Artifacts | The Che Underground

More familiar faces

January 1, 2011July 15, 2008 by admin

Another fabulous installment from the Cyndie Jaynes Collection of photographs from the San Diego underground ca. 1984-’85.

“[M]ost of the ‘hanging around’ photos … were taken at [John] Murphy’s place on Normal St.,” Cyndie recalls. “I got a camera for high-school graduation, and sat around taking photos of anyone who showed up.”

We’re very grateful she did; each of these loving portraits offers a shock of recognition and a rush of neurotransmitters to long-unused synapses. Check out the photos and help us fill in the blanks!

Resurrecting 3 Guys Called Jesus

January 1, 2011July 14, 2008 by admin

Another reunion dinner in New York last weekend, when North County music operator-turned-North Carolina operations director John Stees arrived at Vynl on 9th Ave. armed with a disc of photos and flyers from 3 Guys Called Jesus, the band I played in from spring 1985 until I left San Diego in February 1987.

These images feature bassist Steve Duke and drummer Robert Labbe as well as guitarist Ryk Groetchen, who played with the band in 1985. All were taken by the marvelous Margarat Nee.

The Morlocks: “One Way Ticket” live in SF

January 1, 2011July 11, 2008 by admin

Here’s another piece of the Morlocks’ performance at San Francisco’s Swedish American Hall, captured by KALX radio on Sept. 28, 1985.

This live performance of “One Way Ticket,” which bassist Jeff Lucas has called lead guitarist Tommy Clarke’s “masterpiece,” closed that memorable show.

“I distinctly recall how the song’s signature stuttered rhythm would stick with you: out onto Market St., on the way home, and on for days,” recalls Paul Kaufman. “That was the best Morlocks show I ever saw.”

Saving Bobby Lane

January 1, 2011July 8, 2008 by admin

The Che Underground flyer collection is overdue in giving credit to Bobby Lane, one of the greats of San Diego rock-‘n’-roll graphics. While I hope we can open a complete (and pristine) Bobby Lane Wing in our online gallery, I like the personal history behind these two well-loved examples, courtesy of Kristen Tobiasen.

“What flyer gallery would be complete without the art of Bobby Lane?” Kristen writes. “Probably the most ‘iconic’ of San Diego punk flyer artists, definitely the most prolific. Years before I ever met him, I remember seeing his flyers posted around.

“He’s Calling You Tonight”

January 1, 2011July 7, 2008 by admin

A beautiful example of Che Underground musical chairs in action,
“He’s Calling You Tonight” brings together the talents of Dave Fleminger (Answers co-founder and sometime Hair Theatre guitarist) and Sergio (Hair Theatre co-founder and sometime Answers vocalist).

“This is a Sergio song we recorded on the 4-track with overdubs,” Dave writes. “I played the guitars, and Sergio played the drums.

“It showcases once again what a fantastic vocalist he is, and the double- and triple-tracked voice-lines are especially effective. I don’t recall playing this song with Hair Theatre while I was with them, and I’m not sure if it was part of the band’s standard repertoire.

Read more“He’s Calling You Tonight”

Pictures in an exhibition

January 1, 2011July 6, 2008 by admin

Aside from rock-‘n’-roll music and tattoos, flyer art was one of the highest forms of expression in our circle. Today, the Che Underground flyer gallery welcomes new show pieces from the collection of Dave Fleminger.

“The Greenwich Village West one is a Kristen Tobiason work (including initials),” Dave writes, “the Che is Kristin Martin’s (initials again), the Pandoras gobble is mine, and the Rain Parade/Tell-Tale Hearts is certainly one of the most inscrutable of Jerry Cornelius’ flyers.”

The Answers in action

January 1, 2011July 3, 2008 by admin

Answers founder/vocalist/guitarist Dave Fleminger has opened up his archives to share a wealth of photographs spanning the band’s illustrious career.

Here is an assortment of portrait and performance shots of the Answers featuring bassist/vocalist Jeff Lowe and drummer Dave Anderson. Just hold on tight, and you are there!

Noise 292: “Sister Ray”

January 1, 2011July 2, 2008 by admin

Performing at the Che Cafe Nov. 17, 1983 (with Hair Theatre and 11 Sons), Noise 292 pays homage to two of its bedrock influences, covering the Velvet Underground’s epic “Sister Ray” and throwing in a few stylings from Joy Division’s version for good measure. (Check out Kristin Martin and me tearing into the “Good night” vocals at the end, à la mode d’Ian Curtis!)

“My first memory of witnessing a Noise 292 show has you screaming your ass off during a performance of ‘Sister Ray,’ incredibly cathartic and tribal,” writes Dave Fleminger. “I’d never seen anything like it … way scarier and more musically violent than Fairmont Hall fare. Ear-punishing.

Musical chairs

December 13, 2017July 1, 2008 by admin

Packing so much musical talent into the confines of the San Diego scene pushed the Che Underground Mixmaster into overdrive. A couple of short years produced a dizzying melange of amputations, collaborations and creative explosions as assorted musicians formed new combinations.

Sergio of Hair Theatre sang for the Answers; guitarist David Rives from Noise 292 joined them for one performance as Painted Sun; Sam Wilson moved from the Rockin’ Dogs to the Wallflowers to Hair Theatre; Joanne Norris drummed for the Injections, Noise 292 and Everybody Violet; Crawdaddys and Gravediggers became Nashville Ramblers; half of our bands converged into the Morlocks; and Dave Anderson kept the beat for everybody else.

Many familiar faces (a few missing names)

January 1, 2011June 30, 2008 by admin

The Cyndie Jaynes Collection continues to generate a kaleidescope of images from the early-’80s San Diego underground … This batch features a shot I overlooked from the Tell-Tale Hearts’ performance at Dave Fest 3 as well as a variety of portraits.

Here’s a selection of Cyndie’s photos, followed by a list matching names to these well-loved faces. Note the gaps in the historical record; help us out here!