Ravesville2

The Raves actually began life as 'Nod' way back in 1971. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO IN AN INTERVIEW . CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO IN AN ANOTHER INTERVIEW When the Yoakum family moved to Birmingham, Alabama that year, brothers Chuck and John transformed their earlier teenage band ventures into a more serious effort. Although they'd started playing music several years earlier, they began utilizing their growing songwriting abilities to turn out professional studio demos while continuing to play club and concert venues. Ken Kennedy, one of John's high school friends, was recruited on lead guitar in 1972 and more recording and playing followed. In the next few years they began to define their style and sound. Then after a succession of drummers, brother Jim was added permanently in 1976. The chemistry that was created with this line-up frequently took Nod in the studio to make some of the best pop sounds available in 1977. CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF NOD IN THE STUDIO. At that time, the band also began to make videos of their music (a rarity) and talk with some record labels. But, the music business was interested in the Disco money machine... miles away from the sounds of Nod. It seemed that pop/rock music was gone. Thankfully, the Punk and New Wave movement came along at the end of the decade and killed the dreaded Disco monster (not counting the mutant version alive today) making the world safe for good music again. In 1978 the band moved to Atlanta and began to make waves in the burgeoning music scene there. Change was coming. 1980 saw the birth of the Raves with the perfect marriage of sound and image. New and even groovier songs were recorded resulting in their inclusion on a pop compilation lp 'The London Side Of Nashville' in 1981. They launched an award winning cable television series entitled 'Eh, Wot's This?!' , a cable special called 'Bats On Skis', played endless concert dates made more videos of their music and moved up the ladder towards the shiny brass ring in 1982. Unfortunately, 1983 was the last year for The Raves in their original incarnation. Making music and contract litigation divided their time. As usual, the lawyers won. A posthumous release aptly titled 'Color Of Tears' issued later was compelling listening, but an all too abrupt end to their tale. A few years later a young music fan with fabulous taste discovered The Raves recordings and was hooked. David Takis (that fan) single-handedly undertook getting The Raves to work on the project that became 'Past Perfect Tense'. This collection of their music is essential listening for ANY fan of power pop, Brit rock, or just good music. Click HERE or HERE FOR A QUICK REVIEW.
CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT CRITICS ARE SAYING
CLICK HERE FOR THE RAVES "Past Perfect Tense" REAL AUDIO ® SAMPLES
For maximum enjoyment, Play It Loud.

The story is not over. Because the prolific writing in the band has left many more unissued recordings, and in response to requests; additional Raves and Nod material has been compiled and recorded. The first volume, "Inside Looking Out" chronicles the origins of the songwriting team of Chuck and John Yoakum and includes material spanning 1968-1983, with the greatest concentration on their recordings in the 1970s as Nod. This disc is now available! Also the first two volumes of "As Seen On TV!" have been released on multi-media discs featuring three music videos on each disc in QuickTime format as well as images, MP3 files and some surprises. Next up.... a LIVE Raves show!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT "INSIDE LOOKING OUT"
CLICK HERE TO READ A REVIEW AND ORDER "INSIDE LOOKING OUT"
CLICK HERE FOR NOD PHOTO GALLERY
CLICK HERE FOR THE RAVES PHOTO GALLERY
CLICK HERE FOR THE RAVES TODAY!
CLICK HERE TO READ EXCERPTS FROM CHUCK'S BOOK, "FROM THE MINE"