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Bloody Red 03:34
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I Go Plain 04:58
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My Boss 02:40
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I Hate L.A. 02:55
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about

"11 songs strong filled with quirky and pleasing pop melodies. Standouts include "Miss Me When I'm Dead" and the rolling "Knights In the Grass". - Juanita, "Boston Rocks" host/DJ, WFNX 101.7FM.

The Returnables were an original rock band from Boston, active during the early 1990's. Their music can be described as the Throwing Muses meet The Offspring in a wrestling match officiated by Debbie Harry, while David Lowery provides the play-by-play.

Fixtures on the Boston club and college circuit from 1990-1993, the Returnables opened for local bigshots like Cliffs of Dooneen, The Swirlies, Morphine, O Positive, Merang, Pooka Stew, and T.H. & the Wreckage, to name just a few. Founding members George Franks (bass, guitar, vox) and Ray Boyce (guitar, bass, vox) had previously played together in a band called "The Field of Carrots". In 1990, they hooked up with drummer (and Cleveland native) Vinnie DePolo (x-The Flaming Dukes, x-Pictures) and vocalist/bassist/keyboardist Lori Martin, who had previously released an album under the name Lori Lane and The Innocent (produced by Joe Harvard at Fort Apache Studio).

The Returnables quickly recorded a demo tape of original material and started playing the Boston club scene, private parties and area colleges. After about a year of developing a unique sound and a tight live show (including shows at The Rat, Bunratty's, T.T. the Bear's, The Tam, MIT University, Avenue C, Edible Rex and Club 3), as well as releasing 2 popular radio tapes ("Miss Me When I'm Dead" and "Knights In The Grass"), the band headed back into the studio in late 1991 with engineer and producer Marc LoCascio at his Celestial Manor Studio in Arlington MA. These additional recording sessions resulted in the July 1992 release of the full-length CD "Red" on FOC Records, which eventually reached 1 on WFNX's "Boston Rocks" local album chart in August of 1992. The band also received airplay on WZBC, WMBR, WBCN, WMFO and WCGY.

In August of 1992, the Returnables were selected to perform as a semi-finalist in the 1992 Tanqueray Rocks Annual National Talent Contest held at The Paradise Rock Club in Boston. Founding member George Franks left the band in late 1992 (moving to Santa Barbara CA and forming the band "Dr. Propane"), and was replaced by guitarist Fred Pickard (x-Field of Carrots). After writing and recording a new batch of songs, as well as playing several high-profile shows at The Paradise Rock Club, T.T. the Bears' Place, MIT University and Nightstage, the group disbanded in the fall of 1993.

Ray, Vinnie and Fred soon formed the band "M.O.D.E." which recorded and played around Boston for the next two years. Lori Martin briefly joined Helium before forming and recording a new project called "Swish" with x-Dinosaur Jr. drummer Murph and producer Don Fleming (Gumball, Screaming Trees). Ray and Fred were re-united in 2004 in the band "The New Thirty", and currently play together in the band "Powderhouse". Ray also plays bass in the roots-rock band "The Rotary Prophets".

FOC Records recently released "The Lost Sessions" on Bandcamp, which includes previously un-released studio recordings. The label is also planning to release several live club recordings exclusively on Bandcamp.

credits

released July 1, 1992

Lori Martin: Lead Vocals, Backup Vocals, Bass, Keyboards
Ray Boyce: Lead & Rhythm Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Vocals
George Franks: Bass, Lead & Rhythm Electric Guitar, Vocals
Vinnie DePolo: Drums, Drums, Drums (and some background vocals)

Recorded and Mixed by Marc LoCascio at Celestial Spirit Studios, Arlington MA, Nov. 1991 - May 1992.
Mastered by Ray Boyce at FOC Studios, Newton MA, Sep. 2013.
Additional mastering by Ray Boyce/BandLab at FOC Studios North, Ludlow VT, Feb. 2021.

Produced by The Returnables and Marc LoCascio.

Art Direction/Layout: Mark Marino (assisted by George and Ray)
Photography: Henry "Hank" Brush
Road Crew: Steve Barney, Mike Tremblay, Matt Neal, Hank Brush
Live Sound: Marc LoCascio
Lighting: Mark "Omar" Marino

Copyright 1992 and 2021 FOC Records. All Rights Reserved.

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The Returnables Boston, Massachusetts

An original rock band from Boston active during the early 1990's. Their music has been described as the Throwing Muses meet The Offspring in a wrestling match officiated by Debbie Harry, while David Lowery provides the play-by-play. Re-mastered studio and live recordings are now available exclusively on BandCamp. ... more

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