The Phoebe Cates

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The Phoebe Cates began in 1996 as a side project for a group of musicians who were attending Kent State University and playing in other bands at the time. The band's early setlist was comprised of covers (Hawkwind, Spacemen 3, MC5, etc.) and a few shambling "originals." The lineup consisted of Matt Cassidy (Channel, PVR Streetgang, The Las Vegas Tumbleweed Connection) and Ryan Orvis (Necron 99) on guitars, Ryan Weyls (Pleasure Swing) on bass, and Dave Saenz de Maturana (ODSDM) on drums. Matt Clement of local stars Ichluga also sat in on drums for their first show at Europe Gyro.
Weyls was the first to exit, causing Orvis to be demoted to bass guitar. The remaining members decided to ask their friend Tom DeChristofaro to join, mainly because he had the best haircut of anyone they knew.
With Tom on board, the band began to explore a more hypnotic direction, and began writing more discernable "songs." Their debut album Turn on the Phantom was comprised of band compositions, a few Cassidy/Orvis pop songs, and some random 4-track recordings that were lying around.
After recording the album, Dave moved to California, and Tim Perzan from Matt's other band Channel was recruited on drums. The band began recording more structured "rock" material with Kevin Coral and Scott Bennett (who at the time were presiding over Waterloo Studios in Kent), while continuing to work on freeform Krautrock-inspired jams in the basement.
In 1999, Orvis moved to California, and The Phoebe Cates went on indefinite hiatus. The recordings for their sophomore release, The Phoebe Cates At University, were never officially released.
Matt Cassidy went on to play in New Planet Trampoline and The Volta Sound, and currently is a member of 9 Volt Haunted House. Tom DeChristofaro formed The Afternoon Naps. Tim Perzan joined The Headquarters. Ryan Orvis was never seen or heard from again.