Avail

Avail is a punk band from Richmond, Virginia. Originally from Northern Virginia, the band formed in 1987, its members including Joe Banks, Doug Crosby, Brian Stewart and Mikey Warstler. The only original remaining member, guitar player Joe Banks, teamed up with rival band LDK's (Learning Disabled Kids) Tim Barry. They moved to Richmond in 1990, and soon, after numerous line up changes, put together a solid lineup to release their first album in 1992. They play punk music, with heartfelt lyrics and melodic breakdowns. Many of their lyrics are about Richmond.

Avail is on 'permanent standby' as per Tim Barry's interview on Dope Sick Radio #40. Tim mentions in the interview "let's just say it's a thing of the past"

Members

Avail has five members.

Tim Barry - vocals (drums on first EP)
Joe Banks - guitar
Gwomper - bass
Ed Trask - drums
Beau Beau - manager

Former members:

Chuck McCauley - bass
DJ Grimes - bass
Erik Larson - drums

Label Change

Avail self-released their first LP, Satiate on Catheter-Assembly Records. It was later re-released by Lookout! Records. They released several studio releases on Lookout! and then went on to Fat Wreck Chords for One Wrench and Front Porch Stories. Most recently, they have signed on with Jade Tree Records who has recently re-released the Avail albums Dixie, 4am Friday, and Over the James.

Legacy in Richmond

Tim Barry is currently writing and performing solo music. Joe Banks, along with former members Erik Larson and Chuck McCauley, formed The Ghost Run in 2009. Joe Banks, Chuck McCauley and Erik Larson have also teamed up in the band Freeman. Avail is still something of a legend in the punk and hardcore scene in Richmond. Tattoos, graffiti, and sidewalk impressions bearing the "dixie" image are quite common. A sidewalk impression of the image is easily found at the corner of Brunswick St. and Floyd Ave. in the Fan.

Discography

Full Length Albums
Satiate - 1992 - Lookout! Records
Dixie - 1994 - Lookout! Records
4am Friday - 1996 - Lookout! Records
Over the James - 1998 - Lookout! Records
One Wrench - 2000 - Fat Wreck Chords
Front Porch Stories - 2002 - Fat Wreck Chords

EP's
AVAIL - 1989 - SunSpot Records (Brien Stewart -Vocals/ Tim Barry - Drums)
Reaching Out - 1989
Attempt to Regress - 1993 - Catheter Assembly
The Fall of Richmond - 1997 - Lookout! Records - split EP with (Young) Pioneers
100 Times - 1999 - Fat Wreck Chords

Live
Live at the Kings Head Inn - 1993 - Old Glory Records
V.M. Live Presents...Avail - 1999 - Liberation Records
Live at the Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco - 1998 - Lookout! Records