Personal History | The Che Underground

Steve Griggs: A life well lived

September 4, 2011May 28, 2011 by admin

(Tony Suarez offers photos and memories of another San Diego stalwart gone too soon.)

We lost another good guy recently in San Diego. Stephen Griggs passed away on May 17, 2011.

Steve didn’t play in a band. He was the guy that got all of us to go see the bands, and got people up front and dancing. If it weren’t for guys like Steve, most of us playing music would not have had an audience. He was a ringleader, and got people together to go to shows. His involvement with the Secret Society Scooter club led to many shows at Club Zu, Rock Palace and most of the New Sounds of the 6ts, and many of the early SD scooter rallies (I got Dogged, the rallies to Bad Manners, the Who show, et al.).

I hope these photos attest to his far-reaching love and friendship … not only in the mod and scooter communities, but to his love of Little League (he was an umpire for many years) and the the SD rockabilly scene through most of the late ’90s. I look at his Facebook, and Steve had more friends than most bands and celebrities!

Harold Gee expands his archives

September 4, 2011May 25, 2011 by admin

Happily for anyone who’s interested in San Diego underground culture of the ’80s or insightful photography of any stripe, San Diego expat Harold Gee wrote to inform me he’s warming up the scanner to add more images to his definitive Flickr set.

One of the great things about Harold’s collection is all the comments he’s amassed over the years from peers who’ve recognized themselves and their friends. Hence, he’s starting with this group shot from March 1985 and hoping that the folks in the photo will help set the scene.

John Kuhlken, 1961-2011

December 16, 2017May 24, 2011 by admin

An accomplished San Diego musician and friend to many, John Kuhlken passed away on Friday after being hospitalized with a blood infection.

John played drums for myriad local bands, including Sara Petite and the Sugar Daddies, the Nards, Brawley, Deep in the Shed and the Targets.

According to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune, where John had worked as an ad copywriter for about 20 years, John suffered from non-Hodgkin lymphoma but had been in remission for most of the past decade after a bone-marrow transplant.

Todd Tomarrow, RIP

September 4, 2011May 23, 2011 by admin

Sad news from San Francisco: San Diego fashion veteran Todd Tomarrow (né Todd Bundy) passed away May 21. According to the Antebellum Blog, “I’m sad to say that we lost Boy Bar / Jackie 60 legend Todd Tomarrow (aka Lulu) yesterday. Todd died suddenly from blood poisoning. He lived in San Francisco with his partner David for the last few years.”

Condolences to Todd’s many friends.

The Joel Scott Hill Trio in photos

September 4, 2011May 15, 2011 by admin

As he continues to explore rock-‘n’-roll history via his radio collaboration with Vanilla Fudge’s Vince Martell, Gary Ra’chac generously took time out to share some great memories with Che Underground: The Blog.

“Hey Matthew,” Gary writes, “I love these shots!! San Diego’s own, the Joel Scott Hill Trio (with Joni Lyman) December 1965, Whisky a Go Go, Sunnyvale, Calif.” (Editor’s note: Read this post on Rock Prospography 101 for information on the abortive Sunnyvale franchise of the Whisky a Go Go.)

“The great Johny Barbata (Turtles, CS&N, Jefferson Airplane) on drums; Bob Mosley (Misfits, Moby Grape) on bass; and Joel Scott Hill (the Invaders, Canned Heat, Flying Burrito Bros.) on guitar.

Hector Peñalosa joins Gary Ra’chac
on ‘Vince Martell Rocks America’

May 3, 2018May 9, 2011 by admin

Gary Ra’chac is a San Diego institution in his own right: a native of the city, witness to multiple generations of San Diego music; friend of San Diego legends from Lester Bangs to Ray Brandes; veteran employee of the late, lamented Tasha’s Music City; currently singer-songwriter and radio personality.

Gary has recently been producer of “Vince Martell Rocks America,” featuring the Vanilla Fudge guitarist and hosted by WNJC 1360 AM, New York.

Cardiac Kidz with Blood on Fire

September 4, 2011May 7, 2011 by admin

(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.

RIP, Ron Hake

September 4, 2011May 3, 2011 by admin

Sad news for friends of Ronnie Hake, an expatriate of the San Diego scene who passed away April 25 at his home in Menomonie, Wis.

According to the obituary:

“Ron was a San Diego native born to James and Irene Hake; he spent his childhood in Menomonie then attended high school in San Diego. Ron moved back to Menomonie to raise his children Madeline, Curtis, and Lillian.

Calling Poly Styrene from La Jolla

September 4, 2011April 28, 2011 by admin

(Mikel Toombs takes inspiration from the late punk icon.)

Poly Styrene, who died Monday after battling breast cancer (she was 53), was the subject of the first interview feature I ever wrote. It appeared in the Triton Times, before it became the UCSD Guardian and moved in next door to the Ché Café, which you may have heard about.

And what would prompt a penniless college student to place a then-pricey phone call to London to talk to someone in a band, X-ray Spex, that had a single 1977 single (“Oh Bondage! Up Yours!” backed with “I’m a Cliché”) in a style (punk) that had yet to take hold in the US, which still wanted to get down tonight?

This: “Some people think little girls should be seen ‘n’ not heard, but I say,” Poly said, “oh bondage! Up yours!”

Setting ‘Blood on Fire’

September 4, 2011April 23, 2011 by admin

(On April 6, a group of San Diego music veterans backed local hero Gary Heffern when he returned from Finland to play the Casbah. Joe Piper recounts the 34 years leading up to his own part in the gig.)

Life’s funny…

When Gary Heffern’s Blood On Fire took to the Casbah stage earlier this month it was, for me, more than just an opportunity to play with some truly outstanding musicians who just also happen to be a group of the greatest guys you could ever hope to meet. It was more than a chance to take part in what is possibly the most enjoyable project I’ve ever worked on. It was all that and more — it was a chance to take care of unfinished business.