When I first got the idea to start a Facebook page dedicated to bands I had been involved with throughout my life I had no clue it would spread to a concept of all artists and bands from our state of South Carolina. Once I had successfully arranged and posted my few personal bands the thought came a creepin’ cross’ my mind that it would be cool to also include a few other bands I had grown up with so I made myself a five band short list. One of those bands on that short list was the White Cap band who had been performing around Calhoun County since I was in High school. I remember hearing about what great players the band had in it’s ranks, the great live performances, the impressive and versatile cover song list and yes, the original songs. As time went on the White Cap band recorded, disbanded, regrouped to record again only to disband in final resolve all without me really getting to know them or acquire copies of anything representing their body of work.

 

Now some thirty plus years later Kyle Mitchell, the Son of founding member Clark Mitchell discovered my website and sent me an email asking the question – “why isn’t White Cap on your site?” to which I replied “would love to have them but I got nothin’ to put up for them”. Just so happens Kyle has kept copies of the original recordings and some pictures plus he has managed to provide me with some back story to the band so between the two of us we have put together a showcase for this band. We hope you enjoy it and appreciate the talent that was the White Cap band.

 

The original White Cap band lineup included Riley Warren on drums, Roger Padgett on rhythm guitar and vocals, Clark Mitchell on bass and vocals, Raymond Fail on lead guitar, and a female member that played the flute, probably Elizabeth Hutto at that time. At some point around 1992 or 1993 John Murray began drumming for the band and the female member left.

 

A cassette tape was recorded at the Jam Room in Columbia, SC to be used both as a release and as a promotional tool to acquire show bookings. With John Murray on drums, Roger Padgett on rhythm guitar and vocals, Clark Mitchell on bass and vocals, and Raymond Fail on lead guitar. A few years after that, around 1997 or 1998, (there could have been a hiatus from playing in between this point), Chris Herbert took over rhythm guitar and Roger Padgett focused more on vocals. John Murray then moved to Tega Cay, NC with his family and new drummer Bobby Varnadoe who was friends with Chris began playing with them.

 

This led to the “Lost Days” album which was released in 2000. Recorded and engineered by Pete Kogler at his home studio the sessions included the following line up. Bobby Varnadoe on drums, Chris Herbert on rhythm guitar, Clark Mitchell on bass and vocals, Roger Padgett on vocals, and Raymond Fail on lead guitar. The band played a few gigs here and there after the release, often times with varying lineups, until finally disbanding.

 

Band Members:

Clark Mitchell – Vocals, Bass

Roger Padgett – Vocals, Guitar

Raymond Fail – Guitar

Chris Herbert - Guitar

Bobby Varnadoe – Drums

 

Past Members:

Jim Dreyfuss - Vocals, Guitar

Jim Sharpe - Vocals, Drums

Riley Warren - Drums

John Murray - Drums