Che Underground: The Blog has been immeasurably enriched by our recent interactions with the Penetrators. As Ray Brandes has chronicled here, the Penetrators have been one of the most influential and beloved forces in San Diego’s music underground from the band’s genesis in 1977 until decades after its dissolution in 1984.
Good news for all their fans: Pens frontman Gary Heffern has given us the green light to announce a run of Penetrators-related fun at San Diego’s Casbah from Jan. 27-31, 2010 — including an evening presented by the Che Underground.
I’ll leave it to Heff and the rest of the guys to fill in the information currently TBD, but this looks to be a real gathering of the tribes … If you’re not there, you’re Not There!
Relive May’s Che Games showcase at the Casbah!
Here’s the itinerary I have received so far:
- Wednesday, Jan. 27: The “Wednesday Night Relaxation Committee” with Gary Heffern and friends. An amazing lineup of musical talent will welcome Heff home from Finland.
- Friday, Jan 29: The Penetrators plus special guests TBA.
- Saturday, Jan. 30: Che Underground presents the Penetrators with Manual Scan, the Town Criers and the Blues Gangsters. A reunion-within-a-reunion, as the Town Criers regroup after 20 years and the Blues Gangsters make their San Diego debut. (After watching them blow the doors off at the Che Games in May, I can attest Manual Scan is stronger than ever.)
- Sunday, Jan. 31: Afternoon show with the Penetrators plus the Blues Gangsters. ‘Cause some of us have bedtimes …
I’m scheming to rack up some frequent-flier miles on this one; I hope to see you at the Casbah!
I’ve already sent Gary a message on Facebook with my song request! I’m hoping they get both Chris and Scott on guitar again. 2010 will sure be starting off on the right foot!
The Blues Wallflowers… taste the fury (babyface)
Yes. I can go this year!
I gotta get my tickets squared away. San Diego is way down and to the left … But I firmly believe I’ll be kicking myself if I don’t participate.
If we’re gonna rally the troops, I’d like to think about some sort of feast. Gay Denny’s, table for 350? (But only if Chris Mathis joins us this time.)
I missed the last one ’cause it was supposed to be sold , and had to work anyway. Can’t miss this one!
I’ll get down there to see them for the first time. And Manual Scan and the Blues Gangsters mothaf**ah! I’m psyched.
Let us not overlook the coolness of the Town Criers’ reunion!
This was a band I missed in the ’80s, since I was up north … And I will be very pumped to have another chance to see ’em.
Zeros and Penetrators together for friday night,c’mon you guys!
So far for friday night we have Social Spit, and we are working very hard to try to get an injections re-union.
Hold off on everything…we’ve hit a snag on this re-union…so please everyone wait…sorry for this..we are trying to work it out.
Work it man. But oh lord I understand only all too well…
If you hit a snag, Heff, think about an early summer schedule. A LOT of folks that would be in attendance have kids and schools out in June!!
Just a suggestion… might be good for the INjections too…we have school-age kids!!
Hold off on everything…we’ve hit a snag on this re-union…so please everyone wait…sorry for this..we are trying to work it out
Maybe we need to get Paul Sansone involved…
Get Paul Anka involved if it helps!
Paul Lynde?
Paul Williams?
Don’t pull any Pauls.
Patrick (not Paulson)
Paul and Paula??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8clzAoyRYQ
Even Paul Hokeness is it comes to that…
Somebody callin’ for Pauls?
… And a Paul fell over the crowd.
needless to say…i’m totally apaulled.
For the younger kids that’s Howdy Doody and PAUL harvey.
GOOD DAY!
Don’t paul any punches…
okay….sorry for the long delay, but I have been waiting for response. The bad news is that the shows are off….I feel horrible about this, and believe me, it’s out of my hands. Please understand.
love,
heff
>>The bad news is that the shows are off…
Heff: Thanks for the word. I’m sorry to hear the news and know you’re sorry to deliver it — it’s no fun being the messenger!
While I’d never presume to match the magic of a Penetrators reunion, I think it would be super to make something musical happen in San Diego around that time … Just to get old friends together and enjoy each other’s talents and company.
I don’t want just to do a re-run of Che Games … Most of the bands from that event won’t be able to muster a full complement again at that time, and I think we’re ready for something different.
Ideas? We can kick ’em around here, or write me at cheunderground@gmail.com if you’ve like to float a balloon (like that crazy Colorado family)!
Heff: I’ll say right off you’d be the guest of honor at any event we could rally that’s worth your while to fly in from Finland for. Least we can do to give back for the inspiration we all drew from you and your bandmates. 🙂
Thanks for undestanding…I really did give it my best shot.
Any interest in an early summer old-time punk show in SD??
Kids will be out of school and attendance could be better!
Also gives bands more time to work everything out.
I wonder if we could do something at the Lions Club?It’s still there and seems to still be available for parties and such,what do you guys think?Bar Pink is in close proximity and is another possibility.
Now that Tommy Clark is found we need to do a Jeff, Tom, Mark Power Morlock jam…………………………
>>Now that Tommy Clark is found we need to do a Jeff, Tom, Mark Power Morlock jam………………………..
Mark: You know there are a LOT of us who’d love to see that happen!
Me especially fellas.Matt,I was absent when Tom rejoined us here,can you provide a handy link?Tom,if you read this,I’d just like to say Hi,hope you are doing good.Are you guys interested in a full reunion show?
>>Matt,I was absent when Tom rejoined us here,can you provide a handy link?
Bobby: Tom first surfaced on this thread, thanks to the good offices of his sister, who googled us up and alerted him.
He’s doing great in Seattle, and I sure hope he’s part of future Che Underground events!
Achtung! This will certainly get its own post in the next few days, but San Diego’s own Casbah will extend its hospitality to a Che Underground showcase on Jan. 30:
Che Underground presents:
The 20th-anniversary reunion of the Town Criers!
The incomparable Manual Scan!!
The San Diego debut of the Blues Gangsters!!!
We shall keep the stage warm in preparation for the Penetrators’ next reunion gig, whenever it does come to pass.
Right on! Taste the burritos at La Lucha (babyface)!