One of the highlights of our Che Underground showcase at San Diego’s Casbah Jan. 30, 2010, was the 20-year reunion of the city’s pioneering alt-rockers the Town Criers.
And adding to the Penetrators theme of the festivities, Gary Heffern (frontman for that legendary band) flew in from Finland to join the band in a rare San Diego guest appearance.
First off, here’s the Town Criers performing “My Baby Left Me,” written by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup and performed by Elvis Presley, among others. The lineup fueling this first performance in more than two decades included Ray Brandes (vocals, guitar); Mark Zadarnowksi (bass); David Klowden (drums); and Peter Miesner (lead guitar).
Next up, Mr. Heffern joined the Town Criers for a rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Passing Through,” a version of which he recorded with some well-known collaborators in the ’90s.
Manual Scan meets the Penetrators Jan. 30!
Thanks to videographer Eric Rife for the footage and Dave Fleminger for engineering these YouTube clips!
Great stuff! This was the high point for me.
Wow !! Peter Miesner is really tearing into those leads.
I loved this set … The Town Criers were just awesome. I’d left San Diego before they formed, so I feel very lucky to have caught this gig.
Like Matthew said… I missed the Town Criers’ era, so I loved hearing them at last. I so wish I could go to more of these events…
“Passing Through” was probably my favorite song in an evening full of highlights. (Shouting along with Manual Penetration’s Penetrators songs was pretty fun, too.) Seeing the performance now, I think it gains much resonance from all the knowledge of Gary’s life that I’ve acquired here since January…
I can’t say it enough. Thanks again to all involved.
Same here…the Town Criers were always a mystery to me too as I wasn’t in town during their time and I am now a huge fan!!
Beautiful and beautifully rockin music with so much heart, exquisitely performed by amazing musicians.
It’s been a real pleasure to edit these audio/video clips, I feel so lucky to have access to Eric’s video from that night and be able to watch their entire set as it’s indeed a treasure.
And bringing Gary onstage raised it all even higher…that was the definitive moment of the night for me as well.
This is so great!! Please post “Stick With Me Baby”!
>>Please post “Stick With Me Baby”!
Joe: Your wish is our command! (Thanks again to Messrs. Rife and Fleminger for the footage and mix.)
Yeah!! Thanks guys!
Eric -- care to explain those close-ups? ;^D
Joe: Great call on the song request. A classic song masterfully played. The harmonies between Ray and Pete are spot-on with wonderful instrumental interplay throughout.
Hope the ‘Criers will consider performing again…and again…
Dave,
Sony generates sentiment by predicting nostalgia!
You were -- of course -- he who came to mind, when I caught this image today on the IntarWebs. And your expertise with the Tascam… Laboriously bouncing tracks with dedication -- and the understanding that missing the correct levels, could forever obscure another moment, captured on tape.
Something about it also seemed to neatly sum the impression I have on this thread, and many other of those on CheU.
I can remember sitting with Jeff, Eric, Pat and Ted on E-Street, joking on how we’d all be looking back at those times in that far-off year of 2000 A.D. Leighton drew a comic illustration of us, in platform shoes and beards -- like the Doobie Brothers -- having chronographically advanced our atavism.
LOVE the SONY ad…what a great piece of technology, and advertising actually.
“Whatever weird instrument you great-grandson will be playing”?? Ummm…instruments are the same!!