Wartella was in it- Paul W was a close friend of mine and of all the bands he played in he told me this was his favorite band to play with- He had mad respect for Bryan Charles- I always thought Skip and Bryers should have started a band together- They would have been the Lennon/MacCartney of Kalamazoo-
I only saw this band 3 times but they were definately one of my favorite bands I'd ever seen
Reply to this message |
Posted by: a.k.a. "GARP-O" on 11-25-08 about Fletcher
Hi Todd - Please say hello to your cute, love-able sister, Lisa, for me: we worked together at the Alzheimer's home, on 11th Street.
In response to: Todd Carter on 03-19-08 for Fletcher
My best work, hands down. --- end of previous message ---
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Posted by: a.k.a. "GARP-O" on 11-25-08 about Fletcher
...But dearest Trish, nothing could beat the government-issued peanut butter, that I tried to get those fine young Fletcher lads hooked onto, at the 412 estate.
In response to: Tricia Chappell on 05-09-08 for Fletcher
I used to make snacks for the Fletcher boys when they would practice in the Douglas St. house basement. I would make like ramen noodles on toast, potatoes w/ carl budding corn beef sandwich slices, sandwich cookies dipped in jello, that sort of fare. It really fueled the boys on & I feel somewhat responsible for their success. --- end of previous message ---
Reply to this message |
Posted by: a.k.a. "GARP-O" on 11-25-08 about Fletcher
Greetings Paul B. - Yeah, it was great living in the 412 Douglas house, listening to you guys practicing in the basement, and studying for my psychology exams...
In response to: Paul B on 03-11-08 for Fletcher
One time after we played @ Harvey’s with this NYC band called Saturn 9 ended up staying at my place. Paul W asked me if I could drive him to a friends house because he had to drop off some money. Me and Saturn 9 sat in the Fletcher van foran hour (3:30 am-ish) waiting for Paul to come back so we could all go to sleep. I was giddy from just playing a tremendous rock show and kept our visiting friends distracted with early AM wit and charm. Paul came back to van in a daze. I was so fucking green. --- end of previous message ---
Reply to this message |
Posted by: on 09-02-08 about Fletcher
thanks Rich. Maybe i'll get around to putting together Checker Records info for here and i'll send in the uno comp, inourselves/jihad and the never released Deconstruction LP.
In response to: rich on 08-27-08 for Fletcher
That's the song I speak of, Paul... The one from the UNO comp.. I somehow recall it being about specific people but... Yeah. Good song.
In response to: tony party on 08-27-08 for Fletcher
i don't remember anything hitting bill. in fact bill was our very first drummer for a couple hours or so but O A was demanding too much time from him . there is a song on the UNO comp that hits back at some of the rhetoric that was plopping about in those days.
Reply to this message |
Posted by: rich on 08-27-08 about Fletcher
That's the song I speak of, Paul... The one from the UNO comp.. I somehow recall it being about specific people but... Yeah. Good song.
In response to: tony party on 08-27-08 for Fletcher
i don't remember anything hitting bill. in fact bill was our very first drummer for a couple hours or so but O A was demanding too much time from him . there is a song on the UNO comp that hits back at some of the rhetoric that was plopping about in those days.
In response to: rich on 08-25-08 for Fletcher
Why wasn't the song you wrote about Bill Sprague and Rob Hicks on here?
Best song you guys had, methinks.
--- end of previous message --- --- end of previous message ---
Reply to this message |
Posted by: tony party on 08-27-08 about Fletcher
i don't remember anything hitting bill. in fact bill was our very first drummer for a couple hours or so but O A was demanding too much time from him . there is a song on the UNO comp that hits back at some of the rhetoric that was plopping about in those days.
In response to: rich on 08-25-08 for Fletcher
Why wasn't the song you wrote about Bill Sprague and Rob Hicks on here?
Best song you guys had, methinks.
--- end of previous message ---
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Posted by: rich on 08-25-08 about Fletcher
Why wasn't the song you wrote about Bill Sprague and Rob Hicks on here?
Best song you guys had, methinks.
Reply to this message |
Posted by: Master on 05-15-08 about Fletcher
One of our high lords has spoken!
In response to: halsey on 05-15-08 for Fletcher
can't forget the jah kings either...i know stylistically it may not fit, but given the era that this site covers, i think they deserve attention. plus, anyone in the 'clique' who really paid any attention, spent many a thursday night at soda getting stoned and watching eric aardema play drums flawlessly from the back room.
In response to: Master on 05-13-08 for Fletcher
Who was Jamie Betwee?
The high lords of the temple are still convening on listing certain bands such as the Erj, Jah Kings, Mom Handy, Banter Clan, Mustard Plug, even Knee Deep Shag....
You can't have your clique and eat it too.
Reply to this message |
Posted by: halsey on 05-15-08 about Fletcher
can't forget the jah kings either...i know stylistically it may not fit, but given the era that this site covers, i think they deserve attention. plus, anyone in the 'clique' who really paid any attention, spent many a thursday night at soda getting stoned and watching eric aardema play drums flawlessly from the back room.
In response to: Master on 05-13-08 for Fletcher
Who was Jamie Betwee?
The high lords of the temple are still convening on listing certain bands such as the Erj, Jah Kings, Mom Handy, Banter Clan, Mustard Plug, even Knee Deep Shag....
You can't have your clique and eat it too.
That's awesome about the spandex shorts though. I had a pair myself, just not the cock to go with them.
In response to: cookie2 on 05-12-08 for Fletcher
Have we all forgotten The Erj? They were around selling out the soda before rollinghead, verve pipe, etc. Very familiar names involved. Therron Kokales on git fiddle, Jamie Dennison on bass, Chris Kooi on drums and Craig Foster on vox and spandex shorts.(and he played them for all they were worth!) A good bunch of guys regardless of the cheeze factor ten. Many of them went on to play in even better bands. Jamie, in too many to count ,and Therron in the Tower Blocks. Maybe one of them will see this and post some tunes for nostalgic value. --- end of previous message --- --- end of previous message ---
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Posted by: Burton Cummings on 05-14-08 about Fletcher
In response to: Animal on 05-14-08 for Fletcher
The paper story is funny...I'll save it for later.
In response to: Master on 05-13-08 for Fletcher
Who was Jamie Betwee?
--- end of previous message --- --- end of previous message ---
Can't wait...
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Posted by: Animal on 05-14-08 about Fletcher
Managed/booked TI for a while around the time they signed w/MB. Also was the booking agent for the State Theater, and was kind enough to provide me with information from Pollstar's venue directory so I could get 4Peace into some venues, which led to 4P's connecting with some stuff in Chicago, including a couple of nice gigs, a guy named Ralph (ROMP Productions, in Chicago), and a band called Wickerman who I believe are still around...or maybe that was another band, Deep Blue $STRING - Dream, maybe? my memory is less than pristine these days...anyway, wasn't long after this that I totaled my car and dropped off the planet for a while, but they traded gigs back and forth.
Also led to one of the funniest single events that I ever participated in while under the influence of enriched paper, as well as the acquisition of the "No Cooking Outside" rat warning that spent a couple of years after that stapled to one of 4P's speaker stacks.
The paper story is funny, but I'm taking up too much space per message, I'll save it for later.
In response to: Master on 05-13-08 for Fletcher
Who was Jamie Betwee?
--- end of previous message ---
Reply to this message |
Posted by: Master on 05-13-08 about Fletcher
Who was Jamie Betwee?
The high lords of the temple are still convening on listing certain bands such as the Erj, Jah Kings, Mom Handy, Banter Clan, Mustard Plug, even Knee Deep Shag....
You can't have your clique and eat it too.
That's awesome about the spandex shorts though. I had a pair myself, just not the cock to go with them.
In response to: cookie2 on 05-12-08 for Fletcher
Have we all forgotten The Erj? They were around selling out the soda before rollinghead, verve pipe, etc. Very familiar names involved. Therron Kokales on git fiddle, Jamie Dennison on bass, Chris Kooi on drums and Craig Foster on vox and spandex shorts.(and he played them for all they were worth!) A good bunch of guys regardless of the cheeze factor ten. Many of them went on to play in even better bands. Jamie, in too many to count ,and Therron in the Tower Blocks. Maybe one of them will see this and post some tunes for nostalgic value. --- end of previous message ---
Reply to this message |
Posted by: cookie2 on 05-12-08 about Fletcher
Have we all forgotten The Erj? They were around selling out the soda before rollinghead, verve pipe, etc. Very familiar names involved. Therron Kokales on git fiddle, Jamie Dennison on bass, Chris Kooi on drums and Craig Foster on vox and spandex shorts.(and he played them for all they were worth!) A good bunch of guys regardless of the cheeze factor ten. Many of them went on to play in even better bands. Jamie, in too many to count ,and Therron in the Tower Blocks. Maybe one of them will see this and post some tunes for nostalgic value.
Reply to this message |
Posted by: Jeff on 05-09-08 about Fletcher
Well that's a fine howdoyoudo!
In response to: Tricia Chappell on 05-09-08 for Fletcher
I used to make snacks for the Fletcher boys when they would practice in the Douglas St. house basement. I would make like ramen noodles on toast, potatoes w/ carl budding corn beef sandwich slices, sandwich cookies dipped in jello, that sort of fare. It really fueled the boys on & I feel somewhat responsible for their success. --- end of previous message ---
Reply to this message |
Posted by: Tricia Chappell on 05-09-08 about Fletcher
I used to make snacks for the Fletcher boys when they would practice in the Douglas St. house basement. I would make like ramen noodles on toast, potatoes w/ carl budding corn beef sandwich slices, sandwich cookies dipped in jello, that sort of fare. It really fueled the boys on & I feel somewhat responsible for their success.
Reply to this message |
Posted by: justin on 03-24-08 about Fletcher
bryan:
thanks for posting teenage keg party, i had inadvertently traded my fletcher 7" for season one of the hills on DVD before i could make a back up.
scott: thanks for making this post worth reading.
paul: "post comment" only needs to be hit once.
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Posted by: Scott Towne on 03-19-08 about Fletcher
Man, these tracks take me back to my 40s.
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Posted by: Paul B on 03-11-08 about Fletcher
One time after we played @ Harvey’s with this NYC band called Saturn 9 ended up staying at my place. Paul W asked me if I could drive him to a friends house because he had to drop off some money. Me and Saturn 9 sat in the Fletcher van foran hour (3:30 am-ish) waiting for Paul to come back so we could all go to sleep. I was giddy from just playing a tremendous rock show and kept our visiting friends distracted with early AM wit and charm. Paul came back to van in a daze. I was so fucking green.
Reply to this message |
Posted by: Paul B on 03-11-08 about Fletcher
One time after we played @ Harvey’s with this NYC band called Saturn 9 ended up staying at my place. Paul W asked me if I could drive him to a friends house because he had to drop off some money. Me and Saturn 9 sat in the Fletcher van foran hour (3:30 am-ish) waiting for Paul to come back so we could all go to sleep. I was giddy from just playing a tremendous rock show and kept our visiting friends distracted with early AM wit and charm. Paul came back to van in a daze. I was so fucking green.
Reply to this message |
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