Jammin'
Patsy's Decline
Patsy’s Decline is quite an unusual band. The five members; Tricia
and Jim Doyle,
Roger Harbert, Chris Branch and Al Leffler make up the oddball quintet and
are proud of it. One look at the band’s web site (patsysdecline.com)
gives you an immediate impression that this band’s sense of humor is
a driving force behind the creativity.
Lets just take a look at the member bios for a minute and let it all soak
in...
“Tricia Doyle was born on Temptation Island in 1981. She lived a life
of luxury on this then un-known island until she was voted off at age 17...
set adrift in a thatched raft, Tricia floated at sea for three years until
(she) was picked up by a science vessel in search of giant squid and brought
to the U.S.” Tricia now teaches survival skills at sea at the local
YMCA, she is a “hula hoop” master and has plans to represent the
U.S. at the next Olympics in this fascinating sport. Until then you can catch
her practicing as she sings for the band.
“Jim Doyle was born in a grain elevator on his family’s farm in
northern Nebraska. After initially being named “Shaft Doyle” (in
honor of both the grain elevator and the TV show) his name later changed to
just Jim.” Jim was rebellious to say the least.. .apparently Jim spent
his youth rather destructively. ”Demolishing his neighbor’s house
with a tractor, setting fire to the American Legion Hall, liberating the area’s
livestock into the woods and speeding”. Now Jim sticks to trashing hotel
rooms and making crop circles, yet he still finds time to play lead guitar
for the band!
“Roger Harbert was born in the bayou of central Louisiana and grew up
harvesting crayfish (craw dads to us). His appreciation for music began very
early on and comes from his older brother Chet. Chet (who played the banjo)
was born with only one eye... in the middle of his forehead and wrote songs
including (but not limited to) “I’m gonna keel you” and “I
see you behin at tree” Roger saw the 1983 movie “Swamp Thing” and
decided to leave the bayou.” Roger now beats the skins for the band
and has never been happier. Rumor has it his brother Chet will be playing with
the band sometime in early May... after the crayfish season. We’ll look
forward to that for sure! Let’s just hope he’s been thoroughly
inoculated first.
“Chris Branch grew up in the working class section of London in the small
hamlet of Glavinshire (loosely translated... ”cornmeal”) Having
no money to attend college Chris found work at a cornmeal factory”. Chris
used a small hammer to crush the corn until one day he invented a new device
that revolutionized the industry... a big hammer. This device catapulted Chris
to a world-renowned star in the corn meal world, he remains one to this day.
Chris came to Cincinnati to enter the world of music after hearing the song “Hammer
time” and thinking it was a tribute to him. Obviously Chris is a man
of genius! His bass beat can be heard across the world at his traveling “Big
Hammer” solo tours as well as the Patsy’s Decline shows.
“Born in Pueblo Colorado, Al Leffner spent the formative years of his
life known as “Rubber Boy” in a traveling circus freak show. At
age eleven Al was abducted by the government and taken to Area 51 where he
was forced to participate in top secret experiments. Al is unable to remember
the next several years, but at the age of 23 he was found laying in a Wisconsin
field by local residents”... Al it’s not your fault, it’s
not your fault, it’s not your fault, really it’s not your fault.
Al is doing fine now and in fact seems to be an usually multi-talented musician.
He plays the xylophone (intermediate level), the vibraphone (advanced level)
and the cellphone (expert level). Not to mention the keyboards and guitar!
I think Patsy’s Decline could sue Motley Crue for the rights to the
band name. They definitely have a case due to the fact it describes them
much better than the name they have now. Cincinnati is not known for breeding
talented and entertaining live bands. Patsy’s Decline is an exception.
They have a feel reminiscent of the Menus... and that ain’t no bad
thing either! The most obvious difference is the fact that while both singers
(Tricia and Tim) both shave their legs silky smooth and wear the same short
skirts, Tricia looks much better in them... much better. I would love to
see the two bands play back to back at the same show, in fact I’d pay
double.
Yes ladies and gentleman this is live entertainment at its best. Patsy’s
Decline can deliver the goods you all came out to see. If we could just talk
them out of spending so much time giving free “Patsy’s Decline” autographed
tattoos on the passed out crowd members I think they would really have something.
Besides that If you catch the show feel welcome to bring your own “hula
hoop” and if your good enough Tricia may even invite you to join the
now forming U.S. Olympic team she heads up. Go for the gold Tricia!
