Performance History | The Che Underground

The Answers: “Electric Flowers”

June 30, 2009July 16, 2008 by admin

Music historians recognize three major phases of the Answers: the founding lineup that included guitarist/vocalist Dave Fleminger and bassist/vocalist Jeff Lowe as well as drummer Joe Asaro; a middle period during which Tony Suarez took over bass duties and Dave Anderson, drums; and a latter phase that featured Jeff’s return from LA. “Electric Flowers” inaugurated that third era in the band’s history.

“Here’s the Answers live at the Headquarters, Jan. 1, 1983,” Fleminger writes. “We kicked off the new year with our first show since Jeff rejoined the band, probably about a week beforehand.

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.

Later days at the Che

January 1, 2011July 12, 2008 by admin

Like many Che Underground musicians, I left San Diego in the mid-’80s (February 1987 in my case). However, the Che Cafe itself continued to host music by a variety of acts, many of them related to the bands that staked out the turf in the earlier ’80s.

Generous donors including Bart Mendoza and Bruce Haemmerle have sent me flyers from late-’80s Che Cafe shows. I’m eager to start making connections between the gigs of 1983-’85 and those that happened (at the Che and elsewhere in San Diego) after many of us here had decamped to San Francisco or other ports of call.

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.”

Let’s talk about girls

January 1, 2011July 10, 2008 by admin

(Kristen Tobiason and Cyndie Jaynes represent for the double-X demographic with thoughts on the retro-cool of the early-’80s San Diego underground.)

Kristen Tobiason: Were we just groupies? Girlfriends? Part of the woodwork? Sometimes. But our outfits were stunning.

I look back fondly on the creativity and design that went into our retro ensembles — the afternoons digging at Amvets and DAV’s downtown, the go-go boots with the seam up the front and the zipper in the back. … One time the Pandoras’ lead singer Paula Pierce complimented me on my boots, and it was like a magic wand of “cool” was waved over my head.

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!