The Attitude (band)

The Attitude were a garage rock/power pop band based in Cleveland, Ohio1 from 1984-1988. Although the bands biggest following was in the Akron/Kent State University area2.The Attitude released a 12" EP on Herb Jackson Records called Time Stands Still. Other Herb Jackson artists included The Mice (band), Venus Envy, The Silence, The New Salem Witch Hunters, Home and Garden, Holy Cows, In Fear of Roses and Prisonshake. Herb Jackson Records was operated by Chris Burgess (Prisonshake bass player. Produced My Dad Is Dead, Death Of Samantha, Offbeats) and Alan McGinty (former drummer of Cleveland's Wild Giraffes) at the Beat Farm Studios in Willoughby, Ohio. The Attitude consisted of John Lyon, Greg Peterson, George Shiner and Jon Wyville. The band recorded a second album but disbanded before its completion.

Option Magazine's Gordon Anderson called The Attitude "worthy heirs to the buckeye tradition represented by The Choir (garage rock) and The McCoys". Jim Testa, Editor of New Jersey's Teen Punk Magazine called them "four young guys who may singlehandedly restore power pop to its former glory". And in an early issue of Alternative Press (music magazine) magazine (issue number eight) John d'Beers compared the bands pop sensitivity to former Cleveland bands "The Action, The Wild Giraffes, as well as early The Clash, Beatles, and late seventies pop groups The Beat (US), Shoes (band), and The Records."

Throughout the mid-80's The Attitude performed at venues throughout the midwest. A 1987 performance on WFMU's Pat Duncan Show in New Jersey is ocassionaly re-broadcast 3.

John Lyon continued performing as Nick Riff releasing psychedelic punk recordings on Delerium Records 4.

DISCOGRAPHY

- Time Stands Still - 12" 5-Song EP (Herb Jackson Records 1986, HJR-7804)

- Jim Clevo Presents - Listen - "Deep End" (Cassette compilation, Cleveland Exhibit Project, 1987)

- Yesterday's Sounds of Power Pop Vol. 2 - "Blemish On My Heart" (CD Compilation, Killer Boot Records, date unknown)