A premier Baltimore band formed in late 1968. Originally a hard rock band, members included Jim ‘Franco’ Theodore (guitar ex-Fugitives, Music Box, folk duo Jim & Nancy), Jack Holnick (bass ex-Jetsons), Don Wimbrough (keyboards ex-Road Runners, Tommy & Artelles), Joe Longo (drums ex-Jetsons), later adding Jerry Scoggins (lead vocals ex-Summer’s Misfits).
Thom Lombardi (bass ex-Corsas) was briefly with the group. In early 1969 Lombardi was replaced with bassist Tom ‘Tucker’ Maxwell (ex-Chaumonts, Brass Lamp). A single released that year on their own Paper label, produced by George Massenberg, hinted of a Uriah Heep sound. Scoggins soon left the band being replaced with Gary Raines (ex- Artesians, Summer’s Misfits) who was a member until early 1970. New Diablos singer Dawn Lee Carey also fronted the group very briefly.
It was at this time that the four-piece band began extensive touring throughout the country. Touring took them to California, Minnesota, Texas, Florida and many points in-between. While in Florida, Longo quit the band. Since Joe owned the truck, this put the band in a jam. Upon their return, Steve Kiel (ex-Fugitives, Summer’s Misfits) was contacted and he joined Paper Cup as the new drummer. Longo moved out west and played for a band called Tightrope based in California.
Paper Cup continued to tour. Returning to Baltimore in late 1973 they added vocalist Alana Shor (ex-Bum’s Honor, Fresh Air). After a couple of months in the area they soon returned to the road. From 1973 through 1975 Jim estimates the band spent almost 90% of their time on the road.
Throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s Paper Cup played at virtually every club in Baltimore including the Seagull Inn, Golden 40 Inn, Mr. Bojangles, Keystone Inn, Merritt House, Flaming Pit, Pecora’s, the Cavalier Lounge…
Tucker left the band in 1977 joining Bandit. He was replaced with former Coyote bassist Jim Kestle. Jim later left the band in 1978 to play for Dion DiMucci’s Streetheart band. Michael Sciuto filled in briefly until the group hired Darryl Matarozza (ex-Gigs, Staggerwing, Daylight). By this time Steve Kiel left the band and was replaced with Carl Ratcliff (ex-Natural Wildlife), until John Loren Dotson became the permanent drummer.
Paper Cup adapted to the popular musical styles as the ‘70s progressed and they did very well continuing as one of the top bands in the area. Baltimore Magazine voted them Baltimore’s Best Band for six years running. Their recording of “Hello Baltimore” used by channel 11 was also syndicated across the country where different television stations changed the lyrics to fit their city. The band made many local TV news program appearances such as The Bruce Elliott Show. Paper Cup also played a very active role in fund raisers and benefit causes such as the Special Olympics, Ronald McDonald House, and the Red Cross for which they won an award for their jingle that was used nationwide.
Mr. Bojangles ad June 1973 Merritt House ad December 1974
In 1979 Paper Cup released a Tony Sciuto produced single on their own PC label “Looking for You” that did quite well locally. The record gained some national recognition as it was sent out to many radio stations. Their follow up single “Gimme Some Lovin'” was released in 1980. Unfortunately for the group, the Blues Brothers released their version shortly afterward and possibly killed a shot at a national hit.
Thanks Joey Calato
In the early ‘80s the band signed with Arista Records. Arista did not like the name Paper Cup, so the band conducted a contest at all its gigs for patrons to cast a ballot for their choice of a name. Finally, Arista decided that the name would be Shor Patrol named after lead singer Alana Shor as well as by their home proximity of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. A 4-song 12” EP titled “Loverboy” was released in 1983 and charted nationally. The record was produced by Bob Ezrin, who had previously produced Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” By this time the band consisted of Theodore, Wimbrough, Matarozza, Shor, and Dotson. The band continued touring on the college circuit with another local favorite the Ravyns. Locally they played Mr. Pip’s, Golden 40, Christopher’s… Dotson was later replaced with drummer ‘Johnny G’ Goodmuth (ex-Brass Rail, Rock Island Express, Gordon Michaels Band). The group was voted “Best Rock Band” by Baltimore magazine readers polls in 1983 and 1984.
By 1985 the Shor Patrol folded. Their last gig was performed at the Paddock in Ocean City to much fanfare. TV channel 13 sent a crew with Denise Koch to film and document the event.
A new group was soon formed. The new Paper Cup began rehearsing at The Silo in Redding, PA, in anticipation of a surprise comeback in Baltimore where they debuted at the Holiday Inn in Glen Burnie under the assumed name Slapshot. The new group featured many of the area’s best players including Wimbrough (keyboards), Johnny G (drums), Rick Olaguer (guitar ex-Rosco), Gordon Michaels (guitar/keys ex-Rasputin, Please, Gordon Michaels Band), and Nita Slater (vocals). Carl Filipiak (see bio) also joined before going on to play jazz. Other members during the group’s final years included Andy Shriver (guitar), and Edgar Myers (drums ex-Paragon). They could be seen often at The Barn on Harford Road, Christopher’s, The Paddock (Ocean City).
With a lineup of Slater, Wimbrough, Olaguer, Michaels, and Goodmuth, they performed at Oregon Ridge on August 18, 1986 in a concert to benefit the Maryland Vietnam Veterans Fund. An album was released titled “Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial Concert – 1986” (Tango 001) and featured the Paper Cup songs “Another Night” and “Romance.”
Slater left the group in 1987 (later with Code Blue) and Alana Shor rejoined. In 1988 Shor and Shriver joined Junior Cline & the Recliners.
In the ‘00s Wimbrough played with the Klassix. Shor went on to join the Jamie LaRitz group, and Cruel Shoes in the ‘90s. She worked as an agent for Starleigh before opening her own Bandhouse Entertainment, later operating her own Shor Entertainment agency. Theodore continued to play and in ‘00s was member of a band with Steve Kiel (drums), Graham Eckler (keys ex-Shane, Chapter IV), and Jack Bennett (bass) that performed for weddings and fire hall dances. ‘Franco’ also played part time in a band called Mariah. Matarozza joined Dime Store Split, and in ‘00s his bands included The Approach, and Crawdaddies. Ratcliff also played for Fox & Company, and Al Baitch Trio. Shriver went on to join Cruel Shoes. In ‘00s performed with Carey Ziegler’s Expensive Hobby. Slater was also a member of Cruel Shoes. Myers later played on harbor cruises, appeared with Cyrus Chestnut, and Gary & the Groove. Olaguer joined the Cha Cha Boys, a revamped version of Tiffany, the Crawdaddies, played gigs as a solo, and released the CD “Make Your Circle Bigger.” Filipiak continued to perform and record original jazz music.
Paper Cup discography:
1969 Paper 3376 Teacher Please / Watch Out
1979 PC 1525 Looking for You / Looking for You
1980 PC 1568 Gimme Some Lovin’ / Set Me Free
As Shor Patrol:
1983(EP) Arista 2501 Loverboy / Heart Full of Soul b/w Brand New Boy / Can I Do It?
1984 Arista AS1-9024 Loverboy / (same)
The 1979 single “Looking for You” was also released as a 12” single and came in various colors of vinyl.
