I decided to go with a band that pretty much no one (outside of Tequila Cowboy) has heard of.
The Bad Examples formed in Chicago in 1987 and quickly became a fixture in the bars and clubs in Chicago and around the Great Lakes. The band's leader (and song writer) is Ralph Covert, and he's one of my favorite songwriters of all time. Whether it's a blues-based stomp, a power-pop hook, or a heart-wrenching ballad, Covert is a master lyricist. The Bad Examples are a bar band with brains, a pop band with heart.
Though the rest of the lineup has gone through many iterations, Covert remains the rock and center of the band. After getting air play on WXRT and WLUP in Chicago, the band toured extensively, building a fan base and cementing a reputation as a great live act.
The band put out an EP (MEAT: The Bad Examples) and three full length albums (Bad is Beautiful, Cheap Beer Night, and Kisses 50 Cents) between 1989 and 1996. In addition, Covert released two solo albums (Eat at Godot's and Birthday), showcasing a quieter, more acoustic vibe. The band also released a "best of" album, and a live album titled "5000 Days", which marked the number of days the band had been together.
The Bad Examples went on hiatus in the late 90's, as Covert ventured out as a Children's/Family music artist. With a new band called Ralph's World, Covert put out several albums, and was eventually signed by Disney Sound. Covert has toured the country with Ralph's World and has had several songs featured on The Disney Channel.
After 15 years, the Bad Examples reconvened in the studio to record "Smash Record", released in early 2011.
Since the band's hey day was in the late 80's/early 90's, there aren't many youtube videos out there. I took a few of the studio tracks and put them on Youtube for you to sample:
"Not Dead Yet" - This was the band's successful song, featured on Chicago radio for years. Styx recorded a cover of the song for a 1990 album, and the song was featured on a few TV shows. It remains their most popular song in live shows to this day:
"Hey St. Peter" - For the band's second full length release, they did something I wish more bands would do: they recorded a live album of mostly brand new material. Over two nights at Chicago's The Beat Kitchen, the band rocked out to a full room and put together the highlights of the two nights into "Cheap Beer Night". This is the opening track:
A few years after the release of "Cheap Beer Night", guitarist John Duich died of heart failure. His role was filled by Steve Gerlach, a fixture in Chicago who has played with The Phantom Helmsman, Mystery Driver, and more (he was rumored to have been considered for The Smashing Pumpkins when they reformed recently). Gerlach brought a more rockabilly guitar sound as well as a second voice to provide harmonies. He was featured prominently on their third release, "Kisses 50 Cents":
Ralph's first solo album, "Eat at Godot's", was a mostly acoustic effort with sadder, more introspective songs:
And here, from the 2011 release "Smash Record", is my favorite new song, "You Don't Understand Me":
And if any of you have young kids right now, you may already be familiar with one of Ralph's World's songs
Hope you find something to enjoy here. I'll try to get a sampler put together here this afternoon.
