Contrary to what social networks would have you to believe, Berry did,
in fact, exist and play shows before anyone knew about myspace.
Berry formed out of a band that was called the Lemons (because of
Joey's last name, not because the band sucked). In the really
early incarnation of the Lemons, I believe there was even a female lead
singer! There is no way you can go wrong with a female
front...uhh...person. But, from what I hear, she was the first
member to be kicked out of the band. Starting a long series of
lineup changes for the band that was to become Berry.
Interestingly enough, the second musicican to get the axe was Mr. Paul
Goodenough--we will refrain from the obvious puns associated with this
transaction. A young drum virtuoso from none other than Decatur,
IL had just started school at Greenville [College] and quickly made
friends with those who mattered in the Lemons--namely Chris 'Kav'
Kavanaugh. Matt Aufrecht was in the band.
Matt spent many of his free time hours in a house on campus (known,
appropriately, as 'the drum house' for it's myriad drum sets)
practicing with Kav and wannabe Flea/Tortoise bass player Sam
Campbell. Most of the songs were written when Sam came up with a
bass line and every one else just sort of played along. When the
three had something that they found to be pleasing, Joey (Lemon) would
come in and try to turn our jams into ligitimate songs.
After about a week or so of playing together, we decided to try out for
Lab Band. We scrambled to practice so that we could play and,
hopefully, make it as a lab band. It seems like we spent the
whole day prior to tryouts making up the song we were going to
play. (Listen
to Rock and Roll)
At tryouts, we were pretty much the last band of the day. Paul
had already tried out with his new [Creed-sounding] band earlier in the
day, so I got to use his drum set. I felt kind of band,
though. Anyway, we were awesome! There have been few times
in my life when I have felt so proud of the music I was playing.
I think we all felt pleased with ourselves at having put together
something this good so quickly. Unfortunately, we were supposed
to play TWO songs! So,
we didn't get in...
All together, I think we played a total of two shows and worked up a
set consisting of about 5-10 songs (a few of which we managed to
record). By the end of that semester, though, Matt became too
busy with his studies and Kav had pretty much 'had it' with music in
general. The Lemons were over.
But Paul and Joey had begun working together again.
Here are a few songs from this era:
Se7en
Whoose
Gonna Want You Now
Saved Me
The
Good Will Heal You
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