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October 31, 1997
THESE WIVES ARE MADE FOR ROCKING The Flint Journal
By Shawn Humphrey
Contributing Writer
The Wives of Bath are a fun bunch to hang out with.
While discussing their future and past as artists
recently, the band members
brought up self-mutilating rockers Jackyl, the
definition of "straight-edge" (living
without drugs or alcohol), and their admitted short
attention spans. They
challenged the interviewer and his band to a match of
laser tag ... a match they
will certainly lose.
Joking aside, the Wives are quickly gaining a
following despite their short time
in the Flint alternative rock scene. Their sound,
which echoes tones found in
10,000 Maniacs and the Sundays, is at times mellow
and sensual or excitingly full.
"We're kind of an interesting band because a lot of
our songs sound different," said multi-instrumentalist
Dave Baldwin. His bandmates are vocalist Jenny
Toms, vocalist-guitarist Ashley Peacock, bassist
James Plouffe and drummer Mark Maynard.
"Which brings me back to the short attention span
thing," Plouffe said, jumping in. "Because we change
styles all the time, everyone has a little bit in
common, musically."
The group evolved from several Flint bands. Plouffe,
Maynard and Baldwin came in from Minefield
Hopskotch, Peacock emerged from a solo acoustic
career, and Toms joined from Rhinostar and Spectre Brides.
Their transition from a collection of individuals into a band has brought many
changes.
"This is a group of people I hadn't really gotten to know before I got in the band,"
said Toms. The sound is a lot more complex than a lot of things I've worked
on."
"It's more organized and more fun," Baldwin agreed. To which Plouffe added,
"Slightly more organized."
"I've only been a solo artist to this point, performing and composing." Peacock
said. "Now I'm writing with more co-writers."
"I have a bigger amp now." Plouffe said kiddingly. "That's not all, though. We
were all sitting around and said, What would be a fun thing to do? I know, let's
start a rock band!' This time it's deliberate."
The music they've completed since May, which includes solo work contributed
by Peacock, has appeared on an unofficial and unavailable recording dubbed
"Rough Draft." The "real" recording is in the early planning stages, according to
drummer Maynard, the band's formal spokesman.
"We're looking to play and develop our music into something we can all be very
proud of," he said. "We're going into the studio between Dec. 19 and January
with (local producer) Jim Fourniadis."
The as-yet-untitled CD will contain 10 songs, but the selections can be heard in
clubs and bars in Ann Arbor, Flint, Lansing and Detroit. Although each member
hails from Flint and surrounding areas, some currently live in the college towns.
"It's an advantage to have so many people in so many areas that include the
culture we're looking for," Peacock said.
I was extremely depressed when this band broke up. I've followed their musical
careers from the beginning. I can see how they might be incompatible personalities...
I know them quite well. On the other hand, it was amazing Autumn Burning, my old band
lasted five years with the egos we carried around.
I tried to join a project with Jenny, which never made it past practice one. Pity that.
James and Mark tried out for Autumn Burning shortly after our drummer notified us of her
impending departure. They worked out great. And decided they didn't want to do it. It was
a major disappointment that they backed out, to be honest, but I can understand when you try out
for something and go, "well,
this isn't for me." I'm sure it wasn't easy.
At last word, none of them were doing anything musical except Ashley, who's still
pursuing a solo career, and maybe Jenny. If any of you are reading this
and wish to say otherwise, drop me a line in the guest book. (April 5th, 2001... Mark and James are in a local band called "May June".)
Oh, one other thing. I really don't make up the titles for these articles. Really.
Back to the other articles...
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