Forming in the late 1970s in Athens, Georgia, Pylon were made up of four art students from the University of Georgia. Featuring guitarist Randy Bewley, bassist Michael Lachowski, drummer Curtis Crowe and singer Vanessa Briscoe Hay, Pylon took their brand of danceable post-punk to amazing heights in their initial run from 1979-1983. The original premise of the band was to play a live show in New York once, be featured in New York Rocker magazine and then break up. Fortunately, they stuck around longer than that.
Pylon’s debut single was Cool/Dub. Released on DB Records in 1979, the song took on the spirit of minimalist DIY post-punk. With it’s minimalist bass and steady drums that lay the foundation, “Cool” features like a lot of Pylon songs, space. Bewley’s guitar work arrives in spikey bursts throughout the song as Vanessa Briscoe Hay delivers impassioned vocals that serve as both a mantra and abstract statement for the band. With “Dub” on the B-side, the band drifts into angular, yet danceable and frenetic post-punk rhythms as Hay declares “We eat dub for breakfast.” The single was a critical success and their first full-length album, Gyrate followed in 1980. Recorded live in the studio with minimal overdubs, it is also a statement. It surges with infectious energy and rhythm. It features songs such as “Volume” with its sparse guitar parts, lean bass and drums and Hay's thought-provoking lyrics “Turn up the volume/Forget the picture,” “Feast On My Heart” features jangly guitar and aggressive vocals, the jittery and sparse “Weather Radio” and the wit of the jagged “Read A Book.” Other notable tracks include “The Human Body” with its lyrics about taking on responsibility that contains propelling riffs. As the chorus hits the band break into a space that only they can reach, and “Stop It” ends Gyrate with its pseudo dub grooves. Listening to this album now, it is not hard to see why this band would become so influential.
Chomp arrived in 1983. This time the band took on a more mature aesthetic, at the same time they used the studio and new technology at the time as a tool to elevate their music. While it still has the infectious energies and rhythms of Gyrate, Chomp has even more full and at times funkier sounding space. Produced by Chris Stamey, songs such as “K” features the snaky and wiry guitars of Randy Bewley, menacing, yet danceable bass, and drums enveloped in 80s sounds. Hay finds space in between these rhythms, as she did so well in Pylon’s music to deliver unique, yet concise and cool lyrical statements such as “Life is nothing/But death and taxes/And all the trees/That get the axes.” “Beep” features a post-punk funk immediacy, while “Crazy” is one of the standout tracks here. With its jangly guitar work, catchy bass, the dignified rhythm of Crowe's drums and strong vocals provided by Hay, it features lyrics such as “Nothing can hurt you unless you want it to/There are no answers/Only reasons to be strong.” It’s no wonder this song was a favourite. “Crazy” was later famously covered by R.E.M. for the B-side of their 1985 single Driver 8. R.E.M. often cited Pylon as an influence on them. “M-Train” moves along in a locomotive-like pattern that features an irresistible post-punk groove, “No Clocks” shimmers with new wave guitars and lyrics that take a step away from the busy world that surrounds us, “Altitude” jangles with a 154 Wire-like influence and catchy lyrical abstraction. Chomp showcased a new ambition and aesthetic for Pylon.
Pylon band built up a following in the Athens, Georgia music scene influencing bands such as R.E.M. and bands in the 1980s alternative and American pop underground music scenes. After touring and everything began changing, the band found things becoming more like a business, which would in part lead to their initial break up. Pylon found themselves playing shows with bands such as Public Image Limited, Gang of Four, Mission of Burma, R.E.M. and U2 before they called it quits. The band called it a day in late 1983, but would reform 1989 and release the album Chain in 1990. They stopped playing for the second time in 1991, but would reform for several live dates starting in 2004. After guitarist Randy Bewley passed in 2009, the band stopped playing for good.
In November 2020, New West Records released Pylon Box, comprising the band’s first two albums, a demo tape and selected outtakes, singles and live recordings. Throughout the years, interest in the band has continued. Pylon Box brings Pylon’s enduring musical legacy into a new age for others to discover.
Pylon band built up a following in the Athens, Georgia music scene influencing bands such as R.E.M. and bands in the 1980s alternative and American pop underground music scenes. After touring and everything began changing, the band found things becoming more like a business, which would in part lead to their initial break up. Pylon found themselves playing shows with bands such as Public Image Limited, Gang of Four, Mission of Burma, R.E.M. and U2 before they called it quits. The band called it a day in late 1983, but would reform 1989 and release the album Chain in 1990. They stopped playing for the second time in 1991, but would reform for several live dates starting in 2004. After guitarist Randy Bewley passed in 2009, the band stopped playing for good.
In November 2020, New West Records released Pylon Box, comprising the band’s first two albums, a demo tape and selected outtakes, singles and live recordings. Throughout the years, interest in the band has continued. Pylon Box brings Pylon’s enduring musical legacy into a new age for others to discover.
Listen to an interview that Revolution Rock did with Michael Lachowski and Vanessa Briscoe Hay of Pylon:
Show 857 Playlist (Originally Aired On November 28th, 2020)(An Interview with Pylon):
1. Priors - Destroyer
2. Itchy Self - B What You B3. Ancient Shapes - Transparent Brain
4. Toxic Shock - Intoxicated
5. Sweet Dave - Heart Is Cold
6. Jeff Rosenstock - Fox In The Snow
7. Jeff Rosenstock - Please Don't Rock Me Tonight
8. Partner - Honey
9. Self-Cut Bangs - After All
10. The OBGMS - Not Again
11. Pylon - Danger
PYLON INTERVIEW PART ONE
12. Pylon - Gyrate
PYLON INTERVIEW PART TWO
13. Pylon - Precaution (Razz Tape Demo)
14. Pylon - Recent Title
PYLON INTERVIEW PART THREE
15. Pylon - Crazy
PYLON INTERVIEW PART FOUR
16. Pylon - Driving School
17. Pylon - Functionality (Razz Tape Demo)
18. Pylon - K
DOWNLOAD/LISTEN TO THIS SHOW HERE.
1. Wrong War - First Shot Misses
2. Fuzz - Returning
3. By Divine Right - Sweet Confustion
4. Ten Million Lights - Myanmar
5. Trophy Knife - America's Favourtie Pastime
6. Ratso - Shut Your Face
7. Miranda & The Beat - Such A Fool
8. Skip & Johnny - Sea of Love
9. Reparta and the Delrons - Take A Look Around
10: The Paragons - Abba
11. Dean Marino - Three of Swords
12. Alex Maas - Been Struggling
13. Daniel Romano - Even Temper
14. Thibault - Wanting To Be Alone
15. Peach Kelli Pop - Cut Me Off
16. Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs - Back With The Gang
17. Psychedelic Furs - The Boy That Invented Rock and Roll
18. Kinetic Ideals - Absurdity
19. Dog Day - Distraction
20. Baker Knight - Theme from "The Devil's Hand"
21. Les Players - Manhunt
22. Les Jaguars - Melle Yeye
23. The Calrizians - Tryptophan
24. The Mel-Tones - Special Assignment
25. The Reverbs - Trust Woods
26. The Moby Dicks - Mike Molloy
27. TV Freaks - Capital Eye
28. Druggy Pizza - Radium Canyon
29. Osees - Weird and Wasted Connection
30. Chad VanGalen - Mr. Noodle
31. Personal & The Pizzas - Bored Outta My Brain
32. Personal & The Pizzas - Rock and Roll
33. Teenanger - Trillium Song
34. Guided By Voices - Easier Not Charming
35. Guided By Voices - Transfusion
Show 856 Playlist (Originally Aired November 21st, 2020)(Dean Marino, Personal & The Pizzas, Guided By Voices):
2. Fuzz - Returning
3. By Divine Right - Sweet Confustion
4. Ten Million Lights - Myanmar
5. Trophy Knife - America's Favourtie Pastime
6. Ratso - Shut Your Face
7. Miranda & The Beat - Such A Fool
8. Skip & Johnny - Sea of Love
9. Reparta and the Delrons - Take A Look Around
10: The Paragons - Abba
11. Dean Marino - Three of Swords
12. Alex Maas - Been Struggling
13. Daniel Romano - Even Temper
14. Thibault - Wanting To Be Alone
15. Peach Kelli Pop - Cut Me Off
16. Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs - Back With The Gang
17. Psychedelic Furs - The Boy That Invented Rock and Roll
18. Kinetic Ideals - Absurdity
19. Dog Day - Distraction
20. Baker Knight - Theme from "The Devil's Hand"
21. Les Players - Manhunt
22. Les Jaguars - Melle Yeye
23. The Calrizians - Tryptophan
24. The Mel-Tones - Special Assignment
25. The Reverbs - Trust Woods
26. The Moby Dicks - Mike Molloy
27. TV Freaks - Capital Eye
28. Druggy Pizza - Radium Canyon
29. Osees - Weird and Wasted Connection
30. Chad VanGalen - Mr. Noodle
31. Personal & The Pizzas - Bored Outta My Brain
32. Personal & The Pizzas - Rock and Roll
33. Teenanger - Trillium Song
34. Guided By Voices - Easier Not Charming
35. Guided By Voices - Transfusion
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