The Gainesville Music Scene

Originally published on March 10, 2004; also referred to by Sharon and myself as “The Thread That Will Not Die” because even though I wrote it more than five years ago, people were still commenting on it – the most recent comment is from about a month ago!

The Gainesville Music Scene

It’s about time other folks noticed

One of the (many) things that Gainesville has to offer is a hip music scene. It always has, and many people hope it always will. And it’s about to (finally) get some recognition.

I have it on good authority that in its next issue, Esquire magazine (never thought you’d see me link to *that*!) is publishing a story in their April issue on the Top 10 “Cities That Rock”. Gainesville is Number 5. (Only #5?!) Here is what I hope comes out of this article: recognition for the hard-working self-promoting damn-fine musicians and bands that have been toiling in our local studios, bars, festivals, and clubs for years. YEARS, I tell you. Here is what I fear about this article: people will attempt to define, and therefore limit, the “Gainesville sound”. Because I’m here to tell you that there is no distinctive Gainesville sound; the music scene here is eclectic and runs the gamut from punk to folk to classical. It’s too rich to be labeled, unless the label you want to use is “damn fine music from Gainesville, Florida”. But I should hold off on getting my panties in a bunch until seeing the article, right?

So, then. Moving on! I bet a lot of my Gainesvillian readers have a story about local music. Most, I’m betting, involve either long loud nights at the Hardback Cafe, the eclectic mix served up at The Covered Dish, or baking in the sun, drunk, out at the free concerts at the Bandshell. (And if you’re one of my friends, getting so completely drunk at the Bandshell that you get lost coming back to my house and spend the night on the couch of an apartment you simply walked into, not even knowing the inhabitants—leaving me with a house full of your friends, none of whom I knew at the time. But I’m not one to tell tales, nor tease my “older brother”.)

And here’s my (non-comprehensive) list of Gainesville musicians and bands that either I (a) knew members of; (b) saw play somewhere; (c) owned the music of; (d) were big back in the day when I was into the club scene; (e) are still around and playing out. Please feel free to add to the list, or comment with stories that you have involving any of these bands!

Aleka’s Attic

barbeque douglass

Barry Sides (and The Barry Sides Blues Band)

Bicycle Thieves

Big White Undies

CecilyJane

Cindy Brady’s Lisp

dblWiDE

Fluffy Kitty

For Squirrels

Gary Gordon

Jack Mason (and the Space Masons)

Jane Yii

Less Than Jake

Martha Quinn’s Posse

Mutley Chix

Naomi’s Hair

NDolphin

Noah’s Red Tattoo

Pillow

Planet Ten

Quartermoon

Section 8

Sister Hazel

The Archer Road Band

The Bill Perry Orchestra

The Jeffersons

The Psychic Violents

The Smegmas

The Stephens Brothers

Tom Petty

Tone Unkown

Wendy McDowell

Whoreculture

Gainesville Band Family Tree is a great resource for finding out about Gainesville music (and has many more bands listed!), as is Gary Gordon Productions.

Sigh. Am I the only Gainesvillian who feels nostalgic after looking over that list?

Posted by Lorena on 03/10 at 03:31 PM in Gainesville

Original comments from that thread are after the cut.

Comments:

One of Ken Block’s (Sister Hazel) earlier bands, Redline, was incorporated in my parents kitchen. All the band members came over one Saturday morning and signed some paper and my mom notarized it. I’ve known the Block’s for awhile. I went to Brentwood for 3rd-5th grade, when Ken’s dad Al was running the place. Ken was in my class. He was always a bit of a smartass. I can remember sitting in the back of class once…probably in 4th grade. We were shooting spitballs and the teacher saw him and said “KENNETH!!!” and he instantly replied “What-eth?”. It was so unexpected that I’m not sure the teacher ended up doing anything about it. We got zoned to different schools after that, and ended up back in the same class at Buchholz. I remember when his younger brother died. I worked for his dad again several years ago when I was a math/chemistry/physics tutor at SFCC working at Student Support Services. We tutored any special needs students…from ESL to psychological to physical disabilities.

Nice family.

Posted by Nurgen on March 10, 2004 at 06:14 PM | #

I remember seeing the Big White Undies at one of the Alachua Music Harvest Festivals held out at the fairgrounds. I was so smitten with their music I actually bought their CD. I remember we went with Robbie’s friend who got so drunk that he wasn’t able to walk to the car without some serious assistance. It was the wee hours and he’s sitting cross legged huddled in a blanket refusing to move. Music was great though!

Posted by Kelly on March 10, 2004 at 07:13 PM | #

The music scene in Gainesville was so much fun.

Did you know Tom Miller, who was in nDolphin and a couple of other bands?

He and Charles McWhorter went to high school with me. Wonder where Charlie ended up

Posted by Will on March 10, 2004 at 11:06 PM | #

I saw Aleka’s Attic, once, when they opened for a free concert by the Psychedelic Furs out at the Bandshell. We had been drinking, and this was also like… uhm… 13 years ago…? So I don’t remember much. Oh, come on, Will, you were there for that, weren’t you? I know Heath was, and I think Michelle was, too…? Anyway, I remember at the time thinking that I was *supposed* to like Aleka’s Attic, because they were this huge famous family and talented and… and I honestly did like the Phoenix kids because they shopped at the comic store I worked at and they were all bright and funny and polite… but… well, maybe that was an early gig for them, or someone was sick, or something… because I seem to remember them not being quite as good as reviews I’ve read on the web about them.

The Furs were, natch, great. But that’s a given.

Posted by Lorena on March 11, 2004 at 10:34 AM | #

Never forget Bumble (after the Rankin-Bass character) and Number 2 (not poop, but as in Sesame Street’s “Brought to you by the Number Two.”) and Schlong! Hellwitch– Tom Nordlie played in that outfit. Vini and the Demons, the last Gvl incarnation of Tom Miller. PopCanon! SUMAC, with Charlie McW and Annelise from NDolphin. Hialeah Jorge, from the Tone, etc. Emperor Moth– which had the GOOD musicians from Aleka’s Attic.

I thought Aleka’s Attic sucked, too, and I saw them several times. Opened for Pres. Candidate Clinton once, on campus.

OMG, I saw Redline at a frat house party in 1986– I guess Ken had hair then, cuz I didn’t recognize him. I guess in 1986, you HAD to have hair, big hair, to be in a band!

I had a wonderful collection of band flyers at the end of the 90’s– Remember The Bar? and had them plastered to the bathroom door. And forgot them when I graduated and moved. And got charged $40 from my security for the apartment “maid” to remove them. I soooo wish I had them now. I had one for LOVEGODS IN LEISURE SUITS– don’t remember if I even saw the band or not, but loved the name.

Posted by laura on March 11, 2004 at 11:12 AM | #

those flyers were from the end of the 80’s, not 90’s– didn’t want anyone to think I’m a poorly preserved 25-year-old!

Posted by laura on March 11, 2004 at 11:14 AM | #

Subject was the band I remember most and NDolphin. I really miss MFP and Simon’s club (I think it had an actual name) and Hardback on shrooms. Is Coney Island still there? Nothing like a carrot dog after an all-night music fest. What about the Bill Perry Orchestra? Is Hyde and Zeke’s still there?

Posted by Dawn on May 11, 2004 at 10:07 PM | #

Hi, Dawn! Thanks for posting– I’m always glad to hear from old Gainesvillians grin

Lets see… Last I heard about MFP was years ago, like 10, when it moved out to Hawthorne road. It may be closed now. Simon’s opened to the public (as opposed to invitation only– those were the days!) and it was simply called “Simon’s”. The building and sign are still there but I don’t think it’s open any more. Coney Island is sadly not there anymore (there’s a brief discussion about that here). Hyde and Zeke’s is still in town, but now it’s on University Avenue, down by the Civic Media Center and the Alligator office (University and… like… 10th or so). Bill Perry moved away from Gainesville, though– and who’d of EVER thought that would happen?! It used to be that you could cross town and see Bill three different times, either on his bike or walking his dog. And probaby wearing those blue shorts! Bill’s awesome. I miss seeing him around.

Posted by Lorena on May 12, 2004 at 12:20 PM | #

I went to UF, 1988-1994, and when I think about those years, the soundtrack that plays in my mind invariably starts with Big White Undies tunes — although I saw about a hundred other bands during that time too.

I think the first time I heard them play (circa 1992-3?) was in the smallish club in downtown Gainesville, on University, that has been called “Rev,” “Full Circle,” and probably many other names. BWU where tucked into the back corner of the first floor, near the bar — a pretty small space. There were dozens of people up front who had obviously heard them before. One of those fans handed them a Dr. Seuss book — “Green Eggs and Ham” — and asked them to sing the words to the tune of the “What I Am” (by Edie Brickell and New Bohemians). They had apparently done this before. It was unforgettable and hilarious. It worked perfectly. Instead of “What I am is what I am. Are you what you are, or what?” it was “I would not eat green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam-I-Am.” Perfect.

Later, my friends and I heard them perform in, of all places, the parking lot at the Oaks Mall. I think it was really supposed to be a gig for the restaurant/bar that was located over near the movie theater — or maybe it was something sponsored by Rock 104 — but, for some reason, they put them out in the parking lot, which wasn’t such great location when it started raining. As I recall, most of us stuck around to hear them finish their set. Nobody died of electrocution, but I’m sure there were close calls.

I also saw them much later, when it was just the guys, performing in another parking lot. This time, the venue was much more appealing. It was the top of a multi-level parking garage in downtown Orlando that had been leased out as a concert/party location for watching the fireworks on July 4th (or maybe New Year’s Eve?). Anyway, it was great to see they were still performing; and I was impressed with the vocals. But, I couldn’t help missing the sound of Adrienne’s voice.

Speaking of her…. I am almost certain I had seen her perform with a jazz trio (or was it a quartet?) in a Gainesville club that I believe was called “Blue Note.” It was upstairs in an old downtown building on University. That was a great club. I don’t know if that performance was before BWU or during or after. Anyway, I sat there listening to them as long as they played. It was beautiful.

Posted by Jamie Barger on May 22, 2004 at 05:40 PM | #

Possibly the best memory I have of BWU is the last time I saw them. It was at a huge concert festival in Gainesville (Harvest Fest?), at the fairgrounds (circa 1997-1998?). That festival used to happen every year and they typically had several dozen bands performing over a three day stretch. Does that festival still exist?

The remarkable thing about the BWU concert was that it was a reunion of all (?) the original band members. Adrienne was there, on stage, singing with the guys just like the old days — even though she had split with them years earlier. The crowd definitely had a large share of folks like me who had seen them years earlier and were thrilled with the reunion aspect of the show. It really was the highlight of the whole festival for me — and that’s saying something.

Posted by Jamie Barger on May 22, 2004 at 05:41 PM | #

Maybe you should add Superball to your list? I never was a big fan. But, they were there and they played a lot of gigs.

Posted by Jamie Barger on May 22, 2004 at 05:43 PM | #

Thanks for these great remembrances! I love hearing what other people saw and heard.

The Gainesville/Alachua Music Harvest is no longer around… sigh. Those were good times. I did find this article over at the Gainesville Band Family Tree site, though.

Posted by Lorena on May 23, 2004 at 01:21 PM | #

I saw Aleka’s Attic open for a band I liked. Was it the Psychedelic Furs? INXS? I have no idea.

After the Show we went to that vegan place. Coney Island? Casa no carne?

Anyway, River Phoenix was sitting alone at the counter and I really just wanted to go up and say, “Hey, I think you’re great. Maybe not so much with the band thing, but there you are.”

I’ve never been very good with the cold call, so it never happened. (Same thing happened a few weeks ago with Paige from Trading Spaces. I just never know what to say.). THing is, if I knew he would be dead in a few years, I would have worked up the nerve to say “HI” or to do that head nod thing or somthing similar.

Do you have the band ScatterBrainz in there somewhere? They used to do this great reggae version of “Tears of a Clown” as well as an articulate version of “It’s the End of the World As We Know it (And I Feel Fine).” I loved them.

Posted by heath on May 24, 2004 at 07:57 AM | #

About BWU…I really don’t remember them from when I still lived in Gville, but I saw that rooftop show on July 4th. We lived downtown on Lake Eola then, and my friend’s boyfrind (now husband) was a DJ for WJRR who sponsored the show…we got VIP passes and it was really cool. Literally cool, since it was about 100 degrees that day and the roof was the only place with moving air! haha. Thanks for reminding me of that day!

Posted by Dawn on May 24, 2004 at 08:11 AM | #

Lorena,

You’re a fountain of Olde Tyme nostalgia and good thoughts.

Posted by Will on May 24, 2004 at 05:31 PM | #

<tips her hat>

I do what I can grin

Posted by Lorena on May 24, 2004 at 06:40 PM | #

My dad played in a few bands around town, way back when……. City Mouse, The Billionaires, …played with Nancy Luca, a Gainesville staple. He played with Gary Gordon a couple of times, too……

Saw BWU at that club that turned into some chicken shack in ghetto behind Market Street….they were cool….

My cousin had a band called Frolic that played at Hardback….

Posted by Jess on August 06, 2004 at 12:57 PM | #

OOOH anyone remember when 97.7 got kicked off? I was sooo mad!! That was an AWESOME radio station…who else would play Wilco and then Nancy Sinatra???? How else would I have found out about Ani DiFranco

Posted by Jess on August 06, 2004 at 12:58 PM | #

Hey –

Tom Miller moved to Chicago with a Blues band…

MFP closed in 1990… so sad. There was talk of a reunion back in 2000, but I never heard if anything came of it. I am still in G-ville, but it and I have changed. Loved MFP… the University Club is where you MIGHT run into some old MFP – vites.

Anyone remember Dan the Bartender at MFP?

Posted by jay on December 27, 2004 at 11:24 AM | #

Oh – hey – anyone remember Eric (Floyd) Philman from MFP, or Jeremy Sheets…

Fluffy Kitty member Kirsten was a good friend of Jeremy’s… I think Jeremy went on to become a cirque-de-soleil cast member……????

How about me? Jay – red-headed girl dancing or curled up in a corner on LSD….

frequently wore a black hat with a rim…

while I am frequently nostalgic for those days… I cannot remember them that well.

How about Beth Hamilton? Looked like Marilyn Monroe, but almost six feet tall?

She moved to Chicago… got married… had aspirations to be a stand-up comic.

Anyone remember Tom Miller’s performance art at Full Circle, and his butt-prints?

Love you Tom, if you ever search for MFP like I did and find this site.

Posted by jay on December 27, 2004 at 11:32 AM | #

Jeremy Sheets sounds very familiar. Does he have a full back tattoo? Did he go to PK Yonge? If so, that’s the Jeremy I know!

Posted by Lorena on January 03, 2005 at 09:34 AM | #

Yes, that is Jeremy…. very flexible… long red hair, green eyes…

Posted by jay on January 03, 2005 at 05:34 PM | #

Nice list. Jack Mason was and probably is the dude. A sublime presence in the early scene- I was a wallflower, hanging back watching it all go down (until) I saw the space masons at some multimedia show at full circle. I was already in love with adrienne from hardback and highnote shows. She sang a bunch of jazz standards, then get this, gets up on stage with the improv comedy group that followed-and killed. My roomate at the time shared exactly my taste in women- has since saved our friendship by marrying my sister. We were in awe of her and neither of us could tell her without folding akwardly in ourselves. Adrienne Young @addiebelle.com? was nominated for a grammy last year. (best package>i would agree.) Charlie Mcwharter can sing-and paint, I saw him at the springarts festwith a blue ribbon. I wrote a song about how I felt about adrienne and her notrightforher boyfriend at the time. she was leaving cryptic answering messages- don’t hang-up! sing me a song now, tell me how you feel. So I hung up and wrote ferris wheel in about a minute and a half- that song, and the response it got when we performed it together a month later as the big white undies worked like magic. I had a new job. One I am happy to say I still work hard at everyday>

I am off to Maui to do preproduction on a new record of original music with Josh Greenbaum of alekas attic & the bwundies. Thanks for the cool memories. (hey undieheads check out My Friend Steve on mammoth records for a nice suprise.)

Posted by mr. p on May 23, 2005 at 09:53 AM | #

Hey, I just ran across this site in a fit of nostalgia. There were some great bands. I remember in particulat a great show at Moondance with Psychic Violents.

Jay asked in December 2004 about Erric Philman. He was a good friend of mine, but we lost touch when he moved to Atlanta and I moved to Miami in ’93 or ’94.

For anyone nostalgic about MFP, sign the new guestbook at <www.bladderbust.com>. It’s not my site BTW.

Posted by Frank on July 22, 2005 at 04:04 PM | #

< waves to Frank >

Welcome, Frank! We live for nostalgia around here.

Thanks for the link to MFP!

Posted by Lorena on July 22, 2005 at 05:18 PM | #

Thank God for GAMA and Marshall!!!!

The Music Harvests were great!! Some of the best times of my life.

I was a founding member of and THE drummer of Whoreculture. If anyone has video/photos/audio of our shows from this era please e-mail me. I have a baby on the way and would love to have more history to show him. The 90s were a very special time in Hog-Town. Thank you for having this site.

Posted by joe larson on January 19, 2006 at 01:36 AM | #

I found it curious you felt a need to capitalize the word “the” in your post, joey. I had no idea there even was a debate about who the “real” drummer in the band was. I always thought I was “the man”! Boy is my face red! (To clarify, I was the OTHER drummer in Whoreculture, taking over for joey when the rest of the band took him up on his oft-repeated threat to quit in 1997.)

I guess not being a drama queen, not monkeywrenching shows with phantom equipment problems, not blaming the guitar players for speeding up songs live, not speeding up the songs live in general, and not getting my ass kicked by EVERY OTHER GUY IN THE BAND at one time or other for being an unmitigated prick does kind of delegitimize my eight-year tenure in the group. May I extend my sincerest thanks for your clearing of the air on this issue.

Posted by Rusty Valentine on February 15, 2006 at 12:45 PM | #

After seeing red at joey’s post, I went back and read the rest of the thread. So that I don’t myself sound like a (complete) unmitigated prick, thanks to laura for remembering Bumble and Schlong. That both bands could be popular with the same people is a testament to how cool that time in town was. That I was in any way a part of it is just dessert.

Posted by Rusty Valentine on February 15, 2006 at 01:21 PM | #

Someone asked about Charlie McWorter… he is still creating art and music. I think he lives in one of the towns outside of Gainesville, but does stuff in town. He is selling his music at www.charleotis.com I believe…

I heard from Erric Philman recently… he is working corporate now, believe it or not! He is up in Georgia.

Tom Miller has moved back to Gainesville, Yea!

Posted by Jay Winter Collins on February 15, 2006 at 02:47 PM | #

Whoops – that was www.charlesotis.com (not my fault… he misspelled it in an email graphic)

Posted by Jay Winter Collins on February 15, 2006 at 02:48 PM | #

Dear Mr. Bitterman ( Rusty) :

WOW. Just for the record : The only people in Whoreculture to ever get to fisticuffs were Chris and I and the funny thing that most people who will read this won’t know ( Including you apparently ) is —–Chris and I have been in around 1000 fist fights against eachother. Our Moms and Dads are best friends and have been since we were born. The day I was born is the same day that Chris’ Mom found out she was pregnant with him. So we go WAY back and through thick and thin, we remain close friends. Our families were vacationing together last year on Long Boat Key and we joked about the next fight that we will have. I’m only bringing this up b/c he kinda jumped me ( In the fight you might be refering to) and it was early in the AM. I told him that the next fight will be started by me and I was gonna cold cock him—Even if we were fifty years old. Alls fair when you are family.

Anywho-the rest of the stuff you brought up has been said about every musician in every band that has ever been together. Whatever.

The facts are : Whoreculture never toured again, never recorded again, and from what the people I talked to whom remained in Gainesville ” became a Whoreculture cover band”. That quote is not mine dude. That feedback was from some of Hogtown’s stalwarts.

Listen Rusty, I didn’t mean to insult you but the fact is that I did found the band with Chris and Jon and every important moment that matters to a band trying to break through had happened to us by 1997. Time to move on.

The fact that your post was so venomous only reveals what I knew when you tagged along at Fish’s wedding even though you weren’t invited—-Pathetic.

Posted by joe larson on February 15, 2006 at 11:59 PM | #

So, what you’re saying is, even your longest and best friend was compelled to kick your ass repeatedly for being a prick? I believe you’ve proven my point on that one.

Crashing a friend’s wedding reception isn’t my idea of pathetic. (By the way, Jon and I were the “stalwarts” who told you that we were like a cover band of ourselves, and we told you that while I gave you and your wife a ride to Richard Groene’s afterparty for Fish and Amy. Strange, I don’t remember you saying anything about my presence being “pathetic” then. Then again, I didn’t tell you about your “pathetic” drumming at said afterparty’s jam session. Way to stink up a blues progression!) What’s truly pathetic is you are still so consumed with what people think about you and the band you quit almost ten years ago. Where I draw the line is when you in any way try to sell out me and my contribution to Whoreculture in the process of serving your insecurities. That’s when I feel compelled to call you out of the van(so to speak), like Rich once did. You declined to take him up on his offer, didn’t you? And I know Boyd got a piece of you in Savannah, GA. Ah, the stories I’ve heard…

And I don’t think you want to get into a pissing contest with me about what the “stalwarts” say. Remember, you’re the one with a long history of being an unmitigated prick, not me. I suppose you could also ask the rest of band for a more definitive opinion. They seemed quite happy with the personnel change.

Posted by Rusty Valentine on February 16, 2006 at 04:57 PM | #

Snark (speech) also refers to a style of speech/writing that could loosely be described as “snidely derisive”; hence, “snarkish”, “snarky”, “to snark at somebody”. (According to The Urban Dictionary, snark is a contraction of “snide remark”.)

Interesting. Good illustration, guys…

Posted by Jay Winter Collins on February 16, 2006 at 09:05 PM | #

Duly noted DelMar.

“I just wish I could quit you!”

You have earned your medal Rusty.

Announcer: ” In the competiton for ” Who gives a shit about any of this AND who is ACTUALLY living in the past?”

PAUSE

Announcer: ” The Gold medal goes to …RUSTY VALENTINE!!!!!”

Crowd goes wild!!!!

Headlines read : VALENTINE WINS THE MOST RETARDED BATTLE EVER.

G-ville Sun EXCLUSIVE : RUSTY VALENTINE KNOWS MORE ABOUT JOE LARSON’S DAYS IN WHORECULTURE THAN JOE LARSON DOES!!!!

Dude, I’m fishing in the Bahamas for the next three days. I’ll re-read your posts when I get back and probably decide that this is has been the stupidest, most broke-back mountainous pile of shite that I can believe. If anything, I hope that you feel better and slightly more important to yourself.

Self Esteem is important Rusty. You need it if you ever expect to do anything with your life.

Thanks for the cab ride beyotch.

Posted by joe larson on February 17, 2006 at 01:59 AM | #

On this, we can agree wholeheartedly: two guys in their mid-thirties trading insults on the internet about who is more relevant in an ultimately irrelevant band. Now THAT is pathetic!

Two more points –

1. You are, in fact, a very good drummer. The recordings prove it. Your problem is you’re such a over-emotional drama queen that you could play those songs well about five percent of the time. You were WAY more concerned with how your “rocking out” looked to the audience than how well you kept time for the band. Judging by all of your posts, that consumption with perception hasn’t changed. In that same vein…

2. You have a long and distinguished career in this town of shit-talking – whether it was about how great you were or how your band was better than evertyone else’s or how the rest of the band was holding you back – all in a frenzied attempt to manipulate public opinion about you. I should expect that hasn’t changed either. (Dude, people to this day still compain about that when your name is mentioned.) Then I catch you doing it ostensibly about me and I call you on it. Simple as that. It is a testament to general human politeness that it doesn’t happen every day you’re alive.

So here we are. We could trade insults until the end of time, but I think we would just be repeating ourselves. At the end of the day, when the lights go out, you’re staring at the ceiling, worried about what what people think, while I’m sound asleep content in the knowledge that I made your band better. And, in a way, I owe you a debt of gratitude for the opportunity, so here goes –

Thanks Boo-Bo.

Posted by Rusty Valentine on February 17, 2006 at 12:17 PM | #

WOW what a cool site, and what memories. I don’t wanna get in it with the two drummers, f^ck, one is bad enough wink but to set the record striaght, Joe and I did exchange a few blows one night! Anyhoo both the Joe and the Rusty years were some of the best of my life. Also we did play a good deal of out of town shows with Rusty, and had a couple nice recording sessions.

So the memories…. playing with Grinch was some of the epic ones, the touring for cans of soup, the endless miles in an unairconditioned van, opening for Fugazi, our anual reunion gigs where we did cover ourselves, Superball, and the list goes on.

Also, someone mentioned Tom Miller, he’s on myspace if you want to track him down.

Gainesville was quite the town in the 90’s.

Take care everyone and congrats on the little on Joe!

Boyd

Posted by boyd westerman on February 17, 2006 at 06:33 PM | #

Oh ya, how could I forget Chris cutting open his foot at my pop’s house and doing a week of show’s sitting on a sofaseat! Rich fighting Vultar on the deck, John’s bandana, Rotoscud supporting us for so long, Chris and John counting ants while my dad jogs by, Cincinati Jim, The Red River Gorge, all of us tempting death walking down the ridge line, skinny dipping with the P-cola chicks, Sluggo’s, wow, damn I wanna play again!!!!

Posted by boyd westerman on February 17, 2006 at 06:39 PM | #

Hello Gentlemen. I’ve been a fan of whoreculture since the beginning. I appreciate both Joe and Rusty. However, I’m looking for Jon. Can you pass this on to him? If you could, have him give me a call 646 387 3640.

Posted by Curtiss Venn on February 18, 2006 at 09:18 PM | #

RUSTY VALENTINE

RUSTY VALENTINE

RUSTY VALENTINE

RUSTY VALENTINE

RUSTY VALENTINE

RUSTY VALENTINE

RUSTY VALENTINE

RUSTY VALENTINE

RUSTY VALENTINE

Now that I have your attention, and I KNOW that Rusty reads this board, GET IN TOUCH WITH ME YOU SILLY LITTLE FREAK!!!

Every number I had for you has been disconnected, every website I found your smirking face on has vanished… and i still have an “EM TAE” license plate to give back to you!!!!

Now I know you have internet access, and probably a really cool email address like ikickedjoelarsonsassdrumming@yahoo.com, so EMAIL ME BITCH!

Huck

huckfinnifkcuh@yahoo.com

Posted by Huck Finn on March 31, 2006 at 12:17 PM | #

You people crack my shit up.

I swear, this is the best comment thread ever. EVAH!

Posted by Lorena on March 31, 2006 at 01:05 PM | #

I don’t know any of them, but I have to agree that this was an entertaining comment thread smile

m e o w

Posted by =^. .^= on March 31, 2006 at 01:35 PM | #

Good to know the histrionics of middle-aged men can enterian as well as embarrass. Cheers.

Posted by Rusty Valentine on March 31, 2006 at 02:53 PM | #

Rusty is right. Joe is such a little punk a$$ that even I kicked his a$$ a couple times. Maybe those stiches will remind you – you pile of dung.

Mike

Posted by Mike on June 27, 2006 at 07:59 PM | #

This makes me wish I would’ve kicked Joe’s ass. Chris used to tell me what a pussy he was while working at Gumby’s, and after seeing them live the proper term was/is poseur.

Posted by Rich on July 23, 2006 at 12:15 PM | #

Joey, great to hear you are alive and well. Congrats on the new baby.

I was the other guy silly enough to deliver pies in a VW Bus. I miss those years in Gainesville. Are you still in touch with any of the Gumby’s crew? I have looked for Doug for years online with no luck. My wife and I are still in touch with his ex, Sarah and a few other people from back in the day.

When I get finished cleaning out the attic, I’ll let you know if I find anything nostalgic. I kept almost everything from the college days…and the days after when college was no longer getting in the way of having a good time in Hogtown. It would be great to have some stuff to share with your little boy.

Take care

Kevin

Posted by Kevin on August 12, 2006 at 08:26 AM | #

Thanks for being the #1 Google hit for Lovegods in Leisure Suits. smile

rich

drums and banana collars, 1987-1991

Posted by Rich on August 24, 2006 at 12:23 PM | #

Hey Kevin–Glad to hear you’re doing so well!! If you found anything in the attic I definately would like to know. The only people from Gumby’s that I’m still in touch with are Rick Sapp and Chris Demakes (LTJ). Rick lives in St.Pete and owns a tile company–Chris is still doing great with LTJ. Dude–I wonder what happened to Doug?? Let me know if you find anything out.

I haven’t re-read this thread in months but it is truly freakin hilarious!!

I love the haters!! I bet that they : 1. Still live in Gainesville

2. Still get paid by the hour or tips are part of their annual salary

People let it go already!! Its 2006!

Posted by joe larson on September 28, 2006 at 05:25 PM | #

God this brings back memories… Keep up the fighting guys, its just like old times.

Posted by Phil Duvalsaint on October 03, 2006 at 04:07 PM | #

I also saw the Undies at their “reunion” concert at Harvest and then caught them all together at their last show at the Covered Dish. It was so sad to me to see such a hard workin’ and great band decided to move to other projects. Adrienne was awesome! I am still looking for old tapes of their music. I miss them, I miss the Harvest Fest and that scene during the 90s!

Posted by Tater Head on November 11, 2006 at 11:21 PM | #

holy shit, i can’t believe it took me so long to stumble upon this gold mine. glad i had this little fit of nostalgia and looked up a few things. whoreculture–great war of words. some insane memories from joey and chris’ house, from the year or so when i lived across the street, whoreculture opening for shitkicker and blowing them out of the water (pre-rich, even), and things got very interesting from there.

good to hear that you’re doing well, joey and boyd, and congratulations on fatherhood, joey.

later,

ken

Posted by ken milne on January 06, 2007 at 04:56 AM | #

I found this through Bill Shaw and it is great to go back to good times. We put together several clubs between 1988 and 1989. Only one year, but we made a great deal of it. Starting with 201 at Central City, then turning into a traveling club for a month, then the Hardback Cafe, MFP asked me to do Mondays for a while, then REV, then we went back to Miami. Whatever happened to Koky, Ross, Enzu Castellanos? I am trying to put together something with the old alternative music in the Orlando area. Any takers? Alan aka Uncle Alice

Posted by Alan Trueba on January 26, 2007 at 06:39 PM | #

Drummers…

glad to see the fire is still there.

Just came across this for the first time (3 years late) but it’s been a nice trip down memory lane. Lots more to talk about i’m sure

The past was dandy but the present is getting more and more interesting. Small town GNV has grown into some larger post-pubescent form and now it’s tellin time to see if the little town can make the leap and keep it’s soul.

Music scene is thriving and more active than ever-more bands, more venues, more media attention- but the jury’s still out on whether it’s “better, worse or the same”. Common Grounds is where The Covered Dish used to be, The Hardback space is a fancy restaurant now but a Hardback vibe has moved over to the Atlantic. 1982 is where CGs used to be. Gainesville is recognized for a punk and post-hardcore sound, but obviously there’s a lot more going on in the music here. Old school, new school, it’s all still happening. And it’s still a very nice place to live. just not as wild as it used to be. Not to say the beast is tamed.

Posted by Bill Bryson on February 12, 2007 at 01:19 PM | #

Wow. I just stumbled across this. Sinfully entertaining!

Posted by Douglas Jordan on March 09, 2007 at 04:03 PM | #

Noticed a lot of chatter about the Big White Undies. Patrick David Koch, from the BWU has now released a solo album that he wrote and produced.

Stay in touch with Pat and his music at www.myspace.com/patrickdavidkoch

Posted by Justin on March 20, 2007 at 10:38 PM | #

what fun to be accidentally redirected to this site…and to get sucked in to a familiar rush of drumbeats and musical endorphins…To add to the list of unforgettable’s…Terminal Fun (I know, I am dating myself now…), and who could forget Carpet Farmers or Schlong?

Posted by Anne on April 02, 2007 at 12:03 PM | #

Two words: For Squirrels.

Posted by Dawnie ;p on April 09, 2007 at 10:09 PM | #

So, Bill Bryson, don’t I know you? Didn’t you use to publish Moon Magazine? Friend of Norm’s or something, right? Sick Dick and the Volkswagens friend? Eh?

I love this site. I stumbled on it by accident tonight. Here’s how . . . I was thinking about the fact that the Nancy Drew movie is coming soon to a theatre near me. Then, for some reason, the song by Big White Undies called “Kickstand Love” popped into my head. (There’s a line it that says “[something, something] . . . just like Nancy Drew”.) Yes, my stream of consciousness is quite bizarre, I admit.

What’s the deal with this feud between you Whore-ti-culturalists (just felt the need to experiment with the name)? (I am sorry if I use parentheticals a little too much–it just works for me.) I had some good times flirting with that guitarist who wore a bandana–there was something about his eyebrows . . . can’t remember his name. Let’s just remember the good times. I am pretty sure you were both awesome, just different perspectives. I like to bring a warm and fuzzy feel into things.

Everybody remembers Alachua Music Harvest when it was in October. Nobody every seems to remember the first one. It is a shame really. The very first Harvest was in January (I still have the shirt to prove it)and it was freaking freezing. It was only 2 days and cost only 5 bucks for both days. My EX-roommate (capitalized for many reasons) and I went and had quite a blast. The first night we nearly froze our gonads off (figuratively speaking, of course, as mine are kept tucked nicely inside where it’s warm) and somebody had a thermos of hot Jack Daniel’s. I took a couple of swigs of that and didn’t seem nearly as cold anymore–go figure! The second night was soooooo fun, however! This time everyone was prepared for the cold. We all brought tons of blankets and the fair grounds allowed fire pits. So, the place was dotted with fires encircled by complete strangers getting very close and warm (and much less strange). I will never forget it. It is one of my fondest memories of Gainesville.

I suppose I have rambled on quite enough now. I tend to that. You may remember me sitting on the the right side of the stage during multitudinous For Squirrels shows. Yes, I was that enthralled by John Francis Vigliatura, IV, may he rest in peace.

Anyway, only 115 days until I am back in my humble Gainesville abode. I CAN’T WAIT!!! I think I will launch an un-official countdown on this blog thingy!

Love always,

Dawnie ;p

Posted by Dawnie ;p on April 09, 2007 at 10:25 PM | #

Ok, I really need to go to bed. I could stroll down this shady memory lane all night long. The problem is, I have to get up in the morning and go to school to shape the minds of Pinellas County’s finest youngsters. (Was that a snarky one?)

Until tomorrow–when I will post the number of days until I am back in my hizi (I think that means house). You probably can do the math; however, I am so used to people that can’t, I forget that people actually can count backwards. (Ok, I just wanted to see if html tags worked here. So, sorry about the random letters/symbols.)

Thank you for providing this fun site!

Good night!

Dawnie ;p

Posted by Dawnie ;p on April 09, 2007 at 11:46 PM | #

Woohoo! They do work! (The html tags, that is.) Ok, so now I am really going to bed!

Muacc!

Posted by Dawnie ;p on April 09, 2007 at 11:48 PM | #

Wow! I have been having a HUGE nostalgia swim and sadly , found out some sad news; Bruce Wilcox died last spring, I believe. Bruce was bouncer, DJ and friend extraordinaire! I posted the sad news on the MFP site www.bladderbust.com. I hope to hear from other members of the “Family” and see where everyone is…..right now I have to go tuck in my pixie daughter who is 5. Check back later!

With fond memories,

Dawn

Posted by Dawn on April 10, 2007 at 08:12 PM | #

i was either in, played with, or tried out for half of those bands 😀

Posted by blue on August 16, 2007 at 08:55 PM | #

i am very amused!!!if i didnt personally know rusty and joe,i would think mtv created this online reality show.both of you guys are kickass drummers!!!i think whoreculture is in the top 10 important bands of gainesville.in response to other questions asked,tom miller played tonight in a new band THE RIGHTEOUS KIND and charlie is alive and well.

Posted by danarchy on September 08, 2007 at 04:53 AM | #

The sentence that started off the cyber-fight between two middle-aged men reads:

“I was a founding member of and THE drummer of Whoreculture.”

It is amazing when one thinks about the power of uppercase letters. The emphasis placed upon them is automatically understood, without the need of clarification. However, one usually expects a response to such unspoken language – which is all part of the “cause-and-effect” relationship of life (when one speaks, one replies). In this particular case the response was in lower case letters. That response was direct, harsh and well understood – having the same effect as unspoken uppercase letters. I write this because I have learned to hate drummers. What I mean is that I played with both Joey and Rusty and now realize that guitar players and bassists are more civilized in how they direct their angst towards other human beings. Singers, on the other hand……well……they’re singers and I don’t want to piss off Haggard in this type of forum – I’d rather do that on the phone. The point here is that my daughter (now seven years old) once asked about playing the drums – I immediately and without hesitation put an end to that nonsensical notion. Drummers are asses and I hate them and refuse to have my puritanical daughter grow up to be one of them. If you don’t know what I am talking about, do a Google search for “Asshole Drummers” and you’ll read story after story about asshole drummers (i.e. Buddy Rich). I simply do not like the idea of drummers tainting the good Christian reputation of the band Whoreculture in such a forum. Sure, we fought on stage, talked shit all over town, drank way too much, and fucked your girlfriends, your wives and possibly your husbands. But, damn it, Snarkland is not supposed to be the final legacy of Whoreculture. Or is it??? For the record:

1. Whoreculture did do some cool things after Joey left (be creative, record new songs, tour, fuck your husbands), but it is true that that “every important moment that matters to a band trying to break through had happened to us by 1997.”

2. Jay Winter Collins did define Snark correctly in his February 16, 2006 post.

3. Joey was not a poser when he played shows – he was truly into it and would puke to prove it.

4. The June 27, 2006 post by someone named Mike is bull-shite.

5. Whoever Rich is from Gumby’s – lick me (unless it was a different Chris you talked to – then he can lick me too).

6. Ken Milne: I read some your stuff online and it’s good to see you’re still writing.

7. Bill Bryson: sorry I never turned in my report on Smart Growth in Alachua County to Satellite Magazine – sustainability is hard work.

8. Rusty and Joey are both great drummers, just different approaches.

9. It sucks being friends with both these guys and having to read such nonsense.

In short, this thread on Snarkland is fun to read and is somewhat indicative of the Whoreculture name, but it is NOT (notice the uppercase) the legacy of a band that never had a legacy to begin with. Visit http://www.myspace.com/whoreculture to see what we wish to be our epitaph. As for the BWU, Jack Mason, MFP, Superball, Grinch, Tom Miller, REV, The Hardback, The Covered Dish, NDolphin, Sister Hazel, Alachua Music Harvest, Aleka’s Attic, Bumble, Schlong, Number 2, Tone Unknown, Simon’s, Bill Perry, Coney Island, Hyde and Zeke’s, Civic Media Center, Full Circle, University Club (where we met your husbands), Fluffy Kitty, Doldrums, G-ville shrooms, Carpet Farmers, Shit Kicker, acid and Crescent Beach, Moles, Grain, Allen Wrench, Paradox Green, G-ville crypie, Halusifix (spelling??), Roach Motel, Camp 7, Mutely Chix, Squeaky, Shermie D., and whoever or whatever else we all recollect in our golden years – it’s over, done, finished, dead. Drummers suck and then we die.

Posted by The Dude on September 08, 2007 at 05:17 AM | #

Twelve years ago today was the For Squirrels van accident. RIP Jack, Tim, Bill.

Posted by anon on September 08, 2007 at 07:52 PM | #

Four things…..

Chris: Well said.

2. I will drink an extra glass/bottle of wine to toast the memory of the Squirrels that were killed in that wreck. Tim especially, what a great fucking guy…Can’t believe it’s been twelve years. Thanks Anon for the reminder and date.

Thirdly: This thread has put me back in touch with at least ten people that I would not have ever been able to track down so, I believe that it has served it’s twisted purpose on many levels and am actually glad that Rusty and I had it out here.

Fourthish: Does ANYONE know how to track down Steve Bender?? He was Tim Bender’s older brother ( For Squirrels Manager). If anyone knows where he is, please have him check this out so I can get back in touch. Last I heard he lived in Hogtown but that was 6-7 years ago.

Cheers to All. Drinks on me… Joey

Posted by Joe Larson on September 08, 2007 at 08:30 PM | #

i have a ton of flyers and a half ton of photos dating back to the late 80s.is their a way to share them on this site?band members that released music during the 90s,chances are pretty good that i have a copy!7s,12s,cassettes,demos!! i will only release copys to a member of the band.i dont want to put it on the internet for some CRAPorate industry music suckling to steal your music. i like this site so ill check back and respond to most requests.some of my treasures include…foil,grinch,foxhole society,mutley chix,space masons,skowse.eating cheetos while farting in the bathtub will create ORANGE clouds, and keeps your sanity!!!

Posted by danarchy on September 09, 2007 at 08:55 AM | #

hey, long time, tracy and i were talking about you and we thought to google you. hope that you are the rusty who made the pampered palate fun. email me back iffn’ you are. we were talking about you because she still had a schlong sticker on her bike. you magnificent son of a bitch.

hows prince albert?

Posted by brett bowker on September 10, 2007 at 11:14 PM | #

rusty, if this the rusty that made the pampered palate fun. tracy and i were talking about you today, she still has the schlong sticker on her bike, and we thought we’d google you. this is the first site we stopped on, but my guess is you’re all over it like a cheap suit, you magnificent son of a bitch.

hows prince albert?

brett bowker

Posted by brett bowker on September 11, 2007 at 12:09 AM | #

Haven’t been back to this place in a while…I’m genuinely touched that two old men squabbling over useless shit makes the world a better place.

Brett Bowker, where you been? Would love to email you, but you didn’t leave an address, dumbass. If you ever read this, get back to me at twoturkeysproshop@gmail.com. Love you man.

And the Prince and I are still close friends. Thanks for thinking of him.

Posted by Rusty on September 11, 2007 at 09:07 AM | #

Danarchy?! Hey, it’s Sharon from 111! How the hell are you?

Posted by Sharon on September 11, 2007 at 10:25 AM | #

sharon,wow!! how did you end up here? how did i end up here? im doing o.k. hey,have you seen denny lately? i understand he needs us. icant find him. im leaving town for awhile,when i get back ill come back online.im going to post band stuff on gainesvillebands.com when i get back. im online through digital downtown,so after today i wont have internet for awhile.ill look for you here when i get back.i like this site,because no emos have found it yet.these are the REAL people and band members of the 80s and 90s.finhead is hanging out at c.grounds,vinnie hangs at 1982.see you later sweetheart!!you made my day!!! MY LOVE danarchy

Posted by danarchy on September 11, 2007 at 11:25 AM | #

Hey Everyone. Got bad news today…Jeff Wood, the drummer from Nutrajet(And many other great bands), has passed away. He had a tumor in his brain and fought it off like a mofo for years but it came back recently and he succumbed on Weds night. I’m not sure how many people that are on this thread had met him over the years( He was in many bands based out of Tampa) but I know that the rest of the Whores will certainly remember him. He will be sorely missed—He was pretty much an icon down here in Tampa and his funeral should be one great party to celebrate a gentle and genuine soul.

Chris or Rusty–Please tell Jon if he hasn’t been keeping up with this thread.

Boyd—Smoke a bowl in remembrance.

Jon, Chris, Rich, Rusty—-Jack and Cokes tonight for Jeff.

All Best to Everyone else—-Joey

Posted by Joe Larson on September 14, 2007 at 08:23 PM | #

Addendum: Jeff played in SmashMouth and the Joey Sunshine Band as well as Monday Mornings and the Forgotten Apostles. We played many gigs in and out of town with Smashmouth and the Joey Sunshine band…Just in case anyone needed the cobwebs shaken off.

Posted by Joe Larson on September 15, 2007 at 12:22 AM | #

I still listen to my Naomi’s Hair cassette from 1988(?) and it’s wearing out. Does anyone have a decent copy? What ever happened to Scott, the singer/songwriter,guitarman from this outfit? In the 90’s, I heard he ended up in Orlando…and I wondered if he continued making music.

Posted by makogan on October 31, 2007 at 01:55 PM | #

Does anyone know where I can buy an Alekas Attic consert shirt from back in the day ? Thank you

Posted by Faisal on November 08, 2007 at 04:22 PM | #

I used to jump around almost every week with Naomi’s hair at “Decades” near UCF! I had a CD of their music which got lost along the way-If anyone knows how to get hold of any of their music-I would be EXTREMELY grateful!

Tom

Posted by tom webster on December 04, 2007 at 10:15 AM | #

Hey Tom Webster,

Send your email address to Marsha at makogan@yahoo.com and I will do my damnedest to upload a few Naomi’s Hair songs for you.

Posted by Marsha Kogan on January 04, 2008 at 09:23 PM | #

Wow, this is great. I was in Gainesville from 1985 until 1998. the music scene was awesome. The Tone Unknown, Ndolphin and space Masons, Mutley chix, Emporor Moth, BWU, Henrietta’s Lovers, What it Is…god there are so many more… I see Ane Diaz has a band she is on mysocae as is Tom Miller, the proverbial king od making things nobody wants to buy.

I dj’d on the am 1390 wajd radio station for a few years and loved going to Music Harvest…who then heck wants to camp in the cold???

Geoge clinton and the P-funk, Derek Trucks…amn what great acts.

Miss them days, wish I had all those video recordings i made back then too.

Wish I could find Jack Mason or Henry Puertas out here in internet-land…wow, those were great times !!!

Posted by Russ Carawan on September 15, 2008 at 12:43 PM | #

I have checked this site every year or so, but I’ve missed the online graffiti battle between Rusty and Joe (wasn’t it Joey?). It’s pretty entertaining AND misleading, I think: I hung around the Gainesville scene from ’86 to ’96 and there were only a handful of really good drummers (that played in public) then. Rusty was definitely one of them in both technique and dynamics. The musical genius that played drums for Superball (I can’t remember his name) was another, as well as Joe from Grinch (remember he sang too), Sean from Strongbox and Big Soul was a bad ass, and a guy named JJ from GHS. These are guys that held their bands together, tried different things and had the skill to pull it off consistently (which was something I always trouble with).

Now, to address the person that said all drummers are assholes, you are obviously either a guitar player or a singer, both of which decent ones are a dime-a-dozen, and maybe your attitude stems from the rockstar dynamic that is present in all bands. After being on both sides of the drum set, I’ve come to the conclusion that all musicians are assholes.

Cheers, and I still wish Gainesville had a decent radio station–a lot of great bands came and went with little to no exposure, and that’s sad.

Posted by Justin Wiltse on September 26, 2008 at 01:01 PM | #

I was also in a couple of bands back in the “good old days” of Gainesville. Now I am middle aged, moved across the world and have a family and a mortgage. Those days WERE great but These days ARE great too. Still playing in bands and trying to get out as much as possible. The music scene here in Melbourne has to be as good as anywhere in the world (IMHO) check out www.rrr.org.au for a sample of our awesome public radio and anyone from those golden Gainesville days of long ago who wants to catch up, drop me an email. mjh2410@gmail.com

PS I reckon Joey and Rusty are both great drummers but how about Vic (doldrums), Fast Eddie Sanchez(green syndrome), Jeff Neilsen(grain) Brett(justdemigods), Dave(carpet farmers), Misch McKay(emperormoth)etc.etc.etc. Cheers, Mike Hager

Posted by michael hager on September 28, 2008 at 12:52 AM | #

Yea, I realized I screwed up when I skipped Vic, but I was going for a list of the best of the good sort of thing. All those guys are (were?) good, but they’re not on level with those other guys, in my opinion.

Good to hear from you Mike, I tried for 9 years here in Atlanta and managed to be in bands that just missed several opportunities. Oh well.

Posted by Justin Wiltse on September 29, 2008 at 10:54 AM | #

Anyone have mp3s you’re willing to trade for same?

I don’t have much – just what NDolphin & Emperor Moth put out, plus a few songs EM didn’t have a chance to release: Mojo Bag, Down, Bloodrush, Aju, Chronology, Lepidoptera (Lava Lava cover) & a Mr & Mrs Accident cover. Also some live acoustic stuff. If I ever get my hands on a tape deck I could also transfer a couple live shows, including the only recording of My Duel With The Octopus that I know of.

I’d like to get Tone Unknown, Whoreculture, Wanksister, Schlong, Mutley Chix, Psychic Violents, Ovarydose, Grinch, Hellwitch, Cuddlefish, The Doldrums, Space Masons, Sumac, Lrch, Poodles From Hell, Pillow, Bumble, Carpet Farmers, Spoke, Hetch Hetchy, Superior Gingerbread Factory, Cindy Brady’s Lisp…

Posted by Chris Barber on January 09, 2009 at 02:38 PM | #

Chris,

I have three complete Tone Unknown cds/tapes on MP3: Burn, 6 Hungry Men, and Beauty Thing. Would love to trade for NDolphin and EM. Email me at idyllicchick at gmail daht com and we’ll work something out!

—Sharon

Posted by Sharon on January 09, 2009 at 10:43 PM | #

Oh man, I have so many great memories of Gainesville’s music scene. I went to undergrad here from ’76-’79, taught school up in Jax for a year, came back to law school ’80-’83, and never left.

I was in my first my first band in law school, called the Atomics. Our first bassist was Frank Mullen, the Roach Motel drummer, so we played a few shows with them, including at least one at the House of Death (RM’s home base). For a short while I went out with a girl called Debbie MacLeod (or maybe McCloud) who lived at the House of Death, and she sort of introduced me to the punk rock scene. I was pretty immature at the time, and treated Debbie rather churlishly, and so owe her both an apology for my bad behavior as well as a thank you for opening the door to the local scene for me. One early date of ours was at Catch-22 out in Jonesville seeing the Bazookas.

Here are the bands I was in over the years, though I doubt anyone remembers them (except maybe Danarchy– good to read you man!):

The Atomics – guitar, vocals (1980-83) silly party covers band

Band of Fools – guitar, vocals (1984-86) silly party covers band

Special Guest – guitar, vocals (1984) silly party covers band

Generics – guitar, vocals (1985) silly party covers band

Tycho – bass, vocals, guitar, keyboards (1985-86) originals and covers in a synthpop vein

Grandfathers of Punk – bass, vocals (1986) alternative covers

Camp 7 – guitar (1989-90), vocals (1989-91), bass (1990-91), keyboards (1990) original rock

Smart Bomb – guitar, vocals (1991-93) originals punky rock and roll

Allen Wrench – bass, vocals (1994-95) post-grunge originals

Crash Pad – guitar, bass, vocals (1996-present) original punk rock and roll

Sick Dick and the Volkswagens – guitar, vocals (couple months c. 1999) punky rock and roll, mix of covers and originals

Jetsam – Bass, Vocals (2000-2001) original rock (with Doug Jordan, same guy from Camp 7)

Hoyt & the Hotheads – Bass and backing vocals (2002-2003), Guitar and backing vocals (2003-present) original rootsrock in a Dylan/Petty/Neil Young vein

King Orange – subbed on bass 2 shows 2003 original rock (with same guy from Camp 7)

Bo Diddley Band – pickup bassist one show summer 2006

Dynamite Charade – guitar, bass, vocals (2007-present) original rock/power pop (with same guy from Camp 7)

Btw, for anyone on Facebook there is a great group called ’80’s Gainesville Music Scene or something like that, that has a couple hundred pictures up, from back in the day. I should make a companion group for the ’90’s but dunno if I’ll ever get round to it.

Cheers to all.

Posted by Brian Krashpad on January 12, 2009 at 11:07 AM | #

Chris Barber, I could hook you up with some Poodles From Hell – I was in that band.

-Great site!

Posted by Steve Alexander on March 10, 2009 at 08:30 PM | #

I’ve managed to find some songs from the list at rapidshare (using http://rapid4me.com ), thus if you need them you are welcome!

Posted by dora on May 05, 2009 at 10:01 AM | #

Hi Folks, yeah what a great little blog here. Just in nostalgia land, and found my way here…

Living in the Pacific NW, just outside of Portland. Nancy Luca and Gary Gordon are in LA, and Mick Richmond from my old band SKATTERBRAINZ is now in Portland too!

Nancy and I were in GOSSIP, a 1979 girls rock band.

Anyone else remember Mark Blair, the drummer that married Ellie Blair, or Dave Torres, our old SKA B drummer?

I know that Kenny Shore, our bassist, and Bruce Shepard, our sax guy, are still in GVL…

I miss the good old days… teaching music now, as I can’t seem to break into the “youthful” Portland scene.

I am mostly teaching kids and writing kids music..

I got an email lately from a woman named HOBBIT who went thru GVL in the late 70s, now KAREN HART in LA, and doing great with her music check it out.. www.karenhartmusic.com

And how about WEEDS OF EDEN… the longest running GVL band of ragtag musicians, mostly Hutch and Dave… great guys.

Great to see some old familiar names, and thanks for posting,

Posted by Jane Yii on May 29, 2009 at 01:46 AM | #

Wow, stumbled in here trying to track down info on the Psychic Violents. I was in G’ville from 84-94, and really miss the music scene of that period.

Rusty, if you ever come back by here, do you ever hear from your ex-gf Mia or Steve Effren? I was the red-haired dude who hung out with Steve – I drove the non-hippy VW bus and worked at Modern Age.

Still have my Schlong “George Bush” 7″ on white vinyl after all these years.

Posted by Shell BUsh on June 15, 2009 at 01:18 AM | #