Jim Ryan | The Che Underground

Cardiac Kidz with Blood on Fire

September 4, 2011May 7, 2011 by Mmrothenberg

(The Cardiac Kidz’s Jim Ryan recounts his band’s recent performance to support Gary Heffern’s return to San Diego, including new collaborators and material.)

After a Penetrators reunion show the Sunday before, Gary Heffern appeared once again at the Casbah for his CD release show to debut “Gary Heffern & Beautiful People” and his San Diego all-star band “Blood on Fire.” Those of us who came prepared were able to take not only the show home but the CD from this consummate artist, now living in Finland.

Sean McMullen’s words and images from the Penetrators reunion!

Here I am over 30 years later, remembering my last performance with Gary when the Penetrators, the Cardiac Kidz and the Standbys played the Spirit night club in 1980.

After getting the call from Gary that he would like the Cardiac Kidz to open the show, I was on the move. The boys digging the opportunity and me looking forward to seeing Gary again, I knew this show had to be special. Gary is a special guy.

Update from the Cardiac Kidz

April 21, 2012December 4, 2010 by Mmrothenberg

(Dave Rinck a k a Wallflower keeps us posted on the Kidz’s revival.)

It’s been an honor for me play rhythm guitar for the last few months with this classic punk-rock band. This is a working band, and it has a new lineup, new CDs (I’ve never released two CDs on the same day before!), and new shows! Here’s an update:

THE NEW LINEUP:
Jim Ryan – bass and vocals
Jerry Flack – guitar and vocals
Jimi Flynn – drums
Dave Wallflower – guitar and vocals

Cardiac Kidz reloaded

July 3, 2011October 20, 2010 by Mmrothenberg

(The Cardiac Kidz’s Jim Ryan announces an eclectic night of musical merriment Nov. 4 at Lestat’s Coffee House in San Diego.)

The Cardiac Kidz are winding down their 2010 San Diego “Performance Blitz” tour with the end of the year finally in sight. The band has played an unheard of 10 shows in less than six months.

From what started as a onetime reunion show to an expanded booking schedule, The Kidz have even gone so far as to add the talents of David Rinck (frontman for San Diego’s Wallflowers) to the band.

The Cardiac Kidz, then and now

January 6, 2011July 1, 2010 by Mmrothenberg

The wave of reunion gigs continues as San Diego music vets the Cardiac Kidz announce their “Last Chance Tour,” featuring an appearance in Ramona, Calif., July 10.

The band’s triumphant return, supported by Doggy Daddy and the Fry Catz as well as French Vampires, runs 7:30-11pm at Ramona Mainstage (626 Main St., Ramona, Calif. 92065).

To warm up for the show, here are a couple of covers by the Kidz, separated by more than 30 years.

Our family tree, revisited

December 31, 2010November 22, 2009 by Mmrothenberg

Thanks to the Cardiac Kidz’s Jim Ryan, Che Underground: The Blog has a fresh supply of artifacts from his band and other early participants in the San Diego punk scene.

Among Jim’s contributions is this chart from early 1980 composed by Dan McLain. It testifies to Dan’s role as underground historian and adds new fuel to the longstanding discussion of our family tree.