The Schemers

History

The band's first live show was a support slot for Sam & Dave, and they also supported Jerry Lee Lewis, Ramones, Tom Verlaine and Dead Kennedys.

The Schemers were the winners of the 1982 WBRU Radio Rock Hunt in Providence, R.I., and then the 1984 WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble, in Boston, MA. Their hit single, "Remember," was the number 1 song on WBRU for over 10 weeks in early 1982. The Schemers never gained the national popularity of such other Providence bands like The Throwing Muses, Belly, The Talking Heads, or John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band.

Band members from the original lineup included Jimmy Berger, Rene Blais, Emerson Torrey, and lead singer and song writer Mark Cutler.

Cutler announced his decision to leave the band in 1986, but continued to play with the band in 1987 for their remaining live commitments, the band finally splitting up in January 1987.

Mark Cutler later founded the nationally recognized rock band The Raindogs who recorded on Atlantic Record label, Atco Records, with former Red Rockers rhythm section Darren Hill and Jim Reilly (of Stiff Little Fingers), and Celtic fiddle king Johnny Cunningham, formerly of Silly Wizard. Emerson Torrey joined the band after original guitarist Ty Avolio left in 1987. Cutler also went on to play in Men of Great Courage, the Tiny String Band, Dino Club, and Forever Young.

The Schemers only album was released in 2004; Remember compiled their earlier recordings as well as ten new recordings.

The band reformed several times for live performances, including shows in 2010 with Cutler, Berger, and Torrey joined by drummer Bob Guisti and keyboard player Richard Reed. Guisti was replaced by drummer Rick Couto in 2010. The Schemers continue to perform several times a year.

In 2015, The Schemers were inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.

Discography