Jason Seibert’s generous donation of early-’80s San Diego flyers offers a prime opportunity to open discussion of the Kings Road Cafe (née the International Blend), a small venue that played an enormous role in fostering and showcasing an eclectic mix of bands.
The Seibert Collection represents a slice of life at Kings Road in the summer of 1982, starting in June when the club morphed from the I-Blend under the management of Peter “English” Verbrugge. Other artifacts, including a July 1982 calendar (with membership card offer!), highlight the variety of performers that visited 4034 30th St. that summer, both San Diego regulars and up-and-coming out-of-towners.
The flyers include art by Bobby Lane and Clayton Colgin; one piece from August 28, 1982, appears to have been amended by an unknown protester with handwritten criticisms of the club’s $4 cover charge.
Plenty of our blog regulars played a part that summer at Kings Road; I appreciated the blurb on the July calendar advertising “Keith ‘Poor Boy’ Fisher vs. Dean ‘the Jab’ Curtis … Bart Mendoza vs. Ray ‘the Animal’ Hedgehog.’ ” If we can locate Keith, it’s time for a rematch!
I think I saw Bad Brains there twice? I know for sure once. What a show, I remember out back they had a bus or small old RV? I remember going inside and it was filled with smoke………….The funny kind.
DOA was a great show as well as Minor Threat and Husker Du.
In the words of Gibby Hanes: “it’s better to regret something you have done, then something you haven’t done”
One of my big regrets is missing Bad Brains.
Is this one at Kings Road?
I remember the Husker Du and 100 Flowers shows were very good. It’s hard to remember the others. I DJ’d at the show with The Bangs (later the Bangles), and tried to get a date with Debbie, the drummer, but she wouldn’t have anything to do with me, haha!
Here’s another flyer:
Oh yeah, and I saw Art Blakey and Tah Mahal there when it was still international blend !
I can remember a show there w/ the Vandals where the singer Stevo pulled out a grenade and as no one knew if was not armed the show was shut down in like 5 minutes. Beautiful ending and a great way to build the myth.
A band I was in w/ Doug Havens called Catch 22 w/ Randy Knox. We opened for Chelsea there and I got hit on hard by Gene October. Awkward but ultimately very funny.
I was to young to go to the Kings Road. I did see Bad Brains at Wabash Hall acouple of years later. It was a life changing event.
I would love to have seen Art Blakey--and at the International Blend? Amazing. I did see Elvin Jones several times, but not at the IBlend, by no means--only years later and far away. Among the great modern jazz drummers I also missed Max Roach, who hasn’t been gone long. Oops. Regretting something I didn’t do, as Kristen says. I missed the King’s Road / IBlend phenomenon by a short month or two, but I recall people remembering me being there, like “I remember you from the IBlend!” Well, almost! Maybe close enough. Not my fault, so not quite a regret; more a melancholy quirk of fate.
But I always wished I’d arrived a bit sooner. For one thing, nowhere else ever had as good a pair of names ever again. “International Blend”--simply as a name--spoke of a kind of sophistication to me that was lacking elsewhere even on the purely conceptual level. And of course the King’s Road (the real one) is an international landmark. Does a name like “Club Zu” aspire so high? There is such a thing as trying to hard, perhaps, but there is also such a thing as not trying hard enough. That’s I suppose why I also liked the name “the Skeleton Club.” It’s at least a bit evocative of such grand names as the Marquee Club or the 100 Club, whereas things like New Generation and other names without “the” or “club” attached to them seemed distinctly lacking in atmosphere. If you can’t tell, I’m still a bit mad about it. Gypped! A cool club is such a blessing, and the replacement venues always seemed like an unhappy compromise. There was that phase where it became necessary to rent halls like the Wabash and the Emerald Ballroom and so on. That proved to be a stop-gap and not an answer. Thus the Che Cafe, to some extent. I think the loss of the IBlend / King’s Road left a distinct void that no amount of Headquarters could fill.
Things ultimately carried on though to the extent that any blow was softened by time and the press of events. There was too much energy on the scene to succumb to any one loss. But a lot of people seemed to have met each other there and the name of the place echoed around for quite a while.
I always dug 30th Street in general. The scale of the businesses and the old signage and other architectural relics and survivals along there were just super-cool in my book. It’s pedestrian scale and if there had still been streetcars that would have made it even better. Funny that I never sussed out which place had been the IBlend. No, I think someone pointed it out, but it didn’t stay with me. What occupied the space later?
It might be argued that the I-Blend was really the place where this San Diego Che Underground started. By 1981 or so there was no other all-ages place where “cool” kids of different stripes could hang out. The diversity of the music as well as the crowds who attended was a tradition that was later carried on by Studio 517. It was truly a kid’s hangout, with shows all week long during those long summer nights and even afternoon shows with the Crawdaddys in emulation of the Beatles’ lunchtime sessions at the Cavern. It was a sad day when it closed. I’m certain the SDPD had a hand in this as well.
By the way, both “the Jab” and I took out our opponents in the first round.
Hi Tom,
This is from a previous comment:
“The International Blend/King’s Road was at 4034 30th Street. The building facades have changed quite a bit and the tire store that was across the street is now gone. If you’re facing west on 30th Street, the building is directly north of Auntie Helen’s Thrift Shop.”
I remember that Vandals show. I don’t remember for sure but we might have even played that show. Peter came up short on ticket sales and the Vandals were demanding to be paid. Steve-o pulled out the hand grenade and demanded to be paid. What I was told later is that Marc Rude reached over and plucked it out of his hand and shrugged and said, “Come on, Peter- just pay the guy.” or something along those lines- I’m paraphrasing a bit.
That year when Kings Road was really happening there were so many shows- and some really great acts. I recall Minor Threat and the Bad Brains being really good, Social Distortion and Twisted Roots. I was blown away by Crucial Truth. And Twisted Roots let us all in for free through the back door when the cops showed up to arrest us for loitering/drinking in the alley.
Here’s Google Maps’ 2008 portrayal of the old neighborhood:
View Larger Map
i loved the i blend and later kings road. seems in my memory there was almost a weekly event there. the firestone tire store across the street made for a great staging area, place to fight, drink, kibitiz, fornicate, relieve ones self and was a fine open air vomitorium as well.
Cricket: I believe it was the Rolling Stones who sang, “Well, we all need somewhere we can pee on … ” The value of an open surface for such activities can’t be overstated. Thanks, Firestone!
Coming down from North County was always an adventure for us , The Kings road cafe had incredible acts Bad Brains , Christian Death to the Our Blow out night , played a few show there myself from what I can remember , Toby , I ended up with Mike Ness ,Sacred Jimmy and the singer of the Vandals that night at Marc Rudes house , as always walking to get a couple of twelveees , kodak moment !
Ray makes good points about the International Blend as youth catalyst. Who has insights into the origin of this venue? What year did it first appear?
the first time i walked into the i blend was maybe 80 ? and it was a naborhood coffee house with no stage. recorded low soundtrack and no sign of becoming anything else. some fast talkin youth with an eye for devolment made some one some promises they had no intention of keeping. shortly there after is was straight out youth culture. i got the sence it had been existing in a beatnik bubble for a while through the late 70’s. but i have no idea. ray ? dean ? you guys were there as early as i remember. im i tottaly off ?
Cross-referencing our recent foray into the world of ‘zines, note the July 16, 1982, benefit for Terry Marine’s storied “Be My Friend.” (There seem to have been many “Be My Friend” benefits, hinting that in fact many people wanted to be Terry’s friend!)
I saw so many bands there. Christian Death, Crawdaddy’s, Paladins, The Unknowns, and so on. There was such a diversity with the bands. I really liked Pete too, great guy.
Welcome to a new month!
I took pix at the bad brains show. If they came out, I’d show ya. I shot 3 rolls and got 1 picture. I shot with a little brownie I barrowed from photo class at Pooway High. I had to look down the top and without light connect the boxes. Try to keep up with the BB with that situation!
That was the same class with Alan who took the Social D pic Toby posted. I think I have a Minor Threat picture from the show at I blend or kings rd. OK, if i post this, i have to post another one on the Adams Ave thingie. I met Cindy Hinge, before she was hinge related. She was my girl before Dave gave her her last name. Any way, Chelsea was one of my favorite shows; I think Scott Harber took me. I must say, as much as I hate the hell of Poway, I met some of the best people in the entire world there.
including you Todd “rockabillydevopunkrockFagatgetahaircutposerstraycatsfonzieelvis”
Jason Seibert rules!
Jason,
That’s a great shot, I remeber that Mickey Mouse shirt. He wore that at a few other Minor Threat shows I saw.
I took thousands of pics at most of the SD shows as well as all of the LA shows I went to. My wonderful mother threw them away when I left home for a while, along with many of my fliers. I do still have hundreds of flyers that somehow avoided the dumpster from a pissed off mom.
My mom did that very same stunt. Then to add insult to injury she rented my room to Dave Lopez from IB and continually told me what a nice guy he was.
Thanks for the tender words Jason.
I used to put on some of the shows at the Blend with Peter. I worked the door for many shows. I remember meeting Makeda Dread, with Peter, at her restaurant--I think it was called the Prophet, and talking with her about bringing in reggae acts. I was pretty young--started going to the Skeleton Club at 16, Put on shows with Dead or Alive at Lion’s Club--lots of history. Anyway, fun remembering the days. Great blog, thanks for that.
I’m overdue to put this note of greeting up from Mr. Verbrugge, who hopes to join us when his schedule eases up a bit:
“Sound like fun, Matthew — it was a pivotal time in my life and I have many fond memories of the club.
“Before the Kings Road I was a partner in Dead or Alive Productions -- a promotions company that put on shows at the North Park Lions Club and other venues. I’ll never forget my Black Flag show their for $3 and many others. I also recall arguing over paying Lee Ving of Fear the $500 they wanted to come down or the time I told the Mentors to shove it when they demanded and extra $200 to drive down the gig we had advertised. Before any of that I was the DJ at the Skeleton Club in downtown San Diego- that’s where I met Tim Mays…haggling over money I must say!
“The Kings Road was a great place-I made a huge number of mistakes their but the shows were legendary.”
Toby I remember Dave Lopez I think . Name sounds familiar at least . . . did you ever hangout at the PInk House down in I.B. ?
I know I saw a few bands down there in that stanky little basement .
Yes! Dave was known to frequent the Pink house.
>>Toby Gibson says:My mom did that very same stunt. Then to add insult to injury she rented my room to Dave Lopez from IB and continually told me what a nice guy he was.
Dave Lopez, wow I havent heard that name in the LONGEST time!!! Being a nice guy…well I never could figure it out!! He hung out with Kenny Kitchen(rip),Jimi Kitchen,Scott, Matt H.,and a few other guys, their names escaping my memory.They used to fight with the SDSH, from what they said.
I went to the Pink House for a few parties when they 1st started having bands etc. It was sort of fun for a quick moment.That was just about the same time as Kings Road maybe a tad later.
I have good memories going to Baja, pitching a few tents and swimming while watching them surf. Yummy lobster burritos and drinking margaritas.
I liked the International Blend (I was young), my sister and I went with this guy Scott and saw the Rebel Rockers. The next time we went it changed to Kings Road and the Untouchables were playing.
“Jimi Kitchen” sounds like some sort of wild, psychedelic chef.
In “Kitchen Confidential,” Anthony Bourdain talks about a pre-dinner-rush ceremony with his team: splashing the kitchen counters with brandy and lighting them while playing “The End” by the Doors. I picture someone named Jimi Kitchen thriving in this environment.
Haha that is funny! Jimi Kitchen is actually still around, he has 5 kids and I think they live either in Mexico or close to Mexico…not sure. I have talked to him only through email/letters one time. I think Dave married Linda Brown.Dave was one of the best looking guys I can remember besides John Knoll. I recall Dave being he a little flirt not a player, I just recall he liked flirting and kissing was fun for him. Not a bad guy.
I was so sad that Kenny passed away, shocking! Now he was a little player! (rip) little butterfly kisser!
The band I enjoyed most at King’s Road were the hipsters, they were an all girl 60’s cover band. Now it’s Judy’s turn to cry. They were the bomb.
Do you guys remeber when my mom rented out the place for my 14th and my sisters 15th Bday? I know Crawdaddys played but can’t remeber who else. How crazy was that?
Oh yea,
I also remeber running out the back door several times becuase we were under age.
shawna, i remember that. and i remember running out the back and running down university until we could barely breathe. smoking cloves with you in the back alley and trying to hitch home to your moms after. sleeping until noon. the getting up and doing it all over again.
Lou,
Actually, The Hipsters had all-girl singers, but they had a backing band. It was most of Manual Scan (or perhaps all, but I seem to recall Bart not being part of it). I recall rehearsals at my mom’s house in Bird Rock.
Sorry Kevin, I was mesmerized by the singing cast. Great Act! Was that your only show?
Aw hell…I couldn’t count the number of nights I was in that place. Or the bands…watching Chris Negro Jam with Taj Majal at the Blend…through all Peter V.’s shows. Yeah…Shawna’s Birthday. Gettin’ rousted by cops out front countless times too…Ray’s right about their having a hand in it never being able to come back…and I’m sure Peter’s “mistakes” were part of his not wanting to try. I will always be amazed at how much he put into it.
If the King’s Rd./Blend did not exist many of us would have ended up dead or in jail or in the Army or something….
Patrick Works
Dirt Farmer
Lou,
I seem to recall two gigs. And then they did it again maybe a year later with different guys backing them. I think. My memory is really fuzzy.
Lou,
On the Manual Scan MySpace page, Bart posted a scan of a page from “Be My Friend” with photos from the benefit show that featured The Hipsters. If you’ve got a MySpace account you should check it out.
Is that you pat?
I think I had my first drink ever at your house.
Has anyone heard from Dirk? The last time I knew he was in SF in like 92
Shawna: Dirk walks among us (although he speaks only rarely). I believe he’s in the film industry.
Dirk came up in conversation (naturally) when Tim Ortiz recognized me a few years back at a club where I work. I’m in contact with Tim every few months. I’ve mentioned this place to him, but AFAIK, he has yet to participate or even view.
Isn’t that so classic of Dirk??
Kevin and Shawna,
Dirk HAS appeared here, a few posts back. He sparred briefly with Paul Phipps, and then disappeared. (By the way, excuse my ignorance, but what does AFAIK mean?)
“As far as I know”
And three points for not reading Matt’s post before answering.
One would think that the unintelligent kangaroos would be more to their liking. Slow witted and slow moving, that is.
Kangaroos are so easy…..
…but they sure do put up a struggle.
Ah, I just realized I was unclear. I mentioned the Che Underground blog to Tim Ortiz, whom I see every month or so (he’s a pretty big promoter at nightclubs down in the Gaslamp, and owns eventvibe.com if anyone wants to check it out). I have no contact with Dirk, unfortunately.
Dirk has commented here, Kevin … I recommend everyone call him “Baby Dirk” — that seems to flush him out! 🙂
I have an event in Seattle on May 31 and won’t be able to fly down for any of the Che shows. Is a bummer as it will be an amazing time I am sure.
When visiting San Diego for the Casbah 20th Anniversary in January I was able to drive through the North Park area for the first time in ages. Wow-it was hopping! Anyhow, I got this idea for a Kings Rd/I Blend reunion- it would be really fun to host it in North Park. I’ll keep everyone posted -- its probably a year or two away but i think it would be really fun. Maybe host it in conjunction with the next Che Reunion or something like that so we can catch people in town. Thanks Mathew for getting all this cool stuff off the ground! There is also a kings road page on facebook for anyone who has not seen it yet. I will handle an PR thorugh that site probably.
peter, i am sorry to hear you won’t be there. you are a key person in my experience in sd during that time. but i will keep an eye on your plans and i hope to see you then. xox
Let a thousand reunions bloom!!!
Easily the most frustrating part of the Che Games planning has been the logistical limits on how wide we can open the doors to great, great bands.
If all this nostalgiafying actually initiates some more projects — old and new! — how cool will that be??
Peter, we’ll miss you bitterly, but I’m super-excited to see what you can cook up!
All I remember of kings road was the 75 cent drafts in the dive bar next door. At last a decent venue. So convenient! Oh yeah, I remember that asshole Chuck on his bike outside, such a wannabe biker. Thats it.
Mickeys Bar? Or Smileys Bar? It was something like that. Terry Tall, Terry Marine and Gary Vitalis got me in there when I was 16. No one even carded me.
The same day of a show at King’s road, before or after the show (can’t remember which), but i remember something about someone spinning records there and it would double as a disco, completely different non-punk crowd. Anyone recall that?
that sounds like it would have been MICKEY?
What was strange about it was that it went from disco (mostly black crowd) to punk (mostly white -- with the exception of Chris Negro of course -- lol). in the course of one night. I’m sure Mickey would know about it.
Carl, it was called International Blend before it was Kings Road and was a Jamaican coffeehouse primarily, with occasional live music. I bet they had a reggae DJ earlier that night.