Washboard Charisma

The Ramblin Jug Stompers

by David Malachowski and photographs by Avalon Peacock, October 29, 2007

On the third Monday of every month, the Ramblin Jug Stompers hold court in the cozy confines of the dining-room-cum-stage of Tess’ Lark Tavern, the old-school saloon in the heart of Albany’s Center Square. There, the Stompers—Wild Bill, Bowtie, Cousin Clyde, and Mr. Eck—dispense timeless old-timey songs with a remarkably fresh approach.

Who are these mysteriously nicknamed folks?

To anyone familiar with the Capital Region music scene, the Stompers’ stage names don’t do much to hide their prominence. Two of the foursome come from one of the most famous homegrown groups of the past 30 years, the renowned band of aliases, Blotto, whose infectious 1980 tune “I Wanna Be a Lifeguard” was on MTV the very first day the station aired, and went on to became a cult classic. Follow-up hit “Metal Head” scored on MTV too, and the band toured with Blue Oyster Cult. To Blotto faithful, the Stompers’ Wild Bill will always be lead singer Sarge Blotto, and Bowtie, guitarist and vocalist Bowtie Blotto.

Today, far from rock-star fame, all of the Stompers hold down day jobs. Wild Bill, when he isn’t wielding vocals, washboard, and harmonica, is Greg Haymes, longtime pop music writer for the Albany Times Union, and conceptual and installation artist G.C. Haymes. As Bowtie, Paul Jossman is the band’s banjo player, vocalist, and resident wise guy; by profession, he’s a computer programmer for MapInfo. Mr. Eck, holder of the jug (along with mandolin and dobro duties), is Michael Eck, a Times Union music and theater critic, and weekday host of “Performance Place” on WAMC/Northeast Public Radio. Eck, who started his musical life in the punk band The Plague, is a singer/songwriter with three solo albums. Finally, there’s guitar and kazoo aficionado Cousin Clyde—Steven Clyde, a computer programmer with his own long musical resume. He’s toured with Commander Cody, Richie Havens, and Eddie Angel, formed the Albany band Rumdummies, and plays bass at reunion gigs for—you guessed it—Blotto.