The Wallflowers: ‘Walldrugs’ at Che Games

One year later, we’re finally on deck to start releasing performance footage shot by Eric Rife at May 2009’s Che Games for May reunion, synchronized to Jason Brownell’s high-fi audio courtesy of resident polymath Dave Fleminger.

First up, the first live performance of the original San Diego Wallflowers’ signature “Walldrugs” since 1985. Lead singer David Rinck reflects on resurrecting the song:

“When we were putting together the Wallflowers set list for the Che Games last year, we had to listen closely to the old recordings to figure out how we played those tunes, in order to get us all on the same page on the arrangements and all, since with me in Africa and the rest of the band spread out all over California, we were basically working via the Internet.”

Listen to the original Wallflowers play “Walldrugs” ca. 1984!

“Of course, we never wrote anything down back in the day. Figuring out all the old songs was pretty interesting. And also of course it fell to me as the singer to transcribe all the lyrics, and let me tell you, there was a lot of stuff in there that makes me reflect back on how we thought in those times, the ideas we had and the concepts we were dealing with.”

“Looking now at songs like ‘Walldrugs’ gave me a lot of insight on why our parents worried so much about us. I mean, I can’t imagine what they must have thought hearing me out in the garage singing things like, ‘I can’t believe I’m gonna die sober!’ Haha, and then I’d come in a make a sandwich or something and say, like, ‘Wow, Mom, the band’s really coming together great.’ ”

Catch more Che Underground video on our YouTube channel!

This May 30, 2009, performance features original Wallflowers David Rinck on vocals, Paul Howland on bass and Matt Johnson on drums. Dave Ellison tore it up on guitar, and Mr. Fleminger contributed keyboards to the set.

More video from Che Games for May, 2009:

• Noise 292 performs “Stupid Future”
• The Wallflowers perform “Funland”