Lakewood, 1972-7
Labrynth was started by former Grasshoppers bassist Jerome Zadar, and included Jim McCarthy (formerly of the Blackweles) on guitar and vocals, Chuck Dubber on drums, and Carl Wesley on lead guitar. Jim McCarthy said "The band is still remembered due to the guitar playing of Carl Wesley. He is still thought of as maybe the best guitar player in Cleveland". The band established a residency at Hennessey's club in Lakewood, where they had a large following. The band was mananged by legendary Cleveland "Host of the North Coast" Peanuts.
Zadar left and was replaced by Jim's former Blackweles bandmate Don Farmer. In the summer of 1973, McCarthy left and was replaced by singer Brian Davies and guitarist Norm Strelka. Labrynth played the local clubs in addition to the Hennessy's gig. The band recorded some demos but did not release any recordings. Labrynth disbanded in the summer of 1974, but in early 1975, they regrouped with Dubber, Wesley, and Farmer, adding lead singer Ron Latarewicz (formerly with Sweetleaf) and Tommy Ley (brother of prominent Cleveland musician Jimmy Ley) on keyboards. This lineup lasted for several months until Latarewicz and Ley left. The band added the husband and wife team of Michael Caral (keyboards) and Marji Caral (sax/flute) and became a jazz-rock band. Wesley left, and the rest of the band regrouped behind singer Mary Martin and were billed as Mary Martin and the Ninth Street Tunas. Mary and the Tunas were a popular late 70s/early 80s band in the Cleveland area and released one 45.
Carl Wesley is deceased. To learn more about Jim McCarthy's current music, and past, visit http://www.myspace.com/mccarthybuescher
Thanks to Jim McCarthy and Peanuts