When I met them in March 1983, the Answers took the top of my head off, scraped out all the crud and set it on straight … The combined musicianship of guitarist Dave Fleminger, bassist Jeff Lowe and drummer Dave Anderson was on a level I’d never experienced from a local band playing the kind of music I cared about. And the songwriting! Transcendent.
I’d spent a year somewhat isolated from my peers, not getting out so much from Encinitas but listening to a lot of records and imagining the sort of co-conspirators who could synthesize the energy of punk with the emotional complexities of earlier eras. When I met the Answers, it all lined up for me — anything was possible.
Like most of the Che Underground bands, the Answers (and their formidable successor, the Mirrors) never made it onto vinyl or into distribution, a cosmic injustice that haunts me to this day. However, the vaults contain a wealth of recordings of the band as I first remember them; in earlier incarnations, including bass work by the estimable Tony Suarez; and as the members pushed the sonic envelope in the Mirrors and beyond.
What do you remember best about one of San Diego’s best, lost bands?
At the time I couldn’t reconcile my love of classic rock and the argument of the punks that rock was the bloated, self-indulgent product of rich rock stars out of touch with the reality of real people. The Answers with Sergio of Hair Theatre singing some songs was the first time I saw any local underground band besides punk bands. It opened up a whole new world for me. I went from loner stoner bedroom guitarist to part of a vibrant music scene, like many others had done with the mod and punk scenes. Their music was reminiscent of ’60’s psychedelia but with a clean, complex guitar sound. At a time when Van Halen, INXS and Depeche Mode were on the radio, it was a whole new thing.
I loved those guys. Awesome band.
Matthew hit it right on with “Transcendent”. A fantastic band, a fantastic experience.
Yes The Answers!!! how great to hear them again, what an amazing feeling and aura is reinvoked. I remember I was so happy to have a band that I could just be so devoted to. I loved their sound, I want to hear more!!! Peace, David Rives