Album Notes

After nearly 10 years, The Betmars' 1996 record "Star Hustler" is now available! Put simply, The Betmars rocked. Hard and loud, baby. In fact, the band's slogan (coined by Mike Johnson of Reclinerland and then-sister-band The American Girls) was aptly: The Betmars = Pop. Loudly. At their height in 1996, The Betmars were comprised of John Francis (vocals/guitar), Ty Hodson (drums), Adam Wayne (vocals/guitar), and Nate Halloran (bass/vocals). The Betmars toured several times up and down America's West Coast, and eventually embarked on their first and last self-funded and promoted U.S. tour in the fall of 1996. The Betmars disbanded in 1997. * John Francis now fronts Vinegar (1999-present) and performs solo acoustically * Ty Hodson played drums for Vinegar (2001-2005), and now fronts the solo rock project gradenko (2001-present) and tweaker/experimental project square_wave (2000-present) * Adam Wayne fronted Drive (1997-2000), co-founded and performed in The Bella Fayes (2000-2001), and then fronted Charmparticles (2002-2006) * Nate Halloran has performed in several Portland improv comedy companies/troupes since 1997, including Brody Theater, Big Belly, Fort Hal and currently with Upchuckle/Funny Business. Nate also played bass and sang on Reclinerland's 'Ideal Home Music Library, Vol. 1: Show Songs' (2003). For the full history of The Betmars and links to the guys' current endeavors, click on the "Betmars website" link over there on the left! ********** Reviews: The Betmars, "Star Hustler" Demo Universe, March 31 1997 http://www.demouniverse.com/review.php?did=873 "Under the influence of Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Wonder Stuff, Superchunk and as much beer as they can consume without falling down on stage, The Betmars hit the ground running on their digital debut. Essentially taking the winning formula of their fine Natural Born Consumers cassette and making it all clearer and louder, the Betmar boys rock hard, fast and loud. What more do I need to say? Only this: Eventually they will face what I call the Stinson-Westerberg Question -- Grow up, drink less and make 'mature' records, or refuse to do so and die an ugly and embarassing death. But that's years of stinky clubs away. Until then, they'll have their fun, and so will we." The Betmars, "Natural Born Consumers" Demo Universe, October 30 1995 http://www.demouniverse.com/review.php?did=193 "These guys rock! Need I say more? Aw, I guess so. Inspired by Ned's Atomic Dustbin, these lads develop the concept from an American point of view, producing an exhilirating rush of roaring guitars, punk-fueled drums and a nutso vocalist with a voice like the night before a vicious hangover. 'Leave Me Alone' and 'Gotta Go Now' have Irish whiskey on their breath, but every song is a brawl waiting to happen. Whoever produced this managed to cram the contents of a crowded, sweaty bar onto a slim ribbon of ferric oxide, and for that I raise my glass."