The Bis-Quits were a roots rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, active in the 1990s. Its members were Will Kimbrough, Tommy Womack, Mike "Grimey" Grimes (bass guitar) and Tommy Meyer (drums).[1]

Bis-Quits
OriginNashville, Tennessee
GenresRoots rock
LabelsOh Boy Records
MembersWill Kimbrough, Tommy Womack, Mike Grimes, Tommy Meyer

Womack has described the band's style as "kinda like NRBQ meets the Replacements."[2] The Washington Post had previously drawn the NRBQ comparison in 1993.[3]

The band released only one album, The Bis-Quits, on Oh Boy Records in 1993. It received a four-star (out of five) rating from AllMusic[4] and a B+ from Entertainment Weekly.[5] It was particularly noted for its song "Yo Yo Ma", which was described by No Depression as "a Chuck Berry-by-way-of-Dan Baird rocker".[2]

The Washington Post called the songs "loose and funny" and deemed the album "often clever and catchy." It also singled out Kimbrough's pop sense and the melodies of the best songs. However, the lyrics came in for criticism.[3]

Nonetheless, the group and its work enjoyed lasting recognition:

  • In 2004, a feature in Cincinnati City Beat about Kimbrough referred to the Bis-quits as an "indie cult" band and their album as "much beloved."[6]
  • In 2021, as part of its 40th anniversary celebration, Oh Boy Records highlighted a different artist or album from its roster on a weekly basis. First up: the Bis-Quits, who were the subject of a short documentary.[7] The Bis-Quits album was also reissued, becoming available for the first time on vinyl.

References

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  1. ^ Trageser, Stephen (16 May 2013). "Best Local Rock Songs Ever, Part 18 [Sam Baker, The Bis-Quits, Royal Court of China, Practical Stylists, The Ratz]". Nashville Scene. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  2. ^ a b Cornell, Rick (November–December 1997). "Tommy Womack: Scorched Bis-quits & Cheese". No Depression. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  3. ^ a b Himes, Geoffrey (November 5, 1993). "High-Energy, Low-Calorie Bis-Quits". Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  4. ^ Demalon, Tom. "Bis-Quits Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  5. ^ Nash, Alanna (24 December 1993). "The Bis-quits Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  6. ^ Baker, Brian (December 8, 2004). "Music: Triumph of the Will". Cincinnati City Beat. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  7. ^ Pearis, Bill (February 23, 2021). "Watch a trailer for John Prine's Oh Boy Records documentary (celebrating 40th Anniversary)". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
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