Biography
The Waitresses linger in the memories of most new wave enthusiasts as a classic '80s one-hit wonder act, despite the track in question achieving only cult status without cracking the Top 40. Still, "I Know What Boys Like" stood out as a bold, instantly catchy pop creation that captured the period's essence through its cool detachment, subversive wit, and an irresistibly off-kilter dance groove. Frontwoman Patty Donahue brought considerable sex appeal via her dry, cheeky delivery, yet guitarist and founder Chris Butler supplied the group's authentic creative force. Butler composed nearly all their songs, frequently adopting a distinctly female perspective shaped around Donahue's persona. Reviewers and listeners alike believed the band possessed greater depth beyond "I Know What Boys Like," though internal friction during sessions for their follow-up album triggered an early breakup.
Chris Butler and Patty Donahue both resided in Akron, OH, at the time the Waitresses originated, having participated in the local Akron/Cleveland music community that produced Devo, Pere Ubu, and the Dead Boys. Butler studied at Kent State University and took part in the infamous 1970 anti-war protest where National Guard troops fired on demonstrators—an incident that also shaped the worldview of Devo's future members. He spent several years navigating the regional scene before launching the Dadaist, avant-new wave outfit Tin Huey, which drew from Captain Beefheart along with the freewheeling jazz-rock approach of Frank Zappa and the Soft Machine. Tin Huey issued one album, Contents Dislodged During Shipment, via Warner Brothers in 1979.
Separately, Butler had already written and tracked "I Know What Boys Like" back in 1977. He handled every instrument himself and enlisted friend Patty Donahue for the vocals; performing under the name Patty Darling, she also contributed to another cut titled "Astronettes," which Butler attributed to the fictitious group the Waitresses—a name borrowed from a favored T-shirt belonging to one of his acquaintances. A lone Waitresses single surfaced on the small Clone imprint, though it featured Butler alone on vocals and instruments. Several of these initial recordings later appeared on Stiff Records' The Akron Compilation as well as Clone's pair of Bowling Balls from Hell collections.
After Tin Huey's dissolution, Butler relocated to New York City and brought "I Know What Boys Like" to an A&R contact. The song secured him a contract with Ze Records, an Island/Polygram affiliate, prompting him to assemble an actual band without delay—the nonexistent unit had been falsely described to the label as already existing back in Ohio. He contacted Donahue, who consented to participate; meanwhile he assembled the first real Waitresses roster partly through ties to ex-Tin Huey saxophonist Ralph Carney. That early configuration included Donahue, Butler, free jazz saxophonist Mars Williams (who had served as Anthony Braxton's copyist), former Television drummer Billy Ficca, keyboardist and Akron transplant Dan Klayman, bassist Dave Hofstra, and backing vocalist Ariel Warner, a friend of Donahue's.
The Waitresses played their first show on New Year's Eve, 1980, then spent the ensuing year refining their interplay and cultivating an audience. They supplied the track "Christmas Wrapping" to a Ze Records seasonal compilation in 1981 while finishing their debut album, 1982's Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?. Studio fright caused Warner's departure during the sessions, after which bassist Hofstra exited once the record was complete to concentrate on acoustic jazz and was succeeded by Tracy Wormworth. Issued as a single in early 1982, "I Know What Boys Like" became a cult favorite in both the U.S. and U.K., though it peaked only at number 62 stateside (while reaching the Top Ten in Australia). The success also brought an offer to record the theme for the sitcom Square Pegs, which starred a young Sarah Jessica Parker. "Square Pegs" appeared on the interim EP I Could Rule the World if I Could Only Get the Parts, titled after a re-recorded Tin Huey song and also featuring "Christmas Wrapping" (later covered by the Spice Girls).
Midway through work on their second album, band tensions escalated sharply, resulting in Donahue's temporary exit. Butler briefly attempted to fill the role with Holly & the Italians singer Holly Beth Vincent, yet the arrangement failed and Donahue soon rejoined. The finished album, Bruiseology, arrived in 1983 to a more muted reception; many listeners found it less unified than its predecessor, a consequence of the strained conditions under which it was made. Donahue departed once more, precipitating the collapse of the remaining lineup. Butler abandoned the project by year's end, effectively ending the Waitresses. Donahue later worked as an A&R representative, while Butler turned to production and eventually revisited his avant-garde inclinations through solo projects in the '90s.
Chris Butler and Patty Donahue both resided in Akron, OH, at the time the Waitresses originated, having participated in the local Akron/Cleveland music community that produced Devo, Pere Ubu, and the Dead Boys. Butler studied at Kent State University and took part in the infamous 1970 anti-war protest where National Guard troops fired on demonstrators—an incident that also shaped the worldview of Devo's future members. He spent several years navigating the regional scene before launching the Dadaist, avant-new wave outfit Tin Huey, which drew from Captain Beefheart along with the freewheeling jazz-rock approach of Frank Zappa and the Soft Machine. Tin Huey issued one album, Contents Dislodged During Shipment, via Warner Brothers in 1979.
Separately, Butler had already written and tracked "I Know What Boys Like" back in 1977. He handled every instrument himself and enlisted friend Patty Donahue for the vocals; performing under the name Patty Darling, she also contributed to another cut titled "Astronettes," which Butler attributed to the fictitious group the Waitresses—a name borrowed from a favored T-shirt belonging to one of his acquaintances. A lone Waitresses single surfaced on the small Clone imprint, though it featured Butler alone on vocals and instruments. Several of these initial recordings later appeared on Stiff Records' The Akron Compilation as well as Clone's pair of Bowling Balls from Hell collections.
After Tin Huey's dissolution, Butler relocated to New York City and brought "I Know What Boys Like" to an A&R contact. The song secured him a contract with Ze Records, an Island/Polygram affiliate, prompting him to assemble an actual band without delay—the nonexistent unit had been falsely described to the label as already existing back in Ohio. He contacted Donahue, who consented to participate; meanwhile he assembled the first real Waitresses roster partly through ties to ex-Tin Huey saxophonist Ralph Carney. That early configuration included Donahue, Butler, free jazz saxophonist Mars Williams (who had served as Anthony Braxton's copyist), former Television drummer Billy Ficca, keyboardist and Akron transplant Dan Klayman, bassist Dave Hofstra, and backing vocalist Ariel Warner, a friend of Donahue's.
The Waitresses played their first show on New Year's Eve, 1980, then spent the ensuing year refining their interplay and cultivating an audience. They supplied the track "Christmas Wrapping" to a Ze Records seasonal compilation in 1981 while finishing their debut album, 1982's Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?. Studio fright caused Warner's departure during the sessions, after which bassist Hofstra exited once the record was complete to concentrate on acoustic jazz and was succeeded by Tracy Wormworth. Issued as a single in early 1982, "I Know What Boys Like" became a cult favorite in both the U.S. and U.K., though it peaked only at number 62 stateside (while reaching the Top Ten in Australia). The success also brought an offer to record the theme for the sitcom Square Pegs, which starred a young Sarah Jessica Parker. "Square Pegs" appeared on the interim EP I Could Rule the World if I Could Only Get the Parts, titled after a re-recorded Tin Huey song and also featuring "Christmas Wrapping" (later covered by the Spice Girls).
Midway through work on their second album, band tensions escalated sharply, resulting in Donahue's temporary exit. Butler briefly attempted to fill the role with Holly & the Italians singer Holly Beth Vincent, yet the arrangement failed and Donahue soon rejoined. The finished album, Bruiseology, arrived in 1983 to a more muted reception; many listeners found it less unified than its predecessor, a consequence of the strained conditions under which it was made. Donahue departed once more, precipitating the collapse of the remaining lineup. Butler abandoned the project by year's end, effectively ending the Waitresses. Donahue later worked as an A&R representative, while Butler turned to production and eventually revisited his avant-garde inclinations through solo projects in the '90s.
Albums
Christmas Wrapping (Remastered)
2016
Deluxe Special
2013
Best Of The Waitresses: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection
2003
The Best Of The Waitresses
1990
Bruiseology (Expanded Edition)
1983
Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?
1982
Singles
