Crazy 8s (band)

Crazy 8s is an American rock and ska band from Oregon. Although widely recognized as being a ska band, the manager and other members deny this label. In 1991 the band was described as "Original razor-tight horn lines ride upon endless clots of tropical polyrhythms ranging from ska and reggae to harder funk fusions."

History

Formation and first album

The Crazy 8s were formed in Corvallis, Oregon as "The Cheeks" in 1982. However, because a UK band had already used this name, the band changed its name to "The Sweet Cheeks." During their earliest days, they were banned from Oregon State. Later in 1982, Todd Duncan, former sax player of Eugene rock band "The Sneakers", proposed that The Sweet Cheeks open for Billy Rancher and the Unreal Gods at La Bamba's in Portland. The month before the gig, Todd changed the name of the band to "Crazy 8s" and added several new songs to the band's lineup. During their performance, the members of the newly monikered group were noticed by Tony DeMicoli, the owner of La Bamba's, who hired the band to perform in the upcoming months.
The band opened for Romeo Void at Oregon State on October 5, 1982 and with The English Beat at the University of Oregon the same year. In Rolling Stone magazine, the Crazy 8s were defined as one of "nine bands to watch"

Reception

Law and Order sold over 12,000 units, and earned the band a number 9 rating on Rolling Stone for independent bands in the nation. The next album, Nervous in Suburbia, sold 6,000 within the first week. The band was named "Northwest Band of the Year" in 1985 by Seattle's Rocket music publication and the Oregonian.
After the release of the hit single "Johnny Q", the band's album reached the "Top 20" on the Gavin Report.
Greg Barbrick, a British writer for The Rocket, wrote:
For Barbrick, Crazy 8s was a group that deserved to be "international sensations." In another issue of The Rocket, released not long after the Rolling Stone article, he wrote that:
However, Crazy 8s did not break into mainstream pop culture.
Their 1985 song "Touchy Situation" reached the #6 position at CFNY and #13 at Z100.

Founding members

Phil Allen, tenor saxophone
Todd Duncan, lead vocals and alto saxophone. - played in The Sneakers, from Eugene, Oregon in 1979 to 1982.
Bruce Marler, trumpet
Casey Shaar, keyboard.
Malcolm Smith, bass guitar
Tim Tubb, trombone. - wrote the piece "Johnny Q."
Mark Wanaka, guitar.
Rick Washington, drums.
Gary Williams, percussion

Additional members

Joe Johnson, tenor saxophone.
Jim Wallace, bass guitar
Mike Regan, bass guitar
Carl Smith, percussion
Dan Schauffler, tenor saxophone, flute, keyboard originally a member of the band Nu Shooz.
Jerry Burton, tenor sax
Megan Murphy, alto saxophone, flute, keyboard
Ron Regan, keyboards and alto sax
Lance Kreiter, drums, replaced Howard Clarke in 1993 and was in the band through the NYE show of 1994/1995 at Key Largo. Rejoined in August 2014.

Discography

1984 - Law and Order.
1985 - Nervous in Suburbia.
1987 - Out of the Way.
1988 - Big Live Nut Pack.
1989 - Doggapotamus World.
1992 - Law and Order re-release .
1992 - Still Crazy After All These Beers.

Most albums were released under the Crazy 8s' official label, RedRum Records. The final album, Still Crazy After all these Beers, was released under BDC Records.

Awards and honors

Player of the Year Award:

1987 - Dan Schauffler

Oregon Music Hall of Fame, 2007
;Billboard Hits

1984 - Law and Order
1984 - "Johnny Q."
1985 - Nervous in Suburbia
1985 - "Touchy Situation"
1985 - "Touchy Situation"