Changes

The Names were formed in 1980 and consisted of Jim Ward on vocals, Doug Dawson lead guitar, Joe Long rythmn guitar, Dave Sheffer bass, and Eric Long Drums. Some of the earliest gigs were at Franco's teen club and the beer gardens at the Pensacola Intersate Fair. Song list was made up of The Clash, B-52s, The Jags, Elvis Costello, etc., and a handful of originals. Bassist Dave Sheffer bailed out farly early and Joe Long moved over from guitar to bass and the band never missed a beatcarried on. This four piece ensemble is what most people remember. When McGuigans Speakeasy opened the Names were the first band to play there and was soon swapping weekends with the Beach Monkeys. After The Speakeasy closed The Handlebar opened and once again the Names led the way by being first to play and then became a regular fixture. By 1985 this version of the Names had pretty nuch run its course. The trio of Jim Ward, Doug Dawson and Eric long along with an assortment of bass players would surface sporadically, do a one off gig and then dissappear. In 2009 Joe Long resurfaced for a couple of gigs with his former bandmates at the The Handlebar and The Break on Pesacola Beach.