I met Mark Eitzel in Corvallis, Oregon in 1988, the year the first Walkabouts album came out. It was also the year that American Music Club released "California," the song from which "Blue And Grey Shirt" is taken. 
I was introduced to him at the Oregon State campus radio station. Our bands were sharing the bill at some dive bar that night, and the promoter had dragged us down to the station for the customary pre-gig interview and hype session. I imagine the promoter was afraid he was going to lose his shirt that night. His fears were not unwarranted. The number of members in the two bands, just about equaled the paid attendance that night.
I had heard of American Music Club, but I had never actually been acquainted with one of their songs. In the lobby of the radio station, the DJ asked Eitzel what song he wanted him to play from the new album, and Mark said "Laughingstock." The DJ then asked me the same question. I also said "Laughingstock." Everyone thought this was a bit funny. Two bands with the same song title. The DJ went ahead and played both "versions." Ours was shambolic and strident, theirs was translucent and seductive. I was completely transported.
Backstage, before their set, I overheard Eitzel telling someone that they would probably suck that night. It was a somewhat logical conclusion. The Walkabouts' show had been rough. It is hard not to have a sinking, paralyzed feeling, when you are playing for a soulless, empty room. 
But AMC did not suck. The band started a bit tentatively, but by the third song, Eitzel had freed himself from the stage, and was singing the songs while sitting on an empty table. The audience, which had been sequestered thirty feet from the stage, were now an arms reach away. The dullness of the evening had turned electric. They were a wonderful band. Each player was in love with bruised beauty and fragile grace. It was one of the most passionate performances I had ever witnessed.
After the gig the band told us they needed a place to stay in Seattle. Carla and Michael and I, all lived in a house together. We were headed south to California, but we gave them our roommates number and told them to call her when they were in town. AMC did end up staying at our house, and when we got back from tour, we found a signed copy of "California" in our living room. 
We played that album to death. We learned things from it. We lived inside of it.
Chris Eckman

# Cover Blue and Grey Shirt # Musicians The music was played and recorded by Chris Eckman in Seattle at Wingnut Studios, and the vocal added by Carla Torgerson in Prague, CZ, at Have A Good Day Studios, August 2000 # Contact e-mail : Walka777@aol.com site : www.thewalkabouts.com

# Discography - Swinger 500 (1998) - Nights Between Stations (1995) * - Life Full Of Holes (1995) - Shelter For An Evening (1993) * * live albums # Links Glitterhouse Records