The Roy Clark Method
Encyclopedia
The Roy Clark Method was an American rock band formed in Macon, Georgia
, in 2000 by Jason Jones, Ben Vance, Tim Vance and Roy Cleary. Known primarily for their quirky lyrics and songs about super-heroes, the band remained active until 2004 with the release of their final and self-titled album.
Primarily, the band played parties in their hometown before their stage debut at the 40 Watt Club
in Athens, Georgia
in June 2000.
Although the lineup changed slightly over the years they were active, the core players (Jay Jones, Ben Vance and Tim Vance) remained the same. The release of their first album Mild-Mannered Supermen
saw the addition of Jonny Vance on guitar and the loss of drummer Roy "Charlemagne" Cleary. Ben Vance made the transition to drums during the brief period Jonny Vance was on guitar. In 2002, Jonny Vance was replaced by John Spiegle and guitarist Bob Jones was added to the lineup just prior to their final release in 2004.
Although Mild-Mannered Supermen
was self-released, RCM signed with Granderful Records for their 2004 album.
RCM stopped performing regular shows in 2004. Although they did play a few shows afterward (particularly to generate interest for their second album), the entire band would never be together on stage again.
In 2007, RCM made all of their music available for free to their Facebook
fans.
, Violent Femmes
, Weezer
, Radiohead
, Pixies (the bass line for "Sector 2814" is the same as the Pixies' "Where is My Mind?
"), Ben Folds Five
and Dead Milkmen
among many others.
The band labeled themselves alternative nerdcore rock
. The primary songwriters were Jay Jones and Ben Vance who composed rock songs about Green Lantern
, Superman
, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
and Doctor Who
.
that was infested with millipedes in the Summer of 2001, and it was apparently the mating season for this creature. Whenever it rained, the millipedes moved in, one by one. They marched into the house only to die in huge numbers and pile up in every corner of the house.
Ben Vance, drummer for the aforementioned Roy Clark Method (and unfortunate resident of the House of Bugs), diligently went after the millipedes almost daily with various RAID
products. He vacuumed up the carcasses, only to find more piled up just minutes later. The owner of the house would not call in an exterminator, although he did consult one.
The most afflicted room in the house was the basement. This huge room was once where Tim Vance (bass player for the Roy Clark Method) slept every night. It was his room, passed down from his older brother who in turn inherited it from his older brother. This basement bedroom also served as the recording studio for the Roy Clark Method.
The room itself had a lot of character. Having been passed down from brother to brother, it contained an eclectic
assortment of books and novelties that both inspired and amused RCM. Almost all four walls were lined with bookshelves, full of random titles ranging from Stephen King
horror stories to Dr. Seuss
classics. Around the room were various comic books, models of Star Wars
spaceships, piles of electronic equipment used for recording, musical instruments, and one or two lumpy uncomfortable old chairs. One never needed worry about boredom in this room.
Jonny Vance, guitar player for RCM and engineer of the CD, was once one the proud residents of this room. When he was living there, the room was infested with slugs, and there was one unpleasant Summer when the river overflowed and drove in the rats. Those days are long gone, but the millipedes remained.
It was during the recording of the aforementioned CD that Jay Jones, lead vocalist for RCM, first dubbed the room 'Millipede Studios." The name had as much character as the room itself, and so it stuck. Thus was born what RCM hoped might one day become a legend in the music business, but reality told them it would simply never happen.
. The shows featured artists from all over Georgia
, such as Macon's own "Happy Scrappy Hero Pups" (or H.S.H.P), as well as a short set from RCM. Despite the popularity of the series, the college opted not to continue the shows and the series came to an end in 2003. It enjoyed a short revival at Elizabeth Reed's Music Hall in 2003 but the series was cancelled for good after three shows.
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
, in 2000 by Jason Jones, Ben Vance, Tim Vance and Roy Cleary. Known primarily for their quirky lyrics and songs about super-heroes, the band remained active until 2004 with the release of their final and self-titled album.
History
RCM was formed in a damp and musty basement in Macon, GA in 2000. Although the lineup changed over the years, the heart and soul of the band had always been brothers Tim Vance (bass), Jay Jones (vocals) and Ben Vance (guitar).Primarily, the band played parties in their hometown before their stage debut at the 40 Watt Club
40 Watt Club
The 40 Watt Club is a music venue in Athens, Georgia. Along with CBGB's, the Whisky a Go Go, and selected others, it was instrumental in launching American punk rock and "New Wave music."...
in Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
in June 2000.
Although the lineup changed slightly over the years they were active, the core players (Jay Jones, Ben Vance and Tim Vance) remained the same. The release of their first album Mild-Mannered Supermen
Mild-Mannered Supermen
Mild-Mannered Supermen is the first studio album by band The Roy Clark Method, released in 2002 .-Track listing:All songs by RCM.# "Split" – 2:58# "Roly-Poly" – 3:12# "Alabama Whiskey" – 3:57# "Goth Girl/This Song" – 2:42...
saw the addition of Jonny Vance on guitar and the loss of drummer Roy "Charlemagne" Cleary. Ben Vance made the transition to drums during the brief period Jonny Vance was on guitar. In 2002, Jonny Vance was replaced by John Spiegle and guitarist Bob Jones was added to the lineup just prior to their final release in 2004.
Although Mild-Mannered Supermen
Mild-Mannered Supermen
Mild-Mannered Supermen is the first studio album by band The Roy Clark Method, released in 2002 .-Track listing:All songs by RCM.# "Split" – 2:58# "Roly-Poly" – 3:12# "Alabama Whiskey" – 3:57# "Goth Girl/This Song" – 2:42...
was self-released, RCM signed with Granderful Records for their 2004 album.
RCM stopped performing regular shows in 2004. Although they did play a few shows afterward (particularly to generate interest for their second album), the entire band would never be together on stage again.
In 2007, RCM made all of their music available for free to their Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
fans.
Musical Style & Influences
RCM cited such influences as They Might Be GiantsThey Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years Flansburgh and Linnell were frequently accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG became a full band. Currently, the members of TMBG are...
, Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes were an American alternative rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, initially active between 1980 and 1987 and again from 1988 to 2009...
, Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
, Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
, Pixies (the bass line for "Sector 2814" is the same as the Pixies' "Where is My Mind?
Where Is My Mind?
"Where Is My Mind?" is a song by the American alternative rock band Pixies. It is the seventh track on their 1988 album Surfer Rosa. The song was written by frontman Black Francis while he attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, inspired by his experiences scuba diving in the Caribbean....
"), Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five is an alternative rock trio formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group comprises Ben Folds , Robert Sledge , and Darren Jessee . The group achieved mainstream success in the alternative, indie and pop music scenes...
and Dead Milkmen
Dead Milkmen
The Dead Milkmen is an American satirical punk rock band formed in 1983 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They consisted of vocalist and keyboardist Rodney Linderman , guitarist and vocalist Joe Genaro , bassist Dave Schulthise and drummer Dean Sabatino .Beginning within the local underground...
among many others.
The band labeled themselves alternative nerdcore rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. The primary songwriters were Jay Jones and Ben Vance who composed rock songs about Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
, Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a science fiction comedy series created by Douglas Adams. Originally a radio comedy broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1978, it was later adapted to other formats, and over several years it gradually became an international multi-media phenomenon...
and Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
.
Millipede Studios
The Roy Clark Method recorded their debut CD in a big house on Crestline Drive in Macon, GeorgiaMacon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
that was infested with millipedes in the Summer of 2001, and it was apparently the mating season for this creature. Whenever it rained, the millipedes moved in, one by one. They marched into the house only to die in huge numbers and pile up in every corner of the house.
Ben Vance, drummer for the aforementioned Roy Clark Method (and unfortunate resident of the House of Bugs), diligently went after the millipedes almost daily with various RAID
RAID
RAID is a storage technology that combines multiple disk drive components into a logical unit...
products. He vacuumed up the carcasses, only to find more piled up just minutes later. The owner of the house would not call in an exterminator, although he did consult one.
The most afflicted room in the house was the basement. This huge room was once where Tim Vance (bass player for the Roy Clark Method) slept every night. It was his room, passed down from his older brother who in turn inherited it from his older brother. This basement bedroom also served as the recording studio for the Roy Clark Method.
The room itself had a lot of character. Having been passed down from brother to brother, it contained an eclectic
Eclecticism
Eclecticism is a conceptual approach that does not hold rigidly to a single paradigm or set of assumptions, but instead draws upon multiple theories, styles, or ideas to gain complementary insights into a subject, or applies different theories in particular cases.It can sometimes seem inelegant or...
assortment of books and novelties that both inspired and amused RCM. Almost all four walls were lined with bookshelves, full of random titles ranging from Stephen King
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
horror stories to Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist most widely known for his children's books written under the pen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg and, in one case, Rosetta Stone....
classics. Around the room were various comic books, models of Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
spaceships, piles of electronic equipment used for recording, musical instruments, and one or two lumpy uncomfortable old chairs. One never needed worry about boredom in this room.
Jonny Vance, guitar player for RCM and engineer of the CD, was once one the proud residents of this room. When he was living there, the room was infested with slugs, and there was one unpleasant Summer when the river overflowed and drove in the rats. Those days are long gone, but the millipedes remained.
It was during the recording of the aforementioned CD that Jay Jones, lead vocalist for RCM, first dubbed the room 'Millipede Studios." The name had as much character as the room itself, and so it stuck. Thus was born what RCM hoped might one day become a legend in the music business, but reality told them it would simply never happen.
Xmusic
In 2002, Jay Jones and Jonny Vance started Xmusic, a monthly series of concerts held at Macon State CollegeMacon State College
Macon State College, formerly Macon College and Macon Junior College, is a four-year, residential, baccalaureate degree institution of the University System of Georgia located in Macon, Georgia with a satellite campus in Warner Robins, Georgia, as well as the Robins Resident Center, located on...
. The shows featured artists from all over Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, such as Macon's own "Happy Scrappy Hero Pups" (or H.S.H.P), as well as a short set from RCM. Despite the popularity of the series, the college opted not to continue the shows and the series came to an end in 2003. It enjoyed a short revival at Elizabeth Reed's Music Hall in 2003 but the series was cancelled for good after three shows.
Discography
- Mild-Mannered SupermenMild-Mannered SupermenMild-Mannered Supermen is the first studio album by band The Roy Clark Method, released in 2002 .-Track listing:All songs by RCM.# "Split" – 2:58# "Roly-Poly" – 3:12# "Alabama Whiskey" – 3:57# "Goth Girl/This Song" – 2:42...
(2002) - Stop Stepping on My Head EPStop Stepping on My Head EPStop Stepping on My Head is an EP by band The Roy Clark Method, released in 2003 .-Track listing:All songs by RCM.# "Dawson's Creek Hair " – 3:04# "General Assbrain " – 2:48# "Flatland " – 3:27...
(2003) - The Roy Clark Method (album)The Roy Clark Method (album)The Roy Clark Method is the second and final studio album by the band The Roy Clark Method, released in 2004 .-Track listing:All songs by RCM.# "Cybercontroller" – 4:08# "Heart of Gold" – 2:20# "Sea of Apathy" – 5:34...
(2004)