Reynolds Rocks! :: Music from students from Reynolds Secondary High School Victoria BC 1980-84

The Original Line-up:
Michael Carter (aka Jungle Reggae) (15 yrs old)
Shoebox, 1-String Acoustic Bass
Doug Wansborough (aka Snizz Weiner) (15 yrs old)
6 string acoustic guitar

Subsequent Line-up:
Dave Campbell (aka Studley)was their first actual drummer
Eric Simonson (a la Nevar) replaced studley on drums
Jungle and Snizz bought electric instruments and although that didn't improve their sound it at least made them louder!

Original Songs:
Butchard Gardens
Angus
In 10 Years
Kill Mash Die
Nuclear War
AC/DC Concert
Do-Wop Concerto
Chewing Gum
Don't care bout You
Insanity
Dental Floss
Zap Zap Zap
I want some Thrills
Relaxed Brain
I Go Craz
Scott Is A Goof
The Nevar Suck
The Neos Rule

Selected Do-Wop lyrics

Above is one of the greatest pictures of Jungle Reggae on bass. It was the Do-Wops first gig in Mike's basement I believe. Mike had never even touched a bass in his life. He wore the bass like a necklace as you can see from the picture.

Click Pic below to see more

One of the greatest bands from the 1984 Reynolds punk scene was the Do-Wops. They started from scratch and made recordings of their songs from day one. In fact, I have a Do-Wops cassette tape that is broken out into "Day 1", "Day 2", "One Week", "One Month" etc.

A recent interview with Snizz Weiner, Guitarist of the Do-Wops

ME: I heard a taped interview with Jungle Reggae and the question was asked "Is it true that the guitarist uses a button and tapes up his hand to prevent cutting himself?" Do you remember doing early years? Did your intensity of strumming ventured over the line of your muscular control and coordination and caused you to bleed all over the guitar?

SNIZZ: I totally remember that. It was playing "Chewing Gum" at Mike's house, our first gig. I hadn't pick up an electric guitar before. I think that's why there was a pause at the beginning of the song. It was Dave's and he was quite worried about it at the time (for good reason!). I broke at least one of his strings, and I only used my left hand (though I am left handed) to hold the guitar "steady". I think that after I bled on Dave's guitar, I had to tape up my fingers to be able to "keep playing"......I think I used buttons for picks at Mike's house, 'cause I didn't have one.

ME: Those early days of the Do-Wops practicing in Mike's room are great. Mike played the shoebox with chopsticks and you played an acoustic guitar. You guys had the best lyrics. Most songs had only 4 lines or so. I have put up a link to a page to most your lyrics. They are a must read!

SNIZZ: When I recall some of our lyrics, they sure make me laugh....

ME: Tell me about the infamous "Flame Guitar" that you custom made.

SNIZZ: Well, I made the "flame guitar" from the first one that I had. I think it may have been a Raven, but I'm not sure. I'm not sure who I bought it from. I think that it was very similar, possibly the same model that the Ventures used. It was solid white, with a metallic facing...I tried to cut some notches into it to make it look cool....it didn't....so I got some 3/4" fir plywood, traced out what I needed to fit the pick-ups and stuff, and got cutting and sanding and painting, screwing....

I don't think we had a special gig put together for the debut of this guitar, but I think that the reason we played that night was to show it off. (I must of had the Marauder by then, cause I don't think I would have done that to my only guitar. Anyhow, we were playing at my parent's basement. I think Eric was playing drums for us, and there was probably about 8 people there, but other than Mike, I don't have a clue who they were.

I know that we finished a couple of songs before we played "Nuclear War". As you may recall, "NW" was one of the Do-Wops longest song, as it had the "outstanding, never the same" guitar solo in it.....As I was showing off my new creation, I was bending the guitar for sound effects, and placed it behind my head for style, among other moves...somehow, my great carpentry skills failed me, and I ended up on the floor during my solo, holding my guitar in two pieces. Mike was on the floor next to me, as was just about everybody else, in a laughing fit....the Flame guitar burnt out quickly, but in style....

Some Do-Wop gigs:

The Do-Wops played a gig at The Norway House in Victoria (April 3, 1982). They played their set between Pink Steel and The Infamous Scientists I think. I remember having to go on stage just before they started playing and tune their guitars for them. Mike has got to tell the story of the woman in the crowd that really liked their sound.
Do-Wops played a gig in Steve Bailey's (Neos) basement on July 30, 1982. Kev tells me that their set lasted 9 1/2 minutes! Can you imagine how many Do-Wop songs could be played in 9 1/2 minutes? :)
Reynolds Talent Show.
Mike: Personally my favourite moment that day came when the Do-wops were trying out for the talent show. I was using your bass amp and I did not know that it was not not grounded. My mouth touched the microphone in the middle of "Nuclear War."! I could have died!
ME: Yes, I remember seeing the sparks fly! My bass amp never had that 3rd grounding plug. Who needs it anyways?
The New Wave Cave (Steve from Distortion's converted garage)