{"id":328,"date":"2014-09-16T01:27:58","date_gmt":"2014-09-16T01:27:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/?p=328"},"modified":"2018-06-27T21:34:00","modified_gmt":"2018-06-27T21:34:00","slug":"328","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/328\/","title":{"rendered":"The TRASHMEN: Nerd Is The Word"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Robbinsdale,<\/a>

Robbinsdale, MN.<\/p><\/div>\n

“Nerd Is The Word”<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

“BUZZ Newspaper Article<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Oct 2014 (#42-tM) By: RLSchwinden aKa: MrZer0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

It\u2019s sad to me that something as great as the local Minneapolis legends\u00a0‘The<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Trashmen’<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0has to be remembered from something as inane as\u00a0‘The Family<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Guy’<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0TV cartoon…<\/p>\n

> Discovering The Bird: 1972 <<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0How I found out about\u00a0“The Bird<\/u><\/em><\/strong>” was I was looking through my Dad’s record collection, in our Band\/ Music room in our basement, in\u00a0Sioux City,<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Iowa<\/em><\/strong>, the summer\u00a01972<\/em><\/strong>, my Dad had just returned to playing drums in the\u00a0Sioux City, Iowa<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0based band\u00a0\u2018The Boyz (from Sioux City)\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0which evolved into\u00a0\u2018Bonesteel\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0not long after that. My Dad had not played drums since\u00a01967,<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0when his left arm was shattered by\u00a0Vietnamese<\/em>\u00a0bullet on his 2nd tour of Nam. I was looking through my Dad’s records & found the 1st\u00a0Trashmen<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0vinyl record with\u00a0Steve Wahrer’s<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0face scribbled out & my Dad’s name signed over Steve’s head with an arrow pointing to his (Steve’s) body. I asked my Dad\u00a0“Why<\/em>\u00a0did you do this”<\/em>\u00a0My Dad responded\u00a0“Because, once that was me … ”
\n<\/em>
\nI asked\u00a0“How was that ?”<\/em>\u00a0he replied\u00a0“Well I went to Osseo- Brooklyn Park & those guys went to the next school over, the band I was in used to open for them at the local Sock-Hops when I was a teenybopper, then one day, Summer \u201963, their drummer (Steve) hurt his hand or something like that, so they asked me to play the drums while he would come out & sing “Surfin Bird” & some other songs like<\/em>\u00a0that, so I played<\/em>\u00a0the drums for them”<\/em>\u00a0I then asked\u00a0“Are you on this album”<\/em>\u00a0he replied\u00a0“No, not that one , but I am on some live shows,\u00a0Mike Jann<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0recorded for them (Trashmen) at the time, well, that’s what\u00a0 they told me anyway, I don’t know if that stuff ever got released or not, as I was shipped to Viet Nam not long after that<\/em>, &\u00a0 lost track of\u00a0that kind of thing”<\/em>\u00a0Unfortunately when my Dad & Mom split one time in\u00a01974,<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0my Dad sold his drums & guitar & threw out much of his stuff he owned from before he was married, including His\u00a0\u2018Trashmen\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0record.<\/p>\n

When I moved to\u00a0Phoenix<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a01981<\/em><\/strong>, to follow my musical dream, I moved in with my Dad’s brother\u00a0Mike Schwinden<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(3 years younger than Billy). My Uncle Mike, suggested\u00a0“You might consider getting a real job in the meantime, while<\/em>\u00a0you’re waiting for your music career to take off”<\/em>\u00a0I asked\u00a0“Why”<\/em>\u00a0he said\u00a0\u201dWell look at your Dad he was\u00a0 in the real deal, playing in bands with the big leagues like\u00a0The Trashmen<\/strong>, back when they were big & he chose to pursue the Psychotherapy field, because so few actually make in the music business”<\/em>\u00a0So my Uncle Mike verified what my Dad had said several years earlier.<\/p>\n

\n

> Cyclone: 1957 <<\/u><\/em><\/strong>
\nAnthony \u2018Tony\u2019 Andreason<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(b.1943 a Henry High School student)<\/em>\u00a0from\u00a0Minneapolis,<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0on\u00a0Guitar & Vocals<\/em>, meets\u00a0Steven \u2018Steve\u2019 Wahrer<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(1942: Keokuk, Iowa, R.I.P.23<\/em>\u00a0Jan 1989)<\/em>\u00a0from\u00a0Robbinsdale<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0on\u00a0Drums & Vocals<\/em>\u00a0 @ the\u00a0Crystal Coliseum<\/em>\u00a0sometime around\u00a01957<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 then the duo join\u00a0\u2018Jim Thaxter & The Travelers\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a01961<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0this band contained the members\u00a0Jim Thaxter<\/em><\/strong>: Vocals & Bass,\u00a0Tom<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Diehl:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Piano<\/em>\u00a0with\u00a0Andreason & Wahrer<\/em><\/strong>, with\u00a0Dallas “Dal” Winslow: (20 Dec 1941; Burwell, NE.)<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0from<\/em>\u00a0Robbinsdale\u00a0<\/em>on\u00a0Guitar<\/em>. The band is based out of\u00a0Brooklyn Center<\/em><\/strong>, playing venues such as\u00a0Bill\u2019s Roller Rink in Anoka &\u00a0Theodore Wirth Golf Course<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a0Golden Valley<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0bringing in about $8.oo per performance in\u00a01960<\/em><\/strong>. This band records a 45 Single on\u00a0Arill Records #73065, “Cyclone b\/w Sally Jo”<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0about 200 copies are pressed.<\/p>\n

> Trashmen Blues: 1962 <<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The trio of\u00a0Wahrer, Andreason & Winslow<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0branch off in early\u00a01962<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0due to differences in musical direction with\u00a0Thaxter<\/em><\/strong>. They get\u00a0Don Woody<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0on\u00a0Bass,<\/em>\u00a0rehearsing in\u00a0Winslow’s<\/em>\u00a0garage. The local artist;\u00a0Tony Kyray<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0had a 45 single out at the time\u00a0“Trashmen Blues”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0while practicing in\u00a0Winslow’s<\/em>\u00a0garage one time\u00a0Wahrer\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>offers\u00a0“This is what we should call ourselves”<\/em>\u00a0Then at the next gig in\u00a0Mar ’62<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0@\u00a0Brooklyn Center High<\/em><\/strong>,\u00a0Wahrer<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0shows up with\u00a0\u2018The Trashmen\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0painted on his kick-drum head, &\u00a0\u2018The Trashmen\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0are born, later in\u00a0’62 Woody<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0decides to leave to join his brother’s band\u00a0\u2018The Startones\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0An audition is held in late\u00a0’62<\/em><\/strong>,\u00a0Bob Reed<\/em><\/strong>: (17 Jun 1942; Oaks, North Dakota)<\/em>\u00a0shows up & is hired to play Bass. In the summer of\u00a0’63<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0the band take a trip to So. Cal. & get hooked on\u00a0“Surf Music”<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

> Funniest Sound I Ever\u00a0Heard: 1963 <<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The band’s Drummer\/ Vocalist\u00a0Wahrer<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0combined 2 songs He had heard\u00a0\u2018The<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Sorensen Brothers\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0a California band, play at a gig they both performed in\u00a0Amery,WI. @ Woodley’s Country Dam<\/em><\/strong>, the songs being\u00a0“The Bird’s The<\/u>\u00a0Word”<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0& “Pa Pa Ooh Mow Mow”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0by the\u00a0California<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0doo-wop group\u00a0\u2018The<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Rivingtons\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, who in\u00a01962<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0released an album on\u00a0Liberty Records<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0called\u00a0\u201cDoin\u2019 The Bird”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0which was a type of dance at the time, although the song\u00a0“Bird Is The Word b\/w I’m Losing My Grip”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0is not on this LP but was a 45 single released\u00a0sometime after the LP was released.<\/p>\n

Andreason:<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0“We were backstage at a ballroom called \u2018Chub’s\u2019 in Maple Grove, Steve used to do these funny voices &\u00a0had come up with this song, he kind of taught it to us on the spot,\u00a0we didn’t really rehearse the song much more than that, on stage he would nod to us for the chord changes, we played live that very night 3 maybe 4\u00a0times, once in each set”.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

A local DJ from\u00a0WDGY Radio<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0“Wizard Of Wax”\u00a0Bill Diehl<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0was the Emcee at a show where he heard\u00a0The Trashmen<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0perform\u00a0Wahrer’s<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0new song,\u00a0Diehl<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0was positive this would be a hit & convinced the band the record a demo of the song with\u00a0George Garrett<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(who was the engineer on most SOMA recordings)<\/em>\u00a0in his recording studio in the basement of his recordshop\u00a0“Nic’o’lake Records”,<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0a 2nd shorter version was recorded @\u00a0Kay Bank Studios<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0on 2541 Nicollet Ave<\/em>\u00a0MPLS.<\/em>\u00a0Wahrer<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0once said\u00a0“I could not drum fast enough in the studio for that song, so we recorded it, speed it up, & then I sang over that”<\/em>, & then 50 one sided promo copies were pressed & sent out to local radio stations, in addition too,\u00a0Diehl<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0entered the song into local\u00a0“The Battle of the Bands”<\/em>\u00a0&\u00a0The<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Trashmen<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0won!<\/p>\n

> Susie Baby: 1963 <<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The band signed with\u00a0SOMA Records<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, a local Record Label started by:\u00a0Amos\u00a0<\/u>Heilicher\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(1921- Aug 2011)<\/em>\u00a0& his brother\u00a0Danny<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a01954<\/em><\/strong>, by\u00a01959\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>the label had\u00a0Bobby Vee<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, & later many other local artists like:\u00a0“The Fendermen” “The Castaways” “The Gestures” “The Del Counts” “Dave Dudley” & “The<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Underbeats”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(who evolved into\u00a0GYPSY<\/u><\/strong>)<\/em>\u00a0Amos<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0eventually sold\/closed\u00a0SOMA<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a01967<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0to focus on his\u00a0“Musicland”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0chain of recordstores, a friend of mine worked with\u00a0Amos<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0he had this to say\u00a0“He was a shrewd businessman & sometimes not a very nice guy”<\/em><\/p>\n

\nThe band’s 1st Single 45 was\u00a0“Surfin Bird b\/w King Of The Surf”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0the “B-Side” written by\u00a0Larry LaPole<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0who worked for the\u00a0\u2018Star Tribune\u2019<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0the local newspaper & had written a number of country songs & is now the new Co-Writer for the band.\u00a0“Surfin Bird”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0spent\u00a013 weeks<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0on the chart, then it hit\u00a0#4<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0on\u00a025 Jan 1964<\/em><\/strong>, this Single 45 sold\u00a038,000 copies<\/em>\u00a0in the 1st week alone! There is a rare version on\u00a0\u2018Lana Records\u2019 #137<\/u><\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0“Surfin Bird”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0was later bumped by\u00a0“She Loves You”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0from those newcomers\u00a0\u2018The Beatles\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

> Tube City: 1964 <<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The band’s 1st & only\u00a0Vinyl LP<\/u><\/em>\u00a0“The Trashmen”\u00a0#GA-200<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0was released on13 Nov 1963<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0on\u00a0Garrett Records Dist. By SOMA<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0& retailing\u00a0for\u00a0$2.88<\/em><\/strong>, back then 45 singles were\u00a0.98<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0cents. This LP contains\u00a012 tracks<\/em>\u00a0while the\u00a0CD\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>version contains\u00a016 tracks @ 30:39 min<\/em>. The back cover of the LP shows the band playing\u00a0\u2018Mr. Lucky’s\u2019 in MPLS<\/u><\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0Tony:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0“Back then we were paid .03 cents per album sold, but we didn’t always get that payment, that’s the music biz, for you”<\/em><\/p>\n

\nWhen I asked\u00a0Dal\u00a0<\/u><\/em><\/strong>about My Dad\u00a0Billy Schwinden<\/u><\/em><\/strong>: originally\u00a0\u00a0from Wait Park\u00a0(30 Oct 1944- 30 Apr 2003)<\/em>, but went to\u00a0Osseo- Brooklyn Park High School<\/em><\/strong>, who said he played with\u00a0The TRASHMEN<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0back in\u00a01961- 62<\/em><\/strong>, before My Dad went to Viet Nam in ’64,\u00a0*Dal Winslow:\u00a0<\/u><\/em><\/strong>said\u00a0“Well it’s possible, we went through so many people back then when Steve\u00a0& I went to Robbinsdale High, so if he (My Dad) says he did, well then he probably did, what is his name again? What was the opening band he played with back then? However, I do not remember a time when, Steve hurt his hand and couldn\u2019t play, I am quite certain your Dad\u2019s band opened for us, sometime in \u201961-62, before the Single (Surfin Bird) broke in \u201863, in those days there were many \u201cBattle of the Bands\u201d types of events back then, after the single broke we played all nighters by ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\nAs\u00a0“Surfin Bird”<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0was in the\u00a0Top 10<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0on the charts, the\u00a0TV Show\u00a0\u2018American<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Bandstand\u2019<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0wanted them on the their show, odd thing is the show would only pay for 1 plane ticket to\u00a0Philadelphia<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0where the TV show was filmed, since\u00a0Wahrer<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0sang lead on the hit, even though he was the drummer, he was chosen to go. Steve was the only 1 to appear on the TV show on\u00a04 Jan 1964<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0performing the\u00a0“Bird Dance”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0& singing to a\u00a0Toucan<\/em>\u00a0prop with lighted flashing eyes, followed by a 2 minute interview with\u00a0Dick Clark\u00a0<\/u><\/em><\/strong>at the end of the performance.\u00a0The Rivingtons’<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0managers informed them of the Top 10 song that seemed to be written from 2 of their own songs, after a successful lawsuit, later pressings changed the writer credit from\u00a0Wahrer<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0to\u00a0“Al Frazier, Carl White, Sonny Harris, and Turner Wilson Jr.”
\n<\/u><\/em><\/strong>
\n> A-Bone: 1964-65 <<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The band’s 2nd 45 single to be released, which Steve refers to on\u00a0\u2018American<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Band Stand\u2019<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0is\u00a0“Bird Dance Beat b\/w A-Bone”\u00a0<\/u><\/em><\/strong>GA-4003<\/em>\u00a0the “B” side again written by\u00a0LaPole<\/em><\/strong>, this 45 spent 7 weeks on the charts reaching\u00a0#30 in 7 Mar 1964<\/em><\/strong>. This 45 was released on\u00a0\u2018Stateside Records\u2019<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0overseas.\u00a0Bob Reed<\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0\u201cI<\/em>\u00a0believe our 2nd<\/sup>\u00a0single went to #30, on the national charts.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Followed by their 3rd single\u00a0“Bad News b\/w On The Move”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0GA-4005<\/em>, which reached\u00a0#124<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0on the charts in the\u00a0Summer of 1964<\/em><\/strong>. Followed by these also released in 1964:\u00a0“Peppermint Man b\/w New Generation”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0GA-4010<\/em>\u00a0&\u00a0“Whoa Dad b\/w<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Walking My Baby”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0GA- 4012<\/em>\u00a0&\u00a0“Dancing With Santa b\/w Real Live Doll”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0GA-4013<\/em>, released with a\u00a0Picture Sleeve<\/em>\u00a0& the last 45 on the\u00a0Garrett Record<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Label<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0Winslow<\/em><\/strong>: “I kept the booking records; we did 292 one-nighters in 1964 & almost as many in 1965 at 270 shows”<\/em><\/p>\n

Things begin to slow down for\u00a0The Trashmen<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a01965<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0the 7th 45 Single to be released by the band, now on\u00a0\u2018Bear Records\u2019\u00a0<\/u><\/em><\/strong>by\u00a0Lieberman Ent.<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0out of\u00a0Bloomington, MN<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0“Keep Your Hands Off My Baby<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0b\/w Lost Angel”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Bear #1966<\/em>. Their 8th 45 single is on yet a different label than before\u00a0“Bird ’65 b\/w Ubangi Stomp”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Argo Records<\/strong>\u00a0#5516<\/em>. A\u00a0“Hard Rock<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Casino”<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0opened in\u00a0Sioux City, Iowa<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a0Aug 2014<\/em><\/strong>, in the entry way, there is a giant concert poster for\u00a0The Trashmen<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0on\u00a0Sat 29 May 1965<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0admission $1.50,<\/em>\u00a0when I told\u00a0Dal<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0about this he was very excited to see a photo of it, so I sent him one, later the next day.<\/p>\n

In\u00a02002<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Sundazed<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0released\u00a0“Teen Trot”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0This CD contains\u00a025 tracks @ 1hr &<\/em>\u00a013min recorded live<\/em>\u00a0on\u00a0Sun\u00a022 Aug 1965 in Ellsworth, WI @ Proch’s Popular<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Ballroom<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0with about 700 people in attendance paying a ticket price of\u00a0$1.50, to see 3 sets of 40min each<\/em><\/p>\n

> Lost Angel: 1966- 67 <<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

As\u00a0The Beatles<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0continue to forever change the music scene of the\u00a060’s<\/em><\/strong>, there is not as much demand for\u00a0Pre-Beatles “Surf Music”<\/em>\u00a0The Trashman<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0release their 9th<\/sup>\u00a045 Single, now on\u00a0\u2018Tribe Records\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0#8315\u00a0“Hanging On Me b\/w<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Same Lines”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a01966<\/em><\/strong>, as well as their live performances drop 24% to\u00a0200<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0shows<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0this year, still considered quite successful for a regional surf band from the\u00a0Twin Cities<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, it’s just not the same as their\u00a0\u201cheyday\u201d<\/em>\u00a0just 2 years earlier. They did manage to record several live shows for a possible\u00a0“Live” LP<\/em>, but these recordings remained in the can for over 2 decades.<\/p>\n

“Live Bird ’65- ’67”\u00a0<\/u><\/em><\/strong>1990 Sundazed this CD contains 17 tracks @45:59 min
\nRecorded from several shows; those\u00a0 being
\n8 Aug 1965 in Ellsworth,WI, @ Proaches Popular Ballroom,
\n17 Sep 1966 in Sauk Centre, MN, @\u00a0 The Home School For Girls,
\n20 & 26 Sep 1966 in St. Paul, MN @ the Whiskey A Go-Go
\n1 Jan 1967 in Marshfield, WI @ Airway Bar
\n<\/strong><\/em>
\nA concert program from the time reads:\u00a0“Here come The Exciting Trashmen Presenting Sensational Sounds of Past & Present”\u00a0 3848 2nd Street N.E. Minneapolis 21 Minn. Phone: 788-2040<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

*Dal Winslow:<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u201cBack in the early 60s we would play 3 to 4 hours per night with a 15 min break between 1 hour sets, we would play about 25 songs per set, because most songs, back then, clocked in at about 2 & \u00bd min. and especially Steve hated to do the same song twice in one night, especially \u201cSurfin Bird\u201d as he put so much of himself into that song, his favorite was \u201cJerry Lee Lewis\u201d so Steve knew almost every single obscure song by Jerry Lee. One time we got to meet Jerry Lee Lewis backstage at a Concert, when Steve asked him \u201cWill you be doing \u201cBreathless\u201d tonight?\u201d Lewis responded \u201cI\u2019d rather try to climb up a greased brickwall\u201d so Steve decided if Jerry Lee was no longer playing this song then we shouldn\u2019t either.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\nMy friend\u00a0Larry S<\/em><\/strong>. saw\u00a0The Trashmen<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in concert the summer of\u00a0’66<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0“I used to drive a 50 Suzuki motorbike, I wore a Sonny & Cher type hat & vest, with Beatle boots, man, we thought we were something back then, The Trashmen\u00a0 played the Paradise Ballroom in Wiconia, MN. it was a really\u00a0 nice day, there was a really big crowd there to see them , there was so many people there you couldn’t really walk around, they were really good, as I recall, the band wore collarless suits like the Beatles had wore a couple years earlier, I remember being surprised the drummer\u00a0 sang most of the hits, although he seemed to pause to catch his breath, during the big hit, someone told me that’s the way the song goes, also the drummer was blond, the other 3 up front weren’t”<\/em><\/p>\n

In\u00a01967<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0the band release their\u00a010th & final 45 Single<\/em>\u00a0“Green, Green Backs<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Back Home b\/w Address Enclosed”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0now on the\u00a0Metrobeat Label #7927<\/em><\/strong>, their 5th record label in just 2 years. On\u00a0Fri 28 April 1967<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0they play in\u00a0Renville @ Palms Ballroom for $1.50 per ticket<\/em>. The band finish up the year playing several weekend shows @\u00a0The Gables on Lyndale &\u00a0Franklin in MPLS<\/em><\/strong>. Finally\u00a01967<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0sees the end of\u00a0The Trashmen<\/em><\/strong>,\u00a0as they disband to pursue other interests, as\u00a0“Sgt. Pepper”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0is released in\u00a0June ’67<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0& forever changes the music business.<\/p>\n

> The Sleeper: 1982 <<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In\u00a01982<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0the band reform & start to play selected local shows, including some recording up to\u00a01988<\/em><\/strong>, unfortunately\u00a0Wahrer<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0dies in\u00a01989<\/em><\/strong>,\u00a0Tony’s<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0brother\u00a0Mark<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0takes over on Drums followed by\u00a0Reed’s<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0son\u00a0Robin\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>to take over for\u00a0Mark<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nAt some point this album is released\u00a0“Trashmen 20 Biggest Hits”<\/u>\u00a0Garrett #300\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>on\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>blue vinyl LP,\u00a0more than likely in the mid 90s.\u00a0Andreason:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0“We were lucky enough to own our own Master Tapes so in 1990 we made a deal with<\/em>\u00a0Sundazed to put out our recordings on\u00a0 CD”<\/em>\u00a0These 2 CDs are released\u00a0“Great<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Lost Trashmen Album”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a01990 Sundazed<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0with\u00a016 tracks @ 35:55min<\/em>\u00a0followed by:\u00a0“Tube City: The Best Of The Trashmen”<\/u>\u00a01992 Sundazed<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 contains\u00a020 tracks @ 46:46 min.<\/em>\u00a0In\u00a01994<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0on\u00a0NPR Records\u00a0“Comicbook Collector”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0is released, this album is recorded from\u00a01988<\/em><\/strong>, this being the last recordings with\u00a0Wahrer<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0through\u00a01993<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0with\u00a0Andreason’s<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0brother on drums, this\u00a0CD contains 11 tracks @ 37:55min:\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>featuring the title song along with\u00a0“Love’s<\/u>\u00a0Made<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0A Fool Of You”\u00a0& “Keep Your Hands Off My Baby<\/em><\/strong><\/u>“<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0as well as several other re-recordings of mid 60s standards.<\/p>\n

\n

Sundazed<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0continues to release CD & Vinyl for the band,\u00a0“Bird\u00a0Call”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0a\u00a04 CD<\/em>\u00a0Boxset in 1998 contains 80 tracks<\/em>\u00a0total recorded from\u00a0May 1961 to Jan 1967<\/em><\/strong>. A vinyl release,\u00a0(highly unusual for the time period)<\/em>\u00a0“Bird Dance Beat”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a01999\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>LPGA- 300<\/em>\u00a0contains 14 tracks that could have been the band’s 2nd LP release<\/p>\n

\n

> Whoa Dad:\u00a0\u00a01999 <<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When\u00a0I moved to\u00a0St. Paul in 1999<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0I saw\u00a0The Trashmen<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0were out playing again, so I called my\u00a0Dad<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0& asked him about his days as a drummer back in the early 60s in\u00a0\u00a0the Twin Cities, he said\u00a0“Ah yes, the music of my youth, what a fun time that was growing up during the origins of Rock N Roll, I have a lot of fond memories from that time”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

However he never spoke of this subject much beyond that. Perplexed I asked my\u00a0Mom<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0“Why is it Dad would not speak of anything specific from when he<\/em>\u00a0played drums in bands in his youth”<\/em>\u00a0My Mom answered\u00a0“Your Dad graduated from High School early to enlist in the Marines to go and fight for his country in the Viet Nam war, he was wounded 4 times during his 2 tours of fighting over there, & saw many atrocities, he does not care to remember, or to even think back to anything past what he is doing today, which is working on his Doctorate”<\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

However as I mentioned back in\u00a01972<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0my Dad did play drums for\u00a0\u2018The Boyz<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(from Sioux City)\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Then in1977<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0my Dad played drums with the\u00a0Jackson,<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Mississippi<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0based\u00a0\u2018Baker’s Dozen\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0who had a 45 single out at the time. The last time my Dad showed any interest in music was in\u00a01980<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0he started learning guitar & lastly in\u00a01981<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0he played percussion a couple times with his co-worker,\u00a0Tim a Bass player<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nMy Dad passed away in\u00a0’03<\/em><\/strong>. In\u00a02013<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0The Trashmen<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0release this Vinyl\u00a0EP\u00a0“I’m<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0A Trashman b\/w Torture”\/”Bop A Lena”\/”Brewski”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a0Jun 2013<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0the band play the\u00a0“Back To The 50’s”<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Show near my shop. This year they release their 1st new album in years\u00a0“Bringing Back The Trash”<\/u>\u00a0By: Deke Dickerson &\u00a0<\/em>The Trashmen<\/strong>\u00a02014 Major Label<\/em>\u00a0has 16 tracks of new & covers songs on this CD & LP. I finally was able to see\u00a0(setlist below)<\/em>\u00a0& meet\u00a0The Trashmen<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in person on:<\/p>\n

\n

Wed 27 Aug 2014<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

St. Paul, MN @ State Fair on Schell\u2019s Stage<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Tube City<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Henrietta
\nBad News<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Do The Bird<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s So Easy<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lotta Lovin<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Bird Dance Beat<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Think Link<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

KUK<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Claudette<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Flippin The Bird<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Bird Bath<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A- Bone<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

White Lighnin<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Red 55<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Good News<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

My Woodie<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Be Bop A Lena<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sleeper<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Goofy Foot<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Slow Down<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ubangi Stomp<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Miserlou<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Surfin Bird<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

High School Confidential<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Bucket T<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

They were a great band to see & hear perform live, they were great guys in person too, before & after the show, & they signed several items for me & my Shop\u00a0\u2018Mr. Zero’s\u2019 in Roseville<\/em>, & took the time to pose for photos. Back in\u00a02011<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0a Customer came into our shop wearing a T-Shirt that read\u00a0“Nerd Is The Word”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0we adopted that as our tag line right there & then. In closing if you’re into\u00a0Twin Cities Local Music<\/em><\/strong>,\u00a0Dick Dale, Beach Boys, Ventures, Jan &\u00a0Dean, Link Wray<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0etc. check out\u00a0The Trashmen<\/u><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n

Here’s the link to another Article I wrote on Local MPLS Music:<\/em><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wheres-your-local-section\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Check out Mr. Zero\u2019s PsychoGello Radio Show: Sunday\u2019s 10:30am on WDGY: 740AM & Streaming & FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1. You can hear \u201cThe Trashmen: Singles\u201d: Episode #45 from 17-Jun-2018 on\u00a0www.MrZeroS.Com-<\/a>\u00a0Podcast<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

By: RLSchwinden<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

c\/o Mr. Zero’s Inc.<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Est. 2009<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

www.MrZeros.Com<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

1744 Lexington Ave. N.\u00a0 & Larpenteur<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Roseville- St. Paul, MN. 55113
\n651. 489. 0207<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Episode<\/a>

PsychoGello Local Radio Show<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Nerd Is The Word” “BUZZ Newspaper Article Oct 2014 (#42-tM) By: RLSchwinden aKa: MrZer0 It\u2019s sad to me that something as great as the local Minneapolis legends\u00a0‘The\u00a0Trashmen’\u00a0has to be remembered from something as inane as\u00a0‘The Family\u00a0Guy’\u00a0TV cartoon… > Discovering The…<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more ›<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1014,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[200,238,115],"class_list":["post-328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","tag-mr-zeros","tag-psychogello-show","tag-trashmen"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/17jun2018-FD.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=328"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/328\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1015,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/328\/revisions\/1015"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}