The Waitresses
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| The Waitresses | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Akron, Ohio, United States |
| Genres | New Wave |
| Years active | 1978–1984 |
| Labels | Polydor |
| Associated acts | Tin Huey |
| Former members | |
| Chris Butler Patty Donahue Billy Ficca Dan Klayman Mars Williams Dave Hofstra Ariel Warner Tracy Wormworth Ralph Carney Holly Beth Vincent |
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The Waitresses were an experimental new wave band from Akron, Ohio. The group was led by guitarist/songwriter Chris Butler with lead vocals performed by Patty Donahue.
Contents |
[edit] Career
They are known for their song "I Know What Boys Like" from their debut album Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful released in 1982. "I Know What Boys Like" was originally released as a single in 1980 but did not chart. In 1982 the song peaked at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100, #13 on Billboard's Top Tracks chart and #14 on the Australian Singles Chart (Kent Music Report).[1]
The Waitresses also recorded the theme song to the television program Square Pegs which aired during the 1982–1983 season. Their new wave Christmas song "Christmas Wrapping" was originally released on the Ze Records album A Christmas Record in 1981, and became a #45 hit in the United Kingdom in 1982.[2]
Butler's diverse musical interests are apparent from the use of prepared piano on "No Guilt," microtonal background vocals on the chorus of "Wise Up", tape loops and short wave receiver on "Jimmy Tomorrow," and the title of "Make the Weather," taken from Hugo Ball's autobiography Flight Out of Time. Saxophonist and reed player Mars Williams had also worked as Anthony Braxton's copyist.
They released two albums: Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful and Bruiseology. Both titles have been out of print for many years and neither has ever been available on CD; but their music is now available on compilations. The Best of the Waitresses (Polydor 1990) is available on CD.
Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful? became available on iTunes in 2008 and includes three bonus tracks: "Christmas Wrapping" (long version), "Hangover" (instrumental that was the b-side on the UK issue of "Christmas Wrapping"), and "Christmas Wrapping" (single edit).
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Released | Title | Chart positions Billboard 200 |
Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful | 41 | Polydor |
| 1982 | I Could Rule The World If I Could Only Get The Parts EP | 128 | Polydor |
| 1983 | Bruiseology | 155 | Polydor |
| 1983 | Make the Weather EP | - | Polydor |
| 1990 | The Best of the Waitresses | - | Polydor |
| 1997 | King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents The Waitresses | - | King Biscuit |
| 2003 | 20th Century Masters - The Best of the Waitresses | - | Polydor |
| 2007 | Your Choice Of Sides - A Collection Of Outtakes & Obscuriosities | - | Download only |
[edit] Principal band members
- Patty Donahue (lead vocals)
- Chris Butler (guitars)
- Mars Williams (saxophone, reed instruments)
- Billy Ficca (drums)
- Dan Klayman (keyboards/organ)
- Tracy Wormworth (bass, background vocals) (mid-1982-83)
- David Hofstra (bass) (1981-82)
- Ariel Warner (background vocals) (1981-82)
- Ralph Carney (keyboards)
- Holly Beth Vincent (briefly replaced Donahue as lead vocalist)
[edit] Trivia
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Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (February 2009) |
- In 2001, Colleen Fitzpatrick, better known as Vitamin C, re-recorded the song, "I Know What Boys Like" for her second album entitled, More. The song is not only from The Waitresses' second album, but it was also their sixth track, just like it is for Vitamin C.
- Now defunct DC synth-pop band Barcelona referenced The Waitresses' singer, Patty Donahue, in "Haunted By the Ghost of Patty" (found on Barcelona's 2000 release, Zero One Infinity). Lyrics made references to "square pegs" (The Waitresses wrote the theme to the TV show Square Pegs) and "singing about Christmas" (a reference to The Waitresses' "Christmas Wrapping").
- It was reported by MTV on June 24 2008 that "I Know What Boys Like" would be featured in the summer movie The House Bunny, featuring Katharine McPhee singing lead and the rest of the female cast backing her up with the film's star Anna Farris contributing a rap vocal.
[edit] References
- ^ http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?id=24592&todo=viewthread
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 589. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
