Formed in May, 2001. Dylan Kight (Casamino; Atlantis; Exile Circus; Daydream Deferred; Invisible War; solo) originally got together with co-worker, poet Johnny Roulette (Family Smack Off; Heldorado; Thompson Roulette; Death Valley Strays) to help Roulette record the songs he was writing that weren't fitting in with his other band, Thompson Roulette. They recorded Ghost of Saturday Night on May 29, 2001- their first musical meeting at New Revenge Studios (also known as Roulette's living room at his La Vista Rd. apartment). They settled on the band name at about the same time. The name comes from a 1961 book title by classic Crime Noir master, Jim Thompson (the Grifters; the Getaway; the Killer Inside Me; Pop. 1280; A Hell of a Woman). An acoustic version of Ghost... was recorded, along with original versions of No More & Comfort for the Cold, during that first summer.
The Transgressors continued to write & record while their primary bands rolled on. The songs slowly amassed, their quality gradually improving. Thompson Roulette disbanded in November, following the death of bassist Will Platt. Dylan was in the process of dissolving the Atlantis and planting the seeds for what would become the Exile Circus. The two would reconvene in earnest when Will's widow, Alison Evans, invited the Transgressors to play an E.A.A.R. (East Atlanta Animal Resource) benefit in March. That first show- March 16, 2002- occured at 9 Lives Saloon in Atlanta. The set was as follows:
ghost of Saturday night
so far from heaven [written w/ Mark Bishop]
the Vast Expanse [just Dylan, his stage debut as a vocalist]
you can't put your arms around a memory [Johnny Thunders cover; Dylan sang]
simple kiss [written w/ Will Platt]
untold dreams (for Will
The other artists playing that night included Galleon, Vagrant (also on bill at Thompson Roulette debut), Roughage & Heathen. Dylan & Johnny had recorded, burned & printed copies of a Ghost of Saturday Night maxi-single for the show. It included Ghost of Saturday Night (electric & acoustic versions), the original version of No More, You can't put ypour arms around a memory (an acoustic cover, Dylan on vocals), when bullets fail (spoken word Bloody Sunday piece w/ guitar) & Soldier of Freedom (de Valera set us up). The latter was a sympathetic IRA poem w/ more ambient electric guitar from Dylan. The CD was dedicated to Sidney Daniel, Will Platt, Joey Ramone & Willie Stargell- all of whom passed away in 2001.
They began performing monthly at IF Coffeehouse in Atlanta's Little Five Points area. That went on until September, 2006. The break was necessary to allow Dylan time to focus on supporting his new solo CD: No Destination but Hearbreak Ave. [available at iTunes]. The Transgressors have set an early 2007 release date for their upcoming full length CD. They are available for funerals, divorces, rush hour gridlock & small riots where musicians are exempt from getting their heads bashed in.
So there you have it...off you go now.
