New Work | The Che Underground

The Unclaimed get back to San Diego for ‘A Midwinter Masque’!

January 28, 2022January 26, 2022 by Mmrothenberg

Among the San Diego legends slated to play “A Che Underground Midwinter Masque” Feb. 18 and Feb. 19 at The Casbah San Diego, The Unclaimed stand out as honored guests and faithful friends of the SD scene.

A musical force in their own right, the Los Angeles garage-rock pioneers also inspired and mentored successive generations of musicians, including the set of LA-area bands that came to be designated the “Paisley Underground” as well as San Diego bands that shared their ethos and aesthetic.

The Unclaimed put out their first EP in 1980 and played memorable (and occasionally infamous) shows in San Diego, often with L.A. compatriots like The Pandoras, The Salvation Army and The Bangs. What’s more, Unclaimed founder Shelley Ganz credits Mike Stax with re-energizing the band when he invited them to play the 30th anniversary party for Ugly Things magazine on Memorial Day 2013. (The current lineup also includes guitarist Patrick Cleary, bassist John Worley and drummer Shaun Bryant.)

It’s fitting that they return to San Diego Feb. 19 to cap off our musical weekend!

Mark your calendars for ‘A Che Underground Midwinter Masque’!

February 15, 2022November 12, 2021 by Mmrothenberg

Mark ye well: A neat two years since “A Che Underground Leap Night Showcase,” the tribes will gather again in February 2022 for an effervescent weekend of mirth and music.

“A Che Underground Midwinter Masque,” Feb. 18 and Feb. 19 at The Casbah San Diego, will feature legends of the San Diego scene and beyond.

Fancy dress is highly encouraged but not required. (Stay tuned for costume contest details.)

And check out this boffo lineup (with more names to come)!

Leighton Koizumi talks ‘Power Hits’

July 15, 2021 by Mmrothenberg

While his musical roots lie deep in the sandy soil of San Diego, Leighton Koizumi has spent recent decades thousands of miles up and to the right, rocking venues from Spain to Sweden (with side trips to China and other ports of call).

Now, the legendary frontman for The Morlocks and The Gravedigger V has crafted a double album in collaboration with Italy’s Tito and the Brainsuckers — and you don’t want to miss these 24 tracks of pure chewing satisfaction.

Due out August 13, Power Hits comprises covers from the Stooges, Love, Moving Sidewalks, Kinks, Eyes, Banshees and even Gordon Lightfoot.

Leighton kindly provided Che Undeground: The Blog insights into his history with lead Brainsucker Tito Macozzi and their creation of Power Hits.

P-Touch All Stars: ‘Cry Baby Cry’

October 9, 2020October 4, 2020 by Mmrothenberg

The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have spawned a thousand new flowers of socially distanced creativity — and the artists of the Che Underground are tending their mind gardens for your delectation.

Case in point: This latest effort from P-Touch All Stars, which gives an old favorite a new cinematic treatment (with a little help from the Library of Congress’ film archives).

Plugger: ‘WASAAS’

October 3, 2020October 3, 2020 by Mmrothenberg

Plugger/Bums from Deep Space present their first joint under the Che Underground label. What happens after the fairy tale ends?

It’s been a long time, you know? I mean, a long time. Since she rode off with that guy while they stood waving their caps until she disappeared over the horizon line, a lot has happened (or should have happened?) — but nothing has really changed.

How long was she with them, anyway? (Outside of her crystal casket, I mean.) A week? It’s crazy how much difference that little bit of time made. But in the mines, time doesn’t move the same way. There aren’t the same visual cues. And the time you’re on the surface is that much clearer, but it’s brief, you know? Little pinholes in a black box.