Sunday, March 10, 2024

The Vers - Without You Single

   The Vers were a Monroe, Wisconsin five piece, around from 78 to 83.The band was formed by members of Yancy Derringer. The name Vers was derived in 1978 on the way back from a gig in Medford, Wisconsin, passing through Colby on Highway 13. They spotted some three-foot high, black letters, on the side of an old garage spelling out “VERS,” which Hall took as a sign from above. This was the bands only single, 500 copies were sold. They also appear on a handful of compilations.
   Jim Hall developed polyps on his vocal cords. Options were: surgery, requiring three months recovery, or stop singing and talking while it healed for the same amount of time. The latter was chosen. Mondo took a forced hiatus while the Vers went on with a temporary replacement; however no one could replace Mondo. Sadly, he couldn’t either; he essentially suffered a nervous breakdown, and upon returning to the group both he and they went into a freefall culminating in an inevitable explosion “in flames of fatigue, frustration and bitter disappointment.
    Jim Hall passed away August 22, 2001 of a massive heart attack, he was 51. Boyd Williamson passed away from heart issues, Feb. 27, 2014. Gabriel Berrafato is a Home Depot sales manager in Beloit. Charlie Kuchler fronts a Zydeco band called the Zydegatorz, and Jim Stein is an event promoter at a club.

***Big Thanks to Video Dave, for his help, filling in many of the blanks for me!***



Websites:



Line up


Jimmy Clayton Hall (Mondo Vers) - vocals
Boyd Williamson (Zoid Asteroid Machine) – lead guitar
Gabriel Berrafato – Bass
C.F. "Charlie" Kuchler (Charlie Calendar) - Keys, vocals
Jim Stein – Drums

Ignorus Records 1979

1. Without You
2. Five Year Love


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