During its run from the mid-’80s to early ’90s, Audrey Moorehead’s and Dominic Priore’s cable series “It’s Happening” hearkened back to an earlier era of music television. The show featured clips from Priore’s video library as well as a cavalcade of the era’s garage bands.
“Priore and Moorehead choose the bands, design the Spartan sets, and write and edit the show, which is financed by Priore and grants from various cable companies,” the Los Angeles Times described in a 1990 article. “The equipment and crews are provided at no charge through the companies’ local access departments.
“The most striking element about the 30 low-budget segments that have been produced is their glaring, and oddly endearing, roughness. There are no jump cuts, computer-generated special effects or other MTV slickness.”
The footage, which was shot at Pasadena City College, features multiple takes of an interview with the band (which is fun to watch, considering how little video we have of our friends speaking). Performances include the Brogues‘ “Don’t Shoot Me Down” as well as “It’s Not Me” and “I’m Going to Make You Mine.”
I watch these clips, and The Chocolate Watchband comes unbidden, to mind.
Try my friend loving all, the things we used to love
I realize there was not very much to love
but that’s no reason, to go on living in the past
Try my friend doing all, the things we used to do
If you could color me, it would be darkest blue
Give me another chance, I’ll love you more than in the past
It’s up to you to do, the things I want you to
Don’t question me, it’s gotta be this way
Please my friend hear me out, before you have to go
It’s time your understood, I think you ought to know
Give me another chance, I’ll love you more than in the past
Here are the Driving Wheels on “It’s Happening,” featuring Ron Silva, Tom Ward, Bart Davenport, Xan McCurdy and Ben Wayne:
… And here’s the Event, who John Hanrattie worked with after the Gravedigger Five.