The Showbox - 1980

1980 Showbox Shows - The "Modern Productions" Era

1424 First Ave

View Showbox History and 1978-79 shows

View 1981 Showbox shows

View 1982-83 Showbox shows


January 1980

8 - Ultravox, Macs Band, Exquisite Corpse

February 1980

1 - The Police, The Specials
7 - Muddy Waters
19 - Jr. Cadillac, The Jitters
23 - Fingerprintz, Pink Section, Minimal Man, The Debbies
29 - XTC, Lydia Lunch, Blackouts

March 1980

13 - The Jam, The Beat
15 - 999, The Dickies
28 - Pearl Harbor & The Explosions, Pearl E. Gates

April 1980

4 - Rachel Sweet, The Strypes
13 - Mi-Sex, Reactive Wear Fashion Show
17 - The Ramones
18 - The Ramones
19 - The Selecter
24 - The Troggs, Blackouts
25 - The Cretones

May 1980

8 - Blackouts Record Release Party
9 - Macs Band, Fred, The Debbies, The Beakers
10 - Missing Link, Psycho Pop
13 - King Bees, The Magnetics
17 - a.k.a. (Vancouver BC)
18 - The Cramps, The Debbies
25 - Gang Of Four, The Beakers, Customer Service
30 - DOA
31 - D.B. Cooper, The Girls

June 1980

7 - Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
8 - Sam Rivers Trio, Dave Holland
13 - Sonny Fortune
14 - Squeeze, The Humans
27 - Young Scientist
28 - Subhumans

July 1980

1 - Undertones, Pink Section, Psychopop
11 - The Motels

12 - Fastbacks, Neutrinoz
15 - Dead Kennedys
18-19 - Neoboys, Mental Mannequin
23 - Psychedelic Furs

August 1980

9 - Tuxedomoon, DNA, Minimal Man
12 - Devo (2 shows)
13 - Black Flag, Solger
15 - The Kingbees
23 - Fun With Animals
29 - Bob (SF), Fred, Mike

September 1980

1 - Dead Boys, John Otway, Richard Strange

13 - The Tigers, The Macs

14 - The Wailers, Freddie & The Screamers, The Pudz

17 - Ultravox, Blackouts

20 - Roy Loney & The Phantom Movers, The Pudz
24 - Mo-dettes, Mental Mannequin, Kitchy Koo Fashion Show
27 - Muddy Waters

October 1980

2 - Gary Myrick & The Figures

4 - Delta 5, Blackouts, The Beakers

8 - Sun Ra & The Arkestra
10 - Psychedelic Furs, Blackouts

23 - Dire Straits

24 - Burning Spear

25 -Burning Spear
31 - Hi-Fi, The Heats

November 1980

1- The Dickies (canceled), The Pudz, The Frazz

3 - Split Enz, The Cowboys
6 - Willie Dixon & The Chicago All-Stars, Blue Lights Blues Band
7 - Iggy Pop, The Tremblers
15 - The Firesign Theater
16 - James Brown

December 1980 - (Steve Pritchard replaces Modern Productions as Showbox promoter)

14 - Johnny & The Distractions, Dynamic Logs, The Palmolives
22 - Beatles Film Screening

31 - Fastbacks, The Enemy, Peter Barnes & The Mystery Horns, B The B

The Showbox 1978-79

The Showbox

1424 First Ave

"When the Showbox first opened its doors, it was described as 'the palace of the Pacific' and 'an ultra-modern dine and dance rendezvous.' Its proprietor promised the cabaret would 'offer something entirely new in the way of popular entertainment.' In the 40 years since those accolades, the hall, at 1424 First Ave., has had a number of identities. At one time it was an 'easy credit' furniture store. For a short period, it became a '60s rock music club called 'The Happening.' As the 'Talmud Torah,' it was the site of well-attended bingo games. But since September [1979], the Showbox has once again been offering something 'new in the way of popular entertainment.' In some 35 shows in the past nine months. the art deco auditorium, where performers like Gypsy Rose Lee and Hilo Hattie ('The Hawaiian Sophie Tucker') once entertained, has presented some of the best, and strangest, of current rock 'n' roll." - George Arthur, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 6, 1980

The Modern Productions promotions team of Mike Vraney, Carlo Scandiuzzi, Terry Morgan and Jim Lightfoot, began booking the Showbox in September of 1979, and continued until December 1980, when Steve Pritchard and his Showbox Attractions company took the reins. In June 1981, Space Muffin Productions replaced Pritchard, and in September of that same year, Concerts West became the Showbox booking agency until April 1982, when Big Z Productions took over. This era of the Showbox ended in November 1983, but there was more to come...much more.

View 1980 Showbox shows

View 1981 Showbox shows

View 1982-83 Showbox shows

1978 Showbox Shows

December 1978

31 - Chinas Comidas, Jr. Cadillac, Sundance Rhythm Band

1979 Showbox Shows

February 1979

10 - Sundance Rhythm Band, Clayton & Lisa

September 1979 (Modern Productions begins booking Showbox)

8 - Magazine, Blackouts, Dr. Albert
29 - Rocket Benefit: The Dishrags, The Look, Macs Band, The Enemy

October 1979

6 - Pointed Sticks, Wipers, Female Hands
27 - Blackouts, Urge, Red Dress

November 1979

17 - Dead Kennedys, Pink Section, Young Scientist

22 - The Heaters, The Cowboys
24 - Iggy Pop, The Bags, Blackouts

December 1979

11 - The Motels, Live Wire
21 - The Sports, Blackouts, Macs Band

The Golden Crown - 1979-82

The Golden Crown opened in June of 1972. The Seattle Times noted that the new restaurant “will have entertainment eventually…for the time being, the Chinese food gets top billing. The restaurant is operated by the same triad - George Woo, his wife, Martha, John Loui - responsible for the cuisine at the Gold Coin Restaurant.” The restaurant’s address was 1600 Times Court, the alley off the old Westlake Court. 

In February of 1973, the owners of the Crown added a dinner theater called the Cabaret Theater, and performances were held in the “Upstairs Club” on the second floor. Patrons were offered a sit-down Chinese dinner in the ground floor restaurant prior to the show and a Cantonese smorgasbord was offered after the performance. The theatre had a different address than the restaurant - 1616 Fourth Ave, and it was located across the street from the east entrance of the Bon Marche. Several performers have noted the treacherously steep stairs leading up to the new space. 

The first mention of music being performed at the Crown was in May 1973 when it was advertised that Danny Ward & His New Reality would perform after the dinner-theatre package, from 11pm to 4am(!) Thursdays through Saturday. The August 5, 1973 edition of the Seattle P.I. noted that the One Reel Vaudeville Show planned to open a nightclub in the restaurant, with a stage and dance floor, and a swing band would play between acts of the show. 

It appears that the ownership ceased operating the dinner theatre in the spring of 1974, and hired a pianist, Bob Dudley, to perform on a regular basis until January of 1975. In March of that year, CTI recording artist Seawind performed at the Crown, and that was the only music show listed in the papers until May 25, 1978, when Les McCann performed. In 1980, the cabaret shows resumed, this time featuring drag shows instead of plays. These stage shows took place in the “Golden Crown Cabaret Lounge,” while upstairs became the “Golden Crown Upper Level.” 

 Clark Humphrey's book, "Loser," notes that former manager of pioneering Seattle punk clubs The Bird & Gorilla Room, Roger Husbands, took over booking around this time, but he must've lasted only a short time, as the P.I. mentioned that Terry Morgan and Steve Pritchard took over booking the Crown in November of 1981, but apparently this was a very short-lived partnership as Pritchard was soon out of the picture. This was a turning point…shows were being booked—and advertised—every week. At first, the featured bands were mainly the old standbys of the Seattle bar scene - Annie Rose & The Thrillers, the Cowboys, Jr. Cadillac, etc - but by 1982 there was a marked increase in local new wave bands booked at the club, as well as some eclectic and exciting national acts (Snakefinger, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, Chris Spedding, to name a few). 

On February 19th, 1983, Golden Crown co-owner John Loui was killed along with 12 others in the infamous Wah Mee Massacre. Loui had sold his interest in the club before his death, but it is unclear if his partners, The Woos, were still part of the ownership at this time. Loui’s death marked yet another turning point for the Crown. After existing March and April bookings were honored in the Upstairs space, the owners shuttered the club except for the occasional odd booking in the cabaret. While the Upstairs club resumed hosting shows on October 7, booking largely little-known bands (to me, at least), they quickly readjusted their focus, with the OFFICIAL re-opening taking place on November 18th. For the rest of 1983, they went back to booking popular new wave/punk bands. Then, in January 1984, the club announced a name change to “The Crown,” but by the next month it reverted back to the Golden Crown. In October 1984, the club was again renamed…this time it was called the Disillusion Lounge. By December it was again the Golden Crown. 

In 1986 the Golden Crown fell victim to the construction of the new Westlake Mall and the building was demolished. The club moved two blocks west to 1516 Second Ave and continued booking cabaret shows until December 1988. 

1978 

May 1978

25-27 - Les McCann 

1979 

February 1979

16 - The Lewd, Wipers, Subhumans 

May 1979

27 - The Lewd, Wraith 

1981 

March 1981

6-7 - “Grand opening weekend w/Epicentre” 

13-14 - The Machine, Reputations 

20-21 - Freddie & The Screamers, Slamhound Hunters 

27-28 - The Cowboys 

April 1981

3-4 - New Vitations 

10-11 - Jr. Cadillac 

16 - Steel Pulse, Sundance 

17-18 - Annie Rose & The Thrillers 

24-25 - Penrose 

May 1981

1-2 - The Impacts 

8-9 - Annie Rose & The Thrillers 

15-16 - Carlsen-Macek Band 

19-20 - Dynamic Logs 

22-23 - The Cowboys 

27 - The Grandmothers 

28-30 - Merilee Rush 

June 1981

5-6 - Mason Dixon Line 

12-13 - Annie Rose & The Thrillers 

19-20 - Dynamic Logs 

23 - Dennis Brown 

25-27 - Wheatfield 

July 1981

3-4 - Dynamic Logs
10-11 - Chinese International Concert
17-18 - (illegible)
31 - Annie Rose & The Thrillers 

August 1981

1 - Annie Rose & The Thrillers

7-8 - Kidskin
14-15 - Dynamic Logs
21-22 - The Enemy
28-29 - Annie Rose & The Thrillers 

September 1981

4-5 - No shows listed
11-12 - Kidd Afrika
18-19 - The Enemy, The Chairs
25-26 - Not listed 

October 1981

2-4 - Freddie McGregor
10-11 - Jim Dandy & Pandemonium, The Reputations
15-16 - The Frazz, The Chairs
23-24 - Maraire Marimba Ensemble
30-31 - Annie Rose & The Thrillers 

November 1981 - Terry Morgan takes over booking 

6-7 - Sundance
13-14 - Tropical Rainstorm
20-21 - Earl Zero
27-28 - Dumi & the Maraire Marimba Ensemble 

December 1981

2 - Garland Jeffreys
11 - Sundance
12 - The Caribbean Superstars
18 - John Hammond, Danny O’Keefe
19 - Dumi & the Maraire Marimba Ensemble
26 - Tropical Rainstorm
31 - Dumi & the Maraire Marimba Ensemble

1982

January 1982

2 - Sundance

8-9 Jr. Walker & The All-Stars, The Caribbean Superstars

23 - Sundance

26 - "Cabaret Apocalypse" w/Audio Leter, Fred & Louise, Udder
29 - Blackouts, Red Dress

30 - The Pudz, Fastbacks

February 1982

5-6 - Annie Rose & the Thrillers
12 - The Frazz, Dynette Set
13 - Three Swimmers, 54/40

14 - Sundance

19-20 - Robert Cray Band

27 - Dumi & the Maraire Marimba Ensemble

March 1982

3-4 - Rastafarians

5 - Robyrt DeLong & The Pushbuttons, Visible Targets

6 - Chris & The Crocodiles, Visible Targets

9-10 - Annie Rose & The Thrillers

12-13 - Dumi & the Maraire Marimba Ensemble

16 - Visible Targets

17 - Dynette Set

18 - Nash The Slash

19 - The Contractions, Moving Parts

20 - The Contractions, New Flamingos

26 - The Pudz, The Frazz

April 1982

3 - Dan Siegel, Daddy 0-1-2

7 - Snakefinger
9-10 - Minkler Brothers, Moving Parts

16-17 - The Frazz, Dynette Set

23 - New Flamingos, Moving Parts, The Shun

24 - Dumi & the Maraire Marimba Ensemble

27 - Chris Spedding Band, The Heats

30 - The National Band

May 1982

1 - Visible Targets, Moving Parts

7-8 - Beat Pagodas, Memory

14-15 - Robert Cray Band

21 - Life In General, Room Nine, Stedi-5

28 - Sundance, Beat Pagodas

29 - Dumi & the Maraire Marimba Ensemble

June 1982

4 - Eddie & The Atlantics, New Flamingos

5 - The Frazz, The Hurricanes

11 - Visible Targets

12 - Visible Targets, Napalm Beach

17 - MX-80 Sound, The Blackouts

18 - The Frazz, The Hurricanes

19 - Beat Pagoda, Moving Parts

25 - Bush Tetras, Three Swimmers

26 - Dumi & the Maraire Marimba Ensemble (farewell concert)

July 1982

3 - Dynette Set

9-10 - Sundance

15 - Pravda Records Showcase w/ Beat Pagodas, Student Nurse, Mr. Epp, Steddi 5, The Hurricanes, Spectators

16 - Beat Pagodas, Napalm Beach

17 - Richard Hell & The Voidoids

22 - Shelly & the Shanettes

23-24 - The Frazz

30-31 - 54/40, Napalm Beach

August 1982

5-7 - Zion Initiation, Sundance

12 - Steddi-5, The Kinetics

13 - Visible Targets, Hurricanes

14 - Visible Targets, New Flamingos

19 - Three Swimmers, Life In General, Next Exit

20-21 - Toiling Midgets, Napalm Beach

26 - Hurricanes, Kitty Kats

27-28 - The Frazz

September 1982

9 - Tropical Rainstorm

10-11 - 3 Swimmers, Spectators, Steddi-5

16 - Eddie & the Atlantics, Young Executives

17-18 - Napalm Beach, Life In General, Rally Go

23 - The Hurricanes, Kitty Kats, The Kinetics

24-25 - The Frazz, The Pamona Boners

30 - Oingo Boingo (canceled?)

October  1982

1 - Moev (Vancouver BC), Indoor Life (NYC), Cinema 90

7 - Student Nurse, Face Ditch, Lost Architects

8 - Beat Pagodas, Moving Parts, Rally Go

9 - Visible Targets, Life In General, Just A Visitor

13 - Bad Brains, U-Men

14 - Moving Parts, Next Exit, Le Max

15 - Sundance

16 - Citizen Sane, New Flamingos

21 - Cinema 90, K7SS, Ray Sage

22 - Napalm Beach, Steddi-5
23 - Angelic Upstarts, Napalm Beach

27 - Divine, Upchuck

28 - The Spectators, Red Masque, Rally Go

29 - The Hurricanes, Kitty Kats

31 - The Frazz

November 1982

5- Life In General, Moving Parts, Fastbacks

6 - 3 Swimmers, New Flamingos, Next Exit

11 - Robyrt DeLong, Linear Descent

12 -13 - Sundance, Oscillator

18 - 54/40 (BC), B-Team (SF)

19 - Teleclere

20 - Visible Targets, Red Masque, Rally Go

26 - Napalm Beach, Student Nurse, LeMax

27 - The Hurricanes, Alley Gators

December 1982

3-4  - Beat Pagodas, Moving Parts
10 - Memory, Red Masque

11 - Memory, Face Ditch

14 - KCMU Benefit w/Lonesome City Kings, Hi-Fi, Three Swimmers

17 - Napalm Beach, Next Exit

18 - The Frazz, Flaming Pies

31 - Visible Targets

Ditto Tavern - 1987

Ditto Tavern Shows - 1987

2303 Fifth Ave

Richard Pauletti, Owner

Sources: The Rocket, Seattle Times. Seattle Post-Intelligencer

View 1985 Ditto Tavern shows

View 1986 Ditto Tavern shows

 January 1987

2 - Fred

3 - Art On Fire

7 - Prudence Dredge

8 - The Colleagues, Tinderbox

9-10 - Red Dress, Power Mowers

14 - Life In General

15 - Nation Of Milk

16 - Rhythm Therapy, Dig

17 - Skin Yard, Bundle Of Hiss

21 - Night & Days, The Elements

22 - Durango 5
23 - Disappearing, Vexed

24 - Crypt Kicker 5

29 - The Best Revenge, The Life

30 - Variant Cause

31 - Pure Joy, Weather Theater

February 1987

3 - I-5

4 - Metaphonics, Fred

6 - ADRD

7 - Malfunksun, Feast

8 - 4 Bad Dudes (Farewell Show)

10 - Broadcasters

11 - Buck Pets (Dallas), U-Men, Soundgarden

12 - Bark In The Dark

13 - Fred, The Squirrels

14 - Disappearing

17 - The Need For Blue

18 - Sacred Plastic, Acme Band

19 - Prudence Dredge

20 - Green Pajamas, The Best Revenge

21 - Pure Joy, The Life

24 - ADRD

25 - H-Hour

26 - Nights & Days, The Elements, The Fallouts

28 - Girl Trouble

March 1987

6 - Green River, 64 Spiders (Melvins were originally on the bill, replaced by Green River)
28 - Pure Joy

April 1987

4 - Jesters Of Chaos, Catalyst, Cannibal

24 - Billy Corvette & The Smashers

The Metropolis - 1984

The Metropolis - 1984 Shows

207 Second Ave S.

See the list of 1983 Metropolis shows for info on the history of the Metropolis and source materials used to compile this list.

January 1984

6 - Ill Repute (Oxnard, CA), Stalag 13 (Oxnard, CA), Accused, Deranged Diction (Circle One was originally on this bill, but did not play)

7 - Red Dress, Homeowners

12 - Kat and Froggie Restitution Benefit w/Jesse Bernstein & Kathleen Hunt, L-X & Slow Loris, Noh Personal Effects, The Mexicans

13 - Rats (PDX), Room 9, Ministry of Love (This is lineup from the flyer. Seattle PI listing has same lineup but added Young Pioneers to it. The Rocket had True West playing on this date. )

14 - Pell Mell, Altered, Chains of Hell, Sex Mutants (This is lineup listed on flyer. Seattle PI listing has Baba Yaga instead of Sex Mutants)

15 - Special party w/ John Foster, Supreme Cool Beings, Young Pioneers, Rich Jensen, Legion of Honor, Wimps, Beat Happening, Idle Worship

19 - Nuclear X-Change Benefit w/Noh Special Effects, Animal Slaves, Color Twigs

20 - Tales of Terror (Sacramento), March Of Crimes, Bundle Of Hiss (Two flyers exist for this show, one has this lineup, the other has Code Of Honor instead of Bundle Of Hiss. It's likely the touring band C.O.H. could not make the show.)

21 - Green On Red (LA), Red Masque, Colour Twigs (Show moved to Golden Crown)

22 - Nuclear X-Change benefit w/ Moral Lepers

24 - Cramps, U-Men (This show was canceled) 

26 - Northwest Passage benefit w/Animal Slaves, Charm School, Global Romance and other bands

27 - Altered, Crypt Kicker 5, Charm School

28 - T.S.O.L. (Long Beach), Tales of Terror (Sacramento), Spluii Numa, Truth Decay (Tales Of Terror was not included in Seattle PI listing and probably did not play)

February 1984

3 - Fang (Berkeley), Breakouts (SF), Mr. Epp, Malfunction

4 - Ultra Violet Catastrophy, The Nurse, Ministry of Love

10 - Tse Tse Force, A Western Family, Circle 7 (A flyer exists that shows Sacramento band True West headlining this show, but a Seattle PI listing the day of show does not include them, and adds Circle 7 to the lineup, indicating another last-minute touring band cancellation)

11 - Napalm Beach (PDX), Los Mexicans, Idle Worship, DSML

16 - World Without Imperialism Contingent Benefit (no bands listed)

17 - Bundle of Hiss, Charm School, PMA

18 - Agent Orange (Placentia, CA), Dicks (Austin), 10 Minute Warning, Baba Yaga

19 - Deranged Diction, March of Crimes, Rejectors, DSML (Suicidal Tendencies was originally booked on this show, but canceled. DSML replaced them)

23 - Circle 7, PMA, Horns Of Lure, Fresh Young Things

24 - Long Ryders (LA), Young Pioneers, Next Exit, Contre-Bande

25 - Angst (SF), Chains of Hell Orchestra, Doctor Albert 

March 1984

1 - Tim Brock Conducts The National Symphony
2 - The Nurse, X-Aisle 5, DeRoxy Crew

3 - Dead Hippie (LA), Truth Decay, DSML

6 - LAST SHOW - Alien Sex Fiend (London), Red Masque, 3 Squirrels From Hell

The Metropolis - 1983

The Metropolis - 1983 shows

207 Second Ave S.

From Clark Humphrey's book Loser: "In mid-1983, Gordon Doucette and French college dropout Hugo Piottin co-founded a very cool all-ages space in Pioneer Square. The Metropolis was cooperatively run with a healthy DIY spirit.During its nine-month life it was more like a community center than a commercial club. People volunteered to mount shows, create and distribute posters, run the door, serve pop, and clean up. Doucette's then-girlfriend Susan Silver helped run the place; she and Doucette advised Hugo on what bands to book... It was a tall, spacious room with a wooden floor, a sandbox in the center, galvanized walls, and good acoustics. The space closed when developers of a condo next door pressured the landlords to kick it out. The last show was on March 6, 1984."

View 1984 Metropolis shows

April 1983

1 - Red Masque, Mad Dash 

May 1983

13 - Face Ditch, Colour Twigs 
20 - Applied Science, Beat Pagodas, Ultra Violet Catastrophe

21 - Mr Epp, Room 9, Young Pioneers

27 - Moving Parts, Memory 

28 - Shockabilly (NY), Face the Nation 

June 1983

3 - Hurricanes, Alley Gators

4 - Mutabaruka (Jamaica), Earl "Chinna" Smith & The High Times Players (Jamaica), Sundance

10 - Memory, Room 9 (Note: Jah Wobble was originally scheduled to play this date but apparently canceled)

11 - Fastbacks, The New U-Men 

17 - Visible Targets, Septimus 

18 - Whipping Boy (Palo Alto), Double Cross

24 - Gun Club (LA), U-Men 

25 - Really Red (Houston), Mr. Epp, Fastbacks
26 - Sundance

30 - Rebel Truth (Sacramento), Eye on You

July 1983

1 - Slidin' Spades, Hiccups
2 - Moral Lepers (Vancouver BC), Noh Special Effects (this date/lineup is from Rocket, PI has this show on 7/16)

4 - Personality Crisis (Winnipeg)

6 - DJ Night w/Helene Silverman & Robert Newman

8 - Rank & File (Austin)

9 - Red Dress, Chains Of Hell Orchestra

13 - DJ Night w/Norman Batley

15 - Accused, Mr. Epp, YBGB 

16 - Scissors, Radio Moscow (The PI has Moral Lepers and Noh Special Effects on this night)

20 - DJ Night w/Wayne Foster & Steve Marcus

22 - Bad Brains (DC), Aerobic Death, Life in General

23 - Hurricanes, Slidin’ Spades

27 - DJ Night w/Bruce Pavitt

29 - Wipers (PDX), Young Pioneers

30 - Barbara Paige & The Reggae Allstars

August 1983

2 - Animal Slaves 

5 - Red Masque, Cinema 90, Room 9

6 - John Cale (UK), Memory, Napalm Beach (PDX)

8 - Alan Vega (NY), Moberleys (canceled?)

12 - Animal Slaves, Color Twigs, U.V.C.

13 - Student Nurse, Mad Dash

19 - Beat Pagodas, U.V.C.

20 - 3 Teens Kill 4 (NY), Moral Lepers (Vancouver BC), Chains of Hell Orchestra

21 - Asiyah Jah

24 - CH3 (CA), Rejectors 

26 - Life In General, Slidin' Spades

27 - Red Masque, MOEV (Vancouver BC), Strength Through Joy

September 1983

2 - Scream (DC), U-Men, Sharing Patrol

6 - Personality Crisis (Winnipeg), YBGB, Silly Killers

9 - Modernettes (Vancouver BC), Fastbacks, YBGB

10 - Visible Targets, Chains of Hell Orchestra

15 - Vancouver 5 Benefit - Altered, Student Nurse, Chains Of Hell Orchestra, Sympathy Cards, Deranged Diction 

17 - Mad Dash, Beat Pagodas 

23 - Red Dress, Student Nurse

24 - 54/40 (Vancouver-ish BC), Room 9, Michael Layton

25 - Shockabilly (NY)
30 - Emerald Street Boys, Exposure

October 1983

1 - Los Popularos (Vancouver BC), Young Pioneers, Circle Seven

6 - Street Kids Benefit w/ Shanghai Dog (Vancouver BC), Fastbacks, 10 Minute Warning, Silly Killers, Moral Crux

7 - Rock Against Reagan w/Deranged Diction, Circle 7, Death of Marat, Altered, Sharing Patrol

8 - Poison Idea (PDX), Accused, Rejectors
13 - Arousing Spirit

14 - Sleeping Dogs, Rejectors, Noh Special Effects

15 - Room 9 (possibly canceled), Bam Bam, Tse Tse Force 

16 - Circle Jerks (no-show), Hüsker Dü (Minneapolis), Malfunkshun, Deranged Diction 

21 - The 45s, Slidin’ Spades (Both the Rocket and Seattle PI have these bands playing this date, however, a flyer exists which has Martyr Corps, Extreme Hate, and Truth Decay on this date.)
22 - Colour Twigs, Cinema 90

27 - Violent Femmes (Milwaukee), Probes, Altered 

28 - Ultra Violet Catastrophe, Chains Of Hell, Death Of Marat

29 - Halloween Party w/Red Masque, Dark Show, Enstruction, PMA, Tse Tse Force

November 1983

4 - Red Dress, Tse Tse Force, Pop-A-Tears

5 - The Accused (?), Truth Decay, Boot Boys, Spluii Numa

11 - Bam Bam, Room 9, Young Pioneers

12 - 10 Minute Warning, U-Men, YBGB 
16 - Shanghai Dog (Vancouver BC), Enigma, Aerobic Death 

18 - The Neats (Boston), Chains Of Hell Orchestra, Memory

25 - Bohemia (Minneapolis), Tse Tse Force

26 - D.O.A. (Vancouver BC), Fastbacks, Spluii Numa, Richard Peterson (This is the lineup on the flyer. The Rocket has Napalm Beach on the bill but not Spluii Numa or Richard Peterson)

30 - The Replacements (Minneapolis), The Accused, 10 Minute Warning 

December 1983

1 - A Western Family (The Rocket lists only “Live Music & Art Show” on this date)

2 - Video Night w/ Accused, Chains of Hell Orchestra, Husker Du & more 

3 - Sado Nation (PDX), Mr. Epp, Spluii Numa, Boot Boys (A flyer exists which has Capitol Punishment instead of Sado Nation. There is a different flyer w/Sado Nation on it)

8 - Kate Bush Video Presentation

9 - Accused, U-Men, Fastbacks, (The Rocket adds Mr. Epp to this bill)

10 - Red Masque, Altered (The Rocket adds Surfers to this bill, but according to review in local 'zine Disgorge & flyer info, Alice Moving played)

11 - D.O.A (Vancouver BC), Industrial Waste Banned, Rejectors, Truth Decay 

16 - Butthole Surfers (San Antonio), Ten Minute Warning, Deranged Diction, Extreme Hate

17 - 54/40 (Vancouver-ish), Colour Twigs, Grapes of Wrath (Kelowna, BC), A Western Family  
18 - Wipers (PDX), U-Men, Circle 7, Altered

20 - Next Exit Record Release Party

23 - Room 9, Junco Run, Bundle of Hiss, PMA

30 - Condemned to Death, Spluii Numa, Detonators, Aerobic Death

31 - Young Pioneers, Room 9, Fred, The Nurse, Baba Yaga (Art Beat may have performed as well)

Ditto Tavern - 1986

Ditto Tavern - 1986 shows

2303 Fifth Ave
Richard Pauletti, Owner

Sources: The Rocket, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Times

View 1985 Ditto Tavern shows

View 1987 Ditto Tavern shows

January 1986

3 - Gary Heffern, Walkabouts

10 - Danger Bunny

11 - Koostic Koo

17 - Feast

18 - Soundgarden, Clay Alien

25 - Skinyard, My Eye

31 - Room 9

February 1986

1 - Clay Alien

5 - Gary Heffern & Band, Room 9 (acoustic)

6 - Bakra Bata

7-8 - 5 Sides Collide

10 - Napalm Beach

11 - Krewe of Hubris
13-15 - The Amazing Pink Things
27 - Skin Yard, Vexed, Secret War 

28 - No Means No, Hoo dun itt?, Jesse Bernstein

March 1986

1 - Usual Suspects, No Means No, Hoo Dun itt?

6 - Girl Trouble

7 - Walkabouts

8 - Danger Bunny

12 - Jim Lyon

13 - Frames

14 - Green Pajamas

15 - Cinema 90, Lost Architects

20 - Lya Badgley

21 - Blackwood-Laird

22 - Feast

27 - Terry Lee Hale, Sam Weiss

28 - Fred

29 - Room 9

April 1986

4 - Bundle Of Hiss, Green River

5 - Koo Dot Tah (acoustic)

11 - Danger Bunny

13 - Bill Karlyn

18 - ‘e’, Handful of Dust

25 - Rhythm Mission, Fred

26 - Rhythm Mission, Crypt Kicker 5, Hoo Dun Itt?

May 1986

1 - Art Opening - John Mills, Lost Architects

3 - No News

7 - Sympathy Cards

8 - Fatal Charm

9 - No Means No, Dive

10 - Green River, Debutante

15 - Volume 3

16 - Magic If w/Trey Gunn

17 - Blackwood-Laird

22 - Treeclimbers
23 - Frames, Power Mowers

24 - Gary Heffern & The Cunninghams

25 - Soundgarden, Circus Of The Stars

29 - Treeclimbers

30 - Fred, Black Wedge Tour

31 - Crypt Kicker 5, Vexed

June 1986

5 - Terry Lee Hale

6 - Napalm Beach

7 - New Subterraneans, Carnival Season

13 - Walkabouts, Pure Joy, Guests

14 - Walkabouts, 5 Sides Collide, The Cunninghams

20 - Danger Bunny, Viva Cauldron

21 - Koo Dat Tah

27 - Room 9

29 - Allright!

July 1986

3 - Handful Of Dust, Pink Noise

4 - Center For Disease Control Boys, 5 Sides Collide

5- Cunninghams

10 - Charles Garish (Upchuck)

11 - Pacific Big & Talls, Bundle Of Hiss

12 - Das Damen, Green River

14 - My Dad Is Dead, Gary Heffern, Ron & Scott

17 - Tall Tales, Center For Disease Control Boys

18-19 - Go Four 3, A Merry Cow, Crypt Kicker 5

23 - Sympathy Cards

25 - Fred

26 - Theatre Of Sheep, Paisley Sin

31 - Nova Boys (AZ), Ariena

August 1986

1 - Red Dress, Jesse Bernstein

2 - Slow (B.C.), Feast

5 - Stanley's Wife

6 - Naked Prey (L.A.), Tall Tales

7 - 64 Spiders, Malfunkshun

8 - Cunninghams, Rebel Kind (PDX)

9 - Clay Alien, Weather Theatre

15 - Walkabouts, Denizens Of The Mighty Deep (Chicago)

16 - Handful Of Dust, Crypt Kicker 5
21 - Freshly Wrapped Candies

22 - Frames, Power Mowers

23 - Bundle Of Hiss

28 - Eve’s White Horsemen, Debutante

29 - Pure Joy, Klams, The Ones

30 - Cunninghams, Treeclimbers

31 - Clay Alien (Record Release)

September 1986

3 - Hubris

4 - PF Beecher Art Opening w/Center For Disease Control Boys
5 - ADRD, 64 Spiders

6 - Soundgarden, Skin Yard, Vexed

13 - A Merry Cow, Crypt Kicker 5

16 - Watts Bald Head, The Confessionaires

17 - Terry Lee Hale, Sam Weiss

18 - What Slender Young Leaders

19 - White Fronts, Walkabouts

20 - Pure Joy, Weather Theatre
24 - Radio Refugees

25 - Brilliant Orange

26 - Bundle Of Hiss, Celestial Pygmies

27 - Chesterfield Kings, Girl Trouble, 64 Spiders

October 1986

2- Jim Fogarty Art Opening w/X-Factor

3 - Fred, Slack

4 - Danger Bunny, Crypt Kicker 5 

9 - Jim Page & Orville Johnson

10 - Cunninghams

11 - Cunninghams, 5 Sides Collide

16 - Prudence Dredge

17 - Room 9, Chemistry Set

18 - Rhythm Mission

23 - Jim Lyons

24 - Frames, Hubris

25 - Crypt Kicker 5, Neon Cross

November 1986

14 - Disappearing
15 - Green Pajamas, The Life
19 - Flat Line, ADRD
20 - D-Rango 5, Tinderbox
28 - Neon Cross

29 - Disappearing, Weather Theatre

December 1986

3 - Art On Fire

4 - Prudence Dredge

5 - Handful Of Dust, Puget Sound

6 - Life In General, Naked Lunch

10 - Metaphysics

11 - Pure Joy Record Release

12 - Pure Joy, Clay Alien

13 - Neon Cross, Bundle Of Hiss, Vexed

16 - Blurt  (UK)w/Greinke & Angus

17 - e.e. Penguin & Acme Band

18 - The Elements

19 - Walkabouts, Weather Theatre

20 - Skin Yard

26 - Feast, Gut Reaction

27 - Girl Trouble, 64 Spiders

31 - Disappearing, Crypt Kicker 5, Pure Joy

Ditto Tavern - 1985

Ditto Tavern - 1985 Shows

2303 Fifth Ave

Richard Pauletti, Owner

Sources: The Rocket, Seattle Times, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

View 1986 Ditto Tavern shows

View 1987 Ditto Tavern shows

July 1985

6 - Fred, Hypercraveia & Parapsiteology

August 1985

7- Earl Brooks & Friends
14 - Earl Brooks & Friends

October 1985

25 - Bob & The Radiators

26 - 5 Sides Collide

November 1985

2 - The Broadcasters

6 - Gary Heffern

9 - Brides Of Frankenstein, Room 9

16 - Skin Yard

22 - Bakra Bata

23 - Handful Of Dust

29 - Moving Parts

30 - ‘e’

December 1985

6 - Frames

7- Sound Color

13 - Napalm Beach

18 - Gary Heffern, Walkabouts

20 - Bakra Bata

21 - Pop Mechanix

27 - Room 9

28 - Melting Fish, Clay Alien

31 - Moving Parts

Wrex - 1980-82

WREX SHOWS - October 1980 - February 1982 
2018 1st Ave

Sources: The Rocket, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Times, Jive Time Records website

WREX was established in Belltown by Michael Clay, Wes Bradley, and Aaron McKiernan. The venue was formerly a leather gay bar called Johnny’s Handlebar, located on the ground floor of a former brothel. Bands played at WREX three nights a week, originally booked by Mike Vraney, who brought both national and international acts to the tiny venue. WREX manager Ted Ladd eventually took over the booking duties. Steve Pritchard and other independent booking agents also brought shows to WREX. The club also featured the city's first music video system, curated by Ted Ladd.  WREX opened in October 1980 and closed in March 1982. The space reopened as The Vogue in January 1983.

"...[WREX was] a tiny deliberately dilapidated club furnished with parts of wrecked cars. The fenders and smashed hoods lining the walls were a take-off on the clubs name, a pun that few of the sound-benumbed, glassy-eyed patrons seemed to comprehend. The place featured live music played a ear-numbing volumes." - Regina Hackett, Seattle PI, March 13, 1983

"WREX is shaped like a long tunnel. The music happens in the rear and blasts back to those drinking at the bar in the front. The title is a variant on wreck, as in car wreck. There are odd bits of car grills and fenders nailed up around the room. WREX has the best selection of video featuring New Wave acts. Nearly anyone, excepting men with long hair can be comfortable there (New Wavers tend to be intolerant of hippies, but the bigotry on both ends is lessening). Anyone can dance with anyone here. Gays report that it's the best live music club in town for them to frequent." - Regina Hackett, Seattle PI, January 31, 1982

For a lot more information on WREX, check out this essay (written by Dennis White) on the Jive Time Record website

October 1980

2 - X-15, Fastbacks

3 - Mental Mannequin, Fastbacks

4-5 - Delta 5 (UK), Blackouts, The Beakers

11 - Karen Hansen's "Flipsides" Fashion Show, The Frazz
12 - The Pudz, The Frazz

14 - AKA, The Beakers

15 - DOA (Vancouver BC), Solger

16 - Young Canadians (Vancouver BC), Modernettes

17 - Blackouts, Corrective Lenses

18 - Macs Band, Blackouts

19 - B-52s after-party

24-25 - The Beakers, guests
28 - The Raybeats, guests
29 - The Excuses, X-15
31 - The Dickies (cancelled), The Pudz

November 1980

1 - X-15, guests
5-6 - Black Flag
7-8 - Young Marble Giants (Wales), Blackouts
14 - Los Microwaves (San Jose), guests
15 - Los Microwaves (San Jose), The Units (SF)
21 - The Pudz, The Frazz, The Enemy
22-23 - Rank & File (Austin)
28 - Mission Of Burma (Boston)
29 - Suburban Guerrillas, AKA

30 - A.K.A.

December 1980

3 - The Excuses

5 - Student Nurse, Audio Letter

6 - Visible Targets

19 - Young Canadians (Vancouver BC)
20 - Westside Lockers

26 - The Accident, Junior Handjive

27 - Spectators
28 - X-15

31 - Visible Targets

January 1981

3 - Debbies

9 - Subhumans (?), Student Nurse, The Fags

10 - The Frazz

16 - Modernettes (Vancouver BC)

17 - Excuses

23 - The Beakers

24 - BOB

30 - AKA

31 - The Shivers

February 1981

4 - Rockefellers

6 - Connections

7 - Skinny Ties

11 - The Features

13 - Section 8

14 - Visible Targets

15 - X-15

18 - Vizzion

20 - Los Microwaves (San Jose), The Spectators

21 - Student Nurse

25 - Skeezix

27 - The Numatics

28 - The Hoovers (England)

March 1981

4 - The Hands

6 - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Section 8, Fastbacks

7 - The Rockefellers

11 - The Connection, The Professionals

13 - X-15

14 - The Features

18 - Skinny Ties

20 - The Metros (Vancouver BC)

21 - The Untouchables (PDX)

22 - A Party for U2

25 - Audio Leter, 13, guests

27 - The Frazz

28 - Fastbacks, Visible Targets

April 1981

1 - The Professionals

3 - West Side Lockers

4 - Sundance

8 - The Enemy

10-11 - The B-Sides (Vancouver BC) , David Raven & The Escorts

15 - The Numatics

17- The Contractions, Fastbacks
18 - The Contractions (SF), The Features

22 - The Rockefellers

24 - The Metros (Vancouver), Hands,
25 - The Metros, Connections

29 - Los Popularos

May 1981

1 - Visible Targets, The Byrons

2 - Sundance

6 - Repercussions

7 - DJ Stephen Rabow

8-9 - The Untouchables, X-15, Tiny Holes

13 - Instant Karma

15 - Three Swimmers, Corrective Lenses

16 - Vertical Hold, Skinny Ties

20 - X-15

22 - The Rats (PDX), Hands

23 - The Rats (PDX), Student Nurse
24 - Red Dress

27 - Sex Therapy

28 - KZAM DJ Leroy Henry

29 - The Enemy, The Cutouts

30 - The Frazz

June 1981

3 - Visible Targets

4 - DJ Stephen Rabow

5 - Romeo Void (SF), Spectators, The Crisis, Section 8

6 - Romeo Void (SF), X-15, The Executives, Rapid I

7 - Tax Party, The Edsels

10 - The Enemy

11 - KZAM DJ - Kerry Lowen

12-13 - Nutrinoz (SF), The Rockefellers 

13 - Nutrinoz (SF), The Spectators 

17 - The Lifters

18 - KZAM DJ Cyndi Bemel

19 - Visible Targets, The Repercussions

20 - Visible Targets, The Loose Crew

24 - Musical Chairs

25 - Plasmatics Party

26 - Scissors, Instant Karma

27 - Scissors, The Plugz

July 1981

1 - Spectators

2 - Kerry Lowen (DJ)

3 - Three Swimmers, The Edsels

4 - The Enemy

7 - The Features

8 - Tim Ray Band

9 - Stephen Rabow (DJ)

10 - Punts, Rapid-I

11 - Husker Du, The Executives

14 - Blue Hawaii (Movie)

15 - The Untouchables

16 - Cyndi Bemel (DJ)

17 - The Untouchables, Crisis, Spectators

18 - The Untouchables, Spectators

21 - Casino Royale (Movie)

22 - Visible Targets

23 - Kerry Lowen (DJ)

24 - The Frazz

25 - Red Dress, B Films

27 - Visible Targets

28 - Barbarella (movie)

29 - The Pudz, The Contractions

30 - RPA, Guests

31 - Section 8, Discourse

August 1981

1 - Red Dress

2 - The Fix (SF), Social Deviants

4 - The Women (movie)

5-6 - The Untouchables

7-8 - The Room (Liverpool), Audio Letter

9 - The Untouchables, Executives

11 - Bye Bye Birdie (movie)

12 - Paintings On The Plastic by Billy Schaefrer, Rapid I, Spectators

13 - Little Bears From Bangkok, Children Of Kellogg 

14 - Lenny Kaye Connection (NY), X-15 - 2 shows

15 - The Enemy

18-20 - No Alternative (SF), The Fartz

21 - The Rats (PDX), Joe Despair & The Future

22 - Visible Targets

25 - Born Yesterday (movie)

26 - Student Nurse, Rapid I

27-28 - Das Blok (SF), The Deans

29 - Three Swimmers, Children Of Kellogg

September 1981

3 - New Flamingos

4-5 - The Frazz

9 - Skinny Ties

10-12 - The Enemy

18 - The Pudz

19 - Red Dress

24 - New Flamingos

25- The Lifers (DF), Fastbacks

26 - The Lifers (SF), The Deans

30 - Concordia Discors

October 1981

1 - Sleeping Movement (w/Upchuck), Pronoia

2- Visible Targets, Pronoia

3 - Visible Targets, Chevrolets

8-10 - Napalm Beach, Grey Matter

14 - Rolling Stones After Party

15 - The New Flamingos

16-17 - The Enemy, The Deans and/or Moving Parts

21 - Seattle Syndrome Record Release Party

23 - Romeo Void (SF), Student Nurse

24 - Romeo Void, Sex Therapy

27 - Echo & The Bunnymen, The Enemy

28 - The Features

29 - The New Flamingos

30 - The Blackouts, Student Nurse

31 - Napalm Beach, Visible Targets, Sleeping Movement

November 1981

4 - The Presidents, Sharx

5 - The Kingstones

6 - Really Red, Napalm Beach, Joe Despair

7 - The New Flamingos, Three Swimmers, (AAAA)

11 - 54/40 (BC), Junko Run

13 - The Hoovers

14 - X, Napalm Beach

15 - The Hoovers, The Vacuumz

16-17 - The Enemy

21 - Blackouts

27-28 - Wall Of Voodoo, 54/40 (BC)

December 1981

4-5 - 3 Swimmers, Neo Boys

9 - Moving Parts

11-  Napalm Beach
12 - Napalm Beach, Visible Targets

16-17 - The Flakes

18-19 - Polyrock (NY) (show moved to the Athens Cafe)

23 - 54/40 (BC)

26 - Dynette Set

31 - X-15

January 1982

8 - Dynette Set

9 - Blackouts, Little Bears From Bangkok

22 - Brian Brain (Boston), The Sobbies

23 - The Kingstones

24 - "Members of the Spectators and Rapid-I"

26 - New Flamingos

29 - 54/40 (BC), Junco Run (BC)

30 - Our Daughter's Wedding, Life In General

February 1982

1 - Our Daughter's Wedding, Junco Run, Diesel Dolly

5 - The Untouchables

6 - The Scissors

12-14 - The Detours (Detroit)

19 - The Fleshtones, Napalm Beach

20 - The Fleshtones, Blackouts