Pianosaurus

A delightful curiosity during the serene '80s, Pianosaurus played juvenile pop songs on — what else? — rinky-dink pianos, plastic horns, and a full array of children's toys. Bandmates Alex Garvin, Bianca "Flystrip" Miller, and Steve Dansiger came together in New York State in the early '80s, and self-released their first two albums, both recorded live and issued in 1985. Two years later, Rounder Records released Pianosaurus' proper debut, Groovy Neighborhood, produced by Peter Holsapple (of the db's) and featuring covers of Chuck Berry and John Lee Hooker. In 1988, the trio appeared in Francis Ford Coppola's New York Stories, guesting on the soundtrack as well, and were ready to release their second album, Back to School, when Garvin left the band (apparently under mental strain). Tragically, the LP remains unissued.