West End Motel (2009 and beyond)

2009 saw the merging of all of our various projects into the Musical Collective henceforth known as WEST END MOTEL.  Led by Tom Cheshire , Brent Hinds, and Mike Shina,  the band will feature a revolving cast of musicians.  Past and Present Members include:  Stiff Penalty, Jeffrey Butzer, Ben Thrower, Marlow Sanchez, Jeff Moore, Drew DeMann, Michael Griffeth, Mario Colangelo, Lindsay Appel, Eric Moron, some dude named Frank, and Matt Hensley.  Each show will be a unique celebration of music in its purest form.  destroyyourpast.com

The Rent Boys

Formed around 1995 in Atlanta, Georgia.  Tom Cheshire (Vocals), Mike Shina (Guitar/Vocals ), Mike Bruce (Guitar/Banjo/Harmonica), Marlow Sanchez (Bass/Vocals), Dewayne Halstead (Drums).  What started as the house band at the Little Blue Reggae Hut would end up packing the clubs.   By 2000, it was time to move on, but their legacy lives on.    2008 saw three triumphant reunion shows, with Rob Kincheloe (Robustos) replacing MIke Bruce.  www.myspace.com/therentboysatl

The County Hell

After the Rent Boys fell apart, Mike Shina (Guitar/Vocals) partnered with Michael Griffeth (Drums/Percussion/Vocals) and recorded this little gem of a record on 1/4" Ampeg Reel.  Players include:  Drew DeMann (No River City - Accordian),  Joseph Plunkett (the Weight - Vocals on Wedding Day), Jeff Moore (National Grain - Pedal Steel), Meredith Erdmann (the Last of the Blue Eyed Devils - Lead Vocals), Marlow Sanchez (Bass).  www.myspace.com/thelastoftheblueeyeddevils

The Last of the Blue Eyed Devils (2007-2009)

Sometime in 2007, Tom Cheshire and Mike Shina got together and recorded song ideas.  Two years later, those sessions are about to see the light of day.  With help from some old friends, the album was recorded on live at the E.A.R.L. in February of 2009.  The players are:  Tom Cheshire (Vocals), Mike Shina (Acoustic/Electric Guitar/Vocals), Brent Hinds (Acoustic/Electric Guitar/Vocals), Stiff Penalty (Upright Bass), Jeff Moore (Pedal Steel/Banjo), Marlow Sanchez (Mandolin), Michael Griffeth (Drums/Vocals),  Meredith Erdmann (Backing Vocals), and Jefferey Butzer (Accordian).  Produced by Mike Shina and Engineered by Curt Wells, the album will be released on September 11, 2009, under the name West End Motel.  Look for it!  www.myspace.com/thelastoftheblueeyeddevils

All Night Drug Prowling Wolves

Marlow Sanchez is a man of means.  Meaning, he can do just about anything and do it better than you.  Formed sometime around 2005, the Wolves feature Tom Cheshire (Vocals),  Marlow Sanchez (Guitar/Vocals), Lloyd Benjamin (Bass/Vocals), and Kelsey Wilson (the Weight) on drums.  Their self-titled debut was released in 2008 on Tee Pee Records.  www.myspace.com/allnightdrugprowlingwolves

Fiend without a Face

I first met Brent Hinds outside the Little Blue Reggae Hut sometime in '95.  He picked up my 12 string Fender acoustic and proceeded to play the most insanely beautiful music I had ever heard.  A few years later, Tom told me he was playing in the most incredible band around.   We played our first show with them at the Moreland Avenue Tavern.  Those boys were crazy, but man, could they ever play.  We would go on to play with them alot over the next couple of years.  Brent would go on to fame and fortune.  Stiff Penalty remains a force on the local music scene, playing in about six bands at any given time.  The Rent Boys and Fiend reunited to play at the E.A.R.L.  on New Years Eve 2009.  Find their album if you can, I don't think too many copies exist, and prepare to be blown away.

The Robustos

I met Tom in 1993.  We did our first show together with Tal Bayer (Pietasters) at the Wreck Room in December of '94.  We opened up for the Skats.  I left for South Africa, and Tom joined their band.  The Skats would become the Robustos.  Led by Rob Kincheloe, they were by far one of the best Ska bands on the scene.  We were lucky enough to play numerous shows with them.  Their first album Introducing...the Robustos is incredible.  Recorded by Brian Kincheloe in C-11, it is a testament to the incredible talent that these two brothers have.  I am proud to say they played our wedding, and Susie and I still throw that first record on pretty regularly.   It was originally released on Ska Satellite, so find it if you can.

West End Motel (2002-2007)

Tom Cheshire and Brent Hinds like to do it.  They do it harder, faster, and better than you could ever dream of doing yourself.  Late nights turn into mornings and then back into night.  Sometime between 2002 and 2007, they managed to write and record some songs.  4 were released on a 7" on Ponce De Leon Records in 2008.  Raw and Primitive.  Ugly and Beautiful.  Haunting.  www.myspace.com/westendmotel