Che Underground | The Che Underground

Finds and resurrections

July 3, 2011November 12, 2010 by Mmrothenberg

Going on three years since the launch of this blog, we’ve come a long way: We’ve posted all kinds of wonderful treasures from our musical youth, reunited with hundreds of old friends, started new collaborations — and in October alone, drew more than 15,000 visitors here.

That means we’re in a great position to locate just about any surviving sounds, images and accounts from our past … or to re-create anything we want to revisit.

So where do you want to dig next? What recordings, flyers, photos, bands, events and people have you missed all these years? Working together, there’s a great chance we can find them.

Time-machine sidecar

January 6, 2011June 28, 2010 by Mmrothenberg

Two things that make me happy about this blog: It puts a lot of people and images and music I loved as a kid in one place, and it gives me a second chance to understand what I witnessed the first time around.

Sharing an adult perspective on the passions of our youth is a very cool thing to me. Even with those tools, though, I sometimes find it hard to explain to people who know me now what excited me then.

Hence today’s conversation-starter: Is there anyone you wish you could take back in time for a one-day tour of your wasted youth in San Diego? If so, who would it be? What would you like to show them?

Forever changes: Che Games for May
and the the perpetual nostalgia machine

January 6, 2011May 29, 2010 by Mmrothenberg

Detail: Dave Fleminger, the Mirrors; May 30, 2009 (photo by Dave Doyle) Ava points out that it was exactly one year ago that Che Underground: The Blog hosted its first-ever reunion gig (a k a “Che Games for May”) at San Diego’s Casbah.

The two-night blowout included eight great San Diego bands (nine, if you count the unannounced, sizzling first-night mini-set by Lemons Are Yellow), most of whom hadn’t played together in a quarter-century. It marked the first time most of us had been together since the mid-’80s — and the opportunity to meet a few new friends who’d met through the site and their shared San Diego musical history.

This anniversary thus represents an interesting object lesson in the recursive nature of memory: This event itself has now passed into its realm and hence deserves its own commemorative post!

Causes

December 16, 2017April 1, 2010 by Mmrothenberg

"Community Activism" graphic Here’s a first post crafted in response to my recent call for new topics: “It would be fabulous to learn about what types of positive contributions all of us scene skeptics are currently participating in to actually improve our society,” writes Robyn Wexler, who goes on to describe her personal involvement in animal-rescue causes.

A great question that I hope will inspire some spirited discussion! To what political, social or spiritual causes have you invested yourself lately? And are they the same sort of causes you would have envisioned back when we were kids?

The request line is open!

January 6, 2011March 1, 2010 by Mmrothenberg

If only February were as long as other months, we’d have another traffic record on our hands! Two years since it began, Che Underground: The Blog keeps growing; every week brings more veteran San Diego scenesters into our orbit, all of them with their own stories and insights about the town where we grew up.

In that spirit: What bands, gigs, people or places would you like to learn more about? With nearly 10,000 of us hanging out here each month, we’ve got a mighty store of memories — and chances are awfully good that someone visiting the blog has answers to your questions. Let’s train the group mind on new subjects!

Birth of the Che Cafe

January 6, 2011February 18, 2010 by Mmrothenberg

I love learning about the origins of our old haunts — those rare places in the San Diego construction boom of the ’70s and ’80s that actually pre-dated us! Case in point: the Che Cafe itself, which is profiled starting on Page 16 of this virtual version of the latest UCSD alumni magazine.

N.b.: While I appreciate the attention, the article gives me disproportionate credit for bringing rock ‘n’ roll to this hippie haven. (Considering I first saw the Answers at the Che and Noise 292 made our debut there as the Answers’ guests, it’s hard to paint me or my band as lone pioneers!) And it doesn’t quote some people I hoped.

That said, I really enjoyed learning about how that rickety old place got its start: “The three wooden structures … that today house the Che Cafe were accumulating grunge long before UCSD was even founded.

Happy birthday, Che Underground!

December 17, 2017February 16, 2010 by Mmrothenberg

It’s nifty numerology that we reached Post #400 (Jay Allen Sanford’s Monroes saga) just in time to celebrate the second anniversary of Che Underground: The Blog.

Another fun fact: January 2010 brought in the most visitors ever, with more than 9,000 curious souls stopping by to read about the adventures of San Diego’s olde schoole music scene!

It’s very gratifying to watch the site grow from very humble beginnings, thanks to amazing contributions from talented people. I always knew you had it in you, and I’m glad it’s still there! We’ve covered a lot of ground in two years, and I hope the party continues for a very long time.

Gary Heffern/Al DeLoner: “Anxiety”

December 18, 2017January 18, 2010 by Mmrothenberg

A special debut on Che Underground: The Blog! A chance remark by Mikel Toombs in this forum has inspired a haunting new song by San Diego legend Gary Heffern, recorded by Scandinavian bard Al DeLoner.

The piece, “Anxiety,” is in part a meditation on the disintegration of San Diego’s late-’70s underground. Heff writes, “Consider it a present to Che … as further proof that life does go in full circles … and inspiration can be found in the kindness of a friend giving me gentle nudge.”

Angie Bowie AIDS Begone benefit
featuring Gary Heffern

December 14, 2017December 6, 2009 by Mmrothenberg

It’s appropriate that a champion of the San Diego music scene should saddle up for a righteous campaign to raise consciousness and funds for those in need.

A track from “Consolation,” a new CD from Penetrators frontman (and Che Underground regular) Gary Heffern, will be featured in AIDS Begone, a CD and cyber party organized by the legendary Angie Bowie.

Here’s what Ms. Bowie told Che Underground: The Blog about Heff’s contribution, titled “I Am Your Destroyer”: “‘I Am Your Destroyer’ is a fascinating lyric with a Jekyll-and-Hyde quality. Knowing that destruction can be both constructive and renewing. That being a destroyer may also open up an avenue for new feelings, love and emotions that could not exist with old tradition and prejudice. It’s a great song!”

Mark your calendars! Start your engines!
Jan. 30 Che Underground showcase

December 14, 2017November 29, 2009 by Mmrothenberg

(Heads up! The next Che Underground-sponsored reunion gig is officially on the Casbah roster, with tickets due to go on sale this week. Ray Brandes opens the booth.)

On Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, country-rock pioneers the Town Criers (Ray Brandes, David Klowden, Peter Miesner and Mark Zadarnowski) will reunite for the first time in 20 years as the Ché Underground presents its second musical event at the Casbah in San Diego.

By popular demand, returning to the stage after a blistering set in May, will be legendary San Diego mod band Manual Scan, led by sharp-dressed men Bart Mendoza and Kevin Donaker-Ring and featuring the rhythm section of Tim Blankenship and Morgan Young.

To open the evening, the all-star Blues Gangsters (Kristi Maddocks, Dave Rinck, Dave Ellison, Dave Fleminger and Matt Johnson) will make their San Diego stage debut. It’s a fresh opportunity to watch a new project by members of the Wallflowers, the Rockin’ Dogs, the Answers and Everybody Violet.

DJ duties will be performed by Louis Mello, a k a DJ Dirty Bird.