SVT

San Francisco based outfit fronted by ex-Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna bassist Jack Casady. Casady brought with him Nick Buck from Hot Tuna and added Brian Marnell and Bill Gibson from Airplay (ex Sound Hole). The band was formed early in 1978 as Jack Casady Band but evolved rapidly into SVT. 

 

While the band became live favourites in the Bay Area they never managed to crack into the big money markets. Apart from their EP and LP, SVT had two 45s on 415 Records and a cut on the Ambition Records compilation 'Declaration of Independence' (AMB 1) in 1980. Their debut single "Heart of Stone", became a hit on local FM station KSAN. 

 

Bill Gibson, who had been a founding member of SVT, did not play on any of SVT's albums -only on the singles. Although, he is playing drums and singing backing vocals on two tracks that were added to the re-released and extended 'No Regrets' album. Bill left SVT in 1979 to form what was to become Huey Lewis and the News. He was replaced by local drummer Paul Zahl. 

 

With Zahl on drums, SVT recorded 'Extended Play' in 1979 and after Nick Buck left SVT early in 1981, the remaining trio recorded 'No Regrets'. The later album dissappeared very soon after its release because the band had difficulties to find a bigger audience -mostly due to the fact that the San Francisco audience had problems with SVT's 'punk/new wave style'. They expected different things from Casady. Eventually the lack of success and changing lifestyles led to SVT's end in 1982. Marnell's death on August 19, 1983 would also end any reunion ideas -if they ever existed. [SOURCE: BAY AREA BANDS]