The Clay People found huge success as they climbed charts

Rock-punk band first of its kind to join The Eddies HOF

ALBANY—Amassing a huge following in the ’90s and launching into stardom with their self-titled album, The Clay People pushed boundaries and blended genres to achieve their distinguishable sound. The American hard-rock punk band now joins the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame 7 p.m. March 24 at Universal Preservation Hall.

The Clay People – started by Dan Neet–had a rocky beginning. Their early sound was much more electronic, with an indie feel to their music. It wasn’t until Neet met Brian McGarvey that the band truly formed their unmistakable, powerful sound that dominated the music scene in Albany.

According to Neet, The Clay People had a lot of personnel changes but the roster that truly made the band included himself, McGarvey, Mike Guzzardi, Patrick Walsh, and Daniel Dinsmore. Current members include Eric Braymer, Jared Weed, Dinsmore, McGarvey and Neet. Over the years, musicians such as Duane Beer, Phil Montelone, Brendan Slater, Eliot Engelman, Will Nivens, and others have been a part of The Clay People.

“[McGarvey] and I took the band in a new direction because we had pretty strong bond,” Neet said. “We had a lot of similar interests. He introduced me to the heavier side of sound, and I introduced him to all this electronica. We found a sound.”

Enter Guzzardi, Walsh, and Dinsmore, and the sound grew to a phenomenon. Dinsmore said, “It was an exciting time because there was a lot of movement in the music scene, and it was a culmination of bringing together varying musicians that had very different types of stylistic approaches to what they did. It kind of melded together and created something unique at that time and The Clay People made a switch in their sound to focus more on a live performer.

Their 1998 album “The Clay People” garnered big attention with the lead single “Awake.” Their live shows combined a visual and musical display of artistic intensity and prowess. The single climbed the radio Billboard charts and launched the band into stardom. The song also appeared on the soundtrack for the American horror film “Strangeland.”

In 1999, The Clay People performed EdgeFest at the Altamont Fairgrounds, toured nationally and internationally, and shared the stage with Disturbed, Stained, Rob Zombie, and many more.

“When we went on [at EdgeFest], the sun was just going down behind the mountains–the timing was just perfect, and the band couldn’t have been more connected that day. We were looking out to sea of people like never before,” Neet recalled.

During the early aughts, The Clay People went on hiatus. They reunited in 2007 to release “Walking the Dead.” In 2018, they released “Demon Hero” with the single “Colossus,” that inspired a comic book, “The Clay People: Colossus.”

“The band has taken a few breaks over the years. But I think ultimately, we have a few more records in us,” Dinsmore said.

The Clay People owe a lot of their success to the unique scene in the Capital Region. Neet said, “The scene up here in Albany really defined us and they were very good to us. You know, the people that supported the band – we couldn’t thank them enough for the support they gave us. They figured out what we were doing before we figured it out.”

Celebrate the incredible music scene 7 p.m. March 24 at UPH during the induction event for the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame. Tickets are on sale now for the exceptional showcase of music in the Capital Region, sponsored by MLB Construction Services, LLC and media partner WEXT.  Visit the Box Office at Proctors in-person or via phone at (518) 346-6204 Tuesday-Saturday 12 p.m.-6 p.m. or online by visiting atuph.org.

The Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards and Hall of Fame, as well as UPH, are part of Proctors Collaborative.