TROUSER PRESS
February 1984
By Jay Schwartz

WHO: Mitch Easter (vocals/guitar), Lynn Blakey (guitar/keyboards/vocals), Faye Hunter (bass), Sara Romweber (drums).

WHAT: Afoot EP (IRS)

HOW: Mitch Easter and childhood friend Chris Stamey formed various bands in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, culminating in Sneakers in the mid-'70s. After Stamey left for New York and the dB's, Easter set about assembling a quality recording facility, "Drive-In Studio," in his garage. He produced and/or engineered records by Stamey, Pylon, R.E.M., the Individuals, Beat Rodeo, and Richard Barone and James Mastro. He also recorded two solo tracks that appeared on Shake Records' Shake to Date compilation. Easter then formed Let's Active with Hunter and Romweber, and soon signed to IRS. Upon adding Blakey, the band commenced a national tour with loyal supporters R.E.M.

WHY: As a producer, Easter mixes the embellishments of '60s pop recording with modern studio dynamics to create an ear-grabbing sound. The approach works well with his own compositions, filled with classic hooks and original twists, while Let's Active's harmonies and distinctive drumming make for a whole new pop sound. The result is both unique and immediately accessible—beat music that transcends "dance rock." Onstage Let's Active projects an upbeat, youthful enthusiasm that belies their experience.

MITCH EASTER: "My favorite records are the ones that sound like the people really enjoyed themselves. The problem with this band is that people think I'm just technical, and that I learned how to play guitar last week because I thought it would be fun. Which is really backwards."

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