The Children – Demo

The Children
Demo
1987 (no label)
Costa Mesa, California, USA

Michael J. Pritzl – Voice, guitar
Jerry Andrews – Lead guitar, backing voice
Kirt Gentry – Bass guitar
Thomas E. Dunne – Drums

1. You Make Me
2. Violet

Don’t know if this was meant as a S/T demo or just an untitled demo. As with 1986’s The Killing and 1987’s Darker, this tape served as a precursor to many other bands like The Violet Burning. I’m just not sure if this tape came before or after Darker. “Violet” is on both of their 1987 demos, and of course it was re-recorded by The Violet Burning. The version here is a bit shorter and faster than the one on Darker. And “You Make Me” is also a bit faster than their usual songs, so this demo does have a bit more pep to it than the others. But after this, it seems that the members went their separate ways to The Violet Burning (Pritzl and Gentry)  and Shekinah Brothers (Andrews and Dunne).

Shekinah Brothers – Demo #4

Shekinah Brothers
Demo #4
1990 (no label)

Jerry Andrews – Vocals, guitars
Jim Akin – Bass
Tom Dunne – Drums

1. The Aging Hero
2. Swings
3. Substance Not Flash

This is the 4th (and possibly last) demo by The Shekinah Brothers. It also feels like their most well-written and professionally-produced songs. Not that their past songs were bad – it just feels like they were able to take it up a notch over past efforts here. They also seem to be embracing a slight 60s-throwback vibe that their acoustic alternative sound fits well. If you remember bands like Seeds and Rich Young Ruler, this demo would seem to fit alongside those while still not sound like either of those bands as well.

Shekinah Brothers – Demo #3

Shekinah Brothers
Demo #3
1990? Independent

Jerry Andrews – Vocals, guitars
Jim Akin – Bass
Tom Dunne – Drums

Side 1:

1. Transformer
2. Million Dollar Woman
3. Terrified Jack
4. Live of Jive
5. interview on KUCI Part 1

Side 2:

1. interview on KUCI Part 2
2. Time Bomb (live)
3. Swinging the Swings (live)
4. Transformer (live)

This is the next demo by former members of The Children. No date on this one, but I would guess it was 1989 or 1990. Demo#2 was January 1989, and there is a fourth demo that is 1990, so I would assume it happens in between the two. This continues the previous demos’ path of doing slightly more acoustic-base alternative rock. Side one has part one of a radio interview, which is continued on Side 2. The band plays three songs live in studio during the interview, and then the tape pulls out those three songs and repeats them outside of the interview.

Shekinah Bros – Demo #1 / Demo # 2

Shekinah Bros
Demo #1 / Demo # 2
1988 / 1989 (no label)

Jerry Andrews – Vocals, guitars
Jim Akin – Bass
Tom Dunne – Drums

Side 1 (Demo #1 – March 1988):

1. Joy Pt 1
2. Lamb of God
3. So Wonderful
4. The Bell
5. Joy Pt 2

Side 2 (Demo #2 – January 1989):

1. Slippery Floor
2. One Day
3. The Bystanders
4. Dreaming of You

I recently had an email chat with Jeani Bond (of Key Records / Regeneration Radio fame) about The Children. She pointed out that Jerry Andrews of The Children also put out a solo demo and several demos as Shekinah Bros. Then when looking through some tapes to digitize – what did I notice one of them was? Yep – this one. Jeani had described these as a bit more acoustic than The Children – which is a good way to describe the songs. They are less electric guitar oriented, but still within the general alternative rock arena. All there is about this tape is what is pictured on the tape above. Side one is apparently demo #1 from 1988, and side two is demo #2 from 1989. There is at least a third and fourth demo out there as well. This is a very solid set of demos with really good song writing and musicianship.