Biography

With origins dating back to the mid-80s, Chapel Hill, North Carolina's Flat Duo Jets finally made the leap to a major label in 1998. However, it was not coincidental that the label they moved to, Outpost Recordings, was overseen by highly esteemed alternative rock forefather and R.E.M. producer Scott Litt. He had seen the band develop over a 10-year period and considered the duo (vocalist/guitarist Dexter Romweber and drummer Crow) to be "phenomenal'. Their energetic revival of early rockabilly had first come to prominence after featuring in the 1986 music documentary, Athens, Georgia: Inside/Out. They subsequently released a series of independent albums for a variety of local labels, with highpoints including 1990's self-titled long-playing debut and 1993"s White Trees.
For Flat Duo Jets' Outpost debut, Lucky Eye, Litt contracted dB's alumnus Chris Stamey, who worked alongside him as co-producer. Sessions were completed at the Muscle Shoals Sound studios in Alabama, and over 18 tracks explored roots rock, traditional R&B and surf guitar ' Romweber's distinctive playing being influenced by old rockabilly records, and Charlie Feathers in particular. A 12-piece orchestra, arranged and conducted by Susie Katayama, contributed to songs such as "New York Studio 1959" and "Lonely Guy". Other contributors included Tom Maxwell and Ken Mosher, the horn players for the Squirrel Nut Zippers. By 1999 the band had broken up. It was nevertheless stated that there was a "strong possibility" that the duo would work together again in the future. Romweber carried on the Flat Duo Jets mix of rockabilly, blues and surf music on a number of well-received solo releases.
DISCOGRAPHY: In Stereo mini-album (Dolphin 1984)***, Flat Duo Jets (Doggone 1990)****, Go Go Harlem Baby (Sky 1991)***, White Trees (Sky 1993)****, Introducing The Flat Duo Jets (Norton 1994)***, Red Tango (Norton 1995)***, Wild Blue Yonder (Norton 1998)***, Lucky Eye (Outpost 1998)***.
COMPILATIONS: Safari (Norton 1993)***.

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