“The Reactors first formed as The Charm City Reactors in the summer of 1980. Starting with a handful of country-ish originals by singer-songwriter Sam Nitzberg, and a few quirky art-rock numbers by bassist Eli Sokol, the group quickly dropped the “Charm City” monicker and added cover tunes and more originals to form a unique blend of new wave, reggae, and rock ‘n’ roll that they dubbed “New-Rock-and-Reggae-Roll-Wave.” With vocalist/sax-player Doug Scrivener (ex-Niege), the Garcia-like Alex Queral on lead guitar, and backed by drum-magician Bill Beachler (ex-Jack’s Basement Band), the group began to wow crowds in venues world-wide from Fells Point all the way to Towson (Back Streets Café, E. J. Bugs, Trenton Street Stop…). 1982 brought goodbyes from Queral and Scrivener and the addition of singer/pianist Kerin Hannah. In 1983 Matt Douglass (ex-The Edge) nabbed the lead guitar spot, replacing Queral’s Garcia-esque improvs with guitar wizardry notching somewhere between Chris Isaacs and Eric Clapton. After Hannah’s departure, the five were joined by percussionist Steve Raskin, and remained a well-known local act until disbanding in 1985. In August 1985 The Reactors rendered their farewell performance to a sold-out Eight by Ten Club in South Baltimore.”
“The Reactors (midlife crisis edition) reunited in the summer of 2004 to find that the twenty-year break had changed their hair and belt-lines, but not their musical taste and unique sound.” Group bio courtesy of Eli Sokol.
The Reactors released a single in 1984 on their indie Reactorecords label featuring Nitzberg (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Douglass (lead guitar, vocals), Sokol (bass), and Beachler (drums). Sound technician Lawrence Bartoldi.
Nitzberg went on to front The Sway, and The Odds… Scrivener later with Beyond Words… Raskin later played drums for many top local groups including Polkats, Two Legs, Disappear Fear, the Barnburners, and Gypsy Dawg. Douglass was later with Red Tape, The Sway, Big Cam & the Lifters… He released a solo album in 2002 titled “No Stone Unturned” (Douggertown Music) featuring backing by Jim Seechuk (guitar, harmonica), Neil Friesner (bass), Glenn Workman (keyboards), and Steve Raskin (drums). The album garnered honorable mentions for Best Album and Best Songwriter in the Music Monthly Readers Poll. Matt also performed solo gigs, and was a member of The Old Part of Town in the ‘00s
1984 Reactorecords 7-01 Nuclear Family / Don’t Let Me Spoil Your Party
