Urban Verbs

The Urban Verbs are Linda France on bass guitar and keyboards, Danny Frankel on drums and percussion, Roddy Frantz generates lyrics and vocals, the "tragically overlooked" Robt Goldstein plays guitars and the inimitable Robin Rose creates synthesizer stylings and inflections on a vintage Arp Odyssey.The bands first performances took place in 1978 at the Atlantis Club on F Street in Washington DC. The Verbs first practice space was in the Catacombs beneath the club and Roddy lived in a seventh floor loft there for a time. After catastrophic mismanagement by the club and building owner, the incredible Dody Di Santo took over and birthed the 9:30 Club, named for it's address at 930 F Street, NW as well as its usual opening time.The Verbs were the first DC band to play CBGBs (with the Cramps)in October of 1978. During that gig they were seen by Brian Eno, who was living in the West Village at 9 West 8th Street and recording the Talking Heads "More Songs About Buildings and Food" at Chris and Tina's loft in Long Island City. After the Verbs second set he rushed home and typed a two page letter, replete with marginalia and beginning, "I was extremely impressed by your performance tonight . It struck me as a whole new set of ideas about how to structure sound.” He shared his thoughts about the structure of the Verbs music and instrumentation and very generously offered to record two live Verbs sets at CBGBs the following week before leaving for Africa. "I realize this gush might surprise you somewhat (it did!!!) , but you came at a good time for me. I have been sitting in my apartment for the last three weeks, and before that in England, thinking and writing about music in a social sense: it's connection to the current state of life, if you'd like. And now to hear something which seems so very well connected is a joy."