This photo and the one of the band van from Bobby’s blog Diary of a Drummer
Last year Bobby Corley of the State of Mind sent me a copy of their cool single for the Tener label. I sent him a couple emails to thank him and ask for more information on the band, but haven’t heard back yet. Bobby has a blog Diary of a Drummer with many good photos, but he hasn’t updated it in a couple years.
The members of the State of Mind were Tom Devore (vocals), Glenn Coleman (lead guitar), Mike Darby (rhythm guitar), John Dumas (bass) and Bob Corley (drums). Their original drummer was Leo Gates, replaced by Corley in 1967 when Gates went to college. Gary Redwine also played bass with the group, though I’m not sure if he came before or after John Dumas.
The band was from Winter Park, by Orlando, often appearing on bills at the Orlando Youth Center and The Place, but other than that I don’t know much about them.
Their first release was probably this very fine version of “My Back Pages” on the Bee Jay Demo Volume II compilation from 1967 (Tener TC 1014). I hadn’t heard this until recently.
The State of Mind – My Back Pages
Their single came out in late ’67 or ’68. “City Life” is really unusual, with static noise layered over the music throughout the song, giving it an apocalyptic feel. It was written by Mike Darby, Tom Devor and Glenn Coleman. The flip “Time Will Tell” is also good, written by Devor and Darby.
Glenn Coleman and Tom Devore, and later Mark Darby, played with a later group called the Orange Wedge (not the Michigan group who recorded “From the Tomb to the Womb” or the Baltimore group with two LPs in the ’70s).
Thank you to Jeff Lemlich for the transfer of “My Back Pages”.
I can send you an .mp3 of “My Back Pages”. They do a very good version of the song.
JUST WONDERING DO YOU KNOW WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MIKE DARBY AND TOM DEVORE??? GREW UP WORKING WITH THEM WITH THE ORANGE WEDGE, HAVENT SEEN THEM IN MANY,MANY YEARS, ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, THANKS TBG
Originally, Orange Wedge consisted of Clark Staton (drums), Buzz ? (bass), Tom Devor (lead vocals), and me on guitar. We later added Mike Darby to the mix. We kinda disbanded when I was drafted.
Also, the State of Mind will be playing the 2014 OYC Reunion on May 24, 2014. We hope to have all original members for the show, but still working on that.
Hey Glenn – Saw your entry on this State of Mind thread. We played together in a band named Tava in the early 80’s. Hope you’re well – shoot me a note at cdorman1@cfl.rr.com
Tom Devor is still Jamming here in Birmingham where He has been since he left Florida. One of the best Vocalist I know .
“The State of Mind” played the 2014 OYC Reunion on May 24, 2014. We had all the original members of the band on site for the show…Glenn and his family drove in from Dallas, Texas, Tom came in from Birmingham, Alabama, Bobby came in from Ocala, Fl while Mike & John live in the Orlando area. We arrived in Orlando a week ahead before the concert to rehearse in John Dumas’s beautiful and large studio. It was mind blowing as the last time we played together as The State of Mind was over 45 years ago! Everything ‘clicked’, the music came together, the friendships re-blossomed, It was a beautiful happening! But with the logistics as they are (band members living in different areas of the U.S.), It’s a strong probability that the band played it’s final curtain call on that special night at the Orlando Youth Center…
Hi Chris ! Just a little note to let you know a full change is in store for “Diary of a Drummer” soon to be completed! Anyone of you readers who have photo’s, recordings, or “where are they now” bits of info are asked to submit them to bobbylee65@gmail.com I will revamp the site to fit all your memories of that great period of time (60’s, 70’s & 80’s)! This will be a consuming effort of love by myself and your readers to bring those memories back to life! So please, if any of you have info, recordings, pictures or any memorabilia you’d like to submit, contact me at the email address above. I will be happy to include your name on the submissions you send in (should that meet with your approval). Looking forward to the NEW “DiaryofaDrummer” blog soon in a neighborhood near you…lol!
Chris…Also a special Tribute page is also to be include in the revamp blog of “DiaryofaDrummer” http://inbobbysworld.blogspot.com/
Special recognition will be given to the musicians and Industry people we’ve lost. Please send us any and all info of the musicians your readers would like to be included in this special section…The rewrite has been started and we anxiously await your replies. Rock on Brothers and Sisters!
My very young memories of the Winter Park and Orlando Youth Centers are beautiful. Not only did I personally know Gary Redwine but my girlfriends and I would always be there when they played. I did not know that Gary past away..pray that his family is doing well. Nice guy but he was somewhat, aloof to most people. The other very famous band that played at the youth centers was, We The People..oh-my.. Tommy Talton….Cowboy. I know him and in touch but look at what this great musician did and is still doing. WOW. The music back then was “real music” in my opinion. Wonderful memories. Mary Bush.
Lol Gary is not dead. Sitting here with me right now alive and kickin
Hate to alarm everyone but I’m still here. Recording with Dave Mikeal and Jack West. Latest cd “CreationV” Hope your alive and well 😎
Hate to alarm everyone but I’m still hear. Recording with Dave Mikeal and Jack West. Latest cd “CreationV” Hope your alive and well 😎
I was at a Battle of the Bands in Acton Mass and they were selling 45s of You’ve Got Me Cryin’/In The Revelation by The Mauve/Boss Todes! There was a kid named Mike Stormont who was in that band who taught me to play. We used to sit on the steps of his house on Winter St in West Acton and he would teach me early Stones tunes. Unfortunately Mr. Stormont passed away unexpectedly in 1977. Very talented guy. He and I went to Acton Boxborough Regional High School in the 60’s