Band Profile: Corduroy: September 1994

I don’t know how I wound up at the Cinema Bar this particular night, but I do recall draggin’ a bunch of folks there. It was Tuesday, August 16, and somebody told me that I just had to check out this band, Corduroy. See, someone somewhere told me that I had to see them because one of the guys in the band used to play in a band that I liked. I’ll be goddamned if I could remember who it was or what band, but it was good enough to get my lazy ass out of the house and check them out.

In any case, it turns out that Wade “Junior” River the guitarist and vocalist, used to play with Hickoids, and I can see that he was definitely a major influence in both bands. He even had the corn tattoo to prove it. The rest of the band consists of Gary Gutfeld on drums and Maximum Gross Weight (Mike Weisberg) on bass.

I missed the first two bands but got there in time to see Corduroy. The band hit the stage like a freight train. It was a surprise they even made it because somewhere between here and Wyoming they had a blow-out on the freeway and rolled their van. Luckily they all survived with minor cuts and bruises, and it didn’t seem to affect their set at all. For the next hour, they played some of the heaviest punk-rock I had seen in a long time.

I really hate to compare bands, to other bands but their music reminded me of early Nirvana with a sense of humor instead of a sense of depression. Catchy songs with clever lyrics put to melodic and steady music. I chose not to take the safety seats in the back like I usually would under these circumstances. I sat right in front of the speakers and left the building with a ring in my ears whistling one of the many songs they played.

The band made the mistake of asking what the crowd wanted to hear. Of course, part of the crowd shouted “Freebird,” but the rest of the crowd gave them the Utah answer for “Country Western.” The band proceeded to whip out a killer version of George Jones’ “Must Been Drunk,” which brought a tear to my eye. Just about last-call time they said they would play one or more songs, so they blessed us with their rendition of Elton John’s “Rocket Man.”

Before the kind folk at the bar threw my drunk ass out on the street, I had a chance to talk to the band. It seems Corduroy is still waiting for some way to get their music to the masses. They hail from San Francisco and spend all of their time playing music, and keeping food on their table and a roof over their heads. They were a sharp outfit with great stage presence and great stories to tell. I didn’t hear their CD until after I saw them play. I must say that I liked their live set better. However, the CD is good and should be checked out. It is available through Truckstop Records at PO Box 406402, San Francisco, CA 94146-0402. Send them a postcard and ask them for their killer recipe for Boffo Pops.

Read more from the SLUG Archives:
Cover Story: Dead Katz
Theatre: Thanatos and Jesus Mania