(Tell-Tale Heart/Town Crier Ray Brandes lays the table for May’s audio feast.)
The Che Underground Weekend Showcase:
Celebrating more than 25 years of San Diego’s underground music history
An incredible opportunity to reconnect, reminisce and rediscover will unfold as 25 years and thousands of miles of distance disappear in a single weekend — May 29 and 30 at the Casbah in San Diego.
The lineups have been set, the bands are rehearsing, and the drinks are on ice. Here’s what to expect:
Friday Night
9:00
Everybody Violet
Kristi Maddocks: lead vocals, percussion
Carina Burns: guitar, vocals
Joey Miller: drums
Dave Fleminger: guitar
Kristin Martin: bass, vocals
Heather Vorwerck: cello
Everybody Violet, led by the beautiful and mysterious Kristi Maddocks, appeared briefly during the summer of 1986. They played a few shows and then disappeared like the Aurora Borealis, leaving spectators intrigued and wanting more. More than 20 years later they have returned, this time with some special guests, several new songs and a few surprises.
10:00
Manual Scan
Bart Mendoza: guitar, vocals
Kevin Donaker-Ring: guitar, vocals
Tim Blankenship: bass
Dave Fleminger: keyboards
Morgan Young: drums
San Diego’s original mods are back! Fresh off a couple of brilliant reunion shows last year, Kevin and Bart, the group’s sharp dressed masterminds, have assembled a crack rhythm section featuring local stalwarts Tim Blankenship and Morgan Young.
Expect to hear songs from the group’s extensive repertoire of originals, as well as a few blistering covers that will recall sweaty nights on the Headquarters’ dance floor.
11:00
The Gay Dennys
Ray Brandes: vocals, harmonica
Eric Bacher: guitar
Mark Zadarnowski: bass
AJ Croce: keyboards
David Klowden: drums
It is a sound so bold, so intense, it cannot be ignored. A frenetic Bo Diddley beat, pushed along by maracas, a hoarse vocal and an unremitting blast of pure energy like a sudden electric shock heralds the arrival of the Gay Dennys, a San Diego supergroup with a stellar pedigree. On hiatus from an international tour, AJ Croce joins the former Tell-Tale Hearts and Crawdaddys for this one night only!
12:00
The Answers
Dave Fleminger: guitar, vocals
Jeff Lucas: bass, vocals
Tony Suarez: bass, vocals
Dave Anderson: drums
Joe Asaro: drums
As the evening comes to a close, the spirit of Syd Barrett will hover over the stage as Dave Fleminger reunites with Jeff Lucas and Dave Anderson for the first time in decades! Dave says, “We’ve all grown as players but we’re trying to do justice to the clarity and simplicity of the original arrangements. The tempos aren’t as manic now; what was once a 1-2 machine pulse might be more gently swung now, so there’s a little more room for the music to come through but getting the energy in there is still key to the vibe.” Expect to hear “Color Notes,” “Never Existed,” “You Are There,” “Margaret Flies,” “Lemmings” and others.
In between bands, listen to internationally renowned DJ Tony the Tyger, co-founder of L.A.’s Club Satisfaction, spin ’60s pop, psychedelic, and rhythm-and-blues discs.
Saturday Night
9:00
The Mirrors
Dave Fleminger: guitar, vocals
Jeff Lucas: bass, vocals
Seth Affourmado: drums
Arrive early to see Dave Fleminger’s and Jeff Lucas’ luminous post-Answers project rise like a phoenix from the ashes of history. According to Dave, “We’ve developed as players and there’s choices we’re making in terms of how the songs are performed and re-interpreted but for the most part we’re doing it like we done it.”
10:00
The Wallflowers
Dave Wallflower: vocals, guitar
Paul “P-man” Howland: bass
Cecil Daniels: drums, percussion, horns, synthesizers
Matt Johnson: drums
Dave Ellison: guitar
The Wallflowers were a band that reached back into the late ’60s and early ’70s, re-establishing a link with the wonderfully eclectic styles of pre-punk rock American underground. For their appearance on Saturday night, some of the band members will be flying in from as far away as Nairobi, Kenya. According to Dave Rinck: “We’ll be playing most of our favorite old tunes, like “Turn Her Inn” “Survive the Jungle” “Rubber Room” “Funland” and “Wall Drugs.” And as if this weren’t enough cool for one evening, Cecil Daniels will make an appearance on both drums and horns, and the group has added Rockin’ Dogs’ guitar hero Dave Ellison.
11:00
Noise 292
Kristin Martin: vocals, guitar, bass
David Rives: vocals, guitar
Matthew Rothenberg: vocals, guitar, bass
Hobie Hodge: percussion
Wendell Kling: percussion
Joey Miller: drums
Noise 292 was at the center of the Che Underground scene. Its co-founder Matt Rothenberg has been the driving force behind the entire Che Underground reunion, and remarkably, working to transcend both space and time, he has reassembled the original group! Matt says, “It’s incredibly powerful to hear the old material come back to life. It’s absolutely the same band. I’m especially blown away how completely Dave Rives has channeled his electric warrior after many years away from playing acoustic only. Some of us (ahem!) have become better musicians and performers since those primitive early days , so it’s going to be really fun to give the delivery a little more of the nuance it always deserved.”
12:00
Hair Theater
Sergio: vocals
Paul Allen: lead and rhythm guitar
Cesar Castillo: rhythm and lead guitar
Sergio Castillo: bass
Steve Broach: drums
Surely a highlight of the weekend will be the moment Sergio emerges from offstage into the spotlight and the band launches into “Meet Me Outside.” According to Paul Allen, “The current lineup has a melodic hard rock sound. The music back then was influenced by late-’60s rock and a bit by early-’80s post punk and industrial rock. Now it’s similar but we’re a bit more sophisticated and/or subtle. There’s a little more R&B to it.” You have been warned—miss this and you’ll regret it!
In between sets, dubstep sensation and Wallflower, DJ P-Man, will perform.
Master of Ceremonies for both nights will be Overlord of the Underworld, illustrator, lyricist and tastemaker extraordinaire: Mr. Jerry Cornelius!
These two shows are already on pace to sell out. Don’t be left standing outside as the first band takes the stage!
Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Casbah
2501 Kettner Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
619.232.HELL
For tickets: www.casbahmusic.com
— Ray Brandes
how sad is it that the first thing I thought of was that I need to drink some coffee to stay up that late! This is going to be fun--thanks to everyone for making it happen!
Mee Tooooooooo
I just said howly crap out loud.
What a baby I’ve become.
Add my 3 hours East coast to it and It’s up all night.
Is SD still the Meth Capitol of the world? Kidding and gagging at the same time.
Megan/Mark: Tell me ’bout it!
I had a minor anxiety attack yesterday at the prospect of a Noise 292 practice slated to run from 7pm-2am PST on my first night in SD (after flying in directly from work in NY).
That would be 10pm to 5am EST … Our colleagues are generously rearranging schedules after I pointed out that I just can’t do that and actually, like, function.
(This is awesome! Let’s do a whole thread on “Then and Now: Bedtimes.” LOL)
PS: Indeed, Mark — I think San Diego may very well be the math capitol of the world! Or at least the United States.
(I still remember doing a few Borel sets to stay awake before gigs. Crazy kid … It’s a wonder I didn’t blow out a frontal lobe.)
Hah. Wimps. I’m rarely asleep before 3am on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. But if you really can’t keep up, I highly recommend the Rockstar shots (very small bottle of nasty tasting, artificially sweetened, liquid that’s loaded with caffeine and all sorts of vitamins and minerals). Do not take more than one. I had about half a bottle one evening, and was amazed.
Do you think Tim would mind if I bring a La-Z-Boy into the Casbah? I’ll buy it a ticket.
Can we have nap breaks btwn sets and shots of RockStar? Drink tickets and naps tickets? Hand stamps for shows and cots? will fire code allow for sleeping bags? a Che slumber party?
I don’t want to miss my shows! “Matlock” comes on at 8pm. I hope you people don’t expect me to put on pants.
I was secretly hoping that you wouldn’t, Matthew.
I’m lobbying to get “Murder She Wrote” shown on a big screen between sets.
rockstar is owned by the very hateful, anti-gay michael savage, so no thanks on that. but i plan to hit the little italy espresso shops. oh yeah.
I will bring a flask of mountain dew and one of those airplane neck pillows in case I nod off (not during your sets, Ray and Matthew, of course). Ava--how did you know that? And what a pity that a great name like Savage is wasted on a boor.
Michael Savage’s real name, Michael Weiner, is more appropriate.
Hmmm. Okay, how about SoBe Adrenaline Rush? It’s my favorite, but hard to come by. And not as much of a kick. (Though only slightly less.)
here’s just one example: http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/3/article_7369.php
google him and it.
Tell Michael Savage we heard Rod Stewart chugged so much Rockstar energy drink, he had to have his stomach pumped!
I prefer Michael’s brother Dan Savage.
are they really brothers? no way. you’re kidding. I love Dan Savage.
The Answers had a few rehearsals over the weekend, and boy are my arms tired. Ta-dum chink. I’ll be here all week.
They’re tired from all the pent up excitement about seeing everyone in San Diego again, and about playing! Oh, and holding up a bass for the first time in many years (I shouldn’t complain, its a very light Fender Mustang)!
Dave Flem has been here much of the week. I am happy to report that the songs hold up, and we can still play them. Both Dave Anderson and Joe Asaro are in fine form on all things drum related.
Anyone for a pinball challenge?
Oh Fred Savage, love The Wonder Years, wow he owns Rockstar Energy Drinks.
Then, of course, there’s their brother “Macho Man” Randy Savage!
Tony: I’m stoked about the Answers! I fly out to SF this weekend to practice with Noise 292 … Been having fun relearning all these parts — and wow! I haven’t seen Joey or Kavika Rives in more’n 22 years.
At least we aren’t “unlearning” the parts?
Tonight: Answers DeConstructed in the post-post modern world.
We had another rehearsal last night and everything came together rather well, due to the guidance of Senor Flem.
All this damn savage talk. Made me think of the movie “The Savages.” Most excellent flick—Philip Seymour Hoffman & Laura Linney. Ok, so there goes the tangent… “Kev” will always be my favorite savage though. Too bad the way I remember him now is as the “Mole” from “Austin Powers.”
The Games. LET them begin. (Tomorrow officially marks the one-month-away mark.)
i keep thinking about how i will be flying into swine flu central. and will do so with a willing heart, as i can’t wait to see a certain set of people…
there are 21 Catholic schoolgirls in Queens who are sick. wait. that sounds a little dirty.
My wife is a sick (in the good sense!) ex-Catholic schoolgirl.
San Diego is NOT swine flu central. According to the CDC, there are approximately 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations associated with the regular flu each year in the United States. So far there have been only 5 documented cases of the swine flu in San Diego (one new case today) and four of them were mild cases with complete recovery.
“My wife is a sick ex-Catholic schoolgirl” would make a nice bumper sticker.
>>San Diego is NOT swine flu central.
Nope, although it was the home of “Swindon Flu,” a sub-segment of early-’80s mods who identified exclusively with the southwest English town of Swindon.
i was kind of being tongue in cheek. i mean really, i am not a germ phobe. never bought the whole purell thing.
and yeah, megan, make a few of those stickers. i think we can dole them out.
That’s IT! “Purell” shall be my drag-queen name at the show!!
The swine flu is the new “let’s all freak out about something” phenomenon, a Y2K-type Purell Corporation conspiracy, to get everyone obsessed and living in the fear zone.
Don’t believe the hype.
we all survived so much in life
theres no way
the carnitas flu from meshico
is gonna harm us
The French call it la grippe porcine, which sounds like something from the “Kama Sutra” blooper reel.
hear hear.
and wow, ray, those are hilarious and sort of reminiscent of the disaster films of that same era!
towering inferno anyone???
I don’t usually play here but I LOVE Kristens comment about PURELL! What ever happened to Y2-K?? What a disappointment.
Why not be a little careful though…cover mouth, wash hands, stay out of TJ ? You’ve seen it all before anyway.
The original swine flu killed more people in 25 weeks than the AIDS virus did in 25 years….food for thought.
Y’all come back safe and sound…wish I could be there…wouldn’t go without a band.
In Spanish, it’s “Influenza Porcina”, which sounds like it should be the opening band for “Solucion Mortal”.
where’d you get that figure, b?
a., I exercise and eat well.
NPR -- Todays “ON POINT” show with Tom Ashbrook.
Scan had it’s first rehearsal tonight with the new lineup. Went fairly well.
And I should add that Flem is, as always, awesome. What a great musician, talent, and mind.
mmm… carnitas. how I miss good carnitas.
b., smartass!
megan, we are going to have to make up for lost time with the sd mex.
Soynitas! Seitanitas!
I hope provisions are being made to record the show (on audio and video). A Che Underground CD seems like a no-brainer. I’m sure lots of people would pay $10 for such a document of the Che Games.
What’s the dealeo schooleo?
I do fall off the meat wagon on occasion … Sssshhhh!
>>I hope provisions are being made to record the show (on audio and video).
Cole: As blog is my witness, this event will be documented down to the cellular level!
We have a team of videographers on deck, we’ll be recording audio of everything, and we’ve got multiple photographers who’ve raised a hand.
seitan flu, yep, followed by the ever more deadly soya pox.
From the Ramones little-known “Soya Soya Hey” album:
Gonna go for a whirl with my Seitan girl
My feet won’t stop
Doing the Seitan Hop
Seitan! Seitan!
Wear your masks when you come down. That would make it hard to down a beer, now wouldn’t it/
And bacon wrapped hot dogs off the street vendor on Revolucion are in order.
A local taco shop (luche Libre) Has a bacon wrapped dog on its menu. It’s catty corner to Gelato Vero. And a lot closer than TJ (the wait at the border would be upsetting).
That is all.
They’re telling us to avoid the Pork sushi here in Texas….
ooooh, tony, they have those? i sometimes only knew i had actually BEEN to tj when i woke up with mud on my shoes and mustard on my fingernails. those things are filthy and addictive.
I keep visualizing Peter Brady saying “Pork Chops and Applesauce.”
Cat+rat+dog= hog
>>I keep visualizing Peter Brady saying “Pork Chops and Applesauce.”
Lou: Christopher Knight did marketing for a company that advertised with my old mag MacWEEK. He once totally got all up in my grill at Macworld Expo for not giving his company enough editorial coverage.
It was kind of sad: I really did just hear “Pork chopsshh and appleshhaussh” the whole time!
When we used to go to Tijuana I would wake up with mustard on my shoes and mud on my fingernails….those were different times.
… All those poets studied menudo verse, and the ladies, they rolled their eyes!
You are quick Matt -- you must be VERY excited about the reunion shows. I hope you all have a great time!
I’m afraid if you guys OVER document it, it will be less. A paradox of performance art.
I still like Rousseau verse, naively charming.
its the century of over documenting
let the documentation begin
PS I am going to see matthew and possibly wendell for the first time in over 20 years.
I am thrilled. More so….we will all be rehearsing. Just like back in the day.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-sci-swine-reality30-2009apr30,0,3606923.story
carry on.
For those back up the thread worried about crashing out, try Clif Shots Double Espresso. Rice syrup base, and 100 mg caffeine, healthy and wiry at the same time. Or, our old standby, No-Doz!!!
or you can take
a big bite
out of
a red hot chile pepper!
Wow … Saw Kavika (a k a David) Rives last night for the first time since January ’87, when I ran into him as I was posting some boxes for my move to Germany. Today, I play with him for the first time since Halloween ’84.
Joey I haven’t played with since ’84, either, and don’t know how long since I’ve seen her. Last contact I remember from the ’80s was when she called me very nicely after an article in the SD Union on the Encinitas Pannikin completely baited and twisted my words to make it sound like I wore earrings in one lobe to prove I was straight — exactly the opposite of what I was trying to tell the reporter when he asked that STUPID question. Joey was really nice and really relieved I hadn’t turned into the macho, homophobic idiot the paper made me sound like.
I love these people and have missed them greatly. (Love the rest of the band, too, but I’ve seen them within the past decade!)
Hey! Wendell’s making it!!!
BTW, Fleminger’s band Groovus is AWESOME. Move over, Tommy Clarke — Dave Fleminger can totally bring the funk!!
Yeah, Everybody Violet rehearsed again yesterday this time in South San francisco with 4/6 of the line-up, and David Fleminger was slamming on guitar! Poor Kristin Martin was sick as a dog (with an ordinary flu bug), but she wenr wild on bass this time. Joey is really getting back into the groove on drums, and my vocals are falling back into place and making some incredible tonal connections. It is exciting to be reaching a new focal point as a band, with a nmber of new arrangements for several of EV’s traditional repretore. We can’t wait until Heather is added to the mix on Cello and violin(again, she has the ordinary flu this week). It will all come together when Carina lands intio San Diego during Rush WEEK.
We are looking forward to playing with and for akll of the gang. I’m excited to see old friends & family!
Oh, and btw: It needs to be said often and loudly that Dave Fleminger is Saint Che. Thank you for the use of the space and equipment and all other support, tangible and otherwise!
I totally agree on the saint che being bestowed on Dave. Many thank yous to all. It was a great weekend.
Got my banjo uke strung up for extra volume and ha-ha it’s early for Hawaii time cause we are from the future! Saint Che et Funk et allez vous se magnifique, merci bouquet. Wow I didn’t know I knew any French it must be that wonderful cosmo of SF and even I learned some Hawaiian at the bar there Papa hu mau ma kea kea!! Yeah and Hawaii’s finally trying to reverse the takeover with Native son Obama in there I hope he knows! Aloha, yall
Don’t flu the fear factor. A flea and a fly in a flue were stuck in a flaw in the flue. “Let’s flee,” said the fly, “Lets fly,” said the flea. And they fled through a flaw in the flue. So that’s it.
Uke Boy, you are a random fluke in the floo network.
Sounds like fun!
Oh man hahhaa get ready, oh man… the Wallflowers have quite a show prepared for you kids. hhaaa oh man…
i am so, so excited.
dave, i also can’t wait to meet your wife! in fact, i can’t wait to meet all the spouses of the best men and women ever!
Oh wow, hahahaa when I think about what the Wallflowers have planned, well hah! hahahaa you just wait and see. hahhaa! heeeheehee!!
Looking forward to seeing the bands and meeting everyone! My memory is shot so if I don’t remember you right away please forgive me.
Can we get name tags? 😉
dean, i look exactly. the. same.
Ava, I don’t. But then you can see my current look on Facebook.
I look exactly like Mac Heald.
kevin, i’ve seen you. the only thing changed is your hair!!! well, and the fact that you dress like a wonderful rock star pirate!
I’ve seen Kevin recently, rock star pirate fits!
I look something like a cross between Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly (at least that’s what I’m told constantly) until I remove my glasses, and then I look just like Dean Curtis.
all i can say is thank maude for facebook or i’d be flying blind…
just kidding.
as far as i am concerned you all look exactly the same. you see, i look at the eyes. always have. and so far you all have the same deep peepers as you used to when we hung out. so yeah, i’m not worried about not recognizing you. i’m more worried about whether or not we will be able to hear each other in the cacophony of the casbah!
Has anyone experienced delays in recieving their Che Casbah tickets?
I ordered mine on the website May 6.
Just spoke to Front Gate for the second time and the guy told me to be patient and if I do not recevie my tickets 48 hours prior to the show, I can phone yet again and they will switch my ticket to will call.
This transaction has been time consuming and a real PAIN.
Is this ticket deal being run out of someone’s garage in Texas?
PLEASE excuse my various receive typos!!!
robin, i’ve not gotten mine, either. i will call them tuesday and ask what’s up.
I have no idea what Dave Flem has gotten me into! The scene reminds me
of growing up with alternate versions of you all in New York in the 70’s & 80’s. Feels like I’ve landed on an alternate universe and my alternate self is meeting with a very familiar group of people from high school…We will all kick -ass!
This is going to blow away any high school reunion!
My 30-year h.s. reunion is this year. I couldn’t give a …
You don’t choose your classmates.
paul, you are so, so right.
we’ll have _wayyyy_ better music than any high school reunion.
See you all there!! This is exciting-if someone had said to me a couple of years ago that I’d get to see The Answers, The Wallflowers, etc at a festival in San Diego I would been pretty skeptical. A dream come true!