The Answers | The Che Underground

The Answers: “Electric Flowers”

June 30, 2009July 16, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

Music historians recognize three major phases of the Answers: the founding lineup that included guitarist/vocalist Dave Fleminger and bassist/vocalist Jeff Lowe as well as drummer Joe Asaro; a middle period during which Tony Suarez took over bass duties and Dave Anderson, drums; and a latter phase that featured Jeff’s return from LA. “Electric Flowers” inaugurated that third era in the band’s history.

“Here’s the Answers live at the Headquarters, Jan. 1, 1983,” Fleminger writes. “We kicked off the new year with our first show since Jeff rejoined the band, probably about a week beforehand.

“He’s Calling You Tonight”

January 1, 2011July 7, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

A beautiful example of Che Underground musical chairs in action,
“He’s Calling You Tonight” brings together the talents of Dave Fleminger (Answers co-founder and sometime Hair Theatre guitarist) and Sergio (Hair Theatre co-founder and sometime Answers vocalist).

“This is a Sergio song we recorded on the 4-track with overdubs,” Dave writes. “I played the guitars, and Sergio played the drums.

“It showcases once again what a fantastic vocalist he is, and the double- and triple-tracked voice-lines are especially effective. I don’t recall playing this song with Hair Theatre while I was with them, and I’m not sure if it was part of the band’s standard repertoire.

Read more“He’s Calling You Tonight”

The Answers in action

January 1, 2011July 3, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

Answers founder/vocalist/guitarist Dave Fleminger has opened up his archives to share a wealth of photographs spanning the band’s illustrious career.

Here is an assortment of portrait and performance shots of the Answers featuring bassist/vocalist Jeff Lowe and drummer Dave Anderson. Just hold on tight, and you are there!

Musical chairs

December 13, 2017July 1, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

Packing so much musical talent into the confines of the San Diego scene pushed the Che Underground Mixmaster into overdrive. A couple of short years produced a dizzying melange of amputations, collaborations and creative explosions as assorted musicians formed new combinations.

Sergio of Hair Theatre sang for the Answers; guitarist David Rives from Noise 292 joined them for one performance as Painted Sun; Sam Wilson moved from the Rockin’ Dogs to the Wallflowers to Hair Theatre; Joanne Norris drummed for the Injections, Noise 292 and Everybody Violet; Crawdaddys and Gravediggers became Nashville Ramblers; half of our bands converged into the Morlocks; and Dave Anderson kept the beat for everybody else.

Noise 292: “The Assassin”

January 1, 2011June 15, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

Here’s a prime example of the Noise 292 dark cabaret — and of Kristin Martin’s power as a singer and storyteller.

Recorded July 29, 1983 (when we performed with the Answers and Hair Theatre at the Che Cafe),
“The Assassin” showcases Noise 292 at its most atmospheric — it’s another facet of the modernist vibe of “Chanson Dada.” (Check out how the drums and scrap-metal percussion complement Kristin’s haunting vocals and David Rives’ spooky guitar work!)

Kristin Martin (rhythm guitar, vocals); David Rives (lead guitar); Hobie Hodge (trash percussion); Joanne Norris (drums); Matthew Rothenberg (bass).

Listen to it now!

The Answers: “Teenage Problems”

January 21, 2018June 9, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

The Answers come alive! Here’s a very hot number from the 1982 lineup of this protean band. Dave Fleminger sets the scene for this song, which perfectly captures the SD teen spirit we’re celebrating on Che Underground: The Blog.

“The Answers, opening the day’s festivities at ‘Mod Mania,’ hosted by Lumpy at the Adams Ave. Theater, Sept. 18, 1982. Dave Fleminger (guitar/voice); Tony Suarez (bass/voice); David Anderson (drums).

Noise 292: “Stupid Future”

January 1, 2011May 26, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

Today marks the 25th anniversary of Noise 292’s first performance: May 26, 1983, at the Che Cafe with the Answers and the Odds. I can think of no better way to celebrate that silver anniversary than with a powerful performance by the brilliant Kristin Martin.

“Stupid Future” showcases everything that was so special about Kristin’s songwriting and performing, even at 19: arresting hooks, great lyrics and fantastic vocals. She’s one of the most innovative creative forces I’ve ever had the privilege of collaborating with.

The Answers: “Lucifer Sam”

January 21, 2018May 1, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

The Answers’ sizzling cover of the mini-masterpiece “Lucifer Sam” by Syd Barrett’s Pink Floyd was a catalyst for myriad musical adventures.

Tell-Tale Heart Eric Bacher recently recounted how bandmate Dave Klowden’s urging to come watch the Answers play “Lucifer Sam” changed his musical life; it’s a tale eerily similar to my own memory of Noise 292’s David Rives insisting I run to watch a San Diego band that was actually covering Barrett! (I’ve long regretted that the Answers’ absence from the UCSD gig with the Three O’Clock prevented us from instigating a mass “Lucifer Sam-off.”) Gravedigger V and Nashville Ramblers vet Tom Ward also vividly recalls the Answers’ “Lucifer Sam” a quarter-century after the fact. It’s astounding the effects two-and-a-half minutes of music can wreak!

This viral gem was recorded in February 1983 and features Dave Fleminger (guitar, vocals); Jeff Lowe (bass); and Dave Anderson (drums). It’s spiky and wonderful, and it still holds the creative fizz of that moment of musical discovery.

Listen to it now!

The Answers: “Nowhere”

January 1, 2011April 20, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

A shimmering testament to an amazing band at the height of its powers. “Nowhere” always took my breath away when the Answers performed it live — and 25 years down the road, Dave Fleminger’s evocation of “what time erases” gives me chills.

This track also bears witness to the Answers’ genius for making home recordings sound like landscapes you’d want to live in! Here’s Mr. Fleminger on the genesis of this tape: “Written by little ol’ me …. instrumental track recorded in [drummer] Dave Anderson’s bedroom (the usual practice spot) with one mic on one channel of a Tandberg reel to reel, vocals recorded in the downstairs bathroom at Pat’s house in sound-on-sound mode. June 1983. Fleminger, [bassist Jeff] Lowe, Anderson is the lineup.”

Listen to it now!

Finding the Answers

January 1, 2011April 19, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

When I met them in March 1983, the Answers took the top of my head off, scraped out all the crud and set it on straight … The combined musicianship of guitarist Dave Fleminger, bassist Jeff Lowe and drummer Dave Anderson was on a level I’d never experienced from a local band playing the kind of music I cared about. And the songwriting! Transcendent.

I’d spent a year somewhat isolated from my peers, not getting out so much from Encinitas but listening to a lot of records and imagining the sort of co-conspirators who could synthesize the energy of punk with the emotional complexities of earlier eras. When I met the Answers, it all lined up for me — anything was possible.