Coyote Records

Gut Bank

If you stand on 42nd Street and 12th Avenue in Manhattan and peer across the murmuring waters of the Hudson to the Hoboken bluffs, you can see the spot where Aaron Burr blew away Alexander Hamilton, architect and founder of the Federal Reserve Bank. This is Hoboken, birthplace of Frank Sinatra, and site of the Clam Broth House. Hoboken, the Jersey mirror to Manhattan and spawning ground of Gut Bank, the latest in a proud line of Jersey-bred now wave rockers.

Gut Bank are Karyn Kuhl, lead guitar and vocals; Alice Genese, bass; Mike Korman, rhythm guitar; and Tia Palmisano, drums. Unlike the members of manyJersey-side transplant bands, Alice, Tia, and Mike are all bonafide Hoboken natives, while Karyn hails from nearby Bloomfield, N.J.

Gut Bank began when Karyn, inspired by the apocalyptic fervor and soul-stirring riffs of Patti Smith and the Rolling Stones, picked up a guitar and started her search for a band. She found herself in a powerpop ensemble, but as her guitar style began to take a more abstract directicn, she felt constricted by pure pop structure. It was time to organize the band of her dreams.

She approached her best gal pal from Mcntclair State College, Alice Genese, as a potential bass player. Alice had some musical training in guitar, piano, and flute, but bass offered a new challenge. Alice and Karyn initially enlisted drummer Bob Burt to round out the sound. Bob eventually cast his lot with Sonic Youth, and so the fledgling Gut Bank began inquiring about Hoboken for a new drummer. (the afternoon, Alice was discussing the problem with Bill Ryan at Pier Platters in Hoboken. Overhearing Alice's quandary, Tia Palmisano cut into the conversation announcing that she, in fact, would love to drum for Gut Bank. Alice recognized Tia from her own childhood and was enthralled with the idea.

The group began a series of fruitful rehearsals in summer 1984 and booked their first gig at the Hoboken River City Fair. Karyn felt that a second guitar would allow her more flexibility and Alice suggested Mike Korman. Alice and Mike had originally played together in the Brandt Junior High School band, where Mike played trumpet and Alice played flute.

The River City Fair job went down like gangbusters and before long Gut Bank was appearing regularly at the legendary Hoboken rock club, Maxwell's. The group made some forays to Boston, with notable performances at the Rat, but since Tia was still in high school (Hoboken High Class of '86) Gut Bank's touring schedule was limited.

They entered the studio for the first time in 1985 to cut "Dreamland"for the Hoboken compendium "Luxury Condos ComingTo Your Neighborhood Soon." They recorded the 14 scngs for their debut Coyote album, "The Dark Ages," last spring at Nicollet Studios in Minneapolis. Mission of Burma alumnus and Birdsongs of the Mesozoic guiding light Roger Miller produced the record and Steve Fjelstad engineered.

- from the 1987 bio from Coyote Records