Earlier Bands that lead to TRAILS

[Mike Manners]

Well, my own personal recollection is that Trails grew out of Tommy Cogan's first band, The Pickled Beat. That was the seed. Pickled Beat was Tom Cogan, guitar, Jon Houseman, bass, and Mike Angione on drums. I think maybe Steve Lorenti was in that band on guitar as well. Not sure if I have all the names exactly correct. That was when TC was still in junior high school at West Rocks. I will NEVER get over their rendition of the Monkees chestnut "Stepping Stone" at the West Rocks talent show.

The next iteration was called the "Aggie Blues Band" and there were personnel changes and additions. The great Mike Diamond on guitar, Bruce Diamond on bass and a somewhat "John Belushi-esque" front man named Zang (Alan Gerstenzang) on lead vocals. Their signature song during that time was "Born in Chicago".

More changes ensued, and that was sort of the beginning for Trails. Bob Byxbee was originally recruited as drummer, but he could sing, and was so damned funny, entertaining and lovable as a front man, that they did what was needed to get him out from behind the drum set.

How do YOU remember all of this stuff?