TRIVIA UPDATES AND
OTHER THINGS
- AN AUSTIN ROAD WARRIOR'S TALES OF THE
PUNK SCENE AND BAND LIFE IN THE 70'S AND 80'S. ML
adds: Here is a complete page of memoirs sent to me by
Austin Band Vet BILLY BLACKMON.
Billy was a member of longtime Austin favorite ' The Skunks '.
Contained on the page is stories about Willie Nelson, playing
at NY's CBGB's, antics, riots, hotel rooms, travels and many
other tidbits of what life on the road was like during the age
of punk. Another colorful bunch of tales from the Texas Music
Scene. Click HERE
to read the whole essay. Thanks Billy.
- NORTH TEXAS & OKLAHOMA BANDS IN
THE 70'S - Richard Galbraith writes:
"Lots of times the club would say they were from Dallas,
then the band would say they were really from Okla city or Tulsa
perhaps, then some bands they said were from Calif but really
from Texas..... but maybe you know some of these. Club Bands-
late 70's or mostly early 80's
Little Imo
Pocketful
August
Sirius
Black Horse
Rasin Cain
Magnum
LIC
Aunt Sally
Pandora (think had 2 females in the band)
Dark Heart (El Paso- found Members)
Daemon
Rage
Nice Brothers
Bad Habit (3 guys in the band)
RPM
Roxx
Prisoners
Fever
Messiah (Singer was in Tulsa- 90's) ( had a stage show- coming
of the Christ type thing)
Quake
New York (east coast club band)
Pearl Alley
Cheap Skates
- ROCKIN THE HOUSE IN KIRBY -
Bubba Henze writes: "I remembered
Donna Moran's name yesterday. Her maden name was Peavyhouse and
I knew her brother as well. Their family moved to Kirby about
the same time as mine did. I think her friend Scooter also was
friends with my sister. I'll ask her about that. Darrel
McCall's family lived one block away from my family when
we lived in Eastwood Village before we moved to Kirby. Bubblepuppy had a band house several
more blocks away with the name Potter on the mailbox. It was
a known biker and doper hangout. I used to hear them practicing
summer nights in the late 60's all the way over to my house.
Our parents always told us to stay away from there."
- PHIL DALMOLIN - New drum track service.
Phil writes: "I don't know
if you know about this, but I have a service I believe you'll
find useful. www.RealStudioDrums.com is a custom drum track service.
I provide top of the line professional drum tracks for the home
studio producer who would rather use real drums than loops or
drum machine." Visit the website at
http://www.realstudiodrums.com
- KEXL AND CLUB SCENE - Gloria Jauregui writes: "I used
to work for KEXL Radio 102.5 back in 1971 & 1972. I also
used to sing on the river walk at a place called Kelly's Pub
and Kelly's Den owned by a guy named Bob Watts. Bob was at one
time the owner of the Knave and the others were the Rook and
the Rogue. Wow, so many old memories of those days and my time
in the San Antonio music scene plus all of the bands that came
through the recording studio of KEXL to promote their concerts:
Shawn Phillips, Doobie Brothers, ZZ Top, America, Elton John,
Steven Stills just to name a few. My childhood friend Bill Lieber
( the harp man) introduced me to your website and ohhh the memories.
Thanks for all of the trivia and what you've done with this website,
its awesome!!!! Its been a great time down memory lane of the
live music scene in San Antonio and Austin."
- MORE CLUB & RADIO DAYS TRIVIA
- Gloria Jauregui writes: "I
still follow the music scene especially since I work in New Braunfels
at McKenna Hospital. I frequent Gruene Hall, Pat Molaks place
to hear some great Americana music. Our local KGNB radio with
Mattson Rainer is great and reminds me of my KEXL radio days.
I was the receptionist, part time traffic/bookeeper when we were
located at the Menger Hotel and then moved to Hemisfair Plaza
in what was the Old Gulf Pavillion. It was a huge restroom for
Hemisfair 68' sponsored by Gulf Oil. The DJ's of couse used to
tease about us being the toilet bowl of radio. I still keep up
with former DJ Ron Houston who now is the voice of KLRN -TV (PBS)
in San Antonio."
- THE OTHER SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO. HORNS,
SOUL, R&B, AND THE TEJANO SCENE. - ML
writes: I recently got a email essay from a fellow named
"Peabody" who is a veteran of the local Tejano scene.
It provides a great read and a insight into the goings on of
what may be considered another of the cultural treasures that
make up the South Texas music scene. Click
HERE
to read.
- WHY SO MANY GREAT BANDS IN CONSERVATIVE
TEXAS - ML writes: "I
was having a email chat with this nice guy out of Oregon about
Texas bands. He is a DJ at a radio station up there and loves
the Texas sound. He wanted to know why we have so many great
players down here. I thought I would reprint my answer and share
my take on things." Click HERE
to read.
- WUSSIFICATION AND THE MUSIC SCENE
- Steve Wisnoski writes: "I
had a blast in SA around this time (that this website refers
to). Now, it's only a shell of what it was. At the time all these
bands were playing there was no internet, no cable TV, no cell
phones, not to mention all the electronic musical gizmos that
are around today. We had to rely on chops and chops alone. It
was a very different time, maybe more so than any time in history
in a 35 year span. We had a lot of great bands, and those of
us that were working musicians didn't always get a chance to
see what other people were doing. We used to pay $3 to see Hendrix,
and acid was only $2. The auditorium would fill with pot smoke,
AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN BE ON THE NEWS THE FOLLOWING DAY! WOW! Nowadays,
some kid bruises his heiney on the football field and it's all
over the TV. It is sad to witness the wussification of the SA
area."
- REMEMBERING THESE COOL GUITARS - ML writes: I've
been trying to collect in my head all the cool guitars I used
to see the players around town using. So far... it's .... Galen
Niles use to have a Flying V. Black or sunburst I think. Howard
Gloor use to have a great sounding sunburst Gibson ES335. I also
saw him using a SG standard later on. Also a blue strat once
at the Sunken Gardens. Phil Arroyo also used a great sunburst
Gibson ES335. Tommy Davis had a Gibson goldtop Les Paul deluxe.
Link Summers of Cain's Children had a blond telecaster at one
show I saw. Glen Soudaday and Micky of Seabreeze had a flametop
LP and Micky used a really cool SG standard. Glenn Smith used
a Les Paul Jr with p90's pickups. Holzhaus had a Les Paul first
time I saw him. Don't remember if it was a goldtop or flame.
Later on I saw him with a ES335. I saw Chris Geppert with his
Rickenbacker 360 many times and with a Firebird once. Rob Randolph
had a goldtop Les Paul when I saw him. I hear he played Firebirds
later on. Dave "Guppy" Parker used to have one of those
Fender paisly telecasters for awhile then got a Firebird V later
on. I've seen Keith Owens with a white strat and a Rickenbacker.
I only remember Keith Owens using a Les Paul before switching
to bass. It's was a sunburst or flame I believe. First time I
saw Eric Johnson he was using a ES335 dot. Since then I've only
seen him with a sunburst strat. Vince Coy always used a black
Strat in the early days. Then he used a black 57 Les Paul then
a Goldtop Deluxe when the 57' got ripped off. Rob Overall had
a red sunburst LP custom for years then switched to a black strat.
Dito Garcia of Heyoka use to have a black statocaster for years
before he switched over to Steinberger. Van Wilks has never used
anything but a Black Les Paul as far back as I can remember.
... I have NEVER seen anyone in town with a Gretsch. What is
up with that???? ...... Ok! I'll update more as I remember. I
realize almost all these players used multiple guitars over the
years but these are the ones I remember most. In those days seeing
someone using a great guitar made my heart go all a-flutter and
was one of my favorite memories of growing up. These great axes
around town was a big part of it all.
- GALLERY UPDATE - Kinks photo - ML writes: Rob Meurer was nice enough
to point out that the pic in the Gallery showing Kenny Wayne
with Ray Davies was in fact "Dave" Davies and not Ray.
My mistake. I've changed it. Still..... cool photo anyway.
- HAPPENINGS AT THE ALAMO - Edgar Winters,
Rick James, and Alabama - Lone Beader
writes: "In the early 1980s, I worked as a tour guide
at the Alamo. Edgar Winter came in one warm day in early spring
wearing a full length white fur coat. He and his lady companion,
who wore a matching coat, came in the front and went out the
back door of the Chapel ...duration of visit, about three minutes.
Another time, I approached a tall black man and his group of
four friends at the back of the Chapel. He was wearing a pith
helmet and had a lot of glitter in his face and hair. Bonham
Street Exchange had opened a few days earlier behind the Alamo
grounds so I just thought... "hmmmmm" ..interesting".
He and his companions were eating snowcones. I politely requested
they finish the snowcones outside the building. They politely
apologized and went outside. Steve (security officer) meanwhile
is laughing insanely back at the desk and tells me I just "threw"
Rick James out of the Alamo. One of my favorite stories tho is
the day three very nice looking fellas came in late one afternoon.
It had been a very slow day and we were in our last hour before
closing. These guys were so interested and asked lots of questions.
Steve and I walked them around the Chapel and told them about
all the exhibits in great detail. They were especially interested
in the items that had ties to the defenders from Alabama. A week
or so later, I am home watching television and there they are!!
The three cousins from the then emerging group Alabama!!!"
- GENE COLEMAN updates- Robin Bland writes: "In 1997, I
had returned from a vacation to Sarasota FL and a 1st time in
20 years reunion with Steve Griffiths,aka HairBall!!. Steve asked
me about all the old players, but having been in Dallas for the
past 13 years,I'd lost all contact. When I go back to Dallas
and working behind the counter at Kinko's, in walked a man with
braided dreads, a drum kit pin on the collar of his leather jacket
and gave his name as Gene Coleman fro his copy order. I started
throwing out old names..." Are you Gene Coleman of Overload,
Rhapsody Street..." and old girl friend's names. His expression
was one of dumbfoundment and confusion..."Who are you and
where the hell did you come from?" Gene had just had his
20 year reunion with Heironymous. He is now owner/operator of
a digital sound studio, Alamo Sound in Garland TX. An excellent
light & sound man, Gene is a services provider for national
touring groups such as Tuck & Patty (whom I had just seen
in Florida), and local Dallas groups such as Ugly Mustard, and
Disney radio signed Children's entertainer Eddie Coker. (Eddie
wrote a special song just for Gene), and produced a DAT promo
medley of cover tunes and originals for Griffiths. Gene also
has his own heavy metal group, Oktober, which also performs through
out the DFW area. Yes, his sticks still fly through the air and
he still posses all the finesse and showmanship he ever did,
only better with the years. Oktober has out a CD called Strictly
for your abusement, which contains his original music."
- GUPPY (aka David Parker) - Fernando writes: "Guppy became a
studio musician, his guitar skills are top notch. I spent alot
of time at John Michael Ramirez' house ( as did quite a few other
musicians) Guppy was always dropping by too and that's how I
met Guppy. Guppy and I jammed some and in those days I was into
jazz although I played guitar and pedal steel during the 'country
rock' era with a group called Dusty Roads."
- THE FESTIVAL SCENE - Keith
Holt writes: "The thing I miss most about San Antonio
is the festival scene ... NIOSA, Oyster Bake, Folklife Festival,
Wurstfest, etc. I heard a lot of good acts at some of thoseevents.
I remember seeing the Dixie Chicks at Oyster Bake one year in
the mid 80's."
- BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING CO
- Gerard Daily writes: "I remember
reading in a Hit Parader article in 1968 about Big Brother and
the Holding Company that guitarist Sam Houston Andrew had lived
in San Antonio. I E-mailed him at a Big Brother Web-Site last
week about his days in San Antonio and he answered me back, suprisingly.
He told me he had gone to St. Gerard's and his mother's side
of the family had been musicians in San Antonio in the 20's-40s.
I guess he was there in San Antonio mid to late 1950's. I wrote
him back and mentioned your Web Site and he E-Mailed me back
today that he was going to check it out. I think he deserves
a mention as a San Antonio musician who went on to fame--being
in Big Brother and the Kozmic Blues Band, etc."
- GOOD OLE SA NIGHTCLUBS - General Ginger writes: "Hi and thanks
for the stroll down memory lane! I'm a Jersey girl and Trinity
U grad (1980) who tended bar at the Crystal Pistol, and spent
lotsa time at the 50/50, Cooters ....AND even hit The Country
a couple times ..... wow - had totally forgotten about that last
place. I miss SA and all the great bars and restaurants - Big
and Little Hipps, El Milagrito, Earl Ables, (at 2 in the AM,
was the best time to go - great drag show!) and of course those
great milk shakes at the Olmos Pharmacy. I haven't been back
to SA since I graduated.....almost afraid to see how it's changed.
It was truly a wonderful little city......sure hope it hasn't
lost that special charm!"
- BILL ASH - John
Fonte writes: " Bill Ash Was nice enough to allow
me to stay in his house on Queen Anne St. He ran a house painting
business at the time (circa 1975-6). Being the modest cat, he
never talked much about his past. I used his washing machine.
David Poehlmann lived downstairs, along with Robbie Vaughn, when
Overload was getting together. Needless to say, we did a fair
bit of partying down there. Sad to learn he is no longer..."
- JACK BOND - John
Fonte writes: "I did my first recording session in
Texas Sound studios on Halloween Night, 1969, as a green young
aspiring guitarist. The band was "Hope" (Augie Fingar,keyboards
Leon Oehlers, drums, Paul Frizzell, vocals, and me on Fender
Mustang.) Jack was a sound Wizard. He fell into an inheritance
in 1970 and started Orion Sound Studios in San Antonio. Jack
was one of my Mentors. Gentle as the day is long and wise beyond
his years. He passed away in 1971, from Leukemia. Many of the
veterans of San Antonio music will recognize his name. His widow,
Mary Kay Bond, passed away on August 20, 2003., We kept in touch
all these years. She is possibly one of the first women to be
ordained as a minister in the Episcopal Church in Salina Kansas."
- GIBSON AND FENDER GUITARS -
Phil Arroyo writes: "I eventually
sold my 335 and have been playing a "strat" ever since.
I really love the Fender but I do miss the Gibson a lot. It was
a one-of-a-kind!"
- STEVE CURETON - On Getting Older.
SC writes: "From time to time,
some people ask me if I ever get older... just don't know what
they mean. After all, I own a mirror. The photo of R. Beastie
& me is a guaranteed way to assure that I have grown older.
But, I don't have to bust myself...too often, do I? I still do
sound, both live & studio. I'm just past 27 years in the
so called business of music. I figure I've lived (experience-wise)
around four lifetimes. What we once felt was the "norm,"
has been turned "topsy-turvy" & had done so before
"9/11." I feel so badly for the youth in Texas, the
"lower 48," the U.S.A. & the world. If my life
ends tomorrow, I'd be hard-put to complain or note I was bored!
I've spent so many quality moments in places that most white
boys, crackers, gringos, gueros, honkies, ofeys... will ever
know! Cultural & life experiences have been abundant! I've
plainly been lucky in more ways than I'd be able to convince
myself."
- CHRIS HOLZHAUS CLOSE CALL -
Andrew Mullins writes: "SA
music stores/guitar fixer guys. i used to pester different local
tradesmen with my funky beatup 2nd hand guitar problems ("...uh,
well, can you make it stay in tune...i think the patch cord wiggles
the bridge or something..."). One time I got directed to
mr. acosta's shop down in the way west side. He was interesting.
He was very nice to me, not withstanding my obvious lack of comprehension
on guitar mechanics. Also I used to stop by river city music
to check the used stuff and make noise. they have the distinction
of having diagnosed a weird-looking jaguar i bought up north
in weatherford as being a phony ("the only thing fender
on this guitar is the decal"). That was really funny, since
the guy I bought it from insisted it was not only legit, but
a prototype as well. one of my favorite things river city ever
did happened one summer afternoon in 78 when they tried to give
me chris holzhaus' guitar. me and my pal john walked in, and
one of the guys immediately asked me if i was chris holzhaus'
brother, as his guitar was done and ready for pickup. i was sort
of floored, probably too sun-baked to say much more than "huh?"...there
was this huge guitar case lying there, like an explorer or firebird
or something. fortunately for chris, and for my good karma, i
didn't accept delivery."
- MARGARET MOSER - Andrew
Mullin writes: "Margaret Moser mentioned your column
in the Austin Chronicle a few weeks ago. Ever since, I've been
reading her stuff online, about 4 years or so, I've been trying
to figure out if I ever met her back then. You know her? I used
to work at flipside records down on sw military, where owner
doug L oversaw what could best be described as a retail circus,
and there was this chick named Margaret that used to work there.
what a place ... anyways, this Margaret at flipside i think was
mainly famous for having driven her vw across a few lawns in
some residential neighborhood. I dunno, anyone who made it back
north across the bexar county line deserves an award..."
Margaret Moser writes: "Regrettable,
the Margaret described is not me but she sounds a little like
me. However, I did attend junior high at Nimitz and high school
at Robert E. Lee. I also went to an early experimental high school
run by NEISD called the Pupil Appraisal center. We were mostly
a bunch of white suburban misfits but the school was quite cool."
- BOBBY FLORE'S LONG AND WINDING ROAD
- BF writes: "A few other groups
that I worked with around here through out the years: Michelle
Brown and Cripple Creek: the late Jimmy Peters and the Texas
Jukebox Band: Rocky Thompson and the Lost Hat Band: Mass Transit:
Carolyn Steele: Joe Aero: Barbara Fairchild: Johnny Bush: Nashville
Sounds: Darrell McCall: Johnny Rodriguez: Emilio Sisters Morales:
Worked on the road with Ray Price the last 6 years as first fiddle/violin,
string section leader and arranger. Currently working with Jake
Hooker and the Outsiders (from Ft. Worth...playing Billy Bob's
tonight) and mainly doing session work here in SA now."
- BILL CAISSE - Catching up -
BC writes: "Mike, I looked
over the site as was surprised how many of these bands I've played
with besides the American Peddlers, The Klocks, Snapshot, Dansir,
Renegade (as soundman and keys), Rocksan as lead vocals and guitar,
some others that were not mentioned, like the J. Whipple band
that later became Dance Attack, The Hit Men, which had a small
mention by Kevin Cook who I started the band with , Aaron Barker
replaced him before he moved to Nashville, then Rick Carver replaced
him, the Hitmen continued without me, and Rick eventually quit
too, and I hear they are still playing. I had a band here in
Austin called the "Baby Boomers" playing 60s and 70s
rock. Come out and see the Klocks sometime the schedule is a
www.theklocks.com
- STEVE DENNEY - SD
writes: "Found your site purely by accident while
surfing the Web. What a great collection of local trivia! Your
site unleashed a FLOOD of memories for me bands, musicians, clubs
I hadn’t thought about in years. After reading info about
all the bands you worked with, I am surprised we didn’t
cross paths more often than we did. I graduated HS in 1980 (Roosevelt),
and was very active in S.A.-area bands from around ’78 to
’88. After that, I became rather disillusioned with the
business and retired from the local scene. I moved to Boston
in ’97 and in the last few years have rediscovered the joy
of playing music again.Interestingly, I am playing more (and
better) now than ever before. Some of the bands I was in back
in the day were The Hardliners, Marauder, Frank Rodarte’s
Dell-Kings, and others. My older brother is guitarist Butch Denney,
who still lives in S.A. He’s retired from the music scene
and works as an electrician now. He’s mentioned several
times on your site, although his name is misspelled as 'Denny'
a common occurrence.:-)"
- CHARLIE WINANS - Chris
Holzhaus writes: "That guy youve been talking with
Charley Wino is really Charles Winans. He is a very famous artist
and use to own Grandmas Tea house. We have been friends for some
35 years. Later in our friendship,we found out we were cousins!
His brother Boogie was a cartoonist who did a bunch of Sunken
Garden concert posters in the 60's. Boogie is now a school teacher
at Hobby Middle School."
- FIREBIRD GUITARS - Cliff
Oliver writes: "Rob Randolph had a Firebird and so
did Geppert. I had an old Tele and Strat and then used the Les
Paul at times before I traded it. Geppert used the Firebird mostly
in those days. Rob had a 50 watt Marshall 4x12. I had a 100watt
and Geppert had the 200watt with 2 or 4 cabinets (of course mine
was the one to have, ha,ha)...Chris had all kinds of problems
with it.."
- LES PAUL GUITARS - Cliff
Oliver writes: "..Speaking of Les Pauls, Kent Quereau
(Cains Children) and I had a quasi falling out about a Les Paul.
In about 66 or 67 Kent found a '54 sunburst at a fellow's house.
The fellow wanted a $100. Kent did not have the money so I gave
it to him and played the Les Paul. The headstock broke on it
and I had it fixed by Ed Fest at Caldwell Music. I really did
not like the guitar. In those days I did not know much about
getting it set-up. A guitar broker traded me $800 and pre-CBS
strat that I loved. Dwayne Almond ended up with the Les Paul.
Kent was pissed that I sold the guitar, so I gave him the $800
and kept the Strat."
- FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE DAY -
This came from a long time music vet who finished his email to
me with the following: "Signed - Kurt Linhof, a legend in
my spare time."
- DANNY SEGOVIA - Danny stopped
by the site to say "hi". He is living on the east coast
and doing just fine. Say's his son Vince found and pointed him
to this site.
- ANDY SALMON UPDATE - Andy
writes: "I did a lot of producing in Austin and played
with Bill Carter & the Blame, including one album on Columbia.
At one time Rob (Muerer), Tommy Taylor and I played a few gigs
with Chris Holzhaus. I remember one in Corpus when Stevie Ray
was in town. Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon and Eric Johnson showed
up after their show. I have a picture somewhere of us all outside
the club. I play occasionally with friends Bill Carter, Will
Sexton and Steven Doster. Steven, Tommy Taylor and I have a Beatle
tribute band that plays an annual John Lennon's Birthday gig.
I now work for the State of Texas and try to stay out of the
music business."
- GIGGING - Orrin
Thomson writes: "I currently
play with John David Martinez of Black Rose. Jeff Christler and
I played in H.S. bands."
- GALEN - Orrin
Thomson writes: "Galen
Niles is playing piano and selling oil field equipment."
- BRAIN FARTS VOL1 - by Bill Lieber &
Roger Johnson. Click HERE
to read.
- HARP MAN - Roger
Johnson writes: I have emailed
another bud from SA (Bill Lieber, Lee '71, harp man extraordinaire)
who should be able to contribute some more names to the Man Mountain
lineup and others. He is still involved in the local music scene
and gigs about 2-3 nights a week on average with a variety of
bands. He is also working with one of his daughters who has a
pretty good voice doing C&W covers. He has a lot of info
on what is happening in some musical circles in SA.
- NEKA SCARBROUGH - On how to
sing the blues. Click HERE
to read.
- ROGER JOHNSON - Teen Canteen:
Roger writes: "Wow! I just
discovered your site and I can't tell you how many memories it
brings back to me. It took me back to the nights I used to spend
at the "Teen Canteen" listening to Giant Smiling Dog,
Meadow, Straw Dogs and Studebaker Hawk.
- BILL ASH - Memorium (see
Transitions page) Bob Galindo
writes: "I remember when his guitar was stolen off
the sidewalk in front of Love Street on east commerce, across
from hemisfair in 1968. He had an Epiphone Riviera (just like
mine). He was unloading his car, he set his guitar on the sidewalk,
quickly carried his Super Reverb into the building, walked back
outside, and the guitar was gone!!! We looked in both directions,
there were no pedestrians on the sidewalks and there were no
cars in the street either. It was phenomenal how quickly the
thieves got away.........that's San Antonio for you! Your shit
ain't safe in San Antonio."
- Gene Coleman memories: Susan V writes: "I remember Gene
Coleman. He used to drive a Ford Falcon, I think, but the top
was paisley! He was always a very nice guy." ML
adds: "Yeah I remember that falcon as well. He drove
that thing until the wheels fell off, literally. After that his
only vehicle was the Overload equipment van. We felt so sorry
for him in his poverty that no one put up a fight over him driving
it all the time. We always had to unload and empty the equipment
at the rehearsal room so that he could use it during the week
to get around. He made people believe that he was a big wig by
having a big ol truck but in reality....he was to poor to own
a car of his own."
- Richard Contreras writes: "I
was the creator of Stone Country Productions out of San Angelo
and joined forces with Jack Orbin, Greg Wilson and Carl Schwartz,
and formed Stone City Attractions along with Joe Pugliese, while
I was attending Southwest State in San Marcos. I have created
loads of base drum screen art usually the bands logo, as well
as flyers for several bands shown on your site. I still create
art for many area bands as well as some in the Chicago area and
a fanzine called the "Inner Ear" that was essentially
a bio of the visiting concert artists. Attempted a network with
folks in Dallas, Houston and Austin. But it's tough. Good to
see that we are not just a bunch of dead-end kids. Congrats on
your computer skills and web site. I will forward this info to
others."
- Steve Zipper writes: "Well,
Im still out here in LA. I started doing television post production
about 10 years ago after spending 5 years recording music for
MCA and that circle of people. Ive got a small audio post production
company called ZIPRODUCTIONS and I work on TV shows : mixing,sound
design, editing, the whole 9 yards. Been married 5+ years to
a wonderful woman, have a great son and life is great. Still
play bass when I get the chance. And that's the latest. --P.S.
Ran into Rob Meurer the other day in front of the Disney Bldg.
He's good, he's happy, he's doing something musical with Disney,and
God Bless the mighty "Mouse"
- Mike Lowell writes: I recently
got an email from Galen Niles saying he has stumbled onto this
trivia site by accident. He was searching for plantation blinds
of all things. It appears that Galen is living in Corpus these
days (10 yrs or so) and doing quite alright living by the sea.
Chris Holzhaus tells me he heard Galen has a store manager job
down there.
- Mike Lowell writes: I heard
from Chris Holzhaus recently. Chris has moved to Corpus and is
doing real fine. He sounds happy, he wrote........"Were
in Corpus now...got a job at KIII TV 3 as a camera operator.
Going to do indoor camera work and study the directors control
board so i can take that job over. The current guy is leaving
in december to work for univision". Go get'em Chris!
- Danny Cowan: wrote me to say
- Thur Oct 5,2000 - Sad to report that Joe Estes has passed away.
He will be missed by many. Rest in peace brother Joe!
Chris Holzhaus writes: "I heard a couple of days
ago that Joe Estes from Ruby Falls Blues Band / Smith Brothers
passed away from cancer. Seems like their dropping likeflys nowadays."
- John Whipple writes: "John
Hogan (former Renegade/Hot Chexx sound tech) is very happily
married to Terri Leach who works side by side with him in their
sound reinforcement business called Sound Service San Antonio.
They're the perfect couple.
- Danny Cowan writes: "R.B.
Blackstone had been in Nashville for awhile, engineering at Ricky
Skaggs studio. He's currently here for awhile. I'd like to have
him play on our next studio project. I've done some one-off gigs
with him thru the years and I always had fun jamming with him
at Billy Blue's jam nights."
- John Whipple writes: "I
have a record label in San Antonio called Tejas Records and the
Melody Ranch Recording studios. Check out our site at www.tejasrecords.com."
- John Keating writes: "I
was surfing around and stumbled across your website. I live in
LA now, but played in a band during the early to mid eighties
called "The Kids", which became "Kid Curry"
when we moved to LA to get a record deal. In fact, we may have
even played a gig with Renegade at one point, if I remember correctly.
I was also associated with several other musicians and bands
named on your page, like The Max, Beth Hooker, and a name you
requested information about, Glenn Smith. I'm still close friends
with Trey Gunn (both of us are Alamo Heights alums), who is now
a member of King Crimson, as well as his own group, and is certainly
worth mention on your page."
- Danny Cowan writes: "And
if you get a chance, check out our site to hear the music from
our just finished album project "Drivin' Back To Texas"
& let us know if you dig it. It's the culmination of the
long line of over 50 bands I've played with thru the years. FINALLY!!!
Thanks again for a most excellent San Antonio band site!"
http://www.mp3.com/DannyCowanGroup
BOB GALINDO REMEMBERS
- PYROTECHNICS AND THE DRUMMERS RESPONSIBILITY
- Click HERE .
- PARIS IS BLUE AND I SWEAR MADRID WAS
RED - Click HERE
to read.
- BOB GALINDO BASICS - Bob
writes: "First, some basic stuff. Bands I played
in (I used to also do lots of fill-ins for many bands. I played
lead guitar and bass when others were not available for various
reasons): in chronological order: THE STARLIGHTS, THE GROUP,
THE LOOSE ENDS, MAX AND THE LAUGHING KIND, THE SERFS, THE ZILCHES,
THE VIRGIL FOXX GROUP, THE WATER BROTHERS, THE SOUTH TEXAS BLUES
BAND, JIVA JIVE. Ok, now here are some of the bands that I did
temp work with: The Bourbons, The Lynchmen (later The Strawberry
Alphabet), The Argyles (when Chris" ..could not make it).
"(By the way, I played little league baseball with Chris
Holzhaus. We also attended jr. high together.) Two guys from
the south side named Jack and Jackie (they WORSHIPPED Publio
and the Valiants). I am sure there are more, but I cannot remember
at the moment."
- DAVID KING PREFACE - I am going
to send you some info on a very important person. His name is
DAVID KING. He was not a musician, but he had a profound influence
on the SA scene. He was very influential. By chance, he was in
San Francisco for the summer of love. When he returned, he brought
the latest records with him, stuff that would not get to SA for
another couple of months. he brought us Jimi Hendrix.
- DAVID KING - David King was
San Antonio's first hippie. While visiting his aunt in San Francisco,
during the summer of love (1967), he stumbled upon the Fillmore
Auditorium and witnessed all the great hippie bands of that era.
Every week I got a new miniaturized post card replica of a psychedelic
poster show casing the groups that David saw that week -Quicksilver
Messenger Service, The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Mobygrape,
Jefferson Airplane, Taj Mahal, The Animals,....The Doors! He
returned with flowers in his hair and stack of Jimi Hendrix and
Cream records. On his first afternoon back in town, we (The Zilches)
all went over to his hippie pad (actually it was his mother's
house - BUT he did have beads in his doorway), and he sat us
down and played the "ARE YOU EXPERIENCED" album for
us. We were stunned!!!! spontaneously, we all went home, got
our instruments and hauled ass over to Rob Meurer's garage to
learn "purple haze". That night, at the TEEN SCENE
(not to be confused with a dump on the south side called TEEN
TOWN), we unveiled our new found discovery. We liked that song
so much, we played it ten times during a two set performance
(not an exaggeration - we have sworn affidavits filed at the
county courthouse). David King was also responsible for launching
us into Fresh Cream. He had a really cool red ford falcon mini-pick
up truck we called "BIG RED". He kept fresh NATIONAL
INQUIRER MAGAZINES under the front seat, just in case! David
later put together psychedelic light shows at Love Street and
at the Pussycat/Jam Factory. Among other things, he is famous
for wearing grass wreaths in his hair, burning lots of incense,
and rubbing elbows with the Beach Boys AND Jimi Hendrix. Once,
on a road trip, he rode all the way down to Corpus Christi in
his underwear. He knew everyone that was worth knowing. Nothing
nor no one slipped past this guy. He rubbed elbows with the likes
of Tommy Ewald (sp), the hippiest barber town (who was famous
for hitting on very young chicks at the Teen Canteen) to San
Antonio's mystical , the Krum family (Kathy and Phil). The guy
is awesome. You could often find a crowd of people sitting on
his floor listening to Donovan records.....saying things like
wow, far-out man! peace.......groovy! (There is absolutely no
truth to the rumors that he was gay (not that there is anything
wrong with that)). The man is awesome.
- THE GREAT DEBATE ON THE FIRST HIPPIE
- (Contributed
by Chris Holzhaus) "Bob
G sez that David King was SA's 1st hippie...sorry...thats not
true. Charlie and Boogie Winans were the first. They owned Grandmas
Teahouse on Broadway and Charlie was a beatnick then pioneered
in being a hippie...and the1st. David (King) wasn't old enough
to have been the first anyway...he is only 50 now." (Contributed by 60sMan) "The Argyles
formed in 1965 and the Minds Eye opened in 1966. So, some of
us were getting hip long before this hippie place opened. In
fact, in 1964, an old friend took me to Duval County and we brought
some potatoes and carrots, shot a rabbit, built a fire, and made
peyote stew. It was a night that changed my life and my music.
Holzhaus mention Charly Wino was the oldest hippie. Charly and
wife Carol opened the first head shop in SA. But I want to assure
you, there were several people who were hip before Charlie came
around. Charly's cousin Boogie helped wire the Minds Eye for
the light show."
- BILL KING - Bill King shot himself
in the chest with a .347 magnum.
- CAPINCHE - There was a north
side street gang (from Jefferson High) called the Capinche. They
used to follow a band called the Stoics. They would get all fired
up listening to Rolling Stone covers and then they would go beat
up guys from Marshall High at the Bandera Road dairy queen. The
front man, Al Acosta, did a great Mick Jagger imitation, and
Mike Marachel (sp), was one of the coolest bass players in town.
He had the Bill Wyman stoic expression down pat. The chicks dug
these guys. They had the bad boy thing nailed.
- JIMI HENDRIX - Jimi Hendrix
came down to the Pussycat (Jam Factory?) after his 2nd San Antonio
appearance. We, The Virgil Foxx Group, were playing that night.
He sat up in the light booth with Mr. "I know more people
than you do", David King and listened to us play all of
his popular songs. We had no idea he was in the building. Later
he gave us a very gracious hello. He also said , " whoa!.....good
night Virgil!" He was escorted that evening by a guy named
Roy Washington. I went to Jr. high with Roy. He was in Mr. Burn's
home room. Roy played a funky telecaster that he stained walnut
brown and varnished himself (brush strokes and all - I was appalled).
I seem to remember notebook paper punched hole reinforcements
(remember those?) being stuck on the guitar for decorative purposes.
- GUITAR SALE - Billy Wyatt (The
Starlighters), sold his PRIMO Les Paul custom to Galen Niles
for $150. One year later, it was worth over $2000. It was stolen
out of the Outcast's van somewhere in Ohio.
- MR BURNS - Back in 1964, I remember
Chris Holzhaus, myself, a great big boy-child named Eenie Sanchez
and a hump backed dwarf whom we called "The Wolf" all
taking turns playing Freddy King's "HIDEAWAY". There
was an electric guitar set up in Mr. Burns's band hall, and during
the lunch hour at Horace Mann Jr. high, we would get together
and take turns playing the guitar. Mr. Burns was a jazz dude,
with a beret and cheap sunglasses. He had a jazz group and would
gig at night. During the lunch hour, he would walk the grounds
humming his stand up bass lines to himself - in retrospect, he
was truly "far out", a beatnik.
- LITTLE LEAGUE - My uncle Gus
and Sol Casseb's uncle Joe have been pals since they were boys.
Sol used to play little league with myself, Chris Holzhaus, Eenie
Sanchez, and Tommy Thrailkill (The Traydwinds).
- MAX AND THE LAUGHING KIND -The
ORIGINAL Max and the Laughing Kind was formed in Jan.1965. It
was so cold at the beach that weekend, that I had to put my fuzz
tone inside my jacket pocket. The old transistors did not perform
in cold weather. I had to hit myself in the ribs to engage the
switch (at least that is what it looked like from the audience).
A couple of years later, we discovered a way to "soup up"
the old maestro fuzz tone. Heat it up!!!! We were playing some
dump in Kerrville and I can not remember the name, but I think
Rob Meurer would remember, .....anyway, I had placed the fuzz
tone on top of the stage footlights (flush with the floor) to
warm it up. The place was freezing. When I stomped on the switch,
you would have thought I was playing at "11". It was
incredibly powerful, but that is another story. We had to figure
out all sorts of ways to get that shit to scream. We did not
have all the nice black boxes that have since been invented.
- PURPLE HAZE - To my knowledge,
we (The Zilches) were the first band in SA to play "Purple
Haze". We unveiled it at the "TEEN SCENE" (?),
a teen club in the old northwest shopping center on Fredericksburg
Road. I believe THE LITTLETON TROLLEY was the other band (Andy
Salmon on guitar).
- ROADIES - I also want to write
about another phenomena: roadies. We had a huge entourage, and
we had to scheme to get everyone one in free. So, we put a couple
of guys on the payroll and they helped us carry the equipment
and set it up. We called them STOOGES. Al Catacolas and David
Vallejo were our stooges. We loved those guys. As far as we were
concerned, they were members of the band.
- ERIC FRIEDLAND - of the cult
band, "The #2 Dinners", used to stooge for "The
Water Brothers". Back then, his name was ".................".
Don't tell him who told you this, He's a lawyer, he will probably
sue us all.
- MISSING GUITAR- Let me tell
you about the time Bill Ash's Epiphone Riviera (The Children)
was stolen from under his nose at Love Street.
- BOB AND JAY - Click HERE
to see a special page about Jay Hoyer by B.G.
- POOPSIE - Click HERE
for the Legend of Poopsie.
- THE SAM KINSEY EXPERIENCE -
Click HERE for the adventures
of the Teen Canteen
- THE 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS - Click
HERE to read Bob's
comments about this famous Texas Band. (PS - Bob's brother played
bass in this outfit during the bands heyday)
- MYTHOLOGY - (Or...............
he looked just like Jesus.......) Click HERE to read
- THE WEDDING SINGER - HERE - The adventures of a SA Saturday night.
- DAVID KING - Rumors? What rumors?
Just what have you heard about me?
- DICK DALE - KING OF THE SURF GUITAR.
Last night connie and i saw one of my childhood guitar heroes,
DICK FUCKIN' DALE, KING OF THE SURF GUITAR. ya'll older folks
will remember him from the frankie and annette movie, BEACH PARTY.
He was the ass kickin' surf guitar player in the banlon shirt
and earring. i am sure that he kicked your ass good. ya'll younger,
hipper types may remember his surf guitar featured on the PULP
FICTION soundtrack. all a' ya'll may have noticed that he is
also currently featured in a television commerical (nissan?).
I had him autograph my old LP from 1964 too! maybe someday it
will be worth something. lucky me! i have managed to meet most
of my childhood guitar/music heroes: dick dale, freddy king,
james brown, jimmy hendrix, jimmy reed. also met tiny tim, but
THAT WAS DIFFERENT. we don't talk about that too much. I must
say, his ego was MUCH bigger than mine. I think he was also more
immature too! damn. shit. i felt outclassed. but then again,
he is THE KING. I am just his humble servant.
RICH MOORE REMEMBERS
- Click
- The true story of how Bill Ash lost his favorite guitar
- Click
- Stories of the road and life with the band 'The Children'.
- Click
- Tales about life in the fast lane at SA's PUSI KAT Club.
WILL BELLAMY REMEMBERS
- Click - THE
CENTURY'S early days.
- Click - THE
FIRST PAYING GIG - onward with 'The Century's'.
- Click - THE
PAY ASSEMBLY - The joy of the school pay assembly.
- Click - CHICAGO
- The summer of 63' with 'The Century's'.
- Click - THE
UT ROUNDUP - Frat parties and togas.
GEORGE MAILLOT
REMEMBERS
- Click - RACHEL'S
CHILDREN - In the beginning.
ED FLADGER REMEMBERS
- Click - EDDY
AND THE MULESTALL - Giggin with the Century's.
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