Agatha Bones

L-R in photo: Jerry Smith, Billy Bones, Mike Seabrook. Agatha Bones were formed in 1984 by vocalist Billy "Bones" LaBallister, drummer Jerry Smith, guitarist Bobby "Volt" Sondey, and bassist Dwayne Mullett. By October that year Mullett had been replaced by Brad Endres, and their setlist of original songs included "Fly Away", "Metal Debris", "Wicked", and "Off Your Rocker". They'd won two Battle of the Bands contests at Brighton's Rollerama, and another contest at the Suds Factory in Ypsilanti, receiving a prize of $260 in studio time. During the following year, guitarist and at that time primary songwriter Bobby either quit, or was let go, being replaced by Eugene Sant ( Wages of Sin ). Bill was briefly absent, at which time Bjorn Kauserud had a stint as the vocalist in late 1985, but 'Bones' quickly returned. His brother, Larry passed through the band as well around this time, or slightly earlier. In 1986 guitarist Sant separated from the band, and Guitar Institute of Technology graduate and future Arioch and Lucifer's Hammer guitarist Mike Seabrook joined as the new axeman and primary songwriter. Former members Bobby (guitars/backing vocals) and Dwayne (bass/backing vocals/logo designer) placed an ad in the paper in February 1986, describing themselves as the "owners/producers" of Agatha Bones, and stated that the band was being "reorganized", and that they were seeking a drummer and second guitarist. The lineup of this disputed rock/glam version of the band , based out of Hamburg, Michigan, was then completed by vocalist/lead guitarist "Chris Coven" and drummer/backing vocalist "Michael Ragin' Storm". They ended up releasing a 3-song demo tape during the second half of the '80s (track listing: Forbidden Lament/ Bringing Me Down/ You Never Cry). Bobby had adopted a new nickname, "Bobby Strong", as can be seen in the credits, and Dwayne went by "Daven Scott". The heavy Agatha Bones, meanwhile, got rid of bassist Brad Endres and became a three-piece with vocalist Bill taking over on bass. A 5-song demo was recorded in Howell, followed by the album "Burn the Witch", which featured 8 songs (including 3 from the prior tape, re-recorded). The album existed only on dubbed cassette back then, in very limited quantities. Both recordings featured their three-piece lineup. A second guitarist, Russ, joined briefly around 1987, but didn't last long. Agatha Bones remained a three-piece after his departure, continuing on until 1991, at which time Mike wanted to go in a heavier, darker direction, and Bill didn't. Some of their original songs didn't get recorded in the studio, such as "Ultraviolence" (inspired by the 1971 film A Clockwork Orange , and predating the Death Angel "The Ultra-Violence" album by a matter of months), the Iron Maiden -influenced "Reign of the Dragon", "Agatha's Revenge" (a.k.a. "Black Widow's Revenge"), "Demon Dogs" (the latter 3 being very early songs that were written prior to Seabrook joining), "F.O.B.", "Cry of the Banshee", and "All Fired Up". Rehearsal tapes exist of some of these songs, which can be heard on the 2024 Dystopian Dogs Records anthology compilation. Agatha Bones' stage shows involved fire breathing, a cyclops (their friend, Fletcher), cardboard walls painted like they were made of stone, a large bed of nails, spiderwebs, and animal bones that people gave them. They were one of the bands that were going to be featured in a zombie movie called Metalheads that Brad Thorpe was making, which didn't end up being released - but an August 26th, 1990 gig at Silver Dollar Saloon in Lansing, Michigan that also featured Ded Engine , M.F. Inc. , and rock band The Remains was filmed for the movie, and a few people still have copies of the live footage.