Twin/Tone Records

The Woods

In their early incarnations, the Woods were notable as much for their associations as for their own work. They've backed female vocalist Marti Jones on tours of Europe and the U.S. They've played with one-time REM producer and all-around renaissance guy Don Dixon. Dan Baird, now of big time roots-rock combo the Georgia Satellites, was a member of Woods seedlings the Woodpeckers.

But despite their impeccable Southern pop pedigree, the Woods have nary a hint of that jangly--twangy-Byrdsy thing we've all heard so much of lately. (We won't even mention that band from Athens.) Instead, they've got a boozily melodic sound replete with plaintive, rough-hewn harmonies and more hooks per minute than you can shake a stick (a branch?) at. Girls and other obsessioos, the GlimmerTwins and Rat Wood (no relatien), and maybe a little NRllQ thrown in-these are the things that fuel them.

The three membersof the Woods first met at Sandhill Community College near Southern Pines, N.C. (birthplace of two of them). They formed a band called the Knobs that, with the addition of a second guitarist and a female singer, became the Fabulous Knobs.

The Fabulous Knobs toured the Eastern seaboard for six years in a Toyota. Tbey recorded two albums for Moonlight Records at Mitch Easter's Drive-In Studio in Winston-Salem, the first of which was produced by Don Dixon.

The Fabulous Knobs split up in 1984, and after a brief transitional period the three original Knobs formed the Woodpeckers, with Dan Baird (late of Atlanta's Satellites) joining them on guitar. Dan commuted from Atlanta for shows until interest in the Georgia Satellites was rekindled. Dan re-formed the Satellites, going on to eventual major label fame and fortune and a cover of "Battleship Chains", and leaving the other Woodpeckers to become the Woods. (No bad puns, please.) Back to their original three-man nucleus, the Woods contributed their version of "Battleship Chains" to the Making Waves "Comboland" compilation. They also toured with Marti Jones, played locally with Don Dixon, and in late 1986 completed work on "It's Like This," their Twin/Tone debut.

The Woods are David Enloe, guitar and vocals; Jack Cornell, bass and vocals; Terry Andersen, drums and vocals.

- Twin/Tone 1987 bio