Butthole Surfers at CBGB's (02-12-1986)

On February 12, 1986, the Butthole Surfers played a very memorable show at CBGB's.   Around this time, the band was transitioning from a more traditional punk rock band to a bit of a psychedelic, freakout/crazy/whoa.  The band had just released the "Cream Corn" EP a month prior, which saw them experiment with blues, industrial music, psychedelic rock, and country rock in the space of four songs.  Enjoy this psychedelic shit!

Set list:

1. John E. Smoke
2. Cherub
3. Suicide
4. Graveyard
5. Moving to Florida
6. 100 Million People Dead
7. To Parter
8. Tornadoes
9. Pittsburgh to Lebanon
10. Psychedelic Jam
11. Lady Sniff
12. U.S.S.A.
13. Comb
14. Concubine

Yung Wu at Maxwell's (02-08-1987)

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After the first disbandment of the Feelies in 1980, original members Glenn Mercer and Bill Million continued to play in various projects in and around Northern New Jersey.  Some of the more noteworthy groups include The Willies, who are credited with an appearance in Jonathan Demme's "Something Wild," The Trypes, which included future Feelies' bassist Brenda Sauter, and of course, Yung Wu! Yung Wu is one of my personal favorites in the Feelies' universe, as it features Pooja Desai's favorite Feelie, Dave Weckerman, on lead vocals.  Yung Wu released one full length LP entitled "Shore Leave" in 1987.  Bar None Records plans to reissue this long out of print album in 2018, so make sure you get your hands on it!

Urge Overkill, Superchunk, and Smashing Pumpkins at Maxwell's (02-08-1991)

On February 8, 1991, Urge Overkill, Superchunk, and the Smashing Pumpkins played a triple bill for the ages at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ!  Former Maxwell's co-owner and booker, Todd Abramson, shared some memories of the show in a 2013 interview with Godfrey Chan of the Sir Wrangle A Lot blog:

That was funny [Smashing Pumpkins] played here twice too, the first time, they played with Superchunk and Urge Overkill and nobody was touring together, so I put them together and there was little bit of controversy over who was going to play when.

Urge Overkill—they were more into the rock star thing so they wanted to close, which is fine. Superchunk was more salt of the earth, so they were happy to play in the middle.

I booked Smashing Pumpkins to play first and their Sub Pop 45″ came out and they already had a high powered agency behind them.

“Why do we have to play first?”, they asked.

So I had to come up with something, “The other two bands have played here before and you haven’t,” and the agent said, “Oh, that’s a great answer, you should be a lawyer.”

All three groups played magnificent sets.  For fans of the Smashing Pumpkins and Superchunk, this show captures both bands in their infancy.  To put things in perspective, Superchunk had not yet released "No Pocky For Kitty" and the Smashing Pumpkins were still four months away from releasing their debut, "Gish!" This is one of my favorites in the McKenzie Tapes collection thus far - I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!

Die Kreuzen at CBGB's (02-07-1992)

On February 7, 1992, Milwaukee natives and Touch & Go Records forefathers, Die Kreuzen brought their act to New York City's CBGB's. This show occurred mere month before the group decided to call it quits until their eventual reunion in 2012.  Fun fact: future Nirvana produced, Butch Vig, produced nearly all of their records! There's a handful of Die Kreuzen tapes in this collection, so stay tuned for more in the coming months. 

Henry Rollins (spoken word) at City Gardens (02-07-1987)

Click photo for FLAC version.

On February 7, 1987, Henry Rollins performed a spoken word set at City Gardens.  In comparing this performance to the one at Maxwell's in January 1985, the former Black Flag frontman's prose definitely took a big step forward! The picture on the front of the tape is an original taken by Dave McKenzie!

City Gardens has always sparked my interest as a venue. It was located in one of the most dangerous areas of Trenton at the time, but the space served as a crucial mid-way point between Philadelphia and NYC for the best touring acts of the era. The Ramones performed there a whopping 25 times and City Gardens played host to other legendary acts including the Minutemen, Black Flag, R.E.M., Sonic Youth, Ride, Dinosaur Jr., and many more. Jon Stewart of Daily Show fame was employed as a bartender in the late 1980s. I also heard that the venue sold some nasty hot dogs....

Original photo from the show courtesy of Scott Brandt

Tape cover photo (taken at Maxwell’s, not at this show)

Hüsker Dü at Irving Plaza (02-07-1986, 7:30pm and 10:30pm shows)

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On February 7, 1986, Hüsker Dü worked their way downtown for back to back performances at Irving Plaza with support from fellow Twin City legends, Soul Asylum, and Philadelphia's Persian Gulf. These tapes come complete with a set list, a ticket stub, and the original flyer for the show! After these shows in New York, the band would work their way down the eastern seaboard before playing a handful of shows in the United Kingdom in March and April of that year. Hüsker Dü would also return to Irving Plaza only a few months later to play another rockin' gig!

Late show setlist:

1. Flip Your Wig
2. Every Everthing
3. Makes No Sense At All
4. Girl Who Lives On Heaven Hill
5. If I Told You
6. Folklore
7. I Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely
8. I Don't Know For Sure
9. Terms of Psychic Warfare
10. Powerline
11. Books About UFOs
12. Hardly Getting Over It
13. Sorry Somehow
14. Eiffel Tower High
15. Green Eyes
16. Celebrated Summer
17. What's Going On?
18. Eight Miles High (The Byrds Cover
19. Reoccuring Dreams
20. Ticket To Ride (Beatles cover)
21. Love Is All Around (Sonny Curtis cover)

Early Show setlist

Hüsker Dü at Columbia University (02-06-1986)

On February 6, 1986, Hüsker Dü played Wollman Auditorium at Columbia University! The band was touring in support of their last full length release on SST records, "Flip Your Wig," which was released in September 1985.  This was the first of three shows in two days, as the band played a double header the next night at Irving Plaza.  Check back tomorrow for those tapes, along with a few others! 

Set list:

Click photo for FLAC version!

1. Flip Your Wig
2. Every Everything
3. Makes No Sense At All
4. The Girl Who Lives On Heaven Hill
5. I Apologize
6. If I Told You
7. Folklore
8. Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely
9. I Don't Know For Sure
10. Terms Of Psychic Warfare
11. Powerline
12. Books About UFOs
13. Hardly Getting Over It
14. Sorry Somehow
15. Eiffel Tower High
16. Green Eyes
17. Celebrated Summer
18. Keep Hanging On
19. Crystal

Soul Asylum on the Rock of Rages Program on KPAI in Minneapolis, MN (02-05-1984)

On February 5, 1984, Soul Asylum appeared on the Rock of Rages program on KPAI - Fresh Air Radio in their hometown of Minneapolis, MN. The band kicked off the interview by discussing their origins under the name "Loud Fast Rules" and the reasoning behind the abrupt change to "Soul Asylum."  As it turns out, the band members thought the original name was... kinda... "dumb." Aside from an entertaining interview, Soul Asylum played a few acoustic songs in studio, including a cover of a Rolling Stones classic, "Dead Flowers" and some early originals. Soul Asylum would play a double header the next day in Minneapolis.

James Brown was also in town, but you had to shell out 10 bucks to see him. 

The program ends with a Black Flag song!

D Generation at CBGB's (02-03-1995)

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On February 3, 1995, New York glam rockers D Generation played CBGB's.  I hadn't listened to this band prior to digitizing this recording, but their sound definitely draws heavy influence from the fellow NYCers, The New York Dolls.  This show captures D Generation on the cusp of a major label deal, as the group would go on to sign with Columbia records in late 1995.  The band then released their second album, "No Lunch," in 1996.

Bad Brains at Max's Kansas City (02-1979)

In February 1979, D.C. punk pioneers Bad Brains played the legendary Max's Kansas City.  This would be the first of two gigs that Bad Brains played at Max's in 1979, as they'd return to wrap up the year in December. 

Set list:

1. I
2. Don't Need It
3. Jammin' at the Atlantis
4. Pay to Cum
5. Supertouch / Shitfit
6. The Regulator
7. Why'd Ya Have to Go
8. Don't Bother Me
9. Success
10. Banned in D.C.
11. The Big Takeover
12. Stay Close to Me
13. Attitude
14. You're a Migraine
15. Just Another Damn Song
16. The Man Won't Annoy Ya
17. Redbone in the City
18. I

The Leaving Trains at Maxwell's (01-31-1987)

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On January 31, 1987, Los Angeles, California's The Leaving Trains played a marathon hour and a half set at Maxwell's! The group released "Kill Tunes" on SST records in 1986 and subsequent to this show, would release "Fuck" later in 1987.  The Leaving Trains were known for their chaotic performances and the photos below seem to suggest that this performance was WILD! The pictures are courtesy of Dave McKenzie.

Oh and here's a fun fact: Frontman Falling James Moreland was briefly married to Courtney Love in 1989.

Bad Brains at Elks Centre in Philadelphia, PA (01-30-1982)

On January 30, 1982, Bad Brains passed through Philadelphia and put on a legendary show! Do you think they knew that the Eagles would be playing in the Superbowl 36 years later???!!??

The Elks Centre was a staple in the Philadelphia punk scene of the 1980s.  The venue hosted seminal bands of the era including Black Flag, Circle Jerks, the Dead Milkmen, and Minor Threat.

Set list:

1. Supertouch / Shitfit
2. Attitude
3. Jah The Conqueror
4. FVK
5. Big Takeover
6. Banned In DC
7. Joshua's Song
8. Right Brigade
9. Destroy Babylon
10. ?
11. The Meek
12. Pay To Cum
13. Riot Squad

Interview with Paul Westerberg of the Replacements on WPRB in Princeton, New Jersey (01-1986)

Fresh off their first ever appearance on Saturday Night Live, Paul Westerberg chatted with Vicky Gonzalez of WPRB in Princeton, New Jersey.  It's an interesting interview that features dialogue separated by your favorite Replacements' songs. Did you guys get a chance to listen to "The Replacements: For Sale: Live at Maxwell’s 1986"??? Well, this interview pre-dates that very show by one month! Although the Maxwell's show is not mentioned in the interview, after dates at City Garden and the Ritz on February 1st and February 2nd, the Replacements graced the Maxwell's stage on February 4, 1986.  The newly enhanced, multi-track recording of this show is available at your local record store!

Buzzcocks + Stiff Little Fingers in Liverpool (01-29-1981)

Side B of the above tape contains two interesting sets.  First, four songs from an unknown date in 1980 from the Buzzcocks (see set list below) and then Stiff Little Fingers at an unknown location in Liverpool on January 29, 1981.  I'll be posting that Bad Brains Max's show when the calendar turns to February - stay tuned!

Buzzcocks setlist:

1.  I Believe
2. Breakdown
3. Fast Cars
4. Boredom

The Jesus Lizard at Irving Plaza (01-25-1997)

Click here for a high quality FLAC version via archive.org!

On January 25, 1997, the Jesus Lizard played a high energy set at Irving Plaza.  They treated their audience to a mix of songs from their Touch and Go classics, "Goat" and "Liar," as well as newer jams from their 1996 major label debut, "Shot." The Jesus Lizard recently embarked on a second reunion tour in 2017 - one that the band dubbed their very last! Hope you had a chance to see them live! If not, you'll always have this tape!

Set list:

1. Puss
2. Now Then
3. Destroy Before Reading
4. Thumbscrews
5. Fly on the Wall
6. Mouth Breather
7. The Associate
8. More Beautiful Than Barbie
9. Mailman
10. Boilermaker
11. Cold Water
12. Killer McHann
13. Good Riddance
14. Blockbuster
15. Gladiator
16. Glamorous
17. Nub
18. Seasick
19. Wheelchair Epidemic (The Dicks cover)
20. Monkey Trick
21. Shut Up

Superchunk at Bowery Ballroom (01-23-1999)

Click above for FLAC version via archive.org!

On January 23, 1999, Superchunk played the Bowery Ballroom for the very first time! This show would be the band's first of many performances at this Lower East Side statple, as I had the pleasure of catching them at the Bowery during the "I Hate Music" tour back in 2013.  Oh, and they'll be back in April for a two-night stand with the newly reunited Swearin'!

Superchunk would go on to release their seventh studio album, "Come Pick Me Up," in August of 1999.  They identified several of these "new" songs throughout their set.

Set list:

1. White Noise
2. Watery Hands
3. Song For Marion Brown
4. Honey Bee
5. Skip Steps 1 & 3
6. The Majestic
7. European Medicine
8. The Cursed Mirror
9. Driveway To Driveway
10. Sick To Move
11. Smarter Hearts
12. Nu Bruises
13. Hyper Enough
14. Like A Fool

Encore:

1. 1,000 Pounds
2. Brand New Love (Sebadoh Cover)
3. Cast Iron
4. Precision Auto

Henry Rollins (Spoken Word) at Maxwell's (1-20-85)

On January 20th, 1985, Henry Rollins performed some of his original poetry at Maxwell's.  Sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy this performance! Here's some pictures from the show:

Dinosaur Jr. at Maxwell's (1-17-1991)

Click above for FLAC version via archive.org!

On January 17, 1991, Dinosaur Jr. played one of their trademark tinnitus inducing sets at Hoboken New Jersey's Maxwell's! I was very excited to hear this tape, as it captures the band at around the seven year mark of their existence and features absolute classic songs including The Wagon, Kracked, and Sludgefeast.  Plus, it was mere weeks before the release of the major label debut, "Green Mind."  Check it out and enjoy!

      Set list:

1. The Lung
2. The Wagon
3. Kracked
4. Green Mind
5. Thumb
6. Blowing It
7. I Live For That Look
8. Budge
9. Yeah, We Know
10. Sludgefeast

BR5-49 at Tramps (1-16-1997)

Set list:

1) Honkey Tonk Song

2) Bettie Bettie

3) Right Or Wrong

4) Change The Way I Look

5) You Are Never Nice To Me

6) Settin' The Wood On Fire

7) My Eyes Are Jealous

8) Hometown Boogie

9) I Been To Georgia On A Fast Train

10) Waiting For a Train

11) Even If It's Wrong

12) Little Ramona (Gone Hillbilly Nuts)

13) Pain, Pain Go Away

14) A-11

15) Instrumental

16) Snakes Crawl At Night

17) Out of Habit

18) I Ain't Never

19) Lifetime To Prove

20) Take Me Back To Tulsa

21) Matchbox

22) Six Days On The Road

23) Cherokee Boogie

24) Big Mouth Blues

25) Long Gone Lonesome Blues

26) Knoxville Girl

27) One Long Saturday Night

28) Me 'n' Opie Down By The Duck Pond

29) Sea Of Heartbreak

30) Instrumental

On January 16, 1997, Nashville, Tennessee's BR5-49 played an extra long set at Tramps.  Who are BRR5-49 you ask? I was wondering the same thing myself.  BRR5-49 were a bit of a "thing" in the late 1990s.  They found some mainstream success with their country/rockabilly group despite initially receiving a lukewarm reception from country radio.  The group also released an album with a rotary phone on the cover (see below)!

Oh and if you're a 20 or 30 something like me, I bet you've never been to Tramps! I didn't know much about this venue, but a brief Google search revealed that it was originally located at 125 E. 15th St. until the late 1980s.  This hot spot then moved across twon to West 21st street and hosted a wide range of acts including Buddy Guy, Sam and Dave, Big Joe Turner, Matthew Sweet, Robyn Hitchcock, and the Wedding Present! Cool!!

Sex Pistols at Longhorn Ballroom (1-10-78)

On January 10, 1978, the Sex Pistols brought their antics to the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, Texas - the fourth date on their only ever U.S. tour.  I also just learned that the Longhorn Ballroom was primary used as a western dance hall and was previously owned by Jack Ruby. Yeah, the guy who shot Lee Harvey Oswald! 

Set list:

1) God Save the Queen
2) I Wanna Be Me
3) Seventeen
4) New York
5) E.M.I.
6) Bodies
7) Belsen Was a Gas
8) Holidays in the Sun
9) No Feelings
10) Problems
11) Pretty Vacant
12) Anarchy in the U.K.

Encore:

13) No Fun (Stooges cover)