Game Theory

Based in Sacramento, California, USA, rock band Game Theory comprised Scott Miller (b. 1960, Sacramento, California, USA; guitar/vocals/synthesizer, ex-Alternate Learning), Nancy Becker (keyboards), Fred Juhos (bass/vocals) and Michael Irwin (drums), making its recording debut in 1981. Although loosely associated with the Los Angeles Paisley Underground movement (Miller was previously a member of Alternate Learning, with Joe Becker of True West and Thin White Rope), the quartet's progress was determined by their guitarist's infatuation with classic US pop and melody, rather then musical fashion. The best example of their early muse, following a scene-setting, competent debut, is Dead Center, which compiles the EPs Pointed Accounts Of People You Know and Distortion. The latter tracks were co-produced by Michael Quercio of Three O'Clock, which cemented their ties to the Paisley scene. Matters improved further with Real Nighttime, wherein a cover version of Big Star's "You Can't Have Me" stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Miller's increasingly adventurous lyrical scenarios. Though his occasional co-writer Juhos had departed before its release (along with the rest of the founding members), The Big Shot Chronicles continued to demonstrate Game Theory's excellence in power pop construction. Miller's fusion of 60s and 80s styles was expertly captured on Lolita Nations, another fruitful partnership with R.E.M./dB's producer Mitch Easter (their relationship having begun with Real Nighttime), and 2 Steps From The Middle Ages, which placed his band on a pop/rock pantheon with the equally accomplished and underated Shoes. Both titles saw a new five-piece line-up, with the addition of Donnette Thayer (guitar; ex-Veil (US)), Shelley LaFreniere (keyboards), Gui Gassuan (bass), and Gil Ray (drums).

In the summer of 1986, I had been out of the New Breed for nearly two years and other than jamming or a few small gigs playing at parties and small events, music was far from my mind.. My time was occupied by being head doorman at a very popular nightclub and endless dating with the girls that enabled me to meet. Life was good. It was at DNA that I met Donny, a beautiful blonde who told me that her boyfriend was looking for a bass player. I went to her car and listened to a tape. It sounded great and I was surprised they weren't signed to a label. Donnette said they were signed and that they needed a bass player to go on tour to support their latest album. I should have bought a lottery ticket because I would have won that day. Six weeks and one audition later, I was on a national tour with Game Theory.