About

Maudlin Wednesday was an alternative rock band from Philadelphia, PA, formed in 1991 by Jon Hurly (drums), Greg Ippolito (vocals & guitar), Terry Tompkins (lead guitar) and JoAnn Schmidt (bass). Hurly and Tompkins had just dissolved a band called Alien Costume; they teamed up with Ippolito to start a new band, which originally went by the names Room 119 and Projectile Cats. When Schmidt came on board later that year, they established their identity and renamed the group Maudlin Wednesday. John Hollanbach (keyboards) joined later, filling out their signature sound.

Inspired by a wide range of influences — from REM, to The Smiths, to Ocean Blue, to The Cure, to Jane’s Addiction — Maudlin Wednesday’s songs could be alternately radio-friendly and dark-expansive. They played frequently in the Philly region, at venues including J.C. Dobbs, Khyber Pass, Doc Watson’s Pub, the 40th Street Underground and the Chestnut Cabaret. They could be seen regularly at The Barbary in Fishtown, a venue the band played so frequently they were considered the unofficial band-in-residence. 

Maudlin Wednesday released one single, “The Boy in the Photograph,” which was featured on Philly Rock Guide Vol. 3 (1993) and received airplay on WDRE 100.5FM, the alt-rock station in Philadelphia; and WGBH 89.7FM, the Rowan University station. 

Early in their fourth year, Maudlin Wednesday decided to part ways. They played their last show at Doc Watson’s Pub on April 4, 1994 (clip below).