In 1985, Black Friday was formed by high school friends Andy Belt, Bryan Sharp, Brian Baker and Shawn Heming. The band’s name was found while flipping through the encyclopedia for something that sounded “cool”. They made it as far as the “B"'s and settled on Black Friday.
The band practiced in drummer Bryan Sharp’s basement, and soon added guitarist Kurt Deemer, who left the band in 1987. Also in 1987, Black Friday added keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth, who left the band to move to Colorado in the early 1990’s, later becoming the keyboardist for String Cheese Incident.
The band’s first gig was in 1986, at the Eutaw Street Club House (aka “The Loft”). That year they also released their first cassette, "Just On A Trip". This rustic recording captured the band's early punk rock roots. In 1988, Black Friday released its second untitled cassette, affectionately known as the "White Tape" due to the cheap white tapes that were used for duplication. In 1989, the band released a third untitled cassette, recorded at the Commercial Refinery in Baltimore City. In 1990, the band teamed with recording engineer John Suchy for their first CD release on Merkin Records, "Can You Feel It?". Black Friday and Suchy also collaborated on the 1993 Merkin release "Ain’t Nobody" and the 1996 Merkin Release, "Tom’s Back", the band's first CD without Kyle Hollingsworth.
"Four" is Black Friday’s first release in 12 years. Kyle Hollingsworth has returned to lend his keys to three tracks, while Spencer Gordon and John Suchy lend additional keyboard support on the other tracks. Dave Finnell, of All Mighty Senators fame, provides trumpet and lap steel as well. Black Friday, now in its 23rd year of existence, still plays with the tight chemistry that can only be accomplished by having played together since they were 16.
I don't have a bass yet but I'm still interested in learning how to play bass but thing is we couldn't find any bass instructors to teach me so...we didn't have any luck on that.
yo brian wuts up man its Ramon. hey man can u please record that song that i would always ask you to play and upload it to myspace so i can listen to it a million times hahah. hows everything goin man??? take care u hear
wazzzz up !!!! probably just goin to the still this evening hollywood jerry stone tendin bar ! can either stop up there or sure i ll see sharp @ some point this weekend !!!! stoked ,cant w8 2 play it 4 all the kent ta nites !!!!
the , "i want you " sounds stellar lookin 4ward 2 my dj/keeper of the vault ,advanced copy !!!!keep on rockin in the free world !!!!congrats to sharpe !!!!
How could I not remember. Many great memories. I think the best was that field party, was that at your house?? Ted told me you guys were playing out let me know if that happens again anytime soon.
