Gumball at CBGB's (02-09-1991)

On February 9th, 1991, Gumball played at CBGB’s! Gumball originally formed in 1990 with Don Fleming on lead vocals and guitar, Eric Vermillion on bass, and Jay Spiegel on drums.  The fall of 1990 found Gumball in the studio, and their first release came out shortly thereafter on the Paperhouse/Sire label in England. The release was a 12 inch EP with the songs "All the Time"/"Yellow Pants"/"Gettysburg". Shortly after their formation, Gumball signed with NYC's Caroline Records. They recorded and released the album Special Kiss in 1991 and subsequently toured with Mudhoney, and Sonic Youth

Henry Rollins on KCR Radio (02-01-1987)

On February 1st, 1987, Henry Rollins appeared on KCR Radio. The former Black Flag frontman performed some of his spoken word poetry live on the air and also answered some questions.

Pussy Galore at Maxwell's (01-31-1987)

On January 31st, 1987, Pussy Galore played at Maxwell’s in support of The Leaving Trains. That’s right! One of the very first tapes posted as part of The Mckenzie Tapes collection was a rousing performance by The Leaving Trains at Maxwell’s on January 31st, 1987. Guess what? It was the very same gig! It was a memorable performance, and one of my personal favorites, as Dave also documented the night with several original photos. Now, exactly one year later, you can enjoy this January 31st, 1987 Maxwell’s gig in its entirety, as this fantastic recording of Pussy Galore’s opening set is now seeing the light of day!

Later in 1987, Pussy Galore would release their second LP, Right Now!, on Caroline Records.  In 1986, the band released an entire cover album of The Rolling Stones’ “Exile On Main Street” on limited edition cassette.

Sex Pistols at KSAN Radio (1-13-1978)

On January 13th, 1978, the Sex Pistols appeared on KSAN Radio! In 1978, the Sex Pistols hopped across the pond for what would be their first and only U.S. tour. The very next night, the group performed their last show of their original run at the Winterland in San Francisco. This much-hyped, sold-out swansong was simulcast over KSAN-FM radio. The evening kicked off with sets by two of San Francisco's finest of the era, the Avengers and the Nuns (which included Alejandro Escovedo).

Redd Kross at Maxwell's (12-31-1988)

On December 31st, 1988, Red Kross played at Maxwell’s! The Los Angeles group rang in 1989 in style by playing an extended set that featured some fun covers!

Hüsker Dü at Maxwell's (12-31-1984)

On December 31st, 1984, Hüsker Dü played at Maxwell’s! The band had reason to celebrate on the New Year’s Eve, as they wrapped up quite the successful year. In July of that year, the trio from Minneapolis released what many consider to be their magnum opus, the epic Zen Arcade. The record is considered a concept album that tells the story of a young boy who runs away from an unfulfilling home life, only to find the world outside is even worse. The tape includes about 85% of the band’s set - it cuts off midway through their cover of the Byrds’ “Eight Miles High.” Hoboken legends Gut Bank opened the show, but sadly their set is not included on the tape.

Set list

1. First Set

2. Somewhere

3. Target

4. What Do I Want?

5. From The Gut

6. Wheels

7. Everything Falls Apart

8. What's Going On?

9. Chartered Trips

10. Data Control/Reoccurring Dreams/Helter Skelter/Jam

11. Second Set

12. Never Talking To You Again

13. Hate Paper Doll

14. Green Eyes

15. Divide And Conquer

16. Pink Turns To Blue

17. Eight Miles High

Patti Smith at CBGB's (12-29-1979)

On December 29th, 1979, Patti Smith played at CBGB’s! The legendary punk poet celebrated her 33rd birthday a day early with a raucous performance. In 1979, Smith released the Todd Rundgren produced “Wave” with the Patti Smith Group. The record is a standout in her discography and contains classics such as “Frederic,” “Dancing Barefoot,” and “"So You Want to Be (A Rock 'n' Roll Star).” Happy Birthday, Patti Smith!

Bad Brains at The Ritz (12-27-1986)

On December 26th, 1986, Bad Brains played at The Ritz! The band wrapped up a pretty successful year with this performance, as in 1986, they signed with SST Records and released their third studio album, I Against I. This record expanded on the band's hardcore punk and reggae sound by introducing a heavy metal/funk hybrid elements. Despite the group’s success, vocalist H.R. and his brother Earl quit Bad Brains in 1987.

John Cale at Maxwell's (12-23-1988)

On December 23rd, 1988, John Cale played at Maxwell’s! This show marks the beginning of a comeback for the former Velvet Underground member, as after releasing his 11th studio album, Artificial Intelligence, in 1985, Cale took a break from recording and performing. Shortly after this performance,  Cale released the Brian Eno-produced album, Words for the Dying,  in 1989.

This tape contains about 50 minutes of his set. Unfortunately, the tape recorder died mid-set. It's 50 high quality sounding minutes, though. Enjoy! 

Otis Ball at Maxwell's (12-22-1990)

On December 22nd, 1990, Otis Ball played at Maxwell’s! Originally based in the midwest, Otis relocated to Hoboken in 1988 after signing with Bar None Records. According to his biography on the Bar None website, the label originally discovered him through They Might Be Giants.

The Giants had received a tape from him and sent it to our offices immediately, with a note asking, "what do you make of this?" We didn't know what to make of it but we were intrigued, so we asked for more. He sent us a video tape of an all-woman band that he was playing bass with at the time. We signed him soon afterward.

Otis played a 20 minute set opening for The Spin Doctors and Carnival Life. Dave Mckenzie took a few original photos of Otis performing, which I believe are from this performance.

Sound of Skin at Maxwell's (12-20-1990)

On December 20th, 1990, Sound of Skin played at Maxwell’s! Tell me about this band, I couldn’t find anything about them on the internet.

Living Colour at CBGB's (12-18-1989)

On December 18th, 1989, Living Colour played at CBGB’s. A year prior, the band released their commercially successful debut album, Vivid, which scored a number of hits, including the well-known “Cult of Personality.” , This song won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1990. They were also named Best New Artist at the 1989 MTV Video Music Award.  After disbanding in 1995,vLiving Colour reunited in late 2000.

Joey Ramone Interview on The Howard Stern Show (12-1985)

Here’s a fun clip that was tacked on to the end of a Die Kreuzen tape.  In December 1985, Joey Ramone appeared on The Howard Stern show.  The two look-a-likes talked about groupies, road stories, and of course, the Ramones. The exact date is not explicitly mentioned, but I was able to figure out that this interview occurred in 1985, as Joey mentions that the Ramones were scheduled to play at a venue called The World on New Year's Eve.  The internet tells me that said show occurred on December 31st, 1985!

Helmet at CBGB's (12-14-1990)

On December 14th, 1990, Helmet played at CBGB’s! This show occurred early on in the band’s career, as the band had only formed a year prior and released their debut album, Strap It On, in March 1990 on Amphetamine Reptile Records. The band achieved some moderate commercial success with their 1992 major label debut with Interscope Records, Meantime. Once the group signed this deal, Interscope reissued Strap It On in November 1991. Critics considered the album innovative for its explosive, propulsive, and often staccato riff style which greatly exploited Drop D tuning.

Helmet actually opened for the Melvins on this night. You can find footage of the Melvins’ complete set on Youtube. So, you basically have everything you need to re-create the experience of attending this show! Do it!!!

Alex Chilton at Irving Plaza (12-13-1985)

On December 13th, 1985, Alex Chilton played at Irving Plaza. His set included a few songs that would appear on his 1987 solo album, High Priest, such as “Nobody’s Fool.” Bar None Records is about to release another Chilton record entitled Songs From Robin Hood Lane. It’s a collection of cover from the “Great American Songbook.” Chilton, who passed away in 2010, recorded a handful of these songs back in the ’90s. Songs From Robin Hood Lane will be available in February 2019!

Blues Explosion at Tramps (12-10-1994)

On December 10th, 1994, The Blues Explosion played at Tramps!  Led by Jon Spencer, the mid-1990s were a pivotal time for the group, as they first signed with Matador Records in 1993 to release their third album, Extra Width.  In 1994, the band released Orange, perhaps their most well-known and beloved record, again, on Matador Records. By 1996, the band began collaborating with legendary blues guitarist, R.L. Burnside.  Burnside recorded a collaborative record with the Blues Explosion entitled A Ass Pocket Of Whiskey in June 1996.

Hole at Berkley Community Theater (12-09-1994)

On December 9th, 1994, Hole played at Berkeley Community Theater! Earlier in the year, the band released their critically acclaimed second album, Live Through This. To commemorate the holiday season, the band covered “We Three Kings” early on in their set.  The performance was broadcast on Live 105 for an event called Green Christmas. Courtney Love also took the Christmas tree that was on the stage with her at the end of the group's set.

Set list:

1. Plump

2. Sugar Coma

3. Miss World

4. We Three Kings

5. Asking for It

6. Hungry Like the Wolf (Duran Duran Cover)

7. He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss) (The Crystals Cover)

8. Best Sunday Dress

9. Doll Parts

10. Violet

11. Rock Star

12. Bible Belt

13. Sugar Coma

Tiny Lights at Maxwell's (12-09-1988)

On December 9th, 1988, Tiny Lights played at Maxwell’s! This show occurred a little less than a year prior to the first Tiny Lights tape in The Mckenzie Tapes archive. Prior to this show, the band released their second album Hazel's Wreath on Gaia Records.

The Replacements at CBGB's (12-09-1984)

On December 9th, 1984, The Replacements played at CBGB's! The Mats played an absolutely epic set that appears to include more covers than original songs. The band covered a wide range of bizarre songs, including the Gilligan's Island theme, If I Only Had A Brain, and KISS's "Black Diamond." All in all, it was another Replacements gig for the ages!

1. Lovelines

2. Hear You Been to College

3. Easier Said Than Done (The Essex Cover)

4. Color Me Impressed

5. Music Is My Life

6. Jolene (Dolly Parton Cover)

7. Do the Clam (Elvis Presley Cover)

8. Walk on the Wild Side (Lou Reed Cover)

9. Hippy Hippy Shake (Chan Romero Cover)

10. Can't Get Enough of Your Love (Bad Company Cover)

11. My Generation (The Who Cover)

12. Substitute (The Who Cover)

13. Take Me Down to the Hospital

14. Do It for the Money

15. Iron Man (Black Sabbath Cover)

16. G.T.O. (Ronny & The Daytonas Cover)

17. The New World (X Cover)

18. It's Alright (J.J. Jackson & The Jackals Cover)

19. I Got You Babe (Sonny & Cher Cover)

20. Kids Don't Follow

21. Fuck School

22. Takin a Ride

23. Temptation Eyes (The Grass Roots Cover)

24. I'm in Trouble

25. September Gurls (Big Star Cover)

26. My Best Friend's Girl (The Cars Cover)

27. Layla (Derek & The Dominos Cover)

28. One of the Boys (Mott The Hoople Cover)

29. Take a Letter, Maria (Justin Greaves Cover)

30. If I Could Slip Away

31. Green Acres Theme (Vic Mizzy Cover)

32. If I Only Had a Brain (Harold Arlen Cover)

33. Ballad of Gilligan's Island (The Marvelettes Cover)

34. Data Control (Husker Du Cover)

35. Be My Lover (Alice Cooper Cover)

36. Start Me Up (The Rolling Stones Cover)

37. I'll Be There (The Jackson 5 Cover)

38. Black Diamond (KISS Cover)

Soul Asylum at Maxwell's (12-05-1986)

On December 5th, 1986, Soul Asylum played at Maxwell’s! 1986 was a big year for the Minneapolis band, as they released two albums, Made To Be Broken and a rare cassette only release entitled Time’s Incinerator. Both records were produced by their Twin Cities peer, Bob Mould.