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