The Screaming Karats were a Grand Rapids alternative rock band active from 1986-1992.

They gained early exposure through appearances at local festivals such as Festival of the Arts and Wyoming Fest. By 1989, the band’s reputation had grown, with performances at the Intersection Lounge and Club Eastbrook and a EP release bash at Martini’s. Their momentum continued with events like Earth Concert ’89 at Fountain Street Church, where they played alongside other local acts.

After the summer of 1991, the band began evaluating their musical options and by early 1992 renamed themselves Release, describing their new sound as  "...softer, more eclectic...". They decided to relocate to Chicago in search of a more welcoming and competitive music scene, but needed another new name, this time something more unique, and became Shelf Life.

 

Band Members

Tom Jamroz — bass, vocals
Tim Johnson — guitar, vocals
Joe Callahan — guitar, vocals
Rob Smith — drums

Releases

1989 - Revolting Evolution EP
1990 - Various Artists - People On Glass Buildings Shouldn't Throw Sculptures! (The Lost Ford Tapes: A Grand Rapids Music Sampler) - Cassette Side B, Track 1: “I Want To Belong”

Select Local Performances

1986-06-06 | Festival '86
1986-08-08 | Wyoming Fest '86
1987-06-05 | Festival '87
1988-04-01 | Intersection Lounge
1989-01-29 | Club Eastbrook | Showcase '89
1989-03-26 | Club Eastbrook (were scheduled to open for Hothouse Flowers, but were dropped at the last minute)
1989-08-16 | Monroe Amphitheater | (event coined "Local Original Music Day" by Mayor Helmholdt; coined by the band as "Woodstock Wednesday")
1989-08-18 | Intersection Lounge (shared billing with Interior)
1989-12-20 | Martini's | "EP Release Bash"
1989-12-31 | Fountain Street Church | Earth Concert '89 (with local bands Karmic Regatta, Nothing [Yet], and Left of Center)
1990-04-06 | Martini's
1990-04-07 | Martini's
1990-06-01 | Festival '90
1990-06-18 | Club Eastbrook | (benefit concert with bands Humble Pie, Charlie Huhn, and local bands T-Bones, Kitchen Head, and Diver)
1990-08-21 | Intersection Lounge
1990-11-16 | Intersection Lounge | CD Release, "People on Glass Buildings Shouldn't Throw Sculptures! The Lost Ford Tapes: A Grand Rapids Music Sampler" | (with local bands the Infections and Euro-K)
1990-11-17 | Intersection Lounge | CD Release, "People on Glass Buildings Shouldn't Throw Sculptures! The Lost Ford Tapes: A Grand Rapids Music Sampler" | (with local bands the Infections and Euro-K)
1991-02-22 | Intersection Lounge (with Detroit band Elvis Hitler)
1991-02-23 | Intersection Lounge (with Detroit band Elvis Hitler)
1991-02-28 | City Lites (benefit concert for the West Michigan Environmental Action Council)
1991-03-02 | Hope College's Knickerbocker Theatre (environmental fundraising concert with local bands The Willeys and The Voice)
1991-04-27 | Intersection Lounge (with local bands Euro-K and Chachulski)
1991-06-08 | Festival '91
1991-07-12 | "3 on 3 Jam" in Belding (with local bands The Willeys, Hired Guns, Hyper Formance, Dirty Pictures, Diamond Back, Gotta Have It, Winchester, Spyderz, Rockenstein, Scarlet Fever, the Cheeztones, and Stranger)
1991-07-24 | The Reptile House (opened for Toys Went Berzerk)
1991-07-26 | Intersection Lounge

(as Shelf Life)
1992-05-23 | Intersection Lounge

 

Links and Resources

  1. Backstage at Festival, Grand Rapids Press, 1987-06-06, Page 4

  2. Festival Foolishness, Grand Rapids Press, 1987-06-07, Page 121

  3. After Dark, Grand Rapids Press, 1990-04-06, Page 20
  4. After Dark, Grand Rapids Press, 1990-11-16, Page 16

  5. New Name, new sound carry Shelf Life to Chicago, Grand Rapids Press, 1992-05-22, Page 13

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