Entertainment Magazine: Entertaining Tucson Vol. 1: January 1985

January 1985 Tucson Music Scene

Sandworms become Sandwurms

By Lydia L. Young  index.html
January 1985 - The Magazine. Page 11

Note the change in spelling from Giant Sandworms to the Giant Sandwurms. According to Howe Gelb the change reflects the new concept direction of the band. At present, the Giant Sandwurms are still working on their new material and looking for a drummer. Gelb also said Blackie Ranchette has been approached to tour France. Nothing, however, has been finalized.

Al Perry and the Cattle began recording a six song EP at the Sound Factory Recording Studio on January 2^nd. Perry said it should be released by February (1985). Jeff Keenan said the Phantom Limbs are scheduled to record a second record in San Francisco during February.

Tom Larkins has officially quit Lance Kaufmann and the Soul Rebels. He said he is moving to Santa Barbara, California to tour with Chuck Wagon and the Wheels for a few months.

David Roy, who recently moved to Phoenix, has put together a band including Steven Davis on bass, David Golder on guitar and Barbara Cason on drums. Assuming the name the Numbskulls, they will do writing and vocals for the glam-style band, reminiscent of The Stooges, The Heartbreakers and T. Rex.

Word from Spontaneous Cheesemakers is they have changed their name to Road Furniture. Tony Dew said they are constantly working on new songs and are planning to do a video in the very near future. Watch for them to be appearing anytime now.

Chuck Dukowski, ex-bassist for Black Flag, has formed a new band called SWA. They will open for Minutemen at WREX on January 19^th. WREX recently opened at 1035 E. Broadway, just east of Park Avenue. The building combines a nightclub with an auditorium atmosphere, along with a record store. Co-managed by Chris Olivas, WREX plans to offer quality alternative (i.e. “not mainstream”) entertainment for everybody. All ages are welcome.

Some new, young local talent, Clayton Calhoon and Joe Perillo, have formed a band, still without a name. They will appear at Flowing Wells High School January 15^th.

Stab in the Dark is a great blues-rock band that is playing out all over town these days. The rhythm section is tight and strong providing a powerful base to the band. I caught them December 16^th at Characters and enjoyed every minute. Not too many people turned out so the club closed early despite protests of its patrons. You will be pleasantly surprised by a sound not too prevalent in Tucson.

New Year’s Eve found me experiencing a couple of exciting things. The Freds played at Splinter Brothers Warehouse, with Chris Wagner on synthesizer (his first time on stage). A sprinkling of Road Furniture popped up in their set a special surprise.

More Tucson clubs close, bands prepare LPs

By Jeff Latawiec
January 1985 - The Magazine. Page 16

Here we are in a new year. 1984 went out with a bang, as December’s musical happenings were numerous. If things keep going like they did this past month, ‘85 will be a year hard rocking fans rave-it-up. The biggest event in the next few months will be the Iron Maiden concert at the TCC. Following that, probably sometime in March, there will be a benefit concert for The Magazine. Headlining that will be Roc Lochner and Tucson’s heaviest metal conglomeration Aftermath has agreed to also play. Other groups are being arranged.

As 1984 closed, so did Tucson’s number one hard rock venue, Rockefeller’s, Mark Newman has taken over the old Outlaw (which has also closed), on West Lester, and renamed it the Roxy (The Outlaw moves into The Rock’s old home). The Roxy will give local rock bands a larger place to play and continues to showcase up-and-coming bands.

As I’m talking about bars, that brings to mind another change that began with the New Year. Unfortunately, the drinking reverted back to age 21. I agree that the past years have seen an increase in problems related to alcohol such as drunk driving. But, isn’t it better to have people drinking in a controlled environment than running around the streets? Why make criminals out of kids who are going to drink regardless? Also, It’s damned hard to take away a freedom once granted. This Victorian type law is sure to hurt local bar owners, and in a time when money is tight for everyone. What is being played up as responsible government, for all the above reasons, I don’t think is at all.

Okay, now for some music news. Roc Lochner was at the forefront of local music again. During the early part of the month, they played an open-house type party at Splinter Brothers Warehouse. The place was packed, and Roc Lochner did the whole show by themselves. They played the songs from their upcoming LP, due out this month. I’ve never seen them rock better.

I ran into local guitar hero Mark Smythe again recently. He confirmed that he does have recording plans, although nothing to do with his ex-band Jonny Sevin, as incorrectly mentioned in November’s column. They are gone forever.

Naked Prey may be signed

Another Tucson band seems near to the vinyl dream. I’ve heard rumors lately that Naked Prey may be signed, if not already, with Slash Records in L.A. Hope so.

The group’s mentor, Van, has been a mainstay or the local music scene for a long time. He was drummer for onto of the city’s first generation of punk bands, the Serfers, who have since gone on to a good measure of success as Green on Red in L.A.’s neo-psychedelic movement.

Naked Prey is an originals’ band, with Van doing the songwriting. The few times I’ve seen them I liked the sounds, which hit me as being almost Cream-like (from their Disraeli Gears days), but with a modern, new music flavor. Go see them yourself to get a good idea.