New wave style band melded sounds of ‘60s rock with punk and alternative.
Quoted from liner notes to their EP reissue CD “The members of The Accused met thru an ad in the Baltimore City Paper. Dave Cawkwell arranged to meet with bassist Mark Morgan and drummer Mike Fiore who had been playing together for years. After a few get-togethers with Dave, Mark and Mike recruited friend and guitar player Robert Zimmerman.”
By this time the band was set as Dave Cawkwell (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Bob Zimmerman (lead guitar), Mark Morgan (bass, vocals), and Mike Fiore (drums, percussion). Stan Wegerski (guitar ex- Beggars Day, Injections) was briefly an early member of The Accused, going on to join Sharp Objects…
“Although short-lived they became one of Baltimore’s top drawing original acts Debuting at the renowned Marble Bar in downtown Baltimore after receiving airplay on WCVT 89.7 FM they were received by a record crowd, exploding on the Baltimore underground music scene.”
“Shortly after their debut due to health reasons The Accused were saddened by the departure of Robert Zimmerman. He left the nearly impossible task of being replaced to former Orange Wedge guitarist Kraig Krixer.”
Zimmerman left due to health reasons and was replaced with Kraig Krixer (ex-Trixy & the Testones) in late 1980.
The Accused performed frequently at the Marble Bar, Oddfellow’s Hall in Towson, and venues throughout Baltimore and D.C. (9:30 Club, The Psychedelly, One Flight Up, Scandals…).
Krixer was later fired as he explained “I was a problem child.” He was replaced with Jimmy Germaine.
Fiore and Germaine were later with Voices.
Continuing to ride the wave of success created by the original line up, a second version of The Accused was formed by Cawkwell in 1981 with Mike Schroader (guitar), Jay Hill (bass), and Richard Dinges (drums). This group changed musical direction and played what Dave describes as “white boy reggae.” They played over 100 shows at venues such as Girard’s, and Marble Bar, while sharing stages with notables as the Hooters, and a double bill with 999 in Philadelphia.
This second version of the group became known as Mission (see bio) in 1982, at which time Cawkwell brought Krixer back into the band.
Recordings by the Accused include:
1980(EP) Frantic XX1 Time Out / The Victim b/w Urban Suburban / Bad Driver
EP was later reissued on CD
