Parkville based rock group formed by former Greg & the Originals. Members Greg Coulson (lead vocals, percussion), Fred Zang (rhythm guitar, vocals), and Don Cowger (bass), with Kraig Krixer (lead guitar), Dave Burgess (keyboards), and Tom Rizzo (drums). Krixer came up with the name Orange Wedge. The rock band began playing many teen centers, and school dances. After a brief illness and hospital stay in early 1969 Coulson rejoined the band. They began playing on a regular basis quickly becoming one of the top hard rock bands in Baltimore.
Zang and Krixer left the group in 1969 and were members of a short-lived band in 1970 called Dr. Seuss. They both eventually joined ex-Black Foot Smoke bassist Jim Tice to form Cousin Fox. Zang also played guitar for the bands Shane, Queen’s Chapel, and bass guitar with Trigger Happy. More recently in the ‘90s and ‘00s as bass guitarist for the Satellites (Stevie & the Satellites), and Time Will Tell band. Krixer went on to the bands Cousin Fox, Tricks, Pooba, Razor, Trixy & the Testones, Accused, Mission…
Orange Wedge could be seen at all the local clubs including the Sea Gull Inn, Peddler’s Pub, Act III, Hopkins Fair, Stardust Inn (Waldorf), and clubs in Havre de Grace, Ocean City (Heron Club), Delaware, and West Virginia. The band also played many concert style events featuring local bands at Putty Hill outdoor concerts, a St. Mary’s Church Concert on July 18, 1971 with Panda, Calico, Rasputin, and Wild Rice.
In October 1972 Orange Wedge released their first album. It was recorded at Flite 3 Studios. Members of the band were Coulson (lead vocals), Cowger (bass), Rizzo (drums), Burgess (keyboards), and Joe Farace (guitar ex-Fabulous Monarchs, Cabbage).
Burgess left the band in 1973 becoming a member of Patch. He was replaced with Tom Reyes, who in turn was replaced by Bobby Krieger (keys, sax) in 1975.
Orange Wedge participated in a 12-hour November 30, 1974 Santa Claus Anonymous Concert at Catonsville Community College which featured dozens of local bands.
Their second album was released in 1974 titled “No One Left but Me” and was recorded at Flite Three and Sheffield Studios – members included Farace, Rizzo, Coulson, and Gene Ingham (bass), with special guests Mark O’Connor (keyboards), and Jay Graboski (guitar) of OHO. Gene Meros engineered the recordings and played flute on the title cut.
Members on 1974 LP – clockwise from top left: Farace, Ingham, Coulson, Rizzo
Their song “Bye Bye Baby” was included on 1978’s “The 98 Rock Album”. At this time the members included Bob Fallin (guitar -formerly of the Biscaynes, Wicca, Snuff McCoy), Coulson (lead vocals), Rob Grant (bass ex-New Sideshow), Tom Alonso (keyboards), and Rizzo (drums).
Around 1978 Alonso (see bio) left to study music at Peabody. In the ‘00s he continued performing jazz music and has released recordings including the CD “Indian Summer” (Clean Cuts 711). Coulson also left the band later joining Fringe. The band continued as Wedge. Alonso and Fallin later became members of Bootcamp. Ingham was later with Fantasy, OHO, Horizon… Grant went on to Fireworks… Farace later with Easy, Avalon…
Both Orange Wedge LP’s have been reissued in the ‘00s and are available locally. Their albums have also been reissued as a 2 LP German import on vinyl.
Album Releases by Orange Wedge:
1972 Orange Wedge
1974 No One Left but Me
1975 Wedge 1451 People / Dream
Single release: as Wedge
