Billy & the Buttons performed throughout the 1980's, though they weren't a typical 80's band. They cooked up original songs and served them with a mad dash of humor. Into the pot, they stirred rockabilly, reggae, swing and rock and roll. Some of their menu selections were tasty, and others were deliciously tasteless. Billy started making up songs in the 1970's, at the Hartford Art School. Combining his interest in music, comedy and conceptual art, he got a kick out of inventing songs. The ditties were about things not usually in songs, or new twists on common themes. Early titles include; "How and Why I WInk", and "Say, You're an Indian". Billy wrote words and tunes, but had no musical training, so he was thrilled to find Bob Genovesi to put music to his ditties. Musicians were added. The first incarnation of the Buttons included Bob on piano, Andy Bassford on guitar, Mike Rosenberg on bass, and Brian Johnson on drums. The second incarnation had no piano, but dual guitarists; Bill Flowerree and Jim Wark . Dave Johnson played bass,, and Brian Johnson played drums. Each musician had knowledge of many styles, and a creative approach. Bill Flowerree had strengths in Reggae and country, and invented quirky guitar parts. Jim Wark was into rock and punk, and specialized in soaring leads. Dave Johnson had a background in jazz, and radio voice work. His smooth tones lent irony to the weird inter-song banter. Brian Johnson was a pro in the avante garde and classical scene. One of Billy's descriptions of the band's style was "Skitz-Rock". Why? Because they switched styles and tempos from song of song, and even within songs. Plus, they did skits. Sometimes they would be rocking hard at a new wave club. At other times they'd be acting out corny comedy in a theater. The group wrote about four revues, in which they intermingled their songs with comedy sketches. They wrote scripts, enlisted extra actors, painted sets, sold tickets, and gave patrons a wild evening's entertainment. Venues included a storefront theater (Protean), the Wadsworth Atheneum, and a small NYC theater. Their best show was called; "Billy & The Buttons Incredible Rise to Incredible World Fame"; a mock-autobiographical take off on the ups and downs of the music biz. Billy's ideas for music videos led the band down some strange roads as well. Billy feels lucky to have had such creative musicians eager to musically arrange his odd songs. Each song called for it's own treatment, and got it. The other Bill, Bill Flowerree added some wonderfully weird songs to the repertoire. Variety was the spice of the Buttons. From the vaudeville style; "Saying I Love You", to the punkish "Go To Hell... from the sound advice in "Signal When You Turn", to the inscrutability of "Nickel On My Head"... The band's slogan was printed on buttons; "Down With ZIppers, I'm A Button's Fan!". Be a Buttons fan.