(The Cardiac Kidz’s Jim Ryan recounts his band’s recent performance to support Gary Heffern’s return to San Diego, including new collaborators and material.)
After a Penetrators reunion show the Sunday before, Gary Heffern appeared once again at the Casbah for his CD release show to debut “Gary Heffern & Beautiful People” and his San Diego all-star band “Blood on Fire.” Those of us who came prepared were able to take not only the show home but the CD from this consummate artist, now living in Finland.
Sean McMullen’s words and images from the Penetrators reunion!
Here I am over 30 years later, remembering my last performance with Gary when the Penetrators, the Cardiac Kidz and the Standbys played the Spirit night club in 1980.
After getting the call from Gary that he would like the Cardiac Kidz to open the show, I was on the move. The boys digging the opportunity and me looking forward to seeing Gary again, I knew this show had to be special. Gary is a special guy.
Joe Piper describes collaborating with Gary Heffern for Blood on Fire!
We decided that we would debut our new song “The Sun Shines” along with “Deceived.” (The Cardiac Kidz have started to introduce some new songs from their catalog of new material to be released on CD this year.) I contacted Jay Allen Sanford (Rock and Roll Comics) to put together a one-sheet for the show, and he graciously agreed. The Cardiac Kidz lineup for the night included Wallflowers alumni Matt Johnson on drums and David Rinck on guitar.
We also enjoyed special appearances from Kiinch DeGrate on keyboards (a rare treat in the world of punk) and Louis Damian of hING! on sax and even a surprise appearance on bass by Dave Doyle of The Unknowns for the Cardiac Kidz’s version of Buddy Holly’s “Words of Love.” This was just for openers. And then our job was done.
After the Cardiac Kidz, “Gary Heffern’s Blood On Fire” took the stage. Heffern’s Blood on Fire is: Ray Brandes (Hedgehogs, Mystery Machine, Tell-Tale Hearts, Town Criers); Mark Zadarnowski (Crawdaddys, Mystery Machine, Town Criers, Shambles); Joe Piper (Crawdaddys, Bog Trotters, Decagents); Victor Peñalosa (Melanies, Shambles, Quarter to Three); and Eric Bacher (Tell-Tale Hearts, Town Criers).
Gary shined that night. and the evening will remain one of my most memorable.
—Jim Ryan
Meanwhile, a reminder that the “Gary Heffern & Beautiful People” CD comes out in Europe on May 9 via Glitterhouse Records. Order early and often!!”