the Tell-Tale Hearts | The Che Underground

Headliners we’ve known

March 27, 2019July 29, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

Here’s a potential source of mirth and mayhem: Most of us who played regularly in San Diego had opportunities to open for bigger acts passing through town on tour. David Klowden recounted two chances to open for the Cramps; Ray Brandes and I shared a laugh over the excesses of Specimen when the Tell-Tale Hearts and 3 Guys Called Jesus opened for them at North Park Lions’ Club.

Who were your favorite headliners to open for/hang out with/mock/pilfer from? Who, not so much?

Based on ability; etiquette; prima-donnahood; and general entertainment value (intentional or otherwise), let’s sort out the keepers from the discards! No brown M&Ms!

Then and now: Studio 517

January 1, 2011July 25, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

(Roving correspondent/ photographer Kristen Tobiason revisits and documents the scenes of our youth. Today, Studio 517 sheds its leathers for pinstripes.)

Studio 517 was in full swing during the summers of 1982-’83. Managed by Steve Epeneter — a tall, idiosyncratic fellow nicknamed “Lurch” — its concrete walls housed outstanding performances by the Gravedigger V, The Tell-Tale Hearts, The Wallflowers, Personal Conflict, The Front and many others.

Sean McDaniels (inveterate troll of San Diego hangouts) recalls, “It was only open in the summer, and it was hot. We hung out on the sidewalk out front or in the park more than we did inside where the bands were playing. I remember there was a Chinese lady who used to yell at us from across the street.”