Todd Lahman | The Che Underground

There to Here: Todd Lahman,
Sweeney Todd’s Barber Shop

July 5, 2012June 23, 2012 by Mmrothenberg

(In this installment, Che Underground: The Blog examines a Wallflower’s journey to hair theater. If you’d like your story told, e-mail cheunderground@gmail.com!)

The last time I saw you was around 1985, when you were playing guitar with San Diego’s original Wallflowers. How did you get from rock-‘n’-roll in Poway, Calif., to ownership of one of LA’s best-known barber shops, Sweeney Todd’s?

Hmmmm … I’m not sure I can draw any correlation between my experience in the Wallflowers and my career in the tonsorial arts except to say that I probably cut hair a lot better than I played guitar! But seriously, I guess if there was anything to compare, it would have to be that like the guitar you’re constantly honing your chops (pun intended!) There’s always some new technique or some new flourish to add to your bag of tricks if you keep your eyes and ears open.

Holiday cheer from Sweeney Todd’s

December 31, 2010November 27, 2009 by Mmrothenberg

Wallflowers guitarist turned demon barber Todd Lahman encourages Che Underground: The Blog to spread the holiday cheer with this invitation to raise a glass at Sweeney Todd’s Barber Shop on Hollywood Blvd.

I’ve been looking for an opportunity to recognize Sweeney Todd’s, the ultra-cool shop founded in 1927 and refurbished by Mr. Lahman. By all accounts, he’s parlayed his rock-‘n’-roll sensibilities into a world-class shrine to the classic tonsorial arts. (Anyone up for joining me in a haircut before the Jan. 30 show at the Casbah?)

Candid Wallflowers

January 1, 2011June 21, 2008 by Mmrothenberg

More Wallflowers gems from the Cyndie Jaynes Collection!

Besides some great offstage photos of bassist Paul Howland, guitarist Todd Lahman and vocalist David Rinck, this set includes a striking headshot of Dave performing al fresco at the Che Cafe, apparently at the same event where Cyndie caught up with the Tell-Tale Hearts. Could this be the legendary Dave Fest 3, site of the Wallflowers’ triumphant last stand?