George R. Lasher - Stud Interview
When did you first begin playing music and what was it that initially fascinated you about it? What was growing up like for you?
I got a set of red sparkle Ludwigs for my 14th birthday... August 15, 1965. My dad signed me up for 3 months of lessons and told me he'd pay for more lessons if I wanted. I joined a band (Dominion) after 3 months and stopped taking lessons. They interfered with band practice.
Did you participate in any groups prior to Stud? How did you initially meet your bandmates? How did the name for the group come to be? What were your first impressions of everyone? Did you guys have an overall vision for the band when first starting out?
Dominion played tunes by Cream, such as White Room/Sunshine of Your Love, Spirit - I got a Line on You, Mr. Skin, and Uncle Jack. Classics by The Rolling Stones, like Satisfaction, Mother's Little Helper, 19th Nervous Breakdown. And of course some Jimi Hendrix... Foxey Lady, Purple Haze. Dominion changed their name to Quick Exit in 1967 when we were chased by an unappreciative parent out of a garage during a practice. Dominion, which became Quick Exit was comprised of Steve Long, lead guitar, Guy Graughnard - Rhythm guitar, Jim Wideman - Bass and me on drums. Gary Harper was our lead vocalist or front man until his parents found out we were playing in bars on School nights instead of attending extracurricular school functions. Sadly, Gary had to leave the band, which left the vocals up to me and Steve Long. We made a demo album in 1968 with all original material, none of which has survived. Songs like Pegasus, School Days, and All Shall be New were pretty darn good. Kind of a "British Invasion, Blues/Rock sound. Graduation from high school resulted in the demise of Quick Exit as we all went off to colleges in different directions. Steve Long "got religion" and stopped playing "the devil's music." Jim Wideman joined a group of talented guys in the Houston area called Razz Matazz. I made the horrendous mistake of going off to a seminary school in Tennessee, where some of my high school buddies were going, and got kicked out of school for conduct with a young lady, unbecoming of a student at that "institute of higher learning." I hated it there, anyway. What the hell was I doing going in a seminary school? My parents liked the idea, but Yikes... It was a nightmare! The only good thing about it was that it had a radio station, and I began to do some sports talk shows and did some DJ shifts.
My dad had been in broadcasting for years, and although I had never seen myself wanting to follow in his footsteps, it was like a duck taking to water. Radio was my thing! Bonham and Baker were big influences on me. Beck was a big influence on Tim, our guitarist. Paul was heavily influenced by Jethro Tull. One sultry summer night, while I was doing my part to spread the gospel known as Rock and Roll over the AM airwaves of 980, KFRD in Rosenberg, TX. (20 miles SW of Houston), Paul Eakin happened to be searching for something worth listening to, and as if the very heavens opened up to reveal St. Peter's pearly gates and the streets paved with gold, he stumbled upon THE SOUNDS OF TODAY... Zeppelin, Elton John, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Johnny Winter, the J. Geils band, Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith, FOREIGNER, etc. back-to-back, without the maddening tidal wave of commercials that typified AM radio. Hypnotized by the sweet sounds, Paul's fingers found their way to Alexander Graham Bell's rotary dial miracle of communication that allowed him to reach the deranged DJ responsible for what would've caused most mothers and fathers to faint and fall over. Not unlike the moment of creation depicted on the Sistine Chapel's ceiling, George and Paul experienced what felt like a spark of divinity as they realized they were on the precipice of something immaculate and unspoiled; a new band, born without anesthesia in the promise of progressive, polyunsaturated passion. Paul said he had a close friend, named Tim, who could emancipate the full potential of a Les Paul Gibson guitar, allowing it's sweet tones to go forth (some of the faster ones wanted to go third) like the Israelites out of Egypt, or like the Blues Brothers on a mission from God.
When did the group make their debut live performance and what was that experience like for you? Tell me about writing as well as recording the band’s lone debut LP. When and where did recording take place in ‘75? What were those experiences like for you creating those songs with your bandmates? How did the deal with Baron come about?
Radio was what made STUD happen. I started working at a radio station just 15 miles to the southwest of Houston. KFRD in Rosenberg, TX. allowed me to play whatever I wanted on Saturday nights from 5:30 pm until 11. The show picked up an amazing amount of listeners (a lot of knowledgeable musicians) who loved Rock and Roll. Every Saturday I'd start the show with Zeppelin's classic cut (Been a long time since I Rocked and Rolled) from their 4th album, followed by Elton's SATURDAY, and ELP with Welcome Back MY Friends to the Show That Never Ends! From there, I'd play the very best Rock music from the newest, to the classics. From the little played (but fabulous) to the monster hits. Things like Montrose: Rock Candy, Space Station #5. Aerosmith: Toys in the Attic, Sweet Emotion, Big Ten Inch. Well, you get the idea. Paul Eakin and Tim Williams stumbled onto the show and called me one Saturday night. I invited them to come out and visit with me while I did the show. They accepted the invitation, and that was how STUD was created. Stud was chosen by me and accepted by Paul and Tim, because a STUD is a virile, powerful, attractive animal, or a strong piece of metal used to ad support or strengthen a wall. A STUD can also mean something used in decoration. All of these definitions were compatible with how we viewed the personality of our music... Strong, virile and beautiful. The logo for the band was a bold profile of a Morgan horse from the shoulders up. Proud, powerful, confident, beautiful. The first time STUD practiced was on a Saturday night in the recording studio at KFRD AM & FM, a unique pair of radio stations. The 3 of us started playing after the station signed off at 11 p.m. I showed Paul and Tim some songs I had written, and Paul introduced me to his amazing "War Song."
What have you been to in more recent years? Is there anything else you would like to further share with the readers?
71 years old... Still playing my drums. Have taught myself to play keyboards a little. Still write songs. Can't sing worth a damn anymore... Wife says I never could. I could always hit my notes, but I never had the really unique pipes it takes to amaze people. I stay in touch with Paul and Tim. Paul became a sound man for several bands. Tim continues to perform in a 4 man band called Analog. If you spend time around Dallas, you should try to see them. Me? I'm usually a one man act these days, laying down drum tracks and then adding keyboards. I sometimes jam with local friends. Artistically, I really enjoy Ghost Hounds and Blackberry Smoke. You should check them out if you haven't.
