The Embarrassment

Referred to by fans as "the best band you never heard of," the Embarrassment also holds the distinction of being Wichita, KS' most influential band. The group's eclectic yet distinctive sound wrapped a post-punk approach and a deadpan sense of humor around pop, country, disco, and metal elements, crafting songs that rivaled the work of better-known contemporaries like Gang of Four, Mission of Burma, and the Feelies. Though they toured and recorded consistently from their formation in 1979 till their breakup in 1983, the Embarrassment won only a small -- but intensely devoted -- following while they were an active outfit. However, the group's cult grew over the years, culminating in a reunion in the late '80s and the release of two anthologies in the '90s. Vocalist/guitarist Bill Goffrier, vocalist/organist John Nichols, and drummer Brent "Woody" Geissman were childhood friends who played together in several groups during their school years. When Geissman met bassist Ron Klaus at college, the quartet became the Embarrassment, a reference to Kurt Vonnegut's novel Bluebeard in which a character notes that "embarrassment" is the one word that sums up the human existence. Late in 1979, the group debuted with the Patio Set/Sex Drive single, which introduced the Embarrassment's angular, multi-guitar attack and paved the way for appearances on compilations from Bomp and the Kansas-based label Fresh Sounds. The group experienced their first breakout success with their self-titled 1981 EP, which brought them widespread attention from college radio and fanzines. The Embarrasment's combustive live shows also added to their prominence and earned them gigs with Iggy Pop, John Cale, and William S. Burroughs. The group's Lifespan and Sound of Wasps singles were among the first Sub...