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Personal Effects, from Rochester, New York, active throughout the northeast from 1982 through 1985, recorded two eps and four lps. Earring Records released a compilation CD (shown below) with 20 tracks chosen from the the six original releases. The CD is $10 and includes shipping (Europe $30 including shipping). Personal Effects “A Collection” is available here, iTunes, CDBaby and most streaming services. Some vinyl records are stillavailable by contacting the band through the “Contact” tab above.

“This band has a haunting, unique sound based on musical ability, not gimmicks.”
– Billboard Magazine
“There are hints of psychedelia—both the sixties American and eighties British brands—in both the Iyrics and the music, but there are enough hooks to satisfy radio programmers.”
– PMS New Music Report

“The real kick is the way they play choppy riffs and make them sound smooth.”
– Musician Magazine

PERSONAL EFFECTS – A COLLECTION
Earring Records (EAR13)

Personal Effects '"A Collection" CD on Earring Records released in 2008
Personal Effects ‘”A Collection” CD on Earring Records (EAR 13) released in 2008
Choose Shipping Location for Personal Effects – A Collection CD:

1. Lucia’s Supper Club (Fournier, Dodd) 03:00 Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Keyboards, Sax; Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals; Robin Mills – Bass, Vocals; Paul Dodd – Drums, Vocals. Produced by Personal Effects and Todd Schafer. ©1985 Lint Music (BMI). From Personal Effects’ Album “It’s Different Out There.”

Listen to Lucia’s Supper Club

2. Boom Boom Town / Violince 05:39 Written, performed and produced by Peggi Fournier, Paul Dodd, Bob Martin and Martin Edic with Kevin Vicalvi. ©1988 Earring Records. From Personal Effects’ Cassette “90 Days In The Planetarium.”

Listen to Boom Boom Town/Violince

3. Low Riders (Fournier, Dodd) 03:50 Paul Dodd – Drums, Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Organ, Vocals, Bob Martin – Guitar, Martin Edic & Bernie Heveron – Bass, Mike Holm – Rhythm Guitar, Dave Frensel – Percussion. Produced by Dwight Glodell. © 1982 Personal Effects. From Personal Effects’ First EP.

Listen to Low Riders

4. So Hard (Stim, Bingham, Fournier, Dodd) 03:23 Paul Dodd – Drums, Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Organ, Vocals, Bob Martin – Guitar, Bernie Heveron – Bass. Produced by Eric Dufaure Co-produced by Dwight Glodell. © 1982 Personal Effects. From Personal Effects’ First EP.

Listen to So Hard

5. Love Never Thinks (Fournier) 05:07 Paul Dodd – Drums, Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Organ, Vocals, Bob Martin – Guitar, Bernie Heveron – Bass, Duane Sherwood – Synthesizer. Produced by Dwight Glodell, Mixed by Dwight Glodell and Iolo Carew.© 1982 Personal Effects. From Personal Effects’ First EP.

Listen to Love Never Thinks

6. Day Is Coming (Fournier, Dodd, Martin) 03:50 Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Keyboards; Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals; Paul Dodd – Drums; Kevin Vicalvi – Bass. Engineered by Bill Thomas, Produced by Personal Effects. ©1987 Lint Music (BMI). From Personal Effects’ Album “Manafiesta.”

Listen to The Day Is Coming

7. Don’t Wake Me (Fournier, Dodd) 03:43 Paul Dodd – Drums, Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Organ, Vocals, Bob Martin – Guitar, Martin Edic – Bass. Produced by Dwight Glodell.© 1982 Personal Effects. From Personal Effects’ First EP.

Listen to Don’t Wake Me

8. Big Man (Dodd, Fournier) 03:36 Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals; Bernie Heveron – Bass, Vocals; Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Keyboards; Paul Dodd – Drums. Produced and Engineered by Dwight Glodell. © 1985 Lint Music (BMI). From Personal Effects’ EP “Bring Out The Jazz.”

Listen to Big Man

9. Bring Out The Jazz (Dodd, Fournier, Heveron, Martin) 04:40 Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals; Chuck Carter – Bass, Vocals; Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Keyboards; Paul Dodd – Drums. Produced and Engineered by Dwight Glodell. © 1985 Lint Music (BMI). From Personal Effects’ EP “Bring Out The Jazz.”

Listen to Bring Out The Jazz

10. When You Open The Door 03:41 Written, performed and produced by Peggi Fournier, Paul Dodd, Bob Martin and Martin Edic with Kevin Vicalvi. ©1988 Earring Records. From Personal Effects’ Cassette “90 Days In The Planetarium.”

Listen to When You Open The Door

11. X Melody (Fournier) 03:03 Paul Dodd – Drums, Vocals; Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Organ; Bernie Heveron – Bass, Vocals; Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals. Produced by Personal Effects. ©1984 Lint Music (BMI). From Personal Effects’ Album “This Is It.”

Listen to X-Melody

12. Temptation (Fournier) 03:58 Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Keyboards; Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals; Paul Dodd – Drums; Kevin Vicalvi – Bass. Engineered by Bill Thomas, Produced by Personal Effects. ©1987 Lint Music (BMI). From Personal Effects’ Album “Mana Fiesta.”

Listen to Temptation

13. The Verdict (Martin) 02:29 Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Keyboards, Sax; Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals; Robin Mills – Bass, Vocals; Paul Dodd – Drums, Vocals. Produced by Personal Effects and Todd Schafer. ©1985 Lint Music (BMI). From Personal Effects’ Album “It’s Different Out There.”

Listen to The Verdict

14. Darlin (Fournier) 03:36 Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Keyboards; Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals; Paul Dodd – Drums; Kevin Vicalvi – Bass. Engineered by Bill Thomas, Produced by Personal Effects. ©1987 Lint Music (BMI). From Personal Effects’ Album “Mana Fiesta.”

Listen to Darlin

15. It (Fournier) 01:55 Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Keyboards, Sax; Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals; Robin Mills – Bass, Vocals; Paul Dodd – Drums, Vocals. Produced by Personal Effects and Todd Schafer. ©1985 Lint Music (BMI). From Personal Effects’ Album “It’s Different Out There.” 

Listen to It

16. Baby Baby (Fournier, Dodd, Mills, Martin) 03:48 Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Keyboards, Sax; Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals; Robin Mills – Bass, Vocals; Paul Dodd – Drums, Vocals. Produced by Personal Effects and Todd Schafer. ©1985 Lint Music (BMI). From Personal Effects’ Album “It’s Different Out There.” 

Listen to Baby Baby

17. Mesa (Fournier) 04:43 Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Keyboards, Sax; Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals; Robin Mills – Bass, Vocals; Paul Dodd – Drums, Vocals. Produced by Personal Effects and Todd Schafer. ©1985 Lint Music (BMI). From Personal Effects’ Album “It’s Different Out There.” 

Listen to Mesa

18. Heroes (Fournier, Dodd, Martin, Mills) 05:34 Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Keyboards; Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals; Paul Dodd – Drums; Kevin Vicalvi – Bass. Engineered by Bill Thomas, Produced by Personal Effects. ©1987 Lint Music (BMI). From Personal Effects’ Album “Mana Fiesta.” 

Listen to Heroes

19. This Is It (Dodd, Fournier, Heveron, Martin) 03:09 Paul Dodd – Drums, Vocals; Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Organ; Bernie Heveron – Bass, Vocals; Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals. Produced by Personal Effects. ©1984 Lint Music (BMI). From Personal Effects’ Album “This Is It.”

Listen to This Is It

(P) and ©1988 Earring Records. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation applicable law.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Peggi Fournier and Paul Dodd are currently members of MARGARET EXPLOSION along with Ken Frank and Phil Marshall, both formerly with the great Colorblind James Experience. They perform regularly at the Little Theatre Cafe and other locales. Before Personal Effects, Peggi Fournier and Paul Dodd were members of HI-TECHS. Personal Effects played a Scorgie’s Reunion in 2008.

Paul Dodd and Peggi Fournier performing with Personal Effects at "This Is It" show at Community Playhouse in 1984. Video still by Duane Sherwood.
Paul Dodd and Peggi Fournier performing with Personal Effects at “This Is It” show at Community Playhouse in 1984. Video still by Duane Sherwood.

“Accessible without selling out…great hooks and interesting guitar work, neo-psychedelic Iyrics…Highly recommended.”
– Boston Rock

” PERSONAL EFFECTS combines classical rock with some crashing sax and synth and a female vocalist.”
– Milwaukee Express

“This group’s curious blend of jazz, new wave and pulsating rhythms is ultimately infectious.”
– On Campus Magazine

“This four piece group combines garage rock and art rock to arrive at some rather tasty results. If you want to see music with guts that excites and incites dancing, see Personal Effects live.”
– Buffalo Evening News

“Personal Effects mine the quirky rock field exemplified by bands like the B-52’s and the Bongos. But they spice it with nods to Blondie and tips of their collective hat to older sources like Jefferson Airplane and Ritchie Valens.”
– Music and Sound Output Magazine

“The twist this quartet adds is a mixture of brooding atmospherics and funky counterpoint. This is a band that plays out their ideas, not just their music.”
– Knickerbocker News—Albany, NY

“Danceable, serious-side-of-pop… captures the nouveau pose perfectly.”
– Op Magazine

“Personal Effects new album,”It’s Different Out There,” is a masterpiece.”
– Rochester Times-Union

“At a time when we all seem to be looking for good, new American bands, we recommend you check out Personal Effects.”
– Rockpool

PERSONAL EFFECTS SELF TITLED 12 inch EP (Vinyl and Cassette)
(Cachalot Records, 1983)

Personal Effects self titled EP on Cachalot Records 1983
Personal Effects self titled EP on Cachalot Records 1982

Iolo Carew, a dj at Danceteria in New York, had the Hi-Techs’ “Screamin’ You Head” 7 inch on his playlist for quite a while and it attracted the attention of Eric DuFaure from Cachalot Records. At that same time Bob Martin joined the band and we changed our name to Personal Effects. Eric came to Rochester to hear us live and he offered us a deal. We recorded a five song ep at PCI studios with Dwight Glodell engineering and producing. We did some additional recording and mixing at Sorcerer Sound in NYC.

1. So Hard (Stim, Bingham, Fournier, Dodd) 3:23

Listen to So Hard


2. Magic (I’ve Been Waiting) (Fournier, Dodd) 3:37


3. Low Riders (Fournier, Dodd) 3:53

Listen to Low Riders

4. Love Never Thinks (Fournier) 5:07

Listen to Love Never Thinks

5. Don’t Wake Me (Fournier, Dodd) 3:43

Listen to Don’t Wake Me

Paul Dodd – Drums
Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Organ
Bernie Heveron – Bass, Vocals
Bob Martin – Guitar

Martin Edic – Bass on Low Riders, Magic and Don’t Wake Me
Mike Holm – Rhythm Guitar, Dave Frensel – Percussion on Low Riders
Duane Sherwood – Synthesizer on Love Never Thinks

So Hard produced by Eric Dufaure Co-produced by Dwight Glodell
Low Riders, Magic (I’ve Been Waiting), Love Never Thinks and Don’t Wake Me produced by Dwight Glodell
Love Never Thinks Mixed by Dwight Glodell and Iolo Carew
Magic mixed by Eric Dufaure and Dave Avidor
Album engineered by Dwight Glodell

Cover painting by Paul Dodd 
Special thanks to Iolo Carew and Roger McCall

All Songs © 1983 Lint Music/Blubber Music BMI
(P) Cachalot Records
© 1983 Personal Effects/Cachalot Records

All rights reserved Lyrics printed by permission. Unauthorized duplication is a violation applicable law.

PERSONAL EFFECTS – “THIS IS IT” 12 inch LP (Vinyl)
Earring Records (EAR1) 1984

Personal Effects album "This Is It" on Earring Records 1984 EAR 1
Personal Effects album “This Is It” on Earring Records 1984 EAR 1

1. I Had Everything (Dodd, Fournier) 3:08
2. No One Can Get To You (Heveron) 3:53
3. Bring Out The Jazz (Dodd, Fournier, Heveron, Martin) 3:24
4. X-Melody (Fournier) 3:02

Listen to X-Melody

5. Fascinating Game (Edic, Fournier) 4:16

Listen to Fascinating Game

6. End Of The World* (Dee, Kent) 3:14

Listen to End of the World


7. Drifting Apart (Dodd, Fournier) 4:25
8. What’s The Attraction (Heveron) 5:13

Listen to What’s The Attraction

9. Security (Fournier) 2:19
10. A Mess (Dodd, Fournier) 4:41
11. Porch (Dodd, Edic, Fournier, Holm) 2:53
12. This Is It (Dodd, Fournier, Heveron, Martin) 3:11

Listen to This Is It

Below are four outtakes from the “This Is It” sessions:
1. Main Trail (Heveron) 3:43

Listen to Main Trail

2. Mojave (Dodd, Fournier) 6:18

Listen to Mojave

3. My Desire (Dodd, Fournier) 2:59

Listen to My Desire

4. Simple Things (Dodd, Fournier, Heveron, Martin) 4:22

What we’ve heard is so disturbing
It takes time to settle in
Our destination doesn’t matter
This is it… life hereafter

Personal Effects are:
Paul Dodd – Drums, Vocals
Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Organ
Bernie Heveron – Bass, Vocals
Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals

This record was recorded and mixed at home on borrowed equipment by Personal Effects with help from Duane Sherwood.

Special thanks to Duane Sherwood, Dwight Glodell, Kevin Vicalvi, Eric Dufaure, Bob Morasse, PCI, Stan, Whirlwind Audio, Dwight’s car, Shawn Irons, Scorgie, Chris Grener, Chris Schepp, Sheryl and Carol.

Front cover photo by Gary Brandt. Design by Paul Dodd

All Songs © 1984 Lint Music (BMI) except* Summit Music Corp. (ASCAP) 
(P) Earring Records, A Division of Lint Music © 1984 Personal Effects

All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable law.

PERSONAL EFFECTS – BRING OUT THE JAZZ 12 inch EP (Vinyl)
Earring Records (PEEP1) 1985

Personal Effects "Bring Out The Jazz" EP on Earring Records 1985 PEEP 1
Personal Effects “Bring Out The Jazz” EP on Earring Records 1985 PEEP 1

1. Bring Out The Jazz (Dodd, Fournier, Heveron, Martin) 4:40

Listen to Bring Out The Jazz

2. My Desire (Dodd, Fournier) 2:54 
3. Watching You (Fournier) 4:02
4. All Over Me (Fournier) 4:16
5. Big Man (Dodd, Fournier) 3:55

Listen to Big Man

6. An Idea (Dodd, Fournier, Heveron, Martin) 5:02

Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals
Robin Goldblatt – Bass, Vocals
Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Keyboards
Paul Dodd – Drums

Produced and Engineered by Dwight Glodell 

Bernie Heveron plays bass on “An Idea” and “Big Man”. Chuck Carter plays bass on “Bring Out The Jazz” and “All Over Me”.

Special thanks to Duane Sherwood, Kevin Vicalvi and Shawn Irons.
Photography by Linnae Fisher. Steam art on back cover by Chris Schepp.

All songs © 1985 Lint Music (BMI) (P) Earring Records, a division of Lint Music. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation applicable law.

PERSONAL EFFECTS – “IT’S DIFFERENT OUT THERE” 12 inch LP (Vinyl)
Earring Records (EAR3) 1985

Personal Effects "It's Different Out There" on Earring Records 1985 EAR 3
Personal Effects “It’s Different Out There” on Earring Records 1985 EAR 3

1. Zeke’s Baby Girl (Fournier, Dodd) 3:13 
2. Nothing Lasts Forever (Fournier, Dodd) 3:47

Listen to Nothing Lasts Forever

3. The Verdict (Martin) 2:31

Listen to The Verdict

4. Baby Baby (Fournier) 3:52 

Listen to Baby Baby

5. Walk (Fournier) 2:29 
6. It (Fournier) 1:55

Listen to It

7. Lucia’s Supper Club (Fournier, Dodd) 3:02

Listen to Lucia’s Supper Club

8. Looking For Love (Fournier, Dodd, Mills, Martin) 4:08 
9. No Second Chance (Fournier, Dodd) 3:07 
10. Mesa (Fournier) 4:54 

Listen to Mesa

11. Would You (Fournier, Dodd) 3:16 
12. They’re Out To Get Me (Martin) 2:54 
13. Instant Karma* (Lennon) 2:56

Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Keyboards, Sax 
Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals
Robin Mills – Bass, Vocals
Paul Dodd – Drums, Vocals

Produced by Personal Effects and Todd Schafer
Engineered by Todd Schafer
Recorded at PCI Studios
Special Thanks to Duane Sherwood, Kevin Vicalvi, Don Scorgie
Photography by Chris Maggio
Cover Artwork by Paul Dodd

All songs ©1985 Lint Music (BMI) except* Maclen Music 
(P) Earring records, A Division of Lint Music. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation applicable law.

PERSONAL EFFECTS – “MANA FIESTA” 12 inch LP (Vinyl and Cassette)
US: Enigma Records (2189-1) 1987
Europe: Virgin Records (VG50276) 1987

US: Enigma Records (2189-1) 1987
Europe: Virgin Records (VG50276) 1987

Personal Effects album "Mana Fiesta" on Restless/Enigma in US and Virgin Records in Europe 1986
Personal Effects album “Mana Fiesta” on Restless/Enigma in US and Virgin Records in Europe 1986

1. Mana Fiesta (Fournier, Dodd) 4:37 
2. Darlin (Fournier) 3:30

Listen to Darlin

3. Shower Of Roses (Fournier, Dodd) 3:40
4. Love Potion (Fournier, Dodd) 4:02 
5. In This World (Fournier) 3:47
6. Single Minded* (Fournier) 
7. Testify (Fournier, Dodd) 3:27
8. Temptation (Fournier) 3:55

Listen to Temptation

9. Same As A Kiss* (Fournier) 
10. Let’s Take A Ride (Fournier, Dodd, Martin, Mills) 2:41 
11. Heroes (Fournier, Dodd, Martin, Mills) 6:05

Listen to Heroes


12. Day Is Coming (Fournier, Dodd, Martin) 3:48

Listen to The Day Is Coming

* Originally available on the Restless Records cassette release only.

Peggi Fournier – Vocals, Sax, Keyboards
Bob Martin – Guitar, Vocals
Paul Dodd – Drums
Kevin Vicalvi – Bass

Produced by Personal Effects
Engineered by Bill Thomas 
Recorded and Mixed at Avatar Studios, Rochester, NY 
Cover Artwork by Paul, Photo by Bob 
Thanks to Kevin, Duane, Steve Riccardo and ART

All songs (P) Lint Music (BMI) 
©1987 Earring Records
All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation applicable law.

PERSONAL EFFECTS – 90 DAYS IN THE PLANETARIUM
Earring Records (EAR6) 1987

Personal Effects 90 Days In The Planetarium release from 1987
Personal Effects 90 Days In The Planetarium release from 1987

Original soundtrack from the Personal Effects Laser Light Show, a multimedia event that was performed at the Strasenburgh Planetarium in Rochester, New York for three months in 1987. Released on cassette only.

1. While You Were Out
2. I Will Never Understand
3. Wild Drive
4. There Goes Sam
5. Cirrus
6. Boom Boom Town
7. Violince

Listen to Boom Boom Town/Violince

8. Una Flor Roja
9. Martin Get Up
10. Joe Henderson
11. Melting Pot
12. When You Open The Door

Listen to When You Open The Door

13. Silver Fingernails

Listen to Silver Fingernails

14. Let’s Fly

All songs written, performed and produced by Peggi Fournier, Paul Dodd, Bob Martin and Martin Edic with Kevin Vicalvi. Visuals by Duane Sherwood. Photography by Ken Fleischer. Thanks to Don Hall, Elmer Bataitas, Joe Ricci and Jim Sawicki.

(P) and ©1988 Earring Records. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation applicable law.

PERSONAL EFFECTS – PORCH/A MESS 45 RPM (Vinyl)
Earring Records (EAR145) 1987

Personal Effects "Porch/A Mess" 45Rpm on Earring Records 1986 EAR 145
Personal Effects “Porch/A Mess” 45Rpm on Earring Records 1986 EAR 145
Listen to Porch
Back cover of Personal Effects "Porch/A Mess" 45Rpm on Earring Records 1986 EAR 145
Back cover of Personal Effects “Porch/A Mess” 45Rpm on Earring Records 1986 EAR 145
Listen to A Mess

PERSONAL EFFECTS – HEARTBEAT Recorded Live at Danceteria 1985

Heartbeat performed live by Personal Effects. Recorded at the Peppermint Lounge in 1985.
Heartbeat performed live by Personal Effects. Recorded at the Peppermint Lounge in 1985.
Listen to Heartbeat

BEFORE THERE WAS MARGARET EXPLOSION, THERE WAS PERSONAL EFFECTS

CITY NEWS, December 20, 2020 by Frank De Blase
One of Rochester’s gutsier and more exploratory outfits on the scene today is Margaret Explosion, a delicate free-form jazz group that takes its listeners on an almost narcotic journey. The music is dreamy and tactile; you can take a hit and hold it. Because the sound is created in the moment, no one song is ever given the same treatment twice. It’s beautiful and mesmerizing. 

But to fully appreciate the trippy transcendence of Margaret Explosion, you have to pause and give a listen to Personal Effects, the band’s predecessor. The similarities are there, but they’re fleeting. Whereas Margaret Explosion is rather unconventional, Personal Effects was a more straight-ahead outfit operating in an emergent, danceable era of music that embraced pop and new wave. You can hear these aesthetics in Personal Effects’ album “Bring Out the Jazz,” with its likeness to the music of Talking Heads and Television.

Personal Effects consisted of drummer Paul Dodd, saxophonist, keyboardist and vocalist Peggi Fournier, guitarist Bob Martin, Bernie Heveron and later Robin Mills, as well as Kevin Vicalvi on bass. From 1983 to 1987, the band was an extremely prolific — releasing its self-titled, 12-inch EP on Cachalot Records in 1983 before unleashing three LPs, an additional EP, one cassette, and a 45-inch record called “Porch/A Mess” in the span of four years. During that time, the video for “Drifting Apart” from the 1984 album “This Is It,” got airplay on MTV.

At a time in which the Rochester music scene was already stacked with talented groups such as New Math (of which Dodd was an original member), Paper Faces, The Chesterfield Kings, The Raunchettes, The Fugitives, and Colorblind James Experience, the fact that Personal Effects stood out in the crowd is a feat in itself. “We did not try to sound like anyone else,” Paul Dodd says. “We had a saxophone as a lead instrument along with guitar, and we stayed in minor keys.”

Fournier’s saxophone is what caught the ear of Tom Kohn, now co-owner of Bop Shop Records and a discerning scenester at the time. “They were very groove-oriented,” he says of Personal Effects. “They were the fabric of the scene.”

The band packed audiences in at joints du jour such as Scorgie’s, Red Creek, Calabash, Casablanca, Schatzee’s, Penny Arcade, Triangle Theatre (now the Harro East Ballroom), Snake Sisters Cafe (now Lux Lounge), Heaven, Mirage, and Jazzberry’s (both Monroe Avenue and East Avenue locations). 

Of all these clubs, Dodd says they dug the vibe at Scorgies the most. So did Kohn.

“I remember going there a lot,” Kohn says. “But I don’t remember leaving.”

In order to accommodate its multimedia attack, which included atmospheric lighting and liquid projections, Personal Effects also played some more unusual spots, including Pyramid Arts Center (now Rochester Contemporary Art Center) and The Strasenburgh Planetarium — where the band holed up for a three-month residency and performed its Laser Light Show, resulting in the cassette-only release “90 days in the Planetarium” in 1987. More recently, Personal Effects released a 20-song career retrospective, “A Collection,” on its own label Earring Records in 2008.

In the ’80s, it seemed that the bigger the show and the bigger the venue, the bigger the band sounded. Dodd remembers a few particular shows as highlights: Personal Effects’ record release show for its Cachalot Records debut at Midtown Top of the Plaza, which drew more than 1,000 people; a true multimedia stage show with projections and liquid lights at The Community Playhouse (known simply as The Playhouse/Swillburger now);

It manifested itself through the keyboards and lone sax. The rhythm section swung mightily and dreamy along with the ethereal guitar. It was if they were playing to the walls and threatening the roof.

But Personal Effects was more than a Rochester band; it had resonance in the broader upstate New York region, as well as various East Coast cities.

“We played Buffalo at least once a month for years, and played with 10,000 Maniacs five or six times,” Dodd says. “In the early days, we shared drum kits and opened for them in Buffalo and vice versa in Rochester, Cleveland, Boston, Albany many times, Syracuse.”

Personal Effects also played on bills with Grandmaster Flash in Ithaca Ithaca with Grandmaster Flash, and a young R.E.M. in Toronto. Locally, the Rochester band shared the stage with such artists as John Cale, The Ventures, Willie Alexander, and Mutabarake.

Today, Paul Dodd and Peggy Fournier play together in Margaret Explosion, along with Ken Frank on bass and Phil Marshall on guitar. Bob Martin lives in Chicago. But sometimes at night when the moon is bright, you can hear the phantom call of Personal Effects’ eerie drone, cutting through the fog.

REX HAVOC REVIEW OF PERSONAL EFFECTS

The Rochester scene was exciting in 1985. The club scene featured Scorgie’s on Andrews St., Shatzee’s on Richmond St. (now called Richmond’s, cleverly enough), Shnozz’s in the Village Gate Square, Snake Sister’s at 666 South Ave. (now Lux) and most importantly for the band, Jazzberry’s on Monroe Avenue.

At the top of the band scene was Personal Effects (whose members are currently found playing in the morphine haze film-noir soundtrack ensemble Margaret Explosion). Personal Effects routinely packed Scorgie’s offering their fans sophisticated and moody stage lighting and tight, danceable sets. They looked and sounded very current with throbbing rhythm from drummer Paul Dodd and bassist Robin Mills and metal crunch from guitarist Bob Martin. The most unique element of the band, however, was the sheer presence, mysterious voice and ethereal saxophone of Peggi Fournier. To this day, Peggi’s haunting saxophone is one of my favorite sounds in music. I strongly suggest a visit to them at margaretexplosion.com and never mind that I’m featured on their first CD “Happy Hour”.

Personal Effects helped Colorblind James Experience immensely. First off, Paul and Chuck had known each other since childhood, both families living on the same street in Webster. Secondly, before Robin, Bernie Heveron was PE’s bassist. For about a year, Robin was my housemate over on Hamilton St in the South Wedge. There was a time when the bands were very tight and familial. One Saturday night, in fact, Colorblind James was playing at Jazzberry’s and PE was playing at Scorgie’s. We decided without hesitation to be each other’s opening bands! The shows started at 10:30 and right around 11:30 or so both bands raced across town to headline their own gig!

There is a tape floating around that Susan Plunkett of Jazzberry’s financed called Live at Jazzberry’s which features Personal Effects on one side and the Colorblind James Experience on the other.

personal effects pages
MUSIC | VIDEOS | PHOTOS | POSTERS | POLAROIDS

Performances – The ones we can remember

Gigs with posters have links to posters.

VENUEWITHDAY/DATE
ScorgiesWallpaper, TriangleTh 8/13/81
ScorgiesSa 8/29/81
ScorgiesPaper FacesSa 9/12/81
ScorgiesThe Media, Quadrant 7Fr 10/2/81
CasablancaSnakefingerFr 10/10/81
Casablanca
We 10/21/81
ScorgiesBulletproof ClaudiaFr 11/2781
ScorgiesWallpaperSa 11/28/81
ScorgiesChesterfield KingsFr 12/19/81
Bob Martin joins band
ScorgiesSa 1/23/82
Housebreaker Party Fairmont Street
Sa 2/6/82
ScorgiesSa 2/27/82
ScorgiesPaper FacesSa 3/13/82
ScorgiesTh 4/8/82
Continental (Buffalo)Sa 4/17/82
CasablancaTh 4/22/82
Red CreekTh 5/6/82
ScorgiesFr 5/14/82
Red CreekTh 6/10/82
ScorgiesSa 6/19/82
ScorgiesSa 7/17/82
Triangle TheaterCold Crush, Soul Sonic ForceSa 8/7/82
ScorgiesSa 8/14/82
ScorgiesDelta RaysFr 9/10/82
SchatzeesSu 9/19/82
ScorgiesFr 10/22/82
SchatzeesHalloweenSa 10/30/82
ScorgiesPaper FacesSa 11/13/82
ScorgiesBarry Beam (SF)Fr 11/19/82
Top of the PlazaSa 1/15/83
ScorgiesThe Shock BandSa 1/29/83
Red CreekIndirect ObjectSa 2/5/83
Bogart’s (Albany)Sa 2/12/83
ScorgiesFear of StrangersSa 2/26/83
Tralfamadore (Buffalo)
Su 3/6/83
Rooftops (Buffalo)
WUWU Live Broadcast

Fr 3/25/83
Scorgies
Sa 3/26/83
Loft Party, Platt Street
Sa 3/26/83
Calabash10,000 Maniacs, Rick BakerMo 4/4/83
Peppermint Lounge (NYC)PolyrockSa 4/23/83
Red CreekCousin Al &The RelativesSu 4/24/83
Agora (Cleveland)
WMMS Live Broadcast

Tu 4/26/83
ScorgiesIndirect ObjectFr 4/29/83
Storyville (Boston)Sa 5/7/83
ScorgiesMutabarukaTu 5/24/83
ScorgiesThe AntoinettesSa 5/28/83
The Ritz (NYC)PylonSu 5/29/83
Danceteria (NYC)James White & The BlacksFr 6/10/83
ScorgiesPassion B
Fr 6/24/83
CasablancaTh 7/7/83
Larry’s Hideaway (Toronto)REMSa 7/9/83
ScorgiesThe NeatsFr 7/22/83
Community PlayhouseThis Is It ShowSa 8/27/83
ScorgiesPassion BFr 9/9/83
ContinentalHydronautsSa 9/24/83
Upper Lip (Toronto)Sa 10/1/83
ScorgiesM-SquadFr 10/14/83
SchatzeesSa 10/29/83
Chateau (Albany)Sa 11/5/83
ScorgiesFr 11/25/83
ScorgiesSa 12/17/83
ScorgiesHummer & The MachineSa 1/7/84
Top of the PlazaThis Is It Release PartySa 3/3/84
ScorgiesNew MathFr 2/10/84
ScorgiesNew MathSa 2/11/84
Red CreekFr 3/23/84
ScorgiesPaper FacesFr 3/30/84
Club Soda (Buffalo)Th 4/26/84
ScorgiesSa 5/12/84
Pyramid Arts CenterFlat Toy, Absolute GreyFr 6/15/84
ScorgiesMetzger, Landers, Seaman Tu 7/3/84
ScorgiesMasters of RealitySa 7/28/84
SchatzeesFr 8/10/84
ScorgiesRVRFr 8/24/84
Robin Mills joins band
ScorgiesInvisible PartyFr 9/21/84
CU Cafeteria RITAbsolute GreySa 10/6/84
ScorgiesVirgin HeadsetSa 10/20/84
814 Foreign Car (Buffalo)10,000 ManiacsSa 10/27/84
ScorgiesJohn CaleTu 11/6/84
ScorgiesLa MurallaWe 11/21/84
Scorgiesacoustic & electric setsSa 12/8/84
Top of the PlazaBring Out The Jazz ReleaseSa 1/19/85
Scorgies
Sa 1/26/85
ScorgiesThe RaunchettesFr 2/15/85
Pasttime Lounge (Buffalo)
Mirror MirrorSa 3/2/85
ScorgiesColorblind James Exp.Fr 3/8/85
Nietzche’sContrabandFr 3/15/85
Brockport CollegeSa 4/6/85
288 Lark Street (Albany)Th 4/11/85
Peppermint Lounge (NYC)Sing SingFr 4/12/85
ScorgiesBlue HandSa 4/20/85
Scorgies10 CommandmentsFr 5/17/85
Harley High SchoolSa 5/18/85
Pyramid Arts CenterWe 5/22/85
Jazzberry’sColorblind James Exp.Fr 5/31/85
WarehouseSa 6/8/85
Scorgies5 Star BuffaloSa 6/15/85
Danceteria (NYC)Fr 6/28/85
Duck Soup (Albany)Sa 6/29/85
ScorgiesSa 7/6/85
IdolsSu 7/7/85
ScorgiesFr 8/16/85
ScorgiesColorblind James Exp.Sa 8/31/85
Jazzberry’sColorblind James Exp.Sa 8/31/85
Scorgies(Last night at Scorgies)Fr 8/27/85
Jazzberry’sColorblind James Exp.Sa 9/28/85
Jazzberry’sSa 10/12/85
Duck Soup (Albany)Sa 10/19/85
WarehouseIt’s Different Out ReleaseSa 11/16/85
WarehouseSa 12/14/85
SnakesistersTu 12/31/85
WarehouseRumblesFr 1/24/86
Tralfamadore (Buffalo)Miche Anglos, Made AustriaSu 2/16/86
WarehouseBlue HandFr 2/28/86
WarehouseRobyn Fear BandSa 3/22/86
MirageSa 4/5/86
SnakesistersSa 4/19/86
WarehouseTu 5/6/86
Miragevideo from this showSa 5/10/86
WarehouseFr 5/30/86
RumoursPerformed as BoatFr 10/31/86
RumoursFr 5/8/87
Renaissance10,000 ManiacsSa 6/20/87
Strasenburgh PlanetariumEvery Fri. Sat. 9/11 – 11/281987
Pyramid Arts CenterWe 8/10/88
Live Aids BenefitSu 9/18/88
Jazzberry’sReunion ConcertFr 6/15/90
Jazzberry’sReunion ConcertSa 4/27/91
German HouseScorgies ReunionFr 11/21/08

Among the missing dates: Washington DC with REM, Richmond Virginia with Raw Creation, Scorgies with Mission of Burma, Peppermint Lounge with Polyrock, The Haunt in Ithaca with Grandmaster Flash.

personal effects pages
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One Reply to “personal effects music”

  1. I would like to see if I can contact one of the band member of the original Personal Effects or perhaps the Recording Engineers?
    Many thanks, Myles

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