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Bluchunks

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The Bluchuncks Rock. What ever happend to them?

>>By mofo (Tuesday, 11 Feb 2003 23:41)

They broke up, a _looong_ time ago. Too bad. I wasn't in on all the details, but I seem to remember that Sammy
(the singer/saxophonist) moved to Texas (go figure), and they were having some internal conflicts. Last I heard,
Joaquin (drummer) was still playing in SF, but that was a long time ago.

>>By Eric (Monday, 24 Mar 2003 22:40)

Yes indeedy. They were a mighty force to be reckoned with. I saw them many times in Santa Cruz and Berkeley. Some of the better Zappa covers I've heard from non-Zappa players. I've been wondering about members of the band ever since. What happened to them all? I know Sammy split town. I heard that, too. He was a physicist or something as well as a nut job singer who 'played' a skateboard guitar with a busted neck, no strings and a bunch of duct tape holding it together, who had a tendency to rub round bologna pieces on his tits and fling them at the audience. What a guy. He did split as I recall. The guitar players were both so fuckin' good and super different styles, too. They complemented one another so well. the comping chordal jazz of one and the noodling metal funk of the other. And the bass player. Fuck me (euphemistically). He was unbelievably good. We all busted up our hands trying to mimic his stuff at UCSC. All of them. I'd love to hear what they've been up to. Fond, fond memories. Glad someone's talking about them out in the ether. Take care all of you.

>>By mucosa (Wednesday, 14 May 2003 02:23)

I've been playing in the Bay Area since '87 and the Bluchunks we're by far the most inventinve of the bands to come out in the Funk/Rock heyday. People should be asking all over what happened to them, as well as most of the bands that they played with. Christian's inventiveness blending jazz fusion sounds of Al Dimeola and Allen Holdsworth into a melodic rock sound was clearly ahead of its time. Only other underrated guitarist like Andy Summers and Alex Lifeson have reached so heavily on those "outside" sounding chords and melding them with a rock voice.

The Bluchunks disbanded, as far as I know, from Sammys decision to move to Texas. There were tensions in the band, but the ultimate decision was the move. I saw one of their last shows at a little, now-defunkt club called the Axe in Berkeley.

For years after that, I rehearsed right next door to Walrus, formed by Christian and Joaquin form the chunks, and Andy from Smoking Rhythm Prawns. They were one of the heaviest bands I've ever seen. Their use of 5 against 4, odd meter, and killer melody reminded me both of Soundgarden and the Beatles. They actually would sometimes warm up with "She's So.." or "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" with a much heavier approach. They later broke up due to Christian gaining a crippling case of tendonitis.

As far as I know Bluchunks only released one demo of 7 songs.
Walrus released 3 excellent demos and one CD. Look for them....

OG

>>By Otis Goodnight (Thursday, 15 May 2003 02:11)

Anybody know what happened to the bass player? I'd love to know if he's performing or in any bands these days. Also, Otis Goodnight or whoever for that matter, how might I get a hold of some Walrus cd's? I've scanned the internet to no avail. Lemme know.

Thanks
Mucosa

>>By Mucosa (Saturday, 31 May 2003 02:04)

Walrus CD's huh...Well I still see Christian and Andy from time to time. Joaquin was playing with Victims Family last I heard. They were always really cool about letting me get product. If not I could burn my copy. I fyou haven't heard it it is one of those albums that really makes you wonder why they aren't famous.

Anyway, I'm at work so I better get back to it. I'll keep in touch.

>>By Otis Goodnight (Wednesday, 4 Jun 2003 21:54)

Does anybody have any of the Bluchunks music recorded. A friend of mine is from Sacto desperate to hear them again.
Thanks,
Iain

>>By Jack (Friday, 20 Jun 2003 02:32)

Yeah. Thanks much, Otis. I was in SF last weekend and found a Walrus CD in the used bin. It is pretty damned rockin' I must admit, although not as directly up my alley as Bluchunks were. The singer in Walrus didn't do it for me so much, although it may grow on me. Also, the guitar parts aren't as tricky and intricate as the Chunks stuff was. I think the other guitarist challenged him in ways he wouldn't have dealt with otherwise. Also, the bass player (why can't I remember anyone's name-ever?!), was so damned good and wrote such good parts. 'Nuff said. Yeah. Thanks for the offer. Please, though, still wondering where the bass player's at. I know about Joaquin in Victim's Family. He quit, though. They've had someone else since the last record. To Jack, I've got the Bluchunks cd and a shitty cassette with the demo of that cd before it came out. It has some songs that didn't end up on the record. Unfortunately, the quality is total crap. Lemme know, though. I could send you a burn of the cd.

>>By Mucosa (Friday, 20 Jun 2003 22:29)

Andy? Is that the bass player? Where's he at?!

>>By Mucosa (Friday, 20 Jun 2003 22:32)

I heard them whem I was living in SLO town and I would love to get a copy of them on tape/cd. Any ideas folks?

>>By robdog (Thursday, 10 Jul 2003 08:20)

To Mucosa: Whatever it takes for me to get a copy of what you have recorded, please let me know. You'd be making a bunch of us happy down here in L.A.

>>By robdog (Thursday, 10 Jul 2003 08:25)

I don't suppose anyone can tell me where I might be able to find the one and only album by the Bluchunks. You can e-mail me at guitarjoe@earthlink.net

>>By Guitar Joe (Tuesday, 22 Jul 2003 20:49)

robdog: Sure. I'd be happy to burn you a copy of the cd. It's pretty damned genius. Maybe you have something interesting to trade. Anything hard to get or some sort of good quality live concert perhaps? That'd be cool. I'm a big Jaco Pastorius fan, Radiohead stuff is good. Whadyou got?

Reuben

>>By Mucosa (Wednesday, 23 Jul 2003 01:44)

I have never heard of bluchunks but i have heard walrus.....It may not b the same walrus but these guys were from lindsborg kansas and the bassist is tyler tubbs.....possibly the best bassist i have ever heard.....the band is no longer together but they have another band right now that kicks ass

>>By Father_ducky (Friday, 25 Jul 2003 20:18)

That wouldn't be the same Walrus. I have the Bluchunks album and a bootleg of their last show. I'm open to trade or B&P (http://www.mcnichol.com/bnp/). Check http://db.etree.org/sherman3 to contact me.

Don't know what Sammy did in Texas but he ended up in Vancouver (he is Canadian) in a band called the Muscle Bitches. They were great, one of the guitarists made half scale guitars for the band so they all had tiny guitars. Sammy sang with a female singer who was just as crazy as Sammy. Funny stuff.

Walrus was great for what they were doing, I have that album too if needed.

Joaquin was playing in Hellworms with the Victims Family crew, check http://www.victimsfamily.com/discography.html on the http://www.victimsfamily.com website. He quit that gig a couple of years ago though.

Not sure if any of them are actively playing in bands at the moment.

>>By sherman3 (Monday, 28 Jul 2003 18:54)

here is the lowdown from a pal of the 'chunks. i'm still in quasi-regular touch w/ the boys...

sam newton the nutjob singer and kevin walsh (sicko bassist) currently are living in zacatecas, mexico. sam is married w/ two groovy kids while walsh is still doubtless playing the field, mack that he is. i heard that the boys have joined up w/ longtime friend and fellow expatriate adam marsh (on guitar) and a mexican drummer to cook up some funky licks for the local populace.

guitarist dave green still plunks out a jazz tune now and again, but he's not really actively pursuing music these days (which is really a shame in my book). christian riley kicked ass with the underappreciated walrus before succumbing to some nasty tendonitis as noted above. if you want to hear what walrus sounded like riff-wise, take a listen to the opening track on the new jane's addiction album. i wouldn't be surprised if dave navarro had a copy of the walrus album. riley is also living by the bay and has recovered enough to sometimes pick up the guitar...

drummer joaquin spengemann recently moved to the east coast, but did play w/ victims family members ralph spight and larry boothroyd in hellworms (one album on alternative tentacles). he also played in blood red rose and with former mirv guitarist brian kehoe in his band before abruptly splitting from the bay area in 2003.

>>By sasquatch borracho (Monday, 28 Jul 2003 19:52)

...yep, sasquatch borracho and sherman3 sum up the bluchunks whereabouts and recent musical activity very well.

if anyone is interested i've most of the recordings the bluchunks, walrus, hellworms and victims family have recorded (including demos, studio releases and a handful of live bootlegs).

catch victims family @ the bottom of the hill next month - 8/6 to be exact! the fleshies are are also on the bill...

>>By malakeye (Monday, 28 Jul 2003 21:26)

Hmmmm....What to talk about first about the infamous Bluchunks. A short lived (1989-1993) slice of Musical history I was fortunate enough to experience. Each member a great musician in their own rite as well as together. When Sammy (the singer) announced he was moving to Canada with his girl, it was a sadding thing. However, if he didn't The Mighty Walrus may never have come to fruition.
I also had the great honor of having them preform for me at my 21st Birthday Party along with Disciples of Ed (Thank you again) not to mention the countless shows they let me tag along to. Chico definitely comes to mind. Beings we are in the age of technology, I took the liberty of transferring their two Demo Cassettes and burning them to Disc. Should any of you out there who are in the know about Bluchunks like a copy of these demo's, feel free to e-mail me and I shall send you a CD
Thank You again, Sam Newton, Kevin Walsh, David Green, Christian Riley, & Joaquin Spengemann

>>By Curtiss (Friday, 8 Aug 2003 00:36)

Hey Mucosa, is there any chance I could get a copy of that Bluchunks album from you? I don't know if I have anything you would want to trade for it, but I'm sure we could work something out.

>>By Guitar Joe (Tuesday, 12 Aug 2003 13:13)

I used to see them in Davis and the Bay Area when i was going to school. They were phenomenal and sorely missed when they stopped. Somewhere I have a tape of a show with them on one side and E is for Elephant on the other from Melarkeys in sacto. If you havent checked them out - sleepytime gorilla museum (http://www.sleepytimegorillamuseum.com) and Fresno Brian Kenney are a must (http://www.bonghitrecords.com)
Any one have any kai kln?

>>By golias (Monday, 12 Jan 2004 18:32)

hey malakeye,
I'm interested in the Bluchunks (and other) recordings, from that amazing old Planet Earth skate video. But I'm not sure how to contact you or what you'd like to trade etc.
So my email is janero@zahav.net.il if you'd like to help.
Thanks.

>>By h-street (Friday, 6 Feb 2004 11:38)

I need to find Joaquin Spengemann does anyone have anyway of contacting him...like an email or something?

>>By mychelle (Wednesday, 5 May 2004 21:56)

I recently got an IPOD and was burning all my CDs when I got to my old Bluchunks CD, "Out of the Mouths of Babes". I love this album, every song is great and so is the production- the drums sound awesome. As a young drummer at the time, I was heavily influenced by his playing; I even went out and bought a bell cymbal and timbale like he had on his kit. And I still borrow his fills to this day.

Here is the track list:

1 Lollies o' Brandy
2 Butcher (Dance of the knives)
3 Mr. Slinky
4 Plisa
5 Minuteman
6 Buzo
7 White Linen
8 Sinister Minister
9 Cell Block Soul

I used to see them all the time at the Berkeley Square on University. That was by far my favorite bay area club. It's now a fancy furniture store...so sad. I remember Sam once came out dressed as the Pope...complete with hat and staff. He was an awesome front man. He would ride his skateboard guitar on stage. They would do a great cover of Cosmik Debris by Zappa and Cheap Sunglasses by ZZ Top. The place was always full for them. The whole band was great- what an original sound they had…they were so tight. What a fun scene that was as well at the time. Fond memories indeed.

>>By Jason Cole (Tuesday, 18 May 2004 12:05)

The guitarist, Dave Green, played on an album for a band I was in some years back called The Infamous They. He plays some great stuff on it including a kick-ass guitar solo on the first track. I have some extra copies of the CD lying around, if anyone would like to hear it, drop me a line - phuck_sp4m at hotmail.com.

>>By epoophoron (Monday, 31 May 2004 21:21)

I didn't know that anyone had even heard of the bluchunks beside me and my uncle.... Fuck balls those guys can funk and jazz like no other. Cheers to the Bluchunks!

>>By tyler (Sunday, 15 Aug 2004 03:08)

Does anybody have Bluchunks photos?? (I see I'm very late to join this discussion...)

>>By nominickel (Saturday, 30 Aug 2008 21:01)

The discussion board is currently closed.