Trusty

Trusty forged a sound by merging the tuneful sensibilities of indie rock with the striking, offbeat allusions typical of alternative rock, thereby distilling the most combustible elements of the punk revival. The group came together in Little Rock, AR, during 1989 with an initial roster that featured James Brady on guitar and vocals, Bobby Matthews on guitar and vocals, Paul on bass, and Bircho behind the drums. In the months that followed, the quartet issued an early demo and then delivered its self-titled debut album. The next year bassist Paul departed and was succeeded by Brad Long, previously of Sobering Consequences. By 1992 the band had moved its operations to Washington, D.C., issuing the single Cockatoo just before Bircho exited and Jim Schaffer assumed the drum chair.

Goodbye Dr. Fate, the ensemble’s second long-player, appeared in 1993, several months prior to its inaugural major tour. After cultivating a sizable following and documenting stronger material in live settings, the quartet devoted the next several years to two cross-country treks. Fourth Wise Man, its second outing on Dischord Records, reached stores in 1996, the same year Trusty made its first European journey. In July 1997, however, the members declared their dissolution only months before a planned third lengthy U.S. outing. Two years later Brady and Schaffer joined Kathy Cashel of Norman Mayer Group to form a new project called the Blisters.