Hair Theatre: ‘Place in Space’

Detail: Sergio of Hair TheatreHere’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!

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A decade of Hair Theatre from the Allen Collection

Detail: Hair Theatre flyer; Studio 517, August 31, 1984 (collection Paul Allen)Of all the bands launched by the Che Underground diaspora, Hair Theatre was easily the most consistently active, gigging on the West Coast well into the 1990s.

Detail: Hair Theatre/Eleven Sons/Faces of Drama flyer; Rock Palace, Feb. 16, 1985 (collection Paul Allen)This set of flyers from the collection of Hair Theatre lead guitarist Paul Allen spans a full decade, from 1984 to 1994. In the intervening years, the band underwent some personnel changes — most notably in the lead-guitar position — but they never stopped working.

Warning: Flyer #4 below is most likely Not Safe for Work (unless you work in a specialty bookstore or urologist’s office).

Detail: Hair Theatre/Morlocks ad; Roxy/Club Cult, Dec. 26, 1984 (collection Paul Allen)Detail: Hair Theatre/Eleven Sons/Faces of Drama flyer; Rock Palace, Feb. 16, 1985 (collection Paul Allen)Detail: Hair Theatre/Eleven Sons/Faces of Drama ad; Rock Palace, Feb. 16, 1985 (collection Paul Allen)Detail: Hair Theatre/Penguins Slept/the Society flyer; Gaslamp Quarter Theater, Dec. 28, 1985 (collection Paul Allen)Detail: Hair Thatre flyer; Dreamstreet, Jan. 14, 1994 (collection Paul Allen)Detail: Hair Theatre/Swivelneck; Bodie’s, March 10, 1994 (collection Paul Allen)

Read moreA decade of Hair Theatre from the Allen Collection

The Che Underground