Album Notes

Exactly whose fault was it? Most people blame John Miele. Back around 1980, he had the idea that a dilapidated old upright piano might add a touch of needed class to "Eastwick's", the seedy neighborhood bar he owned with Drew Eastwick. He approached Jack with the notion of providing entertainment for his patrons by doing battle with the ivory-toothed beast. Jack agreed, but he wanted an accomplice to share the experience, so he asked Gary to join him on string bass. After a couple of nights spent dredging up their limited repertoire of jazz standards, Miele had another brainstorm. "Why not get Augie in here to liven it up with a little sax?" Naturally, Augie was willing and available. They called themselves "The Eastwick's Trio".

That was before the shirts. Remember the Eighties? Popular music was dominated by loud guitar-oriented groups with lots of hair, makeup, and costumes. But our boys rebelled against that trend. Just sax, piano, and string bass. They donned loud Hawaiian shirts covered with palm trees and elephants. These shirts, and the trio's prodigious appetites, long memories, slow movements, and thick skin inspired them to rename themselves "The Pachyderms". As their notoriety spread, they evolved beyond the cozy confines of Eastwick's. But they needed a pounding, plodding drum beat to reach the next musical level. Abe fit the bill, and became the 4th member of the herd.

Augie had written several songs over the years that fit The Pachyderms' developing style He began to work his distinctive gravelly vocals into the act with "Time to Get Lucky", "Spring and a Young Man's Fancy", and "Misfits and Malcontents". As their sound congealed, they began to write songs together. "I Like to Eat" was penned one hungry evening. "Face It, Gladys" recalls the events of one memorable night at the Turning Point, and was written on the spot.

Now, Jack and Gary could sing every bit as badly as Augie, and soon demanded their share of the vocal spotlight, trading verses and adding their signature three-part harmonies, as can be heard on "Swingin' On a Star". The Pachyderms discovered an affinity for Louis Jordan, as his songs not only suited their musical style, but their outlook on life as well. Over the years, many of Mr. Jordan's songs have found their way into the Pachyderm songbook. "Five Guys Named Moe", "Choo Choo Ch-Boogie", "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens", and "Saturday Night Fish Fry", are featured in this collection.

The Pachyderm Philosophy emerged when they realized that there are only three essentials in life: Food, Love, and Money (necessarily in that order). Their repertoire, their stage show, their songwriting, their entire persona became a musical quest for these three elements. The Pachyderms were no longer just a musical group, but a way of life. "Jack Benny (A Cheapskate's Lament)", "Doin' The Pachyderm Stomp", "The Coffee Song", and "Big Butts Are Back In" illustrate this focus.

For over twenty years, The 'Derms have entertained and enlightened, confounded and offended. They have refused to be stylish or current. They have often refused to sing on key. They have refused to make it big and forget where they came from. But they have never refused a meal.