TSOL - May 22, 1986

In my time, there were basically two promoters in town, Ground Chuck and Clear & Distinct Ideas. The latter was run by a relatively successful attorney, the former was literally one of the street kids. Their slots in society then couldn't have been more different. Chuck remains a local legend in Sacramento and is still very visible as a chalk artist, musician and promoter. I doubt' he'd recognize me today - it's been 30 years since I last seen him, but we used to be pals through all this.

Hüsker Dü - May 11, 1986

The Hüskers were another band held in very high esteem that I just could not get into at the time. I've poked around recently though and I think I'd like them today. There's a time and place thing about these old acts where they resonated with you at a point in your life when they felt really important, but this one never spoke to me.  Now, the Descendents are another thing entirely who I adore all out of proportion. Their latest album Hypercaffium Spazzinate from 2016 is amazing. I had a demo tape of the Sea Hags around this time and that got a fair amount of play though they didn't record officially until 1989.

Logo arrangement for the poster one here and the more creative handout version above

Adolescents - May 2, 1987

I do remember being at this one - mostly because after which the band was roaming the streets of downtown Sacramento and asked us what there was to do here in the late hours. "Nothing" was our reply. They were a band whose work I knew and liked before seeing them for the first time -great teenage angsty material. Memories are terribly infallible, yet I think this was also the evening where a buddy and I were sucker punched and almost knocked out cold. By the time we stood up, the assailants were gone. No serious injuries and I believe we took a pair of girls home with us, so not a bad evening on the whole.

Sentinel Beast - April 25, 1987

Here's Heathen again - man I wish I had that demo tape of theirs - great riffs stick around forever.

This is the poster sized one with the postcard handout sized above.

D.O.A. - April 24, 1987

Club Can't Tell lasted about as long as the punk scene did in Sacramento (1984-1988) before shuttering. They hosted Iggy Pop, The Germs, and tons of others in the short time they were open.

Dag Nasty - March 29, 1987

I don't remember Dag Nasty though I know they are still active. Doggy Style however, did some fine work years before Snoop took the moniker in an entirely different direction.

The mailer

The poster

Corrosion of Conformity - March 14, 1987

Corrosion of Conformity - yet another great band still touring today. And SNFU purportedly meant "Society's No Fucking Use" though members insist it's without meaning, since I knew you were wondering.

This was on my turntable for weeks on end - terrific debut.

7 Seconds - February 15, 1987

Dr. Know - what a great group - they played a lot in town and I've seen them a ton of times. 7 Seconds - also no slouches from Reno. I'm a sucker for their pop punk singalongs - whoah oh oh oh! This one was for personal distribution ...

.. and for the telephone poles and large bulletin boards.