Catonsville area band formed in 1966. Early members included Jake Scheffer (guitar -later with Pockets), Chip Matheson (guitar), Victor Lydell (drums), Kurt Kraus (drums -went on to join the Hot Fudge Sundae, Human Freedom & Security), Monnie Wrightson (keyboards -went on to the Tremolos) and was replaced with Tom Woods.
Vester, Wheeler, Derkis, Simons. (Lydel and Woods are hidden)
A 1968 Xpressions line-up featured Matheson, Lydell, with Tim Daniels (vocals), Robins (bass), Dan Simons (trumpet ex-Breakthroughs), Mike Wheeler (trumpet), Ben Vesker (sax), and Mike Durkos (trumpet).
The group also featured vocalists Calvin Purvis and Paul Greenwood and trombonist Wayne Smith (ex-Tray ‘n the Diamonds). They played many teen dances throughout the Baltimore area.
By 1971 Wheeler and Durkos had left the band. With several personnel changes the group sought a new identity. The name Crab Soup was suggested but they settled on Brass Balloon. Members continuing with the group included Daniels (vocals), Vesker (sax), Simons (trumpet), and Smith (trombone) with Gary Helman (guitar), Bruce Lloyd (bass), Jim Simons (keyboards), and Lou Cavicchio (drums). Cavicchio was later drafted and Jay McCarthy (ex-Chelseas) joined as new drummer. The Brass Balloon lasted for about one year until splitting up.
Simons went on to join the Chelseas. McCarthy, Daniels, and Smith formed Three for a Dollar.
In 1975 Dan Simons, and Vesker re-formed the Xpressions along with Dan Blackowicz (guitar ex-Collections, Jetsons), Jim O’Dell (bass), Lou Albert (B-3 organ and strings), and Al Marsh (drums). The group played extensively throughout the local clubs including Parkville Lounge, Latella’s II (as house band), Melody Lounge in Dundalk, The Club on Dundalk Avenue, Steelworkers Hall, Patapsco Inn (house band), Martin’s West… Vesker eventually left and was replaced with Jim Durick (sax, trombone -later with the Sentries).
O’Dell left the band in 1977 and was replaced with Don Bellew (bass ex-Bella Donna). The group went through numerous personnel changes and included Will Goedecke (synthesizers and Arp Axe), Mark Cornaccione (sax), Joel (keyboards), Butch Noll (vocals ex-Goodtimes), Tommy Goetz (guitar), and the return of McCarthy and Daniels. By 1978 they renamed the band Revolving Door, and later became known as Free and Easy.
In 1980 the group became known as Snowblind with Goetz (guitar), Bellew (bass), McCarthy (drums), Dan Simons (trumpet), Dave White (keyboards), and Al Dahlstrom (sax). Later personnel changes included Alan Ellison replacing White on keyboards. McCarthy was replaced with Jim Wall – who was later replaced with Barry Swearman (ex-Taxie, Toys). Goetz was later replaced with Bob Tyson – who was replaced with Dan Evans while also adding vocalist Sue Evans.
Snowblind became known as Brasswork in the mid-’80s featuring most of the members listed above. Changes included drummer John Lascuola replacing Swearman, Bob List replacing Simons, and the addition of Kevin Shaner (trombone). Brasswork performed together until about 1993.
Sue Evans (vocals), Dan Evans (guitar, vocals), Al Dahlstrom (sax)
After leaving Snowblind Dave White played in Stryder, Staggerwing, Mannekin. In 1992 he joined the metal band Warrant and toured in support of their album “Dog Eat Dog.” White continued as a member of Warrant until 1996 and is featured on their 1995 album “Ultraphobic.”
Wall was later with Pizazz… List could be seen with Crowded House, then Joy Ride in the ‘00s. Bellew performed as a solo guitarist seen at Mangia’s in Woodstock, and summers at beach resorts. Tyson was later a member of ‘00s band Southpaw… Wayne Smith revived a musical career in the ‘90s as arranger and writer of marching band style music. Accompanied with the Army Field Band of Fort Meade he released a series of albums. His marches were featured in the film “Diary of A Politician”, and numerous television programs including “Touched by An Angel,” “Passion,” “American Idol – Boston Auditions,” “Simple Life,” “Access Hollywood,” “700 Club,” and others.
Photos courtesy of Dan Simons.
