The Q-FM 96 Hometown Compilations

As mentioned in a few previous posts, Q-FM 96 put out a number of "Hometown" compilations throughout the 1980s featuring an interesting variety of artists over the years. Q-FM keeps a Q-Seum page of their history and includes some screenshots. Nine total compilations were released between 1980 and 1988 - eight on vinyl and the last on cassette.

A lot of the material is expectedly radio friendly 80s AOR, pop and singer/songwriter. Occasionally, some more diverse material made the cut, such as the Willie Phoenix band The Buttons (Vol. 1), Rosie and The Jetboys (Vol. 3), Oswald And The Herringbones (Vol. 5), as well as discoveries like The Guise (Vol. 3) and Columbus (Vol. 4).

Video: Living In Fear/Better Luck Next Time by the SlapHappys

From the video notes: A 1986 Columbus State media class project from Rich Reese that features a local Columbus, Ohio band called the SlapHappys!? performing a couple of their original songs (Living In Fear and eventually, Better Luck Next Time) featuring Mike Toth on vocals/guitar, Doug Kasyon on guitar/vocals, Herb Schrader on bass and Eddie Gyevat on drums.  Mike, Doug, Herb and Rich previously played in a local band called the Jetboys and later, Mike, Herb and Eddie would  play in a band called Da King Mixers. Currently, Mike still lives in Columbus writing his own music (the eMpTys), Doug lives in Colorado and Herb and Eddie are having beers and are in the house band in the Big Bar in the sky. 

Video: I Don't Want To by The Jetboys

Collector Scum: Discography of Ohio Punk 1976-1983

Back in 1997, and last updated in 2014, Henry Weld of Collector Scum put together a very useful post detailing the Discography of Ohio Punk 1976-1983. Important to note, of course, is bands like The Jetboys, Mike Rep and the Quotas, True Believers and others from Columbus.

New Additions: Q-FM-96 Hometown Album Project Volume 3

So this is a bit of a cheat. Recently I was down at The Hippie Hut on High Street digging through their vinyl and found a copy of the Q-FM-96 Hometown Album Project Volume 3. At first, I didn't think much of it, most of these are fairly safe radio friendly music, not what I'm researching for the book. But then I scanned the track list a little closer and saw Rosie listed. Interesting choice to lead off the compilation. Then I glanced at the last track - The Jetboys! The odds of me scoring one of their lone 1981 seven inches is pretty slim, considering the only one available on Discogs at the moment is for almost seven hundred bucks. This, however, is a much cheaper way to get my hands on a recording of (the A side at least) their music.

Know Yer Band: The Jetboys

Band Name: The Jetboys

Members
Vocals - Mikey Toth
Guitars - Doug Kayson, Mark Morrison
Bass - Herb Schrader
Drums - Rich Reese

Releases
1981 - I Don't Want To 7" (New Age)