Here is the download:
Spiney Norman Discography1-5 from "Draft Style" single6 from Atlanta Hardcore Compilation7-20 from "Cops n' Coffee" demoIn my early high school days, I was friends with a few girls in my neighborhood that were into punk music, and they had a circle of friends (one of whom I later married) who were also into punk and personally knew some of the local bands out there. One of these bands was Spiney Norman, and after I heard a few songs of their "Cops n' Coffee" demo on the WREK punk show (I believe was called "Coup de Grace" at that time), they became my favorite band in Atlanta. A lot of their humor and inspiration came from Monty Python, especially their band name and the name of Spam their guitarist, but they were really absurd and funny guys. I got to know Spam the guitarist somewhat, as he later practised a few times with the Go-Steadys, but loved to play little guitar licks and noodles so much over our music, it just didn't work out. Greg the drummer was (and probably still is) the owner of Dagwood's Pizza on the corner of Holcomb Bridge Road and Spalding Drive in Norcross. I would have dinner there sometimes with my Mom and know that the dude behind the counter making pizzas was the drummer of an incredible band. Greg the singer was a little older than us, or at least he seemed to be at the time. He owned a house in the area of Dagwood's and also owned several guns. He was that guy you knew in your teenage years. Lastly John Paul the bassplayer was the first guy I knew who could properly grow a beard, and had this amazingly smooth, flowing bass style for hardcore music.
I saw them play many times, first at Milo's but then later at the Wreck Room and finally the Somber Reptile. They were a good bridge from the Gwinnett hardcore scene of Act of Faith, Crisis Under Control, etc. to the bands from other parts of town such as Quadiliacha and Midget Farmers. They lightened the mood at shows, and were great musicians and wrote really catchy songs. I never got the Cops n' Coffee demo back in the day, but luckily Steve Wishart transferred it to CD recently and sent it down for me to post. With 14 songs, it's like having a Spiney Norman album that was never released, but I remember every song from their live shows. Brian Kincheloe told me once that he recorded something like 30 songs with them right as they broke up, but the music has stayed all this time on reels, never to be released. They played several "last shows", and finally broke up around 1994 sometime, and they are sorely missed. The Gregs went on to form Lake Ponchatrain's Very Own Batch of Gimps with Brian Kincheloe from the Skats and Chuck Petrakopoulos from Jenkin's Ear, and released a tape on Moodswing Records, but I think the band didn't last more than a year or so. John Paul started playing in a band called Big John Trail and the Linda Lovelace Experience with Kasey Relford, who later played in Gaijin and Remuxers, and also released a tape on Moodswing Records but once again broke up after a year or so. I believe Spam moved to California, but I really have no idea. I haven't seen any of them in over ten years now, maybe I'll head over to Dagwood's and see if the Gregs are hanging out.
This is the back cover and lyric sheet for their only single. Spam thanks his guitar, Charlene.
Sonn Av Krusher has a show Saturday Night the 29th (that's tomorrow) at the Drunken Unicorn with All Night Drug Prowling Wolves, Princess Thunderstorm from North Carolina and the great American Cheeseburger from Athens. This posting is not so much about the show, but the incredible flyers that Gray Kiser makes for our shows. Enjoy, and if you feel inspired come on out.
