San Francisco music | The Che Underground

Pictures of Jerry

May 5, 2019October 18, 2014 by Mmrothenberg

Thanks to Jeremiah Cornelius for providing this portrait of himself as “Romulus Johnson”, ca. 1988, after many of us had relocated from San Diego to San Francisco and a year or so after the dissolution of the original Morlocks.

As anyone familiar with our scene knows, Jerry Cornelius was the indefatigable trend-setter, flyer-maker, lyricist, MC, band manager and catalyst behind myriad San Diego adventures.

“What Would Jerry Do?” Read all about it!

Transplanted to San Francisco, Jerry continued his cultural explorations via music and fashion.

Support for ‘The Lion’s Jaw’

December 19, 2011September 6, 2011 by Mmrothenberg

Here’s an urgent opportunity to support one of our own and get some fine, fine music in return!

San Diego expat-turned-San Francisco solo artist Jeffrey Luck Lucas is preparing to re-release his third CD, “The Lion’s Jaw,” and it will require $1,300 within the next two weeks to print the CDs his record label will distribute and promote.

It’s a quid pro quo: Donate to to “JLL, The Lion’s Jaw CD Release and General/Overall Local Artist Support Fund,” and Jeff will send you a signed copy of the newly redesigned “Lion’s Jaw” CD as well as his nearly completed new studio album, “The Love of Leaving.”

Read moreSupport for ‘The Lion’s Jaw’

Jeffrey Luck Lucas: ‘We Were on Fire’

September 4, 2011January 11, 2011 by Mmrothenberg

We’re overdue to devote a post to the recent work of one of the Che Underground’s most protean talents: Jeffrey Luck Lucas, veteran of San Diego’s Morlocks, Mirrors and Answers and a prolific Bay area solo artist.

I was privileged to play with Jeff for a few years in San Francisco — a longtime aspiration of mine — and I can testify to the intensity of his artistic vision through many incarnations.

The Morlocks: “You Mistreat Me” b/w “The Key”

June 30, 2009August 3, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

“You Mistreat Me” and “The Key” represent two more songs from the Morlocks’ historic show at San Francisco’s Swedish American Hall, recorded by KALX radio on Sept. 28, 1985.

“There were a couple of Swedish shows,” writes Morlocks strategist and MC Jerry Cornelius. “These were promoed by Paul Renna — another million years of tales attached to that name!

‘The first happened right after [guitarist] Ted [Friedman] went up to SFO to join the rest of the band. I was up there for the second — on my first full night after moving up, one month later. The bill was The Sea Hags, Thee Unforgiven and The Morlocks — with light show by The Brotherhood of Light.”

The Morlocks: “One Way Ticket” live in SF

January 1, 2011July 11, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

Here’s another piece of the Morlocks’ performance at San Francisco’s Swedish American Hall, captured by KALX radio on Sept. 28, 1985.

This live performance of “One Way Ticket,” which bassist Jeff Lucas has called lead guitarist Tommy Clarke’s “masterpiece,” closed that memorable show.

“I distinctly recall how the song’s signature stuttered rhythm would stick with you: out onto Market St., on the way home, and on for days,” recalls Paul Kaufman. “That was the best Morlocks show I ever saw.”