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THE GAMMA RAYS

Formed in Bainbridge, Georgia, in 1978, the Gamma Rays have gone on to become a band with a huge cult fanbase. They broke up nearly twenty years ago, and the members have since been bitter at one another. Drummer, Ronald McDonald, died at age 38 of a heroin overdose in his Las Vegas apartment. None of the fellow members of the group participated during his funeral proceedings.

THE MEMBERS

Bill Nye: Lead Vocals, acoustic guitar. Jeffrey Toole: Lead and backing electric/air guitar, handclaps, footstomps, and backing screams Chuckie Cheese: Bass, harmony vocals, yodels. Ronald McDonald: Drums/Percussion, accordion. Isaac Newton Jr.: Synth, Piano, and Keyboards.

The Gamma Rays were a self-managed band, and produced their own records. They were signed to Elektra Records their entire recording career.

THE BEGINNING The Gamma Rays originally started off as a disco band heavily inspired by The Bee Gees. Jeffrey Toole stated that he wrote the band's first song "Science Rules" by hearing Bill say the now-famous catchphrase over and over again. The bass driven track went to #67 on the Billboard charts during the summer of 1978. The B-side "I Love You Almost as Much as Science", featuring a heavy solo by Jeffrey, also became a moderate success thanks to radio airplay. The band released a follow-up single, the song "My Love is like a Chemical Reaction" written by Chuckie Cheese and featuring a delicious synth riff by Isaac Newton Jr. got as high as #45 on the Billboard charts and was even featured in Lowe's Chemistry Sets commercials throughout the country. The B-side "Don't React with me" written by Newton Jr. was also moderately successful.

MIX THOSE FUNKY CHEMICALS EINSTEIN The Gamma Rays released their first album on November 5, 1978 entitled "Mis Those Funky Chemicals Einstein" and went on to be quite a success getting to #18 on Billboard's album charts. It was among one of the highest selling disco albums of the year, and to this day is still played at raids and dancefloors all over the world. "Rolling Stone" gave it three and a half stars and called The Gamma Rays "a band to watch out for" and also claimed that "The Gamma Rays could one day become one of the greatest bands of all time!"

TRACKLIST: 1. Science Rules 2. How do ya like them Chemicals? A stomping five minute jam featuring a two minute screaming Jeffrey Toole while playing an aggresive yet gentle guitar solo. Written by Ronald McDonald and Jeffrey Toole. 3. My Love is like a Chemical Reaction 4. I Love you almost as much as Science 5. My Safety Goggles are Off when I'm with you The first song Bill Nye ever wrote featuring soft, passionate vocals by him, a gentle keyboard solo by Newton Jr., and some beautiful accordion playing by McDonald. 6. You and that metallic Heart (and Face) A Jeffrey Toole hard-rocking ballad featuring him playing heavy guitar on one hand, and hitting the other on his lap for percussion. Performed solo by him, and became famous as one of the Gamma Rays' encores during concerts. 7. No More Mister Nice Guy A disco cover of the Alice Cooper classic featuring Nye rapping the lyrics, and screaming the chorus. Watch out for that killer bass solo by Cheese. 8. Don't react with Me 9. Hang your Lab Coat on the Wall A groovy/kinky song written by Newton Jr. featuring a bip-bopping synth riff and steamy vocals by Nye. Toole's backing screams are beautiful on this as well. 10. Stuck in a Chemical Haze A twenty minute disco/psychedelic song written entirely by Toole featuring marijuana-reference lyrics, and a killer guitar riff featuring some beautiful bass playing by Cheese as well.