Che Underground: The Blog has been graced over the years by the generosity of contributors who documented our scene back in the analog days, before a sea of smartphones captured every event.
From the late Cyndie Jaynes to Harold Gee to Jason Seibert to Juni Bravo to Margarat Nee and on and on — including a number of key contributors who’ve requested anonymity — this archive is built on the photos, video, audio, flyers and other artifacts of an incredibly creative community.
Add to the ranks David J. Watkins, whose recent house move unearthed a treasure trove of photographs we look forward to sharing in coming months.
Before we get to these great unseen photos of the Tell-Tale Hearts, here’s David’s apologia: “From 1984 to about 1988, I used to bring my camera to many of the shows that I went to. These photos have always been packed away, but in getting ready to move, I unearthed them.
“I do have some more, not too many more from the shows I have already posted, but everything right now is in our storage unit awaiting our new home. Everything I have posted on Facebook, I still have on my computer, so I can email them to you.
“This first group of pics is from the first time I took any band photos. I was a senior at Vista High School in 1984-85, and on the yearbook staff. My recollection is that it ’84, but it could have been ’85. The show was at The Distillery East in Escondido, and I think Manual Scan also played.”
Bonus treat: This set of Tell-Tale Hearts photos also features a portrait of a beaming Jerry Cornelius. Enjoy!
Man, these are amazing. Ray! That SHIRT! If it were only still possible to find these ever again, like you could accidentally stumble upon.
If that’s really a shot from the Distillery East, with my collapsed pile of Aqua Net, then there is a tale to tell about the end of that evening. The bouncers never caught me.
Hey, Jeremiah — I remember hearing legends about that Distillery East gig! Well played, sir.