User:Black Parrot Music/sandbox

Kind Of Girl
Kind Of Girl is a song by the American new wave/punk rock musician Stan Skora, released in 1981. It was released as the first single from the EP, Kind Of Girl. The song reached number 3 on the Hot 100 chart in the SouthWest U.S. (college market)

Origin
The song gives an account of a 50's sock hop during which an argument over a girl at the dance by two suiters ensues. "Millie" proceeded to do the stroll and had everyone at the dance join in. "Mister" who was the older suitor though only an upperclass man, did not like the attention that was being paid to Millie. The dance hall, most likely a gym, was trashed. Police were called to break up the incident. "Sargent" told the younger suitor "said you were her answer" which would suggest that Millie had chosen the less violent suitor.

The song′s lyrics feature fast moving verse lines in order to move the story along. At one point the listener is told wait until the instrumental was finished which departed from the stream of storytelling entirely.

"Kind Of Girl" originated during a visit to a fast food restaurant, when the members of The School Boys were looking for a new band name which would become The Kind. After hearing the bass player, Chris Massa mention facetiously that "they didn't want your kind around here" because of the long wait to place an order, Stan Skora said "that's it - you're kind, to which the singer, Frank Jalovec said "no, THE KIND". The song was penned shortly after by Stan Skora as an anthem for the band to play.

The original recording was made at the groups long standing rehearsal room on multitrack. During that time, Mimi Betinis who was acquainted with the group was asked to produce the song as a solo record for Stan Skora.

The opening guitar phrase was originally not resolved. Mimi Betinis thought to resolve it. The difference was timely because of alternative arrangements being used during that time. The resolve brought the song back to a 50's feel. The rockabilly nature of the playing created an even greater sense of older era music.

The song was tracked at Dr. CAW recording studio in Glenview, IL. by Craig Williams on a TEAC 1/2 8 track reel to reel over 3 sessions. Guitar 1 and 2 along with drums were tracked at one session. Bass was overdubbed. Mutron effected guitar and lead guitar was them recorded on the next session along with scratch vocals. the final session was tracking piano, percussion and "Picked" doorbell along with vocals.

The picked doorbell was actually a small wood box with four strings tied across and four wood balls on strings at length, which bounced on the strings when the door was opened. During Mimi's recording of the piano part, which was in an adjecent room, hi noticed the odd sound when he went between rooms. After getting the final piano take, he inspected the doorbell and asked to have a mic setup to record the sound. He simply picked the strings, which added a rāga element and created an even greater departure for the listener during the bridge.

In the 2013 the song was remastered for digital release.

Video
In 1982, a low budget video was made of several of the songs on the EP though the most prominent video was from another song "No Class" which was the second song to garner noticable airplay. Filmed in Cicero, Illinois at a community college, it depicts a band performing the song in an auditorium along with a chalkboard and stage props. The musicians were playing to the prerecorded track and can be seen to spoof the event while playing along. Mick Rain from the group Pezband, played the drums. John Pazdan from the group Off Broadway played the bass. John Pavletic from the Ides Of March/ Cryan' Shames played an airline reso-phonic dobro and spoofed the performance with sunglasses and tight clothes.

Remaster
In the 2013 the song was remastered for digital release.

Single issue
The single was issued with only one release, on an extended play format and B-side

Personnel
Stan Skora - lead vocals, guitar

Mimi Betinis - guitar, bass, backing vocals

Sam Hubbel - guitar

Carlo Iaccino - drums