by Bradley Torreano
Former Gang Green and Mighty Mighty Bosstones bassist Joe Gittleman teamed with guitarists Amy Griffin (of the Raging Teens) and Paul Delano (ex-Darkbuster), and drummer Dave Karcich to form the punk-pop foursome Avoid One Thing. The group, based in Boston, crafts a Replacements-meets-Green Day sound that is showcased on their 2002 eponymous debut, released through Side One Dummy. Gittleman had written and recorded most all of the record himself in between the Bosstones' schedule, and by the time he'd brought a band together for an East Coast tour in March 2002 (see above members), the songs had begun to take on an exciting life of their own with the outside contributions. But the week before the album's release, tragedy struck. On April 2, Karcich (who'd also served time with the Pilfers and Spring Heeled Jack) suffered a brain aneurysm and passed away three days later; his funeral was the day the record came out. Briefly considering calling it quits, Avoid One Thing ultimately knew their friend would want nothing of the sort and carried on. The band soon transitioned from being just Gittleman's side thing into his full-time gig, and the lineup solidified around him with Griffin and drummer John Lynch. Avoid One Thing's second album, Chopstick Bridge, which consequently was much more of a group effort, appeared in May 2004.