Blowtops

The Blowtops were formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1995 by core members Aaron Adduci (guitar), Dave Brand (vocals and guitar), and Andy Beiter (bass and later drums).

The band grew out of the garage rock scene in Buffalo at the time, whose home base was The Sanctuary, a club owned by Big Neck Records founder and owner, Bart Hart. The first record issued by Big Neck Records was The Blowtops' seven-inch EP "Voodoo Alley". The EP was named for the group's makeshift recording studio, where Blowtops founders Adduci and Beiter worked alongside producer Mr. Ski-Mask. Mr. Ski-Mask was also known for the controversial public access TV show, Thunderbird Theatre, which screened on cable television in Buffalo (as well as in Norwalk, Connecticut, Boston, Massachusetts, Chicago and Los Angeles at various times) for over 10 years, often featuring live music performances from The Sanctuary.

The first Blowtops full-length LP was released by Flying Bomb Records of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and was produced by Jim Diamond at Ghetto Recorders in Detroit. Following that was a 10-inch on Big Neck Records, "Blood & Tar", recorded at Voodoo Alley by Adduci, Beiter and Mr. Ski-Mask. There were a number of 7-inch singles on various labels, such as Savage from Sweden, and Rockin' Bones from Italy, before the second full-length LP, "Black Static", produced by Mr. Ski-Mask, appeared on Big Neck Records. A few more seven-inches produced by Mr. Ski-Mask, including a single on Estrus Records, appeared before the release of their third album on Big Neck, "Insected Mind", produced by Wharton Tiers at Fun City in New York City. This third LP marked the start of the Yamaha organ-based sound with the addition of Traci Voelker on keyboards, who also played bass in Concubine Forming, another Big Neck Records band.

The Blowtops have toured Europe twice to enthusiastic crowds. Their most recent recording was produced by Mr. Ski-Mask at the Electric Pumpkin Patch recording studio in Buffalo, New York, and will be released as a 10-inch record by a Canadian label before the Blowtops embark on their third tour of Europe in fall 2007.

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