THE TRYPES
The first Feelies offshoot to produce recorded music was The Trypes, active in the early 1980s. The group brought together John Baumgartner (keyboards, vocals), Toni Baumgartner (woodwinds, vocals), Marc Francia (guitar), along with Glenn, Bill, Brenda, and Stan.
Originally formed in 1982 by John, Toni and Marc, the group was joined by Glenn and Bill after the Feelies went on hiatus following their debut album. Brenda and Stan came on board shortly afterward, giving the band a distinctive sound that anticipated the Feelies’ post–Crazy Rhythms direction.
In 1984, The Trypes released the EP The Explorers Hold on Coyote Records. The record leaned toward atmospheric keyboards, woodwinds, and a gently psychedelic tone, offering a contrast to the more rhythm-driven sound associated with Crazy Rhythms. Alongside original material, the EP included a reimagined version of The Beatles’ “Love You To”.
The Trypes also contributed to the Coyote compilation Luxury Condos Coming To Your Neighborhood Soon with one song, “A Plan, Revised”, and performed a small number of live shows, mainly in the New York/New Jersey area.
Later that year, Glenn and Bill left the group to launch a new edition of the Feelies, with Stan and Brenda becoming the band's new rhythm section. The band eventually evolved into the Speed The Plough, which is still active today.
In 2022, the retrospective collection Music for Neighbors brought together studio recordings, demos, live tracks, and later reunion material, giving a fuller picture of the band’s short but distinctive history.