The Story of the Band

Early years

Fame and Glory

Recent events

Discography

IMPEACHABLE

By 1776, the All-Electrics were hunting for a new identity, as their focus became more direct, opposing British rule and agitating for independence. They hired drummer George "George W" Washington, moving Ben E. "Dick" Arnold to tambourine and backing vocals. The single "When in the Course (Of Human Events)," released midyear, defined the meaning of independence for a generation and propelled them to the top of the pop charts.

It was a milestone in the band's history. Meanwhile, though, Arnold was growing increasingly dissatisfied with his role, and when the All-Electrics and the Raiders appeared on a double bill in West Point, N.Y., Arnold joined the latter band as their star drummer until their 1780 breakup.

In his departure, Arnold sneered derisively that the band's call for representative government meant that "you're all impeachable now." Inspired by that would-be putdown, the band immediately rechristened themselves "The Impeachables," pulling together their latest singles on an album that's now considered their classic: "War and Peach."

The Impeachables toured successfully through the early 1780s. Then in 1787 they mysteriously holed up in the studio for a year, emerging with a new double album, "United States I-XIII" that rivaled, and some would say bested, "War and Peach." Sold for the price of a single album, "US113" broke all previous records and was also a hit in parts of Europe. The subsequent "Brand New Nation" tour brought the concept of national unity to many throughout the colonies and was instrumental (as was half of the album) in establishing what we now know as the United States of America.

Even during this blazing success there were clouds on the horizon: Some fans felt that for all its good intentions the double album was bloated and flaccid, with only a handful of standout rockers. For example, many objected to "Congress Shall Make No Law Respecting an Establishment of Religion or Prohibiting the Free Exercise Thereof"'s self-indulgent title, as well as its placement as Track 1. Others complained that the band had abandoned their earlier tongue-in-cheek style for outright sermonizing on cuts such as "Laws not Men" and "Deist Ex Machina."

And within the band personality conflicts were taking their toll: "George W," with his folksy, no-nonsense pose and relentless drumbeat, had become a superstar. He and Hamilton squabbled often, usually over Hamilton's insistence that The Impeachables should be paid exactly ten dollars at the end of each year, with Washington claiming that a single dollar was enough.

At one point, fan adulation was so strong that Washington had to sneak out of concert venues to avoid being mobbed by a teeming throng; memorably, at one show on the Philadelphia waterfront he found all the exit doors blocked by fans, but managed to slip across the river to Camden by boat.

By 1789 Washington had left the group to pursue his solo career. It was the end of a chart-topping era.

The story continues: The band reunites in modern times,
and brand new songs from The Impeachables