The Waitresses

The Waitresses were a New Wave band from Kent, Ohio, United States. The group was led by Chris Butler, although lead vocals were performed by Patty Donahue. Donahue died of lung cancer on December 9, 1996, at the age of 40. They were best known for their songs "I Know What Boys Like" featured on countless new wave compilation albums, "Square Pegs" the theme song to the cult TV show starring Sarah Jessica Parker, and their Christmas song "Christmas Wrapping." The latter was originally available on the Ze Records original collection "A Christmas Record.

They were best known for their songs "I Know What Boys Like" featured on countless new wave compilation albums, "Square Pegs" the theme song to the cult TV show starring Sarah Jessica Parker, and their Christmas song "Christmas Wrapping." The latter was originally available on the Ze Records original collection "A Christmas Record." It is considered to be a modern day Christmas classic, and has received more plays than any other Waitresses song.

Chris Butler's diverse musical interests are apparent from the use of prepared piano on "No Guilt", microtonal background vocals on the chorus of "Wise Up", tape loops and short wave receiver on "Jimmy Tomorrow", and the title of "Make the Weather", taken from Hugo Ball's autobiography Flight out of Time.

Bassist Tracy Wormworth went on to play with Sting, and later appeared on television daily as she played in the house band for "The Rosie O'Donnell Show." Mars Williams has played saxophone with The Psychedelic Furs since the mid-80's.

They released two albums - "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful" and "Bruiseology". Both titles have been out of print for many years and neither has ever been available on CD; their music is now available on compilations. The Best of the Waitresses (Polydor 1990) is available on CD.

Official Albums:
1981 I Could Rule The World If I Could Only Get The Parts
1982 Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful
1983 Bruiseology
1983 Make the Weather EP
1990 The Best of the Waitresses
1997 King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents The Waitresses
2003 20th Century Masters - The Best of the Waitresses

The Waitresses released three singles:
1981 "Christmas Wrapping" from "I Could Rule the World if I Could only Get the Parts" (Latest known version on "The Best Christmas Album In The World Ever".)
1982 - "I Know What Boys Like" from Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful (23 on Mainstream Rock Tracks, 62 on Pop 100)
1983- "Make The Weather" (did not chart, but the video was played on MTV and is still played on Vh-1 Classic.)

Band members included:
* Patty Donahue (lead vocals)
* Chris Butler (guitars)
* Mars Williams (saxophone, reed instruments)
* Billy Ficca (drums)
* Dan Klayman (keyboards)
* Tracy Wormworth (bass, background vocals) (mid-1982-83)
* David Hofstra (bass) (1981-82)
* Ariel Warner (background vocals) (1981-82)