Thursday, April 21, 2016

Agrosoul / Mona Lisa Overdrive (1989-1990)


Agrosoul

Dave Camp (RIP) - Guitar/Vocals
Jason Sypher - Bass
Harlin Watkins - Keyboards
Bill Black - Drums

Mona Lisa Overdrive

Dave Camp (RIP) - Guitar/Vocals
Jason Sypher - Bass
Rich Cuellar - Drums


I just found out today that Dave Camp passed away in Portland last year after a battle with cancer; he was only 47 years old. I knew Dave a bit back in the late 80's into 1990 when Agrosoul was just splitting up and Mona Lisa Overdrive was forming. Dave's optimism and enthusiasm were rare qualities, genuine. I wish I had more to share from the Eugene days but the four tracks below are all that I have. The two tracks from Agrosoul are sourced from a soundboard tape of the band live at the EMU ballroom. The two Mona Lisa Overdrive tracks were recorded by me and Patrick Yonally on a Fostex 4-track back in 1990 at the band's practice space, as far as I know the only two tracks the band recorded in their brief history. I still remember Dave singing into my oven because we didn't have enough money for anything to throw reverb on the vocals. He was the one who thought of it! Dave was involved with numerous musical projects in Portland over the years and touched the lives of countless people. RIP Dave.

Agrosoul

1. 7/26/89
2. Butt Funkin'

Mona Lisa Overdrive

3. Alien
4. Mona Lisa Overdrive



12 comments:

  1. FYI, the Jason in those bands was Jason Sypher.

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  2. Holy crap, Ive been looking for copies of the Mona Lisa Overdrive stuff for years. I played drums for them back in the late 80s...

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  3. By the way, the drummer for Agrosoul was a nice guy named Bill Black.

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  4. Thank you for posting the tracks! Was at the EMU show and I believe they opened for Camper Van Beethoven? The Butt-funkin' cover was legendary. RIP Dave -- we miss you.

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  6. Dave Camp and Nancy Hess collaboration...
    http://www.stereovisionpdx.com/

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  7. Here is an upload of Dave Camp's 1994 album, "All Saints."

    https://youtu.be/TO_3lJSUN2E

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  9. I clearly remember having my indie mind being blown when you said you recorded the MLO demo in their practice space LIVE. that a band could be so funky, tight and polished really impressed me. they were the precurors to bands like Jolly Mon and Floater, does anyone have videos from their shows?

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  10. Jason Sypher was the bass player for Agrosoul and Harlin (last name temporarily forgotten) was the keyboard player). Then Jason and Rich Cuellar were in MLO. Bill Black was the bass player in the band preceding the core Agrosoul line-up, and he was indeed a very nice guy.

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  11. It just occurred to me that Bill Black was probably the drummer! The pre-Agrosoul bass player was named Brian, I think. I have some old Agrosoul stuff and I will double check.

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  12. Harlan's last name is Watkins. Haven't spoken to him in years but last I knew he was an attorney in the Bay Area. I lived with him and agrosoul used to practice at our house. All really nice guys, and super talented. REALLY sorry to hear that Dave passed away.

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