Airlines

powerpop

There are several bands called Airlines. 1) A Swedish powerpop band active between 1979 and 1982. 2) A New York City based rock band active from 1987 through 1996. Band members included: John Tanzer, Jim Quinlan - Vocals, Guitar, Bass Joe Arcidiacono - Vocals, Guitar, Bass John Neilson - Guitar, E-bow Jim Derogatis, Tom Kelley - Drums, Percussion Debby Schwartz, Chad Swanberg, David Roby - Bass Airlines (originally known as Burning Airlines) were founded in 1987, with Jim Derogotis on drums, Jim Quinlan and John Tanzer on guitars, and John Neilson on bass. This line-up would release two singles on the Minneapolis-based Susstones label--Test b/w Ambulance Dance and For Richard. Internal differences would lead first to the departure of Derogotis, who was immediately replaced by a drum machine. This version of Airlines recorded a number of tracks at Fun City with Wharton Tiers, but none has seen the light of day, at least not yet. Shortly thereafter Jim Quinlan departed to form Lid. The two Johns soldiered on, recruiting new members as needed (including at times Debby Schwartz of the Aquanettas and Chad Swanberg on bass), until the Airlines membership eventually solidified around 1991. This included Joe Arcidiacono, a deft guitarist and bassist, who also sang and contributed songs. Tom Kelley was a unique drummer, with a tiny jazz kit and a jazzer's sense of timing and syncopation. When Debby Schwartz fell and hurt her wrist at the Airline's Socrates Sculpture Gard...