The Reactions

The Reactions
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Origin	Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Genres	Garage rock; jangle pop; power pop
Years active	1983–1986
Labels	Homestead Records; St. Valentine Records
Members	Chuck Wagner (guitar); Brian McCafferty (bass); Dave Swanson (drums)
Associated acts	Beatnik Termites; Cobra Verde; New Salem Witch Hunters; Guided by Voices
Website

★ Ohio Artist Verified ★
This artist has been verified as part of the Ohio music scene by the OHMS Archive Foundation.

The Reactions were a Cleveland, Ohio garage rock, jangle pop, and power pop trio active in the mid-1980s. The band released one mini-album on Homestead Records and two 7-inch singles on the Cleveland label St. Valentine Records, gaining attention in underground press for their guitar-driven, Byrds-influenced sound.<ref> The Reactions – Cracked Marbles ep (1986, Homestead), Wilfully Obscure. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref><ref> Best Garage Revival Singles, The Monocled Alchemist. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

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History

The Reactions formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1983 with guitarist Chuck Wagner, bassist Brian McCafferty, and drummer Dave Swanson.<ref> The Reactions – Cracked Marbles, BandToBand.com. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> The trio became part of the city’s independent rock circuit, playing garage- and power pop–oriented material at local clubs.

In 1985 the band released its debut single, Tomorrow's Time Today / Blue Beyond, on the Cleveland imprint St. Valentine Records.<ref> The Reactions – Tomorrow's Time Today / Blue Beyond, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> The record drew favorable notice in Maximum Rocknroll, which highlighted the jangle-influenced guitars and rough garage production.<ref> The Reactions – Tomorrow’s Time Today / Blue Beyond 7″, Maximum Rocknroll. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

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A follow-up single, I Want You / Frenzied, again appeared on St. Valentine in 1986.<ref> The Reactions – I Want You / Frenzied, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> Maximum Rocknroll described the A-side as folk-rock leaning but praised the surf- and garage-styled B-side “Frenzied.”<ref> The Reactions – I Want You / Frenzied 7″, Maximum Rocknroll. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

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Later in 1986, Homestead Records issued the six-song mini-album Cracked Marbles, which compiled new material alongside “I Want You.”<ref> The Reactions – Cracked Marbles, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> Contemporary and retrospective reviews compared the band’s sound to acts such as the Feelies and the Smithereens, emphasizing its guitar-driven arrangements and melodic sensibilities.<ref> The Reactions – Cracked Marbles ep (1986, Homestead), Wilfully Obscure. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> The group disbanded not long after the album’s release.

Following the breakup, members went on to other projects: McCafferty later appeared in Beatnik Termites, while Swanson performed with bands including Cobra Verde, New Salem Witch Hunters, and Guided by Voices.<ref> The Reactions – Cracked Marbles, BandToBand.com. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref><ref> Dave Swanson – Credits, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

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Members

• Chuck Wagner – guitar, vocals<ref>

The Reactions – Discography and Credits, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

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• Brian McCafferty – bass, vocals<ref>

The Reactions – Discography and Credits, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

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• Dave Swanson – drums<ref>

The Reactions – Discography and Credits, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

Discography

Albums

• Cracked Marbles (1986, Homestead Records)<ref>

The Reactions – Cracked Marbles, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

Singles

• Tomorrow's Time Today / Blue Beyond (1985, St. Valentine Records)<ref>

The Reactions – Tomorrow's Time Today / Blue Beyond, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref><ref> The Reactions – Tomorrow’s Time Today / Blue Beyond 7″, Maximum Rocknroll. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

• I Want You / Frenzied (1986, St. Valentine Records)<ref>

The Reactions – I Want You / Frenzied, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref><ref> The Reactions – I Want You / Frenzied 7″, Maximum Rocknroll. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

External links

• The Reactions at Discogs
• Cracked Marbles feature at Wilfully Obscure
• Tomorrow’s Time Today / Blue Beyond review at Maximum Rocknroll
• I Want You / Frenzied review at Maximum Rocknroll

References

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