The Sleepers (San Francisco band)

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This article is about the San Francisco punk/post-punk band. For the Chicago band, see The Sleepers (Chicago band). For other uses, see Sleepers (disambiguation).
The Sleepers
OriginPalo Alto, California, United States
Genres
Years active1978, 1980–1981
Past members

The Sleepers was a San Francisco-based band, formed in 1978. They were one of the earliest punk bands in San Francisco, and later took on a darker, moodier post-punk sound before breaking up in 1981.[1]

The band was made up of vocalist/lyricist Ricky Williams, guitarist Michael Belfer, bassist Paul Draper, and drummer Tim Mooney.[2]

Biography[edit]

The Sleepers formed in Palo Alto, California, in 1978. Michael Belfer had been trying to form a band with his friend, Tim Mooney, and Belfer had decided he wanted former Crime drummer Ricky Williams for vocals, as "he was so awesome looking". The band released a five-track 7-inch EP in late 1978, and then broke up, with Belfer playing in Tuxedomoon during 1978 and 1979,[3] and Williams co-founding Flipper, from which he was fired before the band made any recordings "for being too weird".[1]

In 1980, the band reformed and released a single, "Mirror"/"Theory", and an album, Painless Nights. The new lineup on the LP featured Brian MacLeod (drums), Ron MacLeod (bass), and Mike White (guitar/effects). Williams' abuse of speed led to erratic and violent behavior, which culminated in his passing out on stage on the second date of the group's East Coast tour at New York's Hurrah. The band broke up onstage after this incident.[3]

Michael Belfer returned to college and graduated in composition and cultural studies. He played guitar and keyboards in Black Lab from 1996 to 1999. Michael Belfer died on March 20, 2022. [4] Williams went on to handle vocals in Toiling Midgets, and later died of a heroin overdose at the age of 36 in 1992. Mooney, who later drummed for the bands American Music Club and Sun Kil Moon, died in June 2012.[5]

Discography[2][edit]

Singles & EPs[edit]

Seventh World 7" EP (1978)

Side One
No.TitleLength
1."Seventh World" 
2."No Time" 
3."Flying" 
Side Two
No.TitleLength
1."She's Fun" 
2."Linda" 

Mirror / Theory 7" Single (1980)

Side One
No.TitleLength
1."Mirror" 
Side Two
No.TitleLength
1."Theory" 

Holding Back 1994 7" single, recorded 1980

Side One
No.TitleLength
1."Holding Back" 
Side Two
No.TitleLength
1."B Side" 

LPs[edit]

Painless Nights (1980)

Side One
No.TitleLength
1."When Can I Fly?" 
2."Walk Away" 
3."The Mind" 
4."Intro" 
5."Forever" 
Side Two
No.TitleLength
1."Zenith" 
2."Theory" 
3."B-Side" 
4."Los Gatos" 

Compilations[edit]

The Less an Object (complete discography compilation album)

No.TitleLength
1."Seventh World" (alternate version) 
2."No Time" 
3."Flying" 
4."She's Fun" 
5."Linda" 
6."Mirror" 
7."Theory" 
8."Holding Back" 
9."When Can I Fly" 
10."Walk Away" 
11."The Mind" 
12."Intro" 
13."Forever" 
14."Zenith/Theory" 
15."B-Side" 
16."Los Gatos" 
17."Step Back" (previously unreleased) 
18."Let Me Free" (previously unreleased) 

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. The Sleepers at AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  2. ^ a b "Sleepers Discography". Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  3. ^ a b Jon Savage (1999). "Buried Treasure: The Sleepers". Mojo. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  4. ^ Michael Belfer 1959-2022 | Tape Op
  5. ^ R.I.P. Sun Kil Moon, American Music Club Drummer Tim Mooney | News | Pitchfork
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