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

Detail: Morlocks in Golden Gate Park (collection Jeff Lucas)“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!

Morlocks’ Leighton Koizumi with Jerry Cornelius (collection Jeff Lucas)‘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.”

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The Morlocks: “One Way Ticket” live in SF

Detail: Morlocks: Proofs from Time magazine shoot (collection Jeff Lucas)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.”

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The Morlocks: Live at the Swedish American Hall

Detail: Morlocks Jeff Lucas and Ted Friedman (collection Jeff Lucas)Just as Canada offered political asylum to Wallflowers artifacts over the past quarter-century, Croatia emerges as the sanctuary for sounds of the original Morlocks.

Drummer Mark Mullen last week received this track fresh from the former Yugoslavia — the first in a completely preserved 13-song show at San Francisco’s Swedish American Hall that was originally broadcast live on KALX. (Could it be this show from Sept. 28, 1985?)

Freshly arrived in town, Jerry Cornelius outdoes himself as MC. “That’s me,” Jerry writes. “Doing the intro in imitation of the Dutch band, Q65 — which the Morlocks worshipped.”

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More Morlocks lore

Detail: Morlocks’ Jeff Lucas, Leighton Koizumi (collection Jeff Lucas)A Morlocks motherlode: Founding bassist Jeff Lucas has opened up his archives to Che Underground: The Blog! His collection of photos, flyers, lyric sheets and other curiosities spans the band’s earliest days in San Diego (summer 1984) to the dissolution of the original lineup three years later.

Here’s a showcase of Jeff’s collection followed by his notes:

Detail: Morlocks’ “My Friend the Bird” lyrics (collection Jeff Lucas)Detail: Morlocks cartoon (collection Jeff Lucas)Detail: Morlocks in Golden Gate Park (collection Jeff Lucas)Detail: Jeff Lucas of the Morlocks (collection Jeff Lucas)Detail: Morlocks’ Jeff Lucas, Ted Friedman (collection Jeff Lucas)Detail: Morlocks’ Jeff Lucas at Racine & Laramie Tobacco (collection Jeff Lucas)
Detail: Morlocks Tommy Clarke and Leighton Koizumi, Racine & Laramie Tobacco (collection Jeff Lucas)Detail: Morlocks Jeff Lucas and Leighton Koizumi (collection Jeff Lucas)Morlocks’ Leighton Koizumi with Jerry Cornelius (collection Jeff Lucas)Detail: Morlocks Jeff Lucas and Ted Friedman (collection Jeff Lucas)Detail: Morlocks’ Leighton Koizumi (collection Jeff Lucas)Detail: Morlocks flyer by Jerry Cornelius (collection Jeff Lucas)Detail: Morlocks: Proofs from Time magazine shoot (collection Jeff Lucas)

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The Morlocks: Wake Me When I’m Dead

Morlocks: “Wake Me When I’m Dead” coverBreaking Che Underground news: Sitting poolside in Las Vegas, ur-Morlocks drummer Mark Mullen has reportedly unearthed the band’s legendary lost album, Wake Me When I’m Dead, available for free download.

“It would be cool to put up on the site if people want to download it,” Mark suggests. “I really think most everyone has said they heard it existed, but it was more myth than truth. It was a myth for me until an hour ago.”

Mr. Mullen’s wish … Che Underground: The Blog’s command!

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Morlocks in motion

Detail: Mark Mullen of the Morlocks (photo by Cyndie Jaynes)The legendary Cyndie Jaynes Collection of historical photos of the San Diego underground doesn’t stop at Camp Pendleton. Here’s a set of performance photos of the Morlocks playing San Francisco’s Swedish American Hall sometime after the band’s move north as well as earlier shots of them playing an undisclosed location in San Diego.

The Morlocks were an incredible live band, and Cyndie’s lens captures them at the acme of their power. San Diego’s loss … San Francisco’s gain!
Detail: Jeff Lucas of the Morlocks (photo by Cyndie Jaynes)Detail: Leighton Koizumi of the Morlocks (photo by Cyndie Jaynes)Detail: Closeup of Leighton Koizumi of the Morlocks (photo by Cyndie Jaynes)Detail: Ted Friedman of the Morlocks (photo by Cyndie Jaynes)Tommy Clarke of the Morlocks (photo by Cyndie Jaynes)Detail: Leighton Koizumi of the Morlocks (photo by Cyndie Jaynes) height=Detail: Ted Friedman of the Morlocks (photo by Cyndie Jaynes)Detail: Mark Mullen of the Morlocks (photo by Cyndie Jaynes)Detail: Tommy Clarke of the Morlocks (photo by Cyndie Jaynes)Detail: Jeff Lucas of the Morlocks (photo by Cyndie Jaynes)Detail: Murphy supports Mark Mullen of the Morlocks (photo by Cyndie Jaynes)

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