Blue Verse

DYK No. 1:

Blue Verse was not the first name of the band. They played one gig under their original name, Paradise Only. Shortly after Drew, Seth, and Tommy moved into McVoy Hall (affectionately referred to by some as McNerd Hall) as freshman, they were approached by Senior R.A. Dave Soulier who had access to a P.A. Soulier set up a non-paying gig for the band on a Friday night that early fall of 1993 in the lobby of a neighboring girls’ dorm – in hopes of gaining exposure for the band at a Friday night “mixer” of sorts.

About the only thing the band was exposed to were curious faces of well put together young ladies heading out for the evening wondering “What in the hell are they doing in our lobby, will they be gone by the time they get back because they are loud, and who in their right mind honestly thought this was something girls of the dorm would attend?”

DYK No. 2:

So how did the band come up with it’s name? That was over 20 years ago and details are somewhat hazy. Interviews of the five-some yield some similar facts. Here’s what is known:

1. It was the end-product of a brainstorm by all five members.

2. The brainstorm occurred at the house of Wame’s grandmother’s (known as “Nena” to Wame and his cousins) where he was residing for his freshman year at LSU.

3. It was definitely at night and after certain band members had enjoyed an adult beverage.

4. None of the 5 were aware that the phrase “blue verse” was a more popular term in the 1960s that referred to racy poetry often sexual in nature. In fact, that was not realized until many, many years later and long after the band had broken up. The boys simply liked the combination of the words that generally hinted at two artistic concepts: music (the blues) and poetry (verse).

DYK No. 3:

What was Blue Verse’s first “real” gig? There was nothing going on after the non-paying gig at the girl’s dorm played under the name Paradise Only in the fall of 1993. A band with a new name, but nowhere to play. Lots of practices and spending time at The Caterie watching other bands.

But come the Spring of 1994, fellow CHS Class of ’93 graduate, Steve Losavio, found himself in a pickle. South Seas was coming up. That’s the weekend the fraternities used to build massive gates around their front yards allowing only the prettiest of girls and other select individuals to attend the wildest of parties. Live bands, pools filled with Jell-O and slides into said pools were not uncommon.

Steve was a member of Phi Delta Theta. They needed a band for the festivities but were short on cash. He had actually attended the band’s nameless show at the Walden clubhouse the previous year and knew the boys could play. They were just undiscovered. So he took a chance.

Would the boys play for the meager sum of $250?

WOULD THEY? A REAL GIG? A FRAT PARTY? AND EACH BOY WOULD LEAVE WITH $50 IN CASH AT THE END OF THE NIGHT? PLUS ALL THE DRINKS THEY COULD DRINK?

The boys weren’t sure if they were ready, but Steve encouraged them to seize the opportunity. And did they ever. It gave them the confidence and credibility to take the next step to other local venues. Long live the Blue Clown Wig.

Thanks Steve.

DYK No. 4:

The other “big break” the boys got was from legendary local band, Amos Moses. Getting onto The Caterie scene was no easy task, particularly for a bunch of 18 year old scrawny guys. Over time, Amos Moses took them under their wing inviting them to after parties and the like.

They even allowed Blue Verse to perform a few songs during Amos Moses’ shows at The Caterie. Amos Moses also let Blue Verse open for them at The Tiger continuing to help the youngsters gain exposure. It was a big brother/little brother relationship between the two bands. A time enjoyed by all as Blue Verse grew and gained its independence.

During the heyday, there was nothing better than a Blue Verse Friday night show at The Caterie followed up the next night by Amos Moses.

The boys of Blue Verse appreciate all that Cam, Joel, Sean, and Jeff did for them.