Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Too Old To Rock and Roll?

Many years ago I was in some San Francisco Rock /Punk/New Wave bands. Now, on the words of Jethro Tull, I am " Too Old to Rock and Roll."

The Jars were formed in 1978 out of the remnants of San Francisco’s SST. SST included Ted Falconi later of Flipper on guitar.
After SST broke up in 78 Irene Dogmatic formed the Beauty Killers with Matt Markham from SST, Jim Goodwin (later with Sparks, John Cale and the Call) Marc Time on Drums and Mik McDow on guitar and Armin Hammer on Bass. After a gig or 2 in SF the Beauty Killers broke up.
In 1978 Marc Mik and Armin formed the Jars with JD Buhl , and Gary Nervo(ex Pagans Road Manager) . The Jars helped spearhead the Berkeley Punk/New Wave scene by playing at the International Café, Aitos Club,the Keystone,Berleley High and various pizza parlors and frat parties.
By 1979 the Jars were playing all over the Bay Area at the Mabuhay Gardens, the Deaf Club, the Temple and the old Waldorf opening up for Roky Erickson, the Angry Samoans, Horslips, the Dickies, the Flamin Groovies, the Psycotic Pineapple, the Dead Kennedys, the Suspects, the Mutants ,and MX 80 to name but a few. It was in 1979 that J.D.Buhl left the band.
An EP was recorded for the young Subterranean label, “Start Rite Now”, “Psycho”, and “Electric 3rd Rail”. In 1980 a second 45 “Time of the Assassins/Jar Wars” was recorded and released on a Telegraph Avenue record store label called Universal records. Both songs received much airay on starions such as KALX and rose to the top of the Mabuhay Gardens Rotten Record chart. Mike Montalto (ex Special Guests) joined on guitar.
Sessions at Fantasy records for the first LP "Teenage Rebellion" continued into 1981 but band members soon parted to pursue separate musical projects.
Marc and Nervo formed the Art Faggots with Ray Farrell
(ex Sonic Youth Road Manager) and Nervos wife Marge on Drums.

Later came Bo with Marc and Nervo, Marc Monosonic (ex Fried Abortions Manager) and Snoopy (Snoopy and Red Baronesses) on Guitar. This band opened for Isocracy, Rancid, the Offspring Crimpshrine, Green Day and others at the Gilman St club in Berkeley in the late 80s.

Maybe someday again I will be rockin' but nowadays I can't seem to find the time.


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