T.A. FLASH

T.A. FLASH MUSIC

T.A. FLASH ©1989

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00-T.A. FLASH Album Windows Media Player Playlist
00-T.A. FLASH Album VLC Player Playlist
01-Any Fool
02-Do You Know
03-Tiger Lilly
04-Kick It
05-Hard Rock Lady
06-Under the Gun
07-Stay Till the Morning
08-Someone To Love
09-Nobody Else
10-The Stripper
11-No Stranger
12-Tan Lines (Studio Version)
13-Love the Way (Studio Version)
14-Big City (Studio Version)
15-Two Lanes Over (Studio Version)
16-Over the Rainbow
17-Look
18-Two Lanes Over
19-Long Long Gone
20-Casualties of War
21-Follow Me

T.A. FLASH Album Zipped Package


T.A. FLASH ALBUM HISTORY

This music was created by all band members as all had lots of input and integrity for sound, style, arrangement, and direction. Most of the live music was recorded from the sound board at the Living Room in Providence, RI. Four tracks were recorded in the studio and the rest was recorded on a Walkman cassette recorder. This CD was published and manufactured by Kimjon Entertainment Inc. in 2000 at the drummer's residence.
The band members of T.A. FLASH came from three different states and they consist of:
Eric Alan Paulson: Keyboards, backing Vox
Eric C. Ullman: Lead and backing Vox, Guitar
William (Bill) John Wapinski: Bass, Backup Vocal, and Business
John Michael Laabs: Drums, Business, and Photography
John Schnyder: Guitar (Emerald City Line-up)
Rich Norman Davia: Guitar

T.A. FLASH, originally Known as EMERALD CITY from Providence RI, came from three different States and sustained a life span from 1986 to 1989. Their main rehearsal space was in Pawtucket RI, just off I95 North at exit 26 on Esten Avenue. EMERALD CITY was founded in 1986 by Eric Ullman and John Schneider. The drummer joined EMERALD CITY at the end of 86 when they won the "Playhouse 85", WHJY Battle of the Bands.

T.A. FLASH rocked down town Providence, RI throughout 1987 and 1988 at the Living Room on Promenade Street. A place we referred as "Our Home". There we played with national acts as Extreme, Helix, Fahrenheit, Kix, Malice, and Saxon, besides our own headlining thanks to Randy (Owner). EMERALD CITY scheduled 28 shows in 1988 from January 1st to September 29th, in the three States we came from. Some locations were: The Channel in Boston, MA; Rosalini’s in Pawcatuck, CT; Rocky Point, Warwick, RI; Sahara Café, Waterford, CT; Club III, Somerville, MA; El "N" Gee, New London, CT; The Car Palace, Somerset, MA; Bunratty’s, Alston, MA; J. R. Fastlane, Providence, RI; Edible Rex, Billerica, MA, and of course our famous "FLASH BASH" we held in Tauton, MA at the bass player's house.

In 1988, T.A. FLASH created their first release with "Tan Lines" and "Two Lanes Over" recorded at Star Tracks Studios in Boston. It was Produced by EMERALD CITY and Engineered by Bob Saint John. The growth was strong and persistent in their music and their business networking skills. From interviewing with "Rockfax" and "The Beat" Magazines, Claiming a spot on "Metalstorm" and "Thunda Records" compilation albums, making ½ hour videos that played on public cable shows like "Originals Only" and "Rock Styles", to car washes, advertising booklets, and a plethora of ideas to raise money. Then we came to a major upset when a friend, T.A. FLASH's first significant backer, Pat A. Vadala was killed when landing his twin engine aircraft. Their first real album was to be created in a world class studio and display many of the songs that appear on this disc. The band completed schooling in Boston with the New England Musicians Association President Peter C. Knickles and the band's ideas were mentioned is his book about making it in the music business. EMERALD CITY!... A name that speaks about the city of dreams, turned into a lawsuit from every angle around us. In 1988 the band decided to change their name to "T.A. FLASH" about when John Schneider grew out of the band. T.A. FLASH formed a partnership with Bill and Kimberly Naves from Salisbury, MA. EMERALD CITY Corp. meets SHOOTING STAR MOTORSPORTS! Utilizing the powerful impact of a 200 plus MPH funny car to capture market share. They played our music at events with T.A. FLASH painted on the car while we advertised for them at the performances. "High Performance Rock and Roll" was printed everywhere.

Next, a new release was in the works! The focus was two songs called "Love the Way (You Love Me)" and "Big City" recorded at Newbury Sound in Boston, MA. It was Produced by Peter Knickles and Engineered by Jeff Dovner. The band members created Flashtunes Publishing and Emerald City, Inc. in a attempt to properly house our next product. This release was dedicated to Pat A. Vadala for his faith and direction that we so dearly missed. It also mentioned the band's crew: Paul Flyn (Stage Manager); Bob "The Fugitive" Dias (Lighting); Paul "The Wall" Hagar (Sound); Steve "The Loaf" Harvey (Security); Rich Dussault (Drum Tech). The release did well and many new songs brewed from all the members. Peter Knickles commented, "If we would have recorded "The Big Lie" (Hard Rock Lady), it would have landed the band a record deal."

The band now had about 30 songs to choose from and a descent show put together by all the crew. In March of 1989 they agreed to sign into a legal partnership agreement between the said band members. This satisfied other alliances and protected the band's hard work. A $60.00 payment of dues was required on a monthly basis. Between five members this was an effective tool. It was always a hard road and the scale never tipped towards giving up until the Summer of 1989. The drummer was the last person to join the band in 86 and now the first one to leave. The drummer quoted, "My heart will always be with this music, the band members, and our supporters." Twelve years later as the drummer create this disc and to this day, he still feels like it was yesterday and can play every song by heart. Personal reasons tilted the scale and when he left it was with a bang. The last show, the third annual FLASH BASH. A Fourth of July party hosted by us from 11:00am to 5:00pm for the 700 plus guests. Four other bands filled the air and over 27 barrels of beer filled a lot of stomachs. There was food, soda, volleyball, Shooting Star funny car, booths for handmade T-shirts, old albums, and other merchandise. DR. Metal and Terry Miles from 94 WHJY drove around in their red Jeep passing out hats, Frisbees, and T-shirts. At Ten bucks a pop, T.A. FLASH cleared over three grand after expenses to pay for the release they had just made.

Shortly after, Eric A. Paulson was the second member to leave the band which halted all activities and the band never performed again. It is believed the chemistry was a one in a million chance between five people to have the same feel, creativity, goals, and business skills. The drummer and bass player did most of the business for T.A. FLASH. The lead singer did most of the writing, although, all of the band members had major input with the writing, sound, and direction of the music. The bass player wrote Tiger Lilly. The drummer wrote Hard Rock Lady and then the lead singer changed it to The Big Lie. The Keyboardist wrote many pieces. The drummer and the keyboardist contributed a significant sound to the band. This sound could not have been replaced as proven with some of the lead singer's music that followed after the band dissolved.

Images on T.A. FLASH CD covers were taken from behind the drums at the Living Room. The image on the disc was taken at Rocky Point Park where we had choreographed dancing girls, lights, and a smoke machine for one of our largest crowds during 94 WHJY Rock Wars. T.A. FLASH took 2nd place.

T.A. FLASH CD COVER

T.A. FLASH CD BACK COVER

T.A. FLASH CD

These files are from a huge library of audio and film archives. Many items will slowly start appearing here as they are encoded properly and integrated into the the site.

A couple T.A. FLASH music videos can be found on YouTube.
Eric Ullman video of Long Long Gone. Displays some images of the band.
Eric Ullman video of Two Lanes Over. Displays some images of the band.