R.E.M. at Tyrone's (04-10-1981)

Please note - the cover of this tape is mislabeled! After doing some research, I determined that this gig actually occurred on April 10th, 1981.

So, on April 10th, 1981, legendary alternative rockers R.E.M. performed at Tyrone’s in their hometown of Athens, GA. This is an extremely early recording of the band in their infancy, as frontman Michael Stipe and guitarist Peter Buck had only met less than a year prior. The band hadn’t even entered the studio yet to record their first single, “Radio Free Europe.” They’d do that in April of 1981 at producer Mitch Easter's Drive-In Studios in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Initially distributing it as a four-track demo tape to clubs, record labels, and magazines, the single was released in July 1981 on the local independent record label Hib-Tone with an initial pressing of 1,000 copies—600 of which were sent out as promotional copies. The single quickly sold out, and another 6,000 copies were pressed due to popular demand, despite the original pressing leaving off the record label's contact details. The band returned to Easter’s studio in October of 1981 to record their debut EP, Chronic Town, which was released on I.R.S. Records the following year. The rest, as they say, is history.

Das Damen at Princeton University (04-06-1991)

On April 6th, 1991, Das Damen performed at Princeton University. This show occurred around the end of the band’s original run. They would go on to release a “mini-set” entitled High Anxiety in July 1991 before disbanding later that year.

Last year, the band reunited for a series of gigs, which carried over into 2024. In the fall of 2023, they released 1986: Keeps Me Wild, via Dromedary Records. 1986: Keeps Me Wild is a reissue of Das Damen’s debut EP that has been “Newly remastered and augmented with an array of previously unreleased demos, reimagined tracks, and a brand-new issue of Das Damen drummer Lyle Hysen’s legendary fanzine, Damaged Goods (featuring a comprehensive timeline, show flyers, oral history, testimonials from Thurston Moore, Tom Scharpling, and more).”

Could there be more shows on the horizon? We’ll see!

Set list (courtesy of the band):

The Outsider

Please Please Me

The Promise

Where they all Went

Demagnetized

Almost Paradise

Somewhere sometime

All The Same

Off Balance ?

Silence Sings You

Pendant

The Earth above and the Sky Below

Echo and The Bunnymen at Savoy (03-31-1984)

On March 31st, 1984, Echo and the Bunnymen played at the Savoy Theater in New York City. This performance occurred about a month before the release of the band’s fourth studio album, Ocean Rain. On this March night in 1984, the band would preview tracks that would appear on Ocean Rain, including "The Killing Moon" and “Thorn of Crowns." This show was the first of back-to-back appearances at the Savoy, as Echo and the Bunnymen would play again the following evening with Let’s Active opening. These dates marked the end of a two week tour that saw the band play several colleges (including RIT in Rochester, NY, and Union College in Schenectady, NY) and cities in the Midwest and west coast.

Setlist:

1. Going Up

2. Villiers Terrace

3. Heads Will Roll

4. The Back of Love

5. Gods Will Be Gods

6. All That Jazz

7. Stars Are Stars

8. The Killing Moon

9. A Promise

10. All My Colours (Zimbo)

11. Never Stop

12. Thorn of Crowns

13. The Cutter

14. Heaven Up Here

15. Crocodiles

16. Over the Wall

17. Do It Clean

Pere Ubu at Teatro Medica Palace in Bologna, Italy (03-03-1981)

On March 3, 1981, Pere Ubu performed at the Teatro Medica Palace in Bologna, Italy. The band formed in 1975 in Cleveland, Ohio, and released their debut album, The Modern Dance, in 1978, which was quickly followed by Dub Housing later that year. The band would go on to release another four LPs before disbanding in 1982. Frontman David Thomas, the band’s only constant member, reformed the project in 1987. They remain active and most recently released Trouble On The Big Street in 2023.

This performance on March 3rd was the band’s first-ever show in Italy. It preceded a series of March dates with Delta 5 and Gang of Four in the U.K.

The Teatro Medica Palace is still open. Today, it primarily operates as a cinema.

The Feelies at Maxwell's (06-26-1988)

On June 26th, 1988, The Feelies played at Maxwell’s in Hoboken, New Jersey. This epic nearly hour-and-a-half performance featured several covers, including “Dancing Barefoot” by Patti Smith, “Outdoor Miner” by Wire, “She Said, She Said” by The Beatles, and more. The Feelies would go on to release their third full-length album (and major label debut with A&M), Only Life, in September of 1988. They previewed several notable tracks from this record during their set, including “Away,” “Higher Ground,” and more. The band released their fourth album Time For A Witness, in 1991 before disbanding. They reformed in 2008 and have since released two records, Here Before (2011), and In Between (2017). The band continues to wow audiences in the live setting, most recently during a two night stint at Brooklyn Made.

Thanks to Steve Fallon for sending this tape!

The Feelies at Maxwell's (10-16-1989)

On October 16th, 1989, The Feelies played at Maxwell’s! This particular show was a benefit gig to raise funds for an upgrade to the venue’s sound system. The Haledon, New Jersey band was feeling fun and loose on this October evening, as they played a whole lot of covers, including ones that remain in their arsenal today like “Paint It Black,” “Sedan Delivery,” and “Egyptian Reggae.” Longtime Feelies live sound engineer Andy Peters described the state of the club’s sound system at that time for a 2013 article in the Hollywood Reporter:

In 1989, Peters described the sound system as “rudimentary,” but was excited to learn. “The mixing console was an EV/TAPCO 12-channel thing with a channel EQ, one auxiliary send for stage monitors, two sends for effects — which were a Delta Lab Effection II and a Yamaha reverb that generated more hiss than reverb — and some lousy MXR graphic EQs for the house and the monitors. Amps were underpowered Yamahas. The monitors were the fiberglass Community boxes more commonly used for outside shows. The main PA was (on each side) a big metal horn with a JBL 2445 2″ driver (flown from the ceiling), a Perkins bin with a 15″ driver flown for mids, and another Perkins bin on the floor as a “subwoofer.”

1989 was a notable year in Feelies’ history. In September of 1988, they released their third full-length album, Only Life, on A&M Records, and in support of the record, they played several dates Europe. Additionally, they played a handful of concerts across the U.S. in support of Lou Reed. The band would go on to release their fourth full-length, Time For A Witness, in 1991, before disbanding shortly thereafter. The band reformed in 2008 and remain active. They’ve released two albums and continue to perform live to critical acclaim. 

Tiny Lights at Maxwell's (06-24-1989)

On June 24th, 1989, Tiny Lights played at Maxwell’s and we’re lucky enough to have a video recording of their entire set. At this point in the Hoboken-based band’s history, they were between records, having released their second album Hazel’s Wreath in 1989. In 1990, they’d release their third full-length, Hot Chocolate Massage. They played some new songs that would appear on that record, including “Wave.” Barry Koopersmith videotaped the gig. Thanks, Barry!

Watch it below.

The Afghan Whigs at Maxwell's (03-19-1992)

On March 19th, 1992, The Afghan Whigs played at Maxwell’s! The Cincinnati band was in the midst of a year-long stretch of tour dates in support of their third album, Congregation, which was released on January 31st. Immediately following the album’s release, the band played four shows on the west coast in February, before taking a few weeks off. This three-day stretch on the east coast started in Philadelphia on March 18th at The Khyber and ended on the 20th at CBGB. They’d hit several more U.S. cities in April and May before heading to Europe in August and September.

Congregation is widely considered to be the band’s breakthrough record. After touring for two years in support of their 1990 album Up in It, the band received a $15,000 advance from Sub Pop to record Congregation. It was primarily recorded at Bear Creek Studios in Woodinville, Washington and Buzz's Kitchen in Los Angeles in the summer of 1991. The band's frontman, Greg Dulli, produced the album entirely with audio engineer Ross Ian Stein. The album's production and release were hindered by Sub Pop's financial difficulties, which were eventually resolved by the massive commercial success of Nirvana's 1991 album Nevermind.

Mudhoney and Das Damen at The Court Tavern (03-12-1989)

On March 12th, 1989, Seattle’s Mudhoney and New York City’s Das Damen played at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick, NJ! The two bands were on the road in support of two relatively new records. In 1988, Das Damen released their third album (and their final one on SST Records) Triskaidekaphobe, while Mudhoney had released their legendary Jack Endino produced debut EP Superfuzz Bigmuff in October of 1988. Mudhoney also released a split single with Sonic Youth in November of 1988, where they covered the Sonic Youth song “Halloween” and Sonic Youth covered one of Mudhoney’s most well-known tracks, “Touch Me I’m Sick.” Mudhoney included “Touch Me I’m Sick,” along with other classics like “Here Comes Sickness” in their set on this night at The Court Tavern, and after one final stop with Das Damen on March 14th at the Pyramid Club in New York City, they’d head to Europe for a series of dates in support of Sonic Youth.

In October of 1989, Das Damen would release their fourth album, Mousetrap, on Twin/Tone Records. For this record, original bassist Phil Leopold von Trapp left the band and was replaced by David Motamed. Das Damen’s final release was the High Anxiety mini-set in July 1991, which was co-released by City Slang and Sub Pop. Motamed would later join the band Cell, who released two albums on Geffen Records in the 1990s. Das Damen drummer Lyle Hysen and Motamed are currently both members of the Hoboken-based The Royal Arctic Institute, who just released their second EP, From Catnap to Coma.

The night before this show, Mudhoney played at Maxwell’s in support of Soundgarden. We posted both sets previously on the site (Mudhoney’s in 2018 and Soundgarden’s in 2020). So, you can check that gig out as well.

Fluid and Action Swingers at CBGB (03-07-1992)

On March 7th, 1992, Denver’s Fluid and New York City’s Action Swingers played at CBGB! At this point in time, Fluid was nearing the end of their run as a band. Formed in 1984, Fluid released four records before breaking up in 1993. They held the distinction of being the first non-Seattle band to sign with Sub Pop (their 2nd and 3rd LPs, Clear Black Paper and Roadmouth, were released on the label. Jack Endino produced the former, and Butch Vig produced the latter). Fluid would release their fourth and final record, Purplemetalflakemusic, in 1993 on Hollywood Records, a subsidiary of Universal.

Action Swingers were a New York City garage rock band fronted by singer/guitarist Ned Hayden, who was the only constant member. Across their 10 year run, the lineup included several different members, with the original lineup featuring Pussy Galore’s Julia Cafritz, and drummer Johan Kugelberg. Hayden and Cafritz were then joined by Unsane bassist Pete Shore and former Sonic Youth/Pussy Galore drummer Bob Bert. This lineup recorded the band’s self-titled debut album, which was released in September 1991. Cafritz had left by early 1992, forming Free Kitten with Kim Gordon, with guitarist Bruce Bennett (concurrent member of the A-Bones) and bassist Howie Pyro playing on a session recorded for John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show in March of that year. Shortly after this gig, Action Swingers would release the More Fast Numbers EP. Two further albums were released — Decimation Blvd. in 1993 and the compilation Quit While You're Ahead in 1994, before the band split up in 1998.

Beg For Eden, Honus Wagner, and Geezer Lake were also on the bill.

Tiny Lights at Siberia (02-25-1988)

On February 25th, 1988, Tiny Lights performed at Siberia in Manhattan. We’ve posted a few great cassette tapes of Tiny Lights in the past, so we’re super excited to share this great video of their performance at Manhattan venue Siberia. Around this time in the Hoboken-based band’s history, the band was about to release their second album Hazel’s Wreath. Their set features several songs from this album! Barry Koopersmith videotaped the gig. Thanks, Barry!

Firehose at Peanut Records in Lomita, CA (02-14-1987)

On February 14th, 1987, Firehose performed at Peanut Records in Lomita, California. Located just north of bassist Mike Watt’s hometown of San Pedro, California on the Pacific Coast Highway, the now-defunct Peanut Records was known for hosting frequent live performances. This one sounds like a great one. The tape is crisp and clear, and it sounds as if it was recorded right next to the band while they performed.

At this point in their career, Firehose had only been together for less than a year, forming in the spring of 1986. The band played their first gig in June 1986 and by the end of the year released their debut album, Ragin', Full On via SST Records. That same year, they also supported Sonic Youth on their "Flaming Telepaths” tour. The band quickly gained a loyal fanbase especially among the underground skateboarding crowd thanks in part to the inclusion of some of their early material in several key skateboarding videos from the late 1980s. "Brave Captain" from Ragin', Full On, as well as "Sometimes", "Hear Me", and "Windmilling" from their sophomore release, If'n were all featured in the Santa Cruz Skateboards video series, "Streets on Fire.”

Smashing Pumpkins and Velvet Crush at CBGB (02-12-1991)

On February 12th, 1991, the Smashing Pumpkins and Velvet Crush played at CBGB! This performance by the young Smashing Pumpkins, who had yet to release their debut album Gish, follows their February 8th, 1991 appearance at Maxwell’s, which we shared back in 2018. According to D’arcy Wretzky’s between-song banter, this show at CBGB’s was the band’s first-ever appearance in New York City. They’d return to CBGB’s (with Hole) and Maxwell’s that summer.

The great Velvet Crush was certainly on their game for this gig. In October of 1991, the band released their first LP, In The Presence of Greatness, on Creation Records. It was produced by Matthew Sweet.

Smashing Pumpkins Setlist:

1. Morning Jam

2. Siva

3. Slunk

4. Rhinoceros

5. Bury Me

6. I Am One

7. Window Paine

8. Snail

9. Out of Focus [Blue Cheer]

10. Tristessa

The Replacements at Maxwell's (02-04-1986)

On February 4th, 1986, The Replacements played one of the most memorable shows in their history at Maxwell’s! Back in 2017, the band released a high-quality recording of the show captured straight from the soundboard, so I held off on posting this audience recording until now. Check out the official release to hear the best-sounding recording of the gig! However, it’s also cool to hear their performance from the perspective of an audience member holding an omnidirectional mic in the air. So, I decided that the 35th anniversary of the show was a great time to post this tape. In addition to being one of the band’s most talked about shows, it’s also one of the most legendary gigs in Maxwell’s storied history. There’s also a video of the band playing during soundcheck, which you can watch below.

Setlist:

1. Hayday

2. Color Me Impressed

3. Dose Of Thunder

4. Fox On The Run (Sweet)

5. Hold My Life

6. I Will Dare

7. Favorite Thing

8. Unsatisfied

9. Can’t Hardly Wait

10. Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out

11. Takin A Ride

12. Bastards Of Young

13. Kiss Me On The Bus

14. Black Diamond

15. Johnny’s Gonna Die

16. Otto

17. I’m In Trouble

18. Left Of The Dial

19. God Damn Job

20. Answering Machine

21. Waitress In The Sky

22. Take Me Down To The Hospital

23. Gary’s Got A Boner

24. If Only Your Were Lonely

25. Baby Strange (T. Rex)

26. Hitchin’ A Ride (Vanity Fair)

27. Nowhere Man (The Beatles)

28. Go

29. Fuck School

Mule at The Masquerade (01-24-1993)

On January 24th, 1993, Mule played at The Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia. The Michigan-based three-piece were entering their second year as a band. In 1993, they’d release their debut self-titled record, which was produced by Steve Albini, on Quarterstick Records, a subsidiary of Touch & Go. In 1994, The band released an EP called Wrung along with another full-length, If I Don’t Six. The band disbanded in 1996. Frontman P.W. Long formed P.W. Long’s Reelfoot with Mac McNeilly of The Jesus Lizard in 1997.

Steve Nieve at Knitting Factory (01-18-1989)

On January 18th, 1989, Steve Nieve played at The Knitting Factory. Mostly known for his work as a member of Elvis Costello’s backing band The Attractions, Nieve also released two solo albums in the 1980s, including Keyboard Jungle in 1983, a record that featured a combination of classical and ersatz film scores delivered from his beloved Steinway piano. He released his second album, Playboy, in 1987, which consisted of solo acoustic piano renditions of rock songs by David Bowie, 10cc, The Specials, X, and others, as well as original compositions. On this night at the Knitting Factory, Nieve played an entire piano solo set - just him and his keys!

Fun fact, Nieve’s actual surname is Nason. He received his musical moniker "Nieve" (pronounced "naïve") while on the Attractions' first tour for Stiff Records. It was bestowed by tourmate Ian Dury who had been astonished by Nieve's innocent query, "What's a groupie?” Before that, he had been using the stage name "Steve A'dore" (a pun on stevedore).

Prior to its current location in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, The Knitting Factory was located at 74 Leonard Street in TriBeca. When the venue opened in 1987, it was located at 47 East Houston Street, near CBGB and within walking distance of The Bottom Line.

Soul Asylum at Siberia (01-13-1988)

On January 13th, 1988, Soul Asylum performed at Siberia. For this gig, frontman Dave Pirner and lead guitarist Dan Murphy performed a special acoustic set that included a litany of covers, in addition to several original tunes from their catalog. They concluded their performance with an extended medley of covers.

During this period, Pirner and Murphy were known to perform acoustic sets. Check out this post on The Adios Lounge, which features clips from unplugged radio performances and other gigs from the late 1980s.

Setlist:

1. Sun Don't Shine

2. Oh Lonesome Me (Don Gibson cover)

3. Ooh La La (Faces cover)

4. Never Really Been

5. Another World, Another Day

6. Sad and Lonesome Day (The Carter Family cover)

7. Cartoon

8. Ship of Fools

9. Forever Young (Bob Dylan cover)

10. P-9

11. @Unknown

12. No Expectations (Rolling Stones cover)

13. The Joker (Steve Miller Band cover)

14. American Pie / Delta Dawn / Wildfire / Black Water / Afternoon Delight / One Toke Over the Line / Amazing Grace / The Gambler / Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song / The One I Love / Renegade / Rock and Roll All Night / Luka / Dueling Banjos / Wanted Dead or Alive / Turn the Page / Closer to the Stars / Feel Like Making Love

Jane's Addiction at The Backroom (01-13-1989)

On January 13th, 1989, Jane’s Addiction played at The Backroom in Austin, Texas. The Los Angeles quartet was at the height of their career coming into 1989. Their breakthrough 1988 major-label debut, Nothing’s Shocking, received a Grammy nomination just the week prior to this show in the then newly created “Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental” category. Metallica was heavily favored to take home the award for their fourth studio album ...And Justice for All, but both bands lost out to Jethro Tull. This choice led to widespread criticism of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, as journalists suggested that Jethro Tull's music did not belong in either the hard rock or heavy metal genres. In response, the Academy separated the genres, creating the categories “Best Hard Rock Performance” and “Best Metal Performance.” It’s widely considered one of the biggest upsets in Grammy history.

As for the venue, The Backroom was known as a “hard rock mecca” in Austin during the 1980s and 90s. The space had an incredible 33-year run, closing in 2006. A documentary on the club’s history called Bloody & Bruised: The Untold Story of The Back Room is currently in production. The creators shared a trailer for the film in April of last year.

Peter Blackstock previewed the gig in the January 13th edition of the Austin American-Statesman:

Los Angeles' Jane's Addiction, celebrating a Grammy nomination in the Hard Rock/Metal Vocal or Instrumental category for its debut album Nothing's Shocking, is at the Back Room with Austin's Ty Gavin opening.

Setlist:

1. Kettle Whistle

2. Whores

3. 1%

4. Idiots Rule

5. No One's Leaving

6. Ted, Just Admit It...

7. Standing In The Shower... Thinking

8. Had A Dad

9. Pigs In Zen

10. Up The Beach

11. Ocean Size

12. Mountain Song

13. Trip Away

Royal Trux at Thread Waxing Space (01-08-1994)

On January 8th, 1994, Royal Trux played at Thread Waxing Space. Seven months prior, the noise punk duo released their fourth studio album, Cats and Dogs, on Drag City, and later in 1994, the label would reissue their second full length, Twin Infinitives.

Founded by Tim Nye, Thread Waxing Space opened in September 1991 on the second floor of 476 Broadway in New York City. Named after the building's previous occupants -- a factory which produced waxed thread -- the non-profit gallery and performance space explored the interdisciplinary nature of the arts and expanded the boundaries of a traditional gallery through diverse programming. It originally had a mandate to explore issues in abstract painting but shifted its focus to include a variety of media, including live music performances. In 1994, Palace Brothers and Blond Redhead also performed there. A ton of exhibitions, flyers, and more items from the history of Thread Waxing Space are archived at The Smithsonian in their Archives of American Art.

Joe Jackson at Maxwell's (01-08-1986)

On January 8th, 1986, Joe Jackson played at Maxwell’s! Jackson was touring in preparation for the recording of his Big World live album, which he recorded two weeks later on January 23rd, 24th, and 25th at the Roundabout Theater in New York City. His set included almost all of the songs that would appear on Big World (which were all new, original tracks at the time) and a few others, including a cover of the Louis Jordan classic “What's the Use of Getting Sober (When You're Gonna Get Drunk Again),” “You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want),” from Jackson’s 1984 album Body and Soul, and “One More Time” from his 1979 debut Look Sharp!. This is a really great sounding recording of Jackson performing in a small, intimate setting. At this point in his career, he was playing arenas and theaters, including Madison Square Garden back in 1984.

Setlist:

1. One More Time

2. Wild West

3. Right and Wrong

4. (It's a) Big World

5. Chinatown

6. Home Town

7. Forty Years

8. Tango Atlantico

9. Breaking Us in Two

10. Survival

11. Precious Time

12. We Can't Live Together

13. You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)

14. The Jet Set

15. Don't Wanna Be Like That

16. Tonight and Forever

17. What's the Use of Getting Sober (When You're Gonna Get Drunk Again) (Louis Jordan cover)

18. Man in the Street

19. I'm the Man