The Judy's

Texas pop cult heroes the Judy's were formed in the Houston suburb of Pearland in 1979 by singer/guitarist/keyboardist David Bean, guitarist Sam Roush, bassist Jeff Walton and drummer Dane Cessac. Inspired primarily by the B-52's (hence the possessive in their name), the four high schoolers almost immediately began writing their own material, honing a terse, minimalist pop approach ideally suited to Bean's wittily ironic lyrics; just weeks before their first recording date, however, tragedy struck when Roush was killed in an auto accident. The surviving Judy's carried on as a three-piece, issuing their debut seven-inch Teenage Hang Ups on their own Wasted Talent label in 1980; issued in an edition of 500, copies of the record were sold in their school's cafeteria. An EP, The Wonderful World of Appliances, followed later that same year, and as the Judy's emerged as major Houston area live favorites, in 1981 they issued their first full-length effort, Washarama. Work on a follow-up soon commenced, but as collegiate commitments forced the group to go on hiatus, Bean completed the recording as a solo project, releasing Modomusic in late 1983. Walton also issued a solo EP, Danger Boy, prior to the Judy's return to action in 1985 with the album Moo; subsequent live appearances frequently saw the group dressed as milkmen. Cessac left the lineup the following year, with multi-instrumentalist Scott Krchnak and drummer Matthew McCarthy signing on long enough to record the 1987 single "Girl of 1000 Smells." Walton eventually left the group as well, with Bean supported by keyboardist/guitarist Barbara Donaho, bassist Lee Malone and drummer Darwin Keys on the Judy's 1991 farewell effort Land of Plenty. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide