The 1990s
The origin of the band goes back as far as October, 1989, when Chuck Garvey, Rob Derhak, and Ray Schwartz got together to play a Halloween show at a friend's behest. The band's first true form began in the winter of 1990. Chuck was joined by Dave Kessler on guitar and Steve Hunter joined on saxophone and vocals. They called themselves Five Guys named Moe, the name of a Louis Jordan song. They opened for a band named Monkey Wrench at Broadway Joe's in Buffalo, NY. Monkey Wrench would later be mentioned in moe.'s song Y.O.Y., where Garvey sings "I wish I could suck like Monkey Wrench."
In the Fall of 1990, Hunter exited. Also, the band's name evolved first into Haggis (for one week) before settling to be simply moe, noticeably without the period. Derhak pushed for the "m" to be capitalized, but a Brooklyn band had that name already. Al Schnier sat in with the band for a show in 1991 in Buffalo when Kessler was absent. After this show, Schnier was a frequent guest. They became known as the moe guitar army because of the three guitarists. The band also officially adopted the period at the end of its name. Schnier joined the band full-time in early 1992 and in the Spring, Kessler left due to a lack of interest.
In June 1992, the band recorded Fatboy, after which Schwartz left the band to go to graduate school. Jim Loughlin joined the band in September on drums. During the Summer of 1993, Chuck left the band due to personal issues, but returned two months later and "beg for re-admittance and more abuse." In the Spring of 1994, the band recorded Headseed, officially quitting their day jobs, and all moved to Albany, New York. Loughlin left the band in June 1995 to pursue another band named Yolk, from Binghamton, New York. After Loughlin left, Mike Strazza joined the band on drums, but only from July until the end of 1995, though he officially quit in September. During their two nights over Thanksgiving weekend at the Wetlands in New York City, the band recorded Loaf, their first official live release.
Chris Mazur joined the band on drums near the end of 1995 through November 1996. That same month, Vinnie Amico started playing for the band on drums and has continued in that position since. In 1998 the band really hit their stride as a four piece. In early 1999, Loughlin returned to the lineup on percussion, vibraphone, xylophone, flute, backup bass, acoustic guitar, and washboard. Since January 23, 1999, the band moe. has officially been Al Schnier, Chuck Garvey, Rob Derhak, Vinnie Amico, and Jim Loughlin.
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