Bio

  • Mark Ryan — guitar
  • Stu Abramson — sax
  • Bruce Gordon — bass
  • Jack Freudenheim — drums

The Screamin Honkers — arguably New York City's hardest working R&B, blues, rock, originals and classics band of its time. They were playing the bars and clubs from 1981 – 1986.

Stu and Jack had played music together while students at Wesleyan University. Bruce and Mark toured in top 40 bands in Florida. Jack joined Bruce in Fast Food, a new wave band in 1979. That led to Smooth 'n' Slim, a band Bruce started with Jack and Ben Rosenblatt on keyboards. They played at the blues bar Dan Lynch, at Second Ave between 13th and 14th Streets on a regular basis, around 1980. Jack brought Stu into Smooth 'n' Slim, and the band got the interest of Greg Calbi, mastering engineer extraordinaire, who produced a demo tape of the band.

Jack headed to the Bay Area to join forces with Norm Kerner (future producer of the likes of Wind Cries Mary), and while he was gone the Screamin Honkers were born, with Dan Hickey on drums. When Jack came back to NYC in 1981, he replaced Dan, who began touring with numerous groups (They Might Be Giants, B52s, Joe Jackson). That's Dan playing drums on the recording of "Radio Man".

Various members of the new Screamin Honkers played as sidemen in other bands such as the Funktionaries, and even backed up Astrud Gilberto on a demo she recorded of a song written by Bruce. After about a year, the Honkers hit their stride and were playing four times a week in the NY area, at bars, clubs, and parties, with a mailing list in the thousands.

Remind me to tell you about our encounters with:

  • Bruce Springsteen at the Stone Pony
  • Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley at JP's
  • Showcase for Island Records' Chris Blackwell at Trax

Thanks

All our thanks to the people who helped us along the way, especially Sam Buccio, our talented and amazing road crew of one, sound man and carpenter — also recording engineer on some of our 4-track demos. Steve Katz, who got our music on the PA at The Meadowlands race track, and Rainbow, one of our most devoted fans.

Very special thanks go out to recording engineer/producer extraordinaire, Steve Remote — a friend and supporter from the very beginning. Steve recorded our second demo tape on 8-track, then collaborated with us using his 24-track recording mobile unit to make the best sounding recordings we ever made, some of which are featured in our music page. Steve continues to make history with his company Aurasonic. We were lucky to have him as a friend and ally!