Sheepish Grin
In the Fall of 1984, I was brought to a jam session in the basement of the Harshman Quadrangle at Bowling Green State University. In this room were a couple of guitar players (Paul and Matt), a bass player (Drew), the keyboardist (Joe) who brought me over and a friend of mine named Brian Hood. After shooting the bull with these guys for a little bit, I found out that the drummer (Larry) and one of the guitarists (Paul) were from a suburb of Dayton called Centerville, Ohio. We jammed for a while that day and I was invited into the band.
Our first year together found the Grin as an alternative rock band. Covering such bands as REM, Husker Du and The Replacements, Sheepish Grin found a following in Bowling Green that consisted of the Sigma Chi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternities and assorted others from the BGSU Campus. We played many gigs at a bar that has since met its demise called Main Street. We have a collection of pictures from the assorted Main Street gigs.
At the end of the 1984 - 1985 school year, Drew graduated. As we started the 85 - 86 year, we were short a bass player. We brought a friend of mine from the Conklin dormitory into the fold. This was one of the best bassist I have ever heard in my life. So enters Bruce McLaughlin. As the year progressed, Matt and Joe departed the band and the new Sheepish Grin found its way into 2 studios.
At Bowling Green State University School of Music, Sheepish Grin recorded 4 songs.
Guest House - (P. Johnson) - One of the finest pieces I have had the pleasure of playing on. Paul showed his ability to tell a story in a song. His lyric is complimented by a very REM-esque musical style with a hook that is so catchy, fishermen are jealous.
Halloween - (P. Johnson) - A humorous country stomp piece that was a staple at Grin gigs throughout my tenure...
Watch My Step - (P. Johnson) - During the 1985 school year, Paul and I did a lot of drinking. Usually this involved a 1/2 gallon of vodka and a can of Hawaiian Punch. I got to see into him a little bit. He was always one of the first people to make you laugh, but he was never very happy. In this piece he really let that show. This was the only time where we played only acoustic instruments that allowed the lyrics to stand on their own, and stand they did.
Show Me Your Smile - (L. Zengel) - Have you ever heard the term "ass-man"? Well that describes Larry. You need evidence? If you listen to this piece, you will understand immediately. Show me your smile rates with The Replacements' Hootenanny. Larry talks about that which he knows best...
At Texas Studios in Texas, Ohio Sheepish Grin recorded these four songs
Graduation Day - (Sheepish Grin) - Larry had turned me onto the joy of listening to the music of the islands. We could often be seen lounging about the Grin House listening to Michael Rose belting out the vocals for Black Uhuru or Marley and the Whaler's complaining about the man and being too stoned to do anything about it. There was a band at this time around Bowling Green called Crucial D. B. C. (Dread Beat Control) who played Ska and Reggae. They were always entertaining to watch. This of course forced our hand. We were forced to write a reggae piece. All pay homage to Sly and Robby.
T-Shirt - (P. Johnson, A. Ramnath, E. Ramnath) - This song started as two brothers sitting in a basement just jamming back and forth. Some where there is a copy of the 4-track tape where this song came to fruition. It started completely different than it ended up. When I brought this idea to Paul, he had lyrics very quickly and this song would soon become my favorite Grin song. It is a good rock and roll song.
All The Gold - (P. Johnson) - This was the Sheepish Grin Signature song. It was played at every gig that we did. It was one of those songs that got stuck in my head when I heard it the first time. This was the song that we recorded when I first realized I did not understand alternative music. I understand it now and when I listen to this, I cringe at my playing.
After I departed Bowling Green, Sheepish Grin continued on recording a couple albums of material. The first as the three remaining players and after Bruce departed the band, with Troy on bass. Sheepish Grin got better and better. Hand in hand with this improvement, Paul's writing matured. You do not have to take my word for it, just listen to the music... This is the second Grin release. At this point the band was made up of Bruce, Paul and Larry. Some of these tunes are so good its almost disgusting, and to use Larry's words, Damn! Bruce is good.
All The Gold - (P. Johnson)
Through My Teeth - (P. Johnson)
The Last One to 45 - (P. Johnson)
Trip Through Your Wires - (U 2)
Meanest - (P. Johnson)
Don't Want - (P. Johnson)
Friend of the Devil - (J. Garcia)
Stoned Pony - (P. Johnson, B. McLaughlin, L. Zengel)
She Ain't That Fat - (P. Johnson, B. McLaughlin, A. Ramnath, L.
Zengel)
These are some demos from the late 90's by Paul.
Path of Least Resistance - (P. Johnson)
Coyote - (P. Johnson)
Time to Move - (P. Johnson)
Charlie Parker - (P. Johnson)
What a Wonderful Time I Had - (P. Johnson)
Not every one gets a chance to meet great lyricists let alone song writers. Paul is one of those people. I have never met any one that can regurgitate line after line at the drop of a hat. It was as if every time he left and came back he had a ditty he was working on. These almost consistently grew into songs. It made "The Grin" an exciting environment to work in. All it took to get a song that was amazing was catch Paul after a break up. That is when he was at his best, well then and in the middle of the first 750 of Vodka...
I really wish I could impress upon you just how good Paul's writing is, but the only way to do that is let you be the judge. So what I have done is together a little montage of Paul's work. I do not have titles for all of this, so take your time and listen to these. These songs are made up of later Sheepish Grin tunes and Paul's new band, "The New Rob Robbies". If I can find the names online or if I can get them from Larry at some later time, I will get those posted. If by chance you read this Paul, email me the titles at skepcat@skepcat.com skepcat@skepcat.com
The New Rob Robbies - Whore
Pot au Feu - It's Your Drinking Dammit - Lighted From Behind
Twas the Arrival of the Cock Roaches - My New Enemy
Sheepish Grin - Peggy
Perfect Day -
Completed -
One More Time
Deep Blue Sea -
Haircut -
On God's Boat
Soon She Will Come -
Mrs. Wilson -
Anyway
More Than My Ship Could Take -
Cold Ones -
I Like My Bike
Charred Corpse..er, I mean, Burned Yours Yet