HVB meets one of his heroes!
The only band photo known to exist
Hey, gang!
So I just got back from SXSW—the “interactive” one, not the music one. While I was there, I stopped off at a trailer selling Thai food. I noticed a promo shot on the wall from one of my all-time favorite bands, and I said to the gentleman manning the trailer that I was a huge fan. He immediately extended his hand, said he’d been waiting for years for somebody to recognize the group, and introduced himself as (DELETED), the band’s bass player. He then gave me a plate of free food, offered me a pile of free band swag if I came back the next day, and then came out from the trailer to explain the real history of the band.
Now, the reason I can’t tell you who this guy is is because this particular band jealously guards its secret identity, and its reputation as a freaked out country-punk cult phenomenon. I promised “Mr. X,” the bassist (not his real, nor his stage name) that I would keep his current whereabouts, and the history he shared with me, a secret. I will tell you that I was astonished to learn that many of the band members were actually former members of some very prominent SoCal musical outfits of the ’60s and ’70s, including one featured very recently in an RTH thread. If you knew this band’s music like I know it, you’d be as shocked as I was.
I realize all this may be too cryptic for RTH relevancy, but I feel compelled to share. I swear I’m not bullshitting, and Townsman mockcarr (whom I couldn’t help but call in my giddy excitement after Mr. X and I had our lengthy chat, and to whom I spilled the beans) will back me up on that. I’m posting the photo to prove the encounter really happened, and to give everybody but mockcarr the opportunity to guess this man’s identity.
Will I have to be killed if I rightly guess you met a member of The Residents?
I probably would have to kill you if you rightly guessed this guy was a member of the Residents. But he wasn’t, so you’re safe.
The bassist for Los Straitjackets?
I have no idea, but this guy is smooth, with his peace sign to the left while looking to the right moves! Obviously a (Thai basil) seasoned pro.
Sorry, cdm, that is incorrect.
The bassist from The Upper Crust?
No, Oats, that is incorrect. This band’s legend is far more cryptic — downright weird, in fact.
Is it Prince?
Ooh, good guess. It can’t be Kelly Groucutt.
Is it Dusty Hill? Gene Simmons? Peter “Pubes” Horn?
Bravo!
Yeah, that may win Comment of the Year.
Was he a Red Krayola?
that was my first guess. But the tie-dye shirt and country-punk reference seemed out of place. And I can’t imaging HVB liking the residents.
Knowing he’s a VA boy … Death Piggy/the bassist dude with the funny name (it escapes me … Dr Ocular??) from GWAR???
I knew it was a longshot, but I figured maybe you guys dragged him to that Residents show when you were in college and maybe he got into their Hank Williams album. Plus he used the word “cryptic” in his post.
Sadly, it’s not a cartoon band either.
I think we’re running out of cryptic bands. Is it The Monks (even though I can’t imagine HVB likes them much)?
Right, and cryptic country-punk bands? I actually looked up a bunch of cowpunk bands to see if any of them contained anonymous members. Could it be…ZZ Top?
The bassist from 13th Floor Elevator?
Sadly, you’re all WRONG so far. I have a terrible feeling my big reveal, should I ever make one, would be underwhelming. I mean, this band’s first album changed MY life, but I bet none of you have ever heard of them (except for Mockcarr, who actually guided me to them in the first place).
Holy shit, it’s Bjork!
Green on Red?
These guys?
LOL! No.
THIS POST NOW UPDATED WITH THE ONLY PHOTO OF THIS BAND KNOWN TO EXIST.
You’ll see the bass player hovering above the rest of the band.
Oh, now that’s too easy! I know who it is, but I won’t spoil it for anyone who’s still trying to guess.
Hit me up offline if you think you know who it is. I’d be surious to get your take on their “ouvre.”
Seeing a picture of that toothless fossil made it easy?? I have no idea. Old Old Riders of the Purple Sage?
None of them look like firemen, and they’re the real heroes. Give it up for the fire-fighters.
I’m pretty sure I know the band. It’s Jon Wayne, right?
I think he’s got it!
It’s ? of ? and the Mysterians!
Yea, we know his real name is Rudy Martinez.
Bostonhistorian and Mr. Moderator, you both win a huge RTH No-Prize for recognizing Tim Turlock (stage name), bass player for the legendary Jon Wayne. Dude was super-nice, a treat to spend time with.
Here’s a link to one of the more popular Jon Wayne songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFAH-fwx1bI
LOOK OUT, JUAREZ!
I thought all this was secret.
I cannot accept this No-Prize; all credit goes to Bostonhistorian. I was so stumped I figured I’d – what’s the card player term? – do whatever it is card players do when they pretend they have a good hand to see if they can’t force others from dropping out and conceding the hand to the guy holding squattola. I wanted Townspeople to think it was possible to guess who this guy was. Once Bostonhistorian guessed, however, I remembered you and mockcarr talking about this band ages ago.
I guess HVB is yet one more Townsperson who underestimates the scope of our readership!
I can safely say I literally never would have guessed this. I am curious to know how this changed your life, though.
I have revealed nothing specific about the band’s frankly astonishing pedigree, nor Turlock’s real identity, nor the name of his food truck. I am okay with this!
So this Turlock guy’s so obscure that he’s got to use an assumed name that doesn’t even sound like one? What’d he do, kill somebody?
http://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/review/987