Crazy 8s (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 in Corvallis, Oregon, United States |
| Headquarters | Oregon , United States |
| Products | Music albums |
Crazy 8s is a rock and ska group originating from Oregon in the United States. While they are commonly labeled as a ska band, both the band members and their management contest this classification.[1] Back in 1991, their musical style was characterized as "Distinctive, precise horn arrangements layered over complex tropical rhythms that span ska, reggae, and more intense funk blends."[2]
Origins and debut album
The group initially formed in 1982 in Corvallis, Oregon under the name "The Cheeks."[3] Upon discovering a UK band with the same name, they briefly adopted "The Sweet Cheeks." Early in their career, they encountered a prohibition from performing at Oregon State.[1] Later that year, Todd Duncan—formerly of Eugene’s band "The Sneakers"—proposed they open for Billy Rancher and the Unreal Gods at La Bamba's venue in Portland, Oregon. Approximately one month prior to this show, Duncan renamed the ensemble "Crazy 8s" and introduced fresh material. Their live act impressed Tony DeMicoli, owner of La Bamba's, who subsequently arranged additional bookings for them.[4]
During 1982, Crazy 8s supported Romeo Void at Oregon State and also opened for The English Beat at the University of Oregon.[3] Rolling Stone magazine included them among "nine bands to watch."[5]
Critical response
Their album Law and Order achieved sales exceeding 12,000 copies, which propelled them to number nine on Rolling Stone’s national ranking of top independent bands. The subsequent release, Nervous in Suburbia, moved 6,000 units within its initial week. In 1985, Seattle’s Rocket publication alongside the Oregonian honored them as "Northwest Band of the Year."
After releasing the successful single "Johnny Q," their album climbed into the Top 20 on the Gavin Report charts.
Greg Barbrick, a UK-based critic writing for The Rocket, lauded their creative approach and referred to their album Doggapotamus as a "fusion," asserting that they merited recognition as "international stars." He also remarked that Crazy 8s were positioned "on the brink of pop stardom," although mainstream breakthrough eluded them.
The track "Touchy Situation," released in 1985, reached number six on CFNY (Toronto) and number thirteen on Z100 (Portland, Oregon).
Original lineup
- Phil Allen – tenor saxophone
- Todd Duncan – lead vocals and alto saxophone; previously with The Sneakers (Eugene, Oregon) from 1979 to 1982
- Bruce Marler – trumpet
- Casey Shaar – keyboards
- Malcolm Smith – bass guitar
- Tim Tubb – trombone; writer of "Johnny Q"
- Mark Wanaka – guitar
- Rick Washington – drums
- Gary Williams – percussion
Additional members
(ordered by joining date)
- Joe Johnson – tenor saxophone
- Jim Wallace – bass guitar
- Mike Regan – bass guitar
- Carl Smith – percussion
- Dan Schauffler – tenor saxophone, flute, keyboard; previously associated with Nu Shooz
- Jerry Burton – tenor saxophone
- Megan Murphy – alto saxophone, flute, keyboard
- Ron Regan – keyboards and alto saxophone
- Lance Kreiter – drums; succeeded Howard Clarke in 1993, performed through New Year's Eve 1994/1995 at Key Largo, and returned in August 2014
Discography
- 1984 - Law and Order
- 1985 - Nervous in Suburbia
- 1987 - Out of the Way
- 1988 - Big Live Nut Pack
- 1989 - Doggapotamus World
- 1992 - Law and Order (reissued)
- 1992 - Still Crazy After All These Beers
The majority of the albums were distributed via the Crazy 8s' own label, RedRum Records. The last release, Still Crazy After All These Beers, came out under BDC Records.
Awards and honors
Player of the Year:
- 1987 - Dan Schauffler
Inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2007
Billboard Achievements:
- 1984 - Law and Order (College Media Journal)
- 1984 - "Johnny Q." (WLIR Screamer of the Week)
- 1985 - Nervous in Suburbia (#69 on Pulse Chainwide Sales Chart)
- 1985 - "Touchy Situation" (#6 on CFNY; #13 on Z100 Portland)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named:1 - ↑ Stacey, John F. "Crazy from the Beat". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedWillamette Week: HORN AGAIN - ↑ "Tony DeMicoli recalls 22 years of Rose Festival music". OregonLive.com. May 28, 2010. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
- ↑ Wing, Eliza. "Small-Time Rockers on a Roll." Rolling Stone: 1985. February 18, 2008.