We were thinking of band names, and trying to find one that represented the creepy-crawlies that everybody knows, and in some cases, loves.

We will, but not yet.

A couple of nutcases like us, who would never get a contract, can make music and pretend we're famous.

Nope.

Edward and Andre are siblings, both genetically and by choice, and were born and raised in Berkeley, California. Andre and their sister, Leilia are the founding members of The Von Poe Family, a sort of surrogate sibling-hood created to escape the terrors of adolescence. Edward (hereafter referred to as Side Dish), was inducted after he finished what is commonly known as his 'food product stage', although the nick-name 'Side Dish' has clung on.

Andre started his creative career as a poet under the name of C.L. Nosferatu, which was later abandoned in favour of its current name, and has since published a book, available through Lulu Press. (See Andre's page for details). She later wrote songs for Lucifer de Noir, a San Francisco Bay Area performing artist, which he still does. Andre acquired what little guitar skills it possesses from her sister. It is currently involved in various projects, the most prominent of which is The Woodshed Spiders.

Edward 'Side Dish' Von Poe is the rhythm section of The Woodshed Spiders. Side Dish started his musical career in first grade or so, with mandatory and unenjoyable piano lessons. He has since abandoned tickling the ivories for making a racket with Andre. His favourite sport is banging on things. Side Dish dabbles in writing, sculpture, and most other creative pursuits. He aspires to be a lesbian folk singer.

The Woodshed Spiders formed one unremarkable afternoon in April, 2006. Andre was working on a murder ballad, which Side Dish ended up contributing to, and later our heroes decided to form a band. They were at a loss as to what to call their new creation, however. When ' Dish remarked on the unsuitability of band names akin to Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Andre began to contemplate the beloved creepy-crawlies of childhood, namely those that dwelt in the woodpiles of yore. however, they decided that The Woodshed Spiders sounded better than The Woodpile Spiders.

Special thanks to Angus Monshroud for writing this history of The Woodshed Spiders, Andre and Side Dish's dad, for being helpful and not getting in the way, and to all the spiders Andre and Side Dish used to look for in the woodpile.

Janis Joplin, Gus Cannon, Syd Barret, Lucifer de Noir, old ballads, Jim Morrison, Johnny Cash

Berkeley, California

A couple guitars, a washboard, hands, feet, appendages, voices, Apple Garageband