The Incredible Casuals
Encyclopedia
The Incredible Casuals is an American rock
band based in Cape Cod
, Massachusetts
. They were formed in 1981 by bassist and songwriter Chandler Travis, guitarist Steve Shook, drummer Vince Valium (also known as Rikki Bates) and guitarist Johnny Spampinato, brother of NRBQ
's Joey Spampinato
. The band has been described as "The Beach Boys meets the Who". The Incredible Casuals were created from the remnants of "Travis Shook and Club Wow", a comedy duo that opened for George Carlin
, Martin Mull
and others, appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
and The Midnight Special
in the '70s.
Chandler Travis and Steve Shook were joined by drummer Rikki Bates (aka Vince Valium) in 1978 and began performing as The Incredible Casuals in the Boston area in 1980. The trio released two 45 rpm 7 inch singles, "Money Won't Buy You Happiness" and "That's Why" (Red Rooster Records) prior to the addition of Johnny Spampinato. Johnny joined NRBQ when Al Anderson
left that band in 1994, but has remained active with The Incredible Casuals. After the addition of Johnny to the band, the single "Picnic Ape" (Eat Records) was released. The revised lineup also released the "Let's Go" Maxi-EP, also on Eat records. This lineup of the band was also featured on the USA Network
show "Hotspots" along with NRBQ.
Steve Shook left the group prior to the release of their first LP That's That (originally released on Demon Records in the UK and on Rounder Records
in the U.S). Shook's songwriting and guitar are prominently featured on the album, which opens and closes with his compositions.
The band's current lineup includes Spampinato, Bates, and Travis, as well as guitarist Aaron Spade, who has written the songs "Burn Me Up" and "Tearin' My Hair Out".
The Casuals have maintained one constant through their career, playing the Wellfleet Beachcomber at Cape Cod every summer Sunday afternoon since 1980. The band has composed over 100 songs.
Their song, "I Wanna Play Loud", is the theme song for most of the "Socky & Jamie" shows.
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band based in Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. They were formed in 1981 by bassist and songwriter Chandler Travis, guitarist Steve Shook, drummer Vince Valium (also known as Rikki Bates) and guitarist Johnny Spampinato, brother of NRBQ
NRBQ
NRBQ is an American rock band founded in 1967. It is known for its live performances, containing a high degree of spontaneity and levity, and blending rock, pop, jazz, blues and Tin Pan Alley styles. Its best known line-up is the 1974–1994 quartet of pianist Terry Adams, bassist Joey Spampinato,...
's Joey Spampinato
Joey Spampinato
Joey Spampinato was a founding member and bass player of NRBQ. He was also one of the band's lead singers and chief songwriters. Before NRBQ he played in several bands, including The Seven of Us, which in 1967 while in Miami, Florida, met another band, The Merseybeats USA. The bands merged to form...
. The band has been described as "The Beach Boys meets the Who". The Incredible Casuals were created from the remnants of "Travis Shook and Club Wow", a comedy duo that opened for George Carlin
George Carlin
George Denis Patrick Carlin was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, actor and author, who won five Grammy Awards for his comedy albums....
, Martin Mull
Martin Mull
Martin Mull is an American actor who has starred in his own television sitcom and acted in prominent films. He is also a comedian, painter, and recording artist...
and others, appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under the Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night....
and The Midnight Special
The Midnight Special (TV series)
The Midnight Special is an American musical variety series that aired on NBC during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Burt Sugarman. It premiered as a special on August 19, 1972, then began its run as a regular series on February 2, 1973; its last episode was on May 1, 1981...
in the '70s.
Chandler Travis and Steve Shook were joined by drummer Rikki Bates (aka Vince Valium) in 1978 and began performing as The Incredible Casuals in the Boston area in 1980. The trio released two 45 rpm 7 inch singles, "Money Won't Buy You Happiness" and "That's Why" (Red Rooster Records) prior to the addition of Johnny Spampinato. Johnny joined NRBQ when Al Anderson
Al Anderson (NRBQ)
Alan Gordon "Al" Anderson is an American guitarist, singer, and songwiter. Between 1971 and the early 1990s, he was the lead guitarist in the rock band NRBQ, also releasing several solo albums. He also played electric guitar on Jonathan Edwards' 1973 album Have a Good Time for Me...
left that band in 1994, but has remained active with The Incredible Casuals. After the addition of Johnny to the band, the single "Picnic Ape" (Eat Records) was released. The revised lineup also released the "Let's Go" Maxi-EP, also on Eat records. This lineup of the band was also featured on the USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
show "Hotspots" along with NRBQ.
Steve Shook left the group prior to the release of their first LP That's That (originally released on Demon Records in the UK and on Rounder Records
Rounder Records
Rounder Records, originally of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a record label founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian Leighton-Levy, while all three were still university students...
in the U.S). Shook's songwriting and guitar are prominently featured on the album, which opens and closes with his compositions.
The band's current lineup includes Spampinato, Bates, and Travis, as well as guitarist Aaron Spade, who has written the songs "Burn Me Up" and "Tearin' My Hair Out".
The Casuals have maintained one constant through their career, playing the Wellfleet Beachcomber at Cape Cod every summer Sunday afternoon since 1980. The band has composed over 100 songs.
Their song, "I Wanna Play Loud", is the theme song for most of the "Socky & Jamie" shows.
Discography
- That's That. Rounder, 1987 (CD release in Japan)
- Your Sounds. Sonic Trout, 1991
- Nature Calls. Iddy Biddy, 2005
- World Championship Songs: 1980-2007. Iddy Biddy, 2007
- It is Balloon. Akers Records
- The Future Will Be Better Tomorrow