Here’s another selection from Hair Theatre’s Nov. 17, 1983, performance at the Che Cafe, where the band joined Eleven Sons and Noise 292. For the occasion, Hair Theatre added Answers co-founder Dave Fleminger to the original lineup of Sergio (vocals); Sergio Castillo (bass); Cesar Castillo (rhythm guitar); and Howard Palmer (drums).
Listening to songs like “Place in Space” at 30 years’ remove, I’m more aware than I was then of the contemporary qualities of Hair Theatre’s sound.
Watch Hair Theatre perform “In Obscurity” at Che Games for May, 2009!
The echoes of Jim Morrison I heard in Sergio’s vocals and the band’s psychedelic stylings first caught my attention and impressed me with the ways in which Hair Theatre appropriated in a fresh way music from an earlier era. I don’t think I was fully cognizant at the time how closely the band was listening to Joy Division, Bauhaus and other bands that emerged at the cusp of the ’80s.
Hair Theatre plays “Place in Space”: Listen now!
Hair Theatre photos and videos:
- Hair Theatre: “Phantom of Delight”
- More photos of Hair Theatre and friends
- Photos from the Coleman Collection
- A decade of Hair Theatre from the Allen Collection
- Hair Theatre onstage and backstage
- Hair Theatre: “What Should I Say”
- The kids stays in the picture
- The Cyndie Jaynes Collection, Part One
- Hair Theatre in living color
More Hair Theatre MP3s:
That is some very precise and astute perceptions there. Yes, we were listening to Joy Division/New Order, Bauhaus, whom some guy a Lou’s Record recommend me, The Cure, Siouxzsie and The Banshees, Echo&The Bunnymen, Roxy Music, The Beatles(heavy w/Sergio), The Psychedelic Furs, etc which we were intro years. Not to mention the local scene and punk rock. A heavy debt to punk and post-punk. AT least, it was mine and Sergios. That was a real fun time meeting you guys and doing acid at the university. It was such a fun, liberating romp. Cheers and thanx!
Yeah, that break sounds very Joy Divisionesque. Sergio certainly took cues from Ian Curtis and Jim Morrison. So there there might be a whole album in Doug Moody’s storage as well as Anwers and Wallflowers stuff? That would be worth looking into. I wonder if Dave Fleminger knows anything about that?
Back in 2008, I was chatting with Doug Moody whenever I could catch him on the phone — but we never got anyone up to his place. Lord knows what he’s up to now … Anyone want to go up to a garage in Oceanside?
Can you try to talk to him again? Sergio and Cesar still live in the area. I could call them. It would be a shame for all that stuff, if it still exists, to disappear.
if you could get this to sergio,would like him to know that ill be doing cocerts in florida,also breaking free of b.m.i records not saying i wasnt treated right. there a great group of people.ive allways been independent.now i m focast on helping other bands while furthering my music.i produced alot of bands in vegas and was just curios on were music has led his soul.Frank