Pylon collection

Descriptive Summary
Title: Pylon collection
Creator: Pylon (Musical group)
Inclusive Dates: circa 1979-2009
Language(s): English
Extent: 2 Linear Feet 2 document boxes, 1 artifact box, 10 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder, and 3 artifacts
Collection Number: ms4358
Repository: Hargrett Library

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Collection Description

Historical Note

In 1979, four University of Georgia art students, Randall Bewley, Michael Lachowski, Curtis Crowe, and Vanessa Briscoe (now Vanessa Briscoe Hay), formed the Post-Punk band Pylon. After playing local venues and recording an album, Pylon went on to tour parts of the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. with such groups as the B-52's, R.E.M., and U2. After their second album was released in 1983, the group decided to disband and played their last show on December 1st at the Mad Hatter club in Athens. The band reformed in 1989 to release a new album and perform live shows until dissolving again in 1991. In 2007, the band united once more and played several shows and festivals until Randall Bewley's death in 2009.

Scope and Content

This collection is comprised of posters, art, clothing, photographs, song lyrics, fan mail, and memorabilia from the band Pylon. Also included are newspapers, magazines, zines, and articles with interviews with band members, as well as music and performance reviews.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Item, box, folder], Pylon Collection, ms4358, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Related audiovisual materials from this collection are housed in the Walter J. Brown Media Archive: http://purl.libs.uga.edu/brown/har-ms4358/bmac-coll

Related collections in this repository: Georgia Music Hall of Fame collection, ms 3837.

Related collections held by the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, The University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia: Athens Music Project Oral History Collection, RBRL/379/AMP.

Related Collections in Other Repositories

Published materials accompanying this collection have been cataloged individually and have an associated collection note.

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

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folder

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1

1-2

Art

Mainly comprised of clip art, mock-ups, sketches, and notes for album and single covers including Gyrate, Chomp, Hits, Crazy, and Cool / Dub, as well as posters for performances.

 

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1

Art

Mainly comprised of clip art, mock-ups, sketches, and notes for album and single covers including Gyrate, Chomp, Hits, Crazy, and Cool / Dub, as well as posters for performances.

 

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2

Art

Mainly comprised of clip art, mock-ups, sketches, and notes for album and single covers including Gyrate, Chomp, Hits, Crazy, and Cool / Dub, as well as posters for performances.

 

box

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3

Artifacts

Includes crocheted pylons, model pylons, original Pylon and Brains buttons, a Cool Dubs button made by Chris Bewley, guitar picks, a whistle, and an Iroquois Hotel key.

 

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3

Clothing

Green dress, worn by Vanessa Briscoe while opening for the B-52's in Central Park in August 1980; Green dress, worn by Vanessa Briscoe for Laura Levine photograph while touring; Black dress, worn by Vanessa Briscoe for first last show December 1, 1983; Mens black, white, cream pullover, worn by Curtis Crowe in promotional photograph taken by Curtis Knapp; Pink dress, given to Vanessa Briscoe by the B-52's and worn at a show in Vernon, NY; Blue silk robe, worn by Vanessa Briscoe on the cover of a single for Pylon Live and for a performance at the Egyptian Ballroom at the Fox Theater in Atlanta on December 31, 1979; Hat, worn by Vanessa Briscoe during performances; Black, white, and yellow dress; Tulle half slip; and Cream sequined top.

 

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1

3-5

Fan mail, 1983-1996

 

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1

Fan mail

 

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10

Hat

A hat worn by Vanessa Briscoe during performances.

 

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1

6

Lyrics

Includes set lists and notes.

 

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1

Maps

Annotated road maps from tours.

 

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1

7

Memorabilia, circa 1979-1888

Mainly comprised of ticket stubs, backstage passes, and other mementos from tours.

 

1	8	Newspaper clippings
		Obituaries for Randy Bewley.

 

1	9	Notes
		Includes tour and performance itineraries and notes, as well as studio tracking sheets.

 

1

10-11

Photograph album

 

1	12	Photographs
		Photographs of Pylon II performing at College Station, Texas taken by Marc Fields.

 

1

13-14

Photographs

 

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1

Photographs

 

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2

Photograph

 

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1

15

Printed material, circa 1979-1983

 

1	16	Promotional material, circa 1980-1990
		Mainly comprised of posters advertising performances at venues such as Tyrone's and Pylon Park in Athens, I-Beam in San Francisco, the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., the Fox Theater and 688 Club in Atlanta, Mercury Cafe in Denver, and Second Chance in Ann Arbor.

 

1	17	Promotional material, circa 1988-2009
		Includes promotional packs, tour schedules, Pylon Fan Club tour cards, info cards, and the Pylon Christmas card.

 

1	18	Promotional material
		Includes printed promotional material such as business cards, concert passes, info cards, and stationery, as well as gobos and a poster for a performance at the 40 Watt Club on December 30, 1989.

 

1	19	Promotional material, circa 1980-1990
		Includes posters for performances at Sluggo's in Pensacola, Florida; the Georgia Theater, 40 Watt Club, Tyrone's, and Pylon Park in Athens; CBGB in New York City; Einstein a Go-Go in Jacksonville, Florida; the Hot Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Music Farm in Charleston, South Carolina; as well as fan club newsletters and 1989 tour dates cards.

 

1	20	Promotional material, circa 1980-1990
		Includes posters for performances at the 40 Watt Club and Tyrone's in Athens, Hurrah in New York City, and Ivory Tusk in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, as well as promotional packs, infocards, and "Everything is Cool" flyers.

 

1	21	Promotional material
		Includes Pylon balloons.

 

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2

1-2

Promotional material

Flyers and posters for Wax Jr. Facts, the Athens branch of Atlanta's record store Wax "n" Facts, that Michael Lachowski co-managed.

 

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1

Promotional material, circa 1980-1990

Mainly comprised of posters advertising performances at venues in Athens including Tyrone's, the 40 Watt Club, the Mad Hatter, I and I Club, Pylon Park, the Melting Point, Legion Field and the Georgia Theater; Atlanta's 688 Club; New York City's Hurrah; as well as several signed posters for their performance at the Revolve Film and Music Festival in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

 

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2

Promotional material, circa 1980-1990

Includes posters advertising performances at City Gardens in Trenton, New Jersey; the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia; and the Paradise Club in Boston, Massachusetts.

 

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8

Promotional material

Contains a Pylon banner.

 

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2

3

Publicity

Includes press releases for Gyrate, clippings of reviews, interviews, and biographies of band members.

 

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1

Publicity

 

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2

4-6

Published material, 1980-1990

Includes zines, magazines, and newsletters containing articles on Pylon albums, songs, and performances including titles such as Athens Night Life, Classic City Live!, Muzik!, Reflection Sound Studio Newsletter, Subterranean Pop, and Swingerzette.

 

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4

Published material, 1980-1990

Includes whole issues and clippings of newspapers and magazines containing articles on Pylon albums, songs, and performances including titles such as The Village Voice, Interview, New Musical Express, New York Rocker, Creative Loafing, Rolling Stone, Boston Rock, Tasty World Magazine, New Arts, L.A. Reader, Sound, and Stash.

 

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5

Published material, 1980-1990

Includes whole issues and clippings of newspapers and magazines containing articles on Pylon albums, songs, and performances including titles such as The Village Voice, Interview, New Musical Express, New York Rocker, Creative Loafing, Rolling Stone, Boston Rock, Tasty World Magazine, New Arts, L.A. Reader, Sound, and Stash.

 

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6

Published material, 1980-1990

Includes whole issues and clippings of newspapers and magazines containing articles on Pylon albums, songs, and performances including titles such as The Village Voice, Interview, New Musical Express, New York Rocker, Creative Loafing, Rolling Stone, Boston Rock, Tasty World Magazine, New Arts, L.A. Reader, Sound, and Stash.

 

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7

Published material, 1980-1990

Includes whole issues and clippings of newspapers containing articles on Pylon albums, songs, and performances including Atlanta Journal Constitution, Albuquerque Journal, and Philadelphia Inquirer.

 

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item

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2

1

Pylon

 

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2

Pylon

A letter from K. Dawn Branham to the band is written on the pylon.

 

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3

Pylon

 

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2

7-8

Scrapbook, 1979-1982

 

2

9

Scrapbook, 1988-1990

 

2

10

Song charts

 

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9

Tambourine

 

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11

Pylon shirts, 1988 - 2021, undated

Everything is Cool shirt, 1988; Screwdriver shirt, circa 1990; Going Out of Business shirt, 1991; Jack-o'-lantern shirt, 2008; Chomp shirt was issued by New West Records, 2021-2023; Spring shirts with and without "Pylon" were made for a show at the Athens Fairgrounds with Widespread Panic, circa 1988.