Julie's Blog: Hoodoo Gurus - Saint Andrew’s Hall, Detroit, Michigan, November 2, 1985

1985 journal, age 19 (and still very immature). The content has not been modified for archival purposes, although re-reading it at age 59, I did have some reservations 😜 Only did some corrections - I was horrible at English back then 😉

PHOTO NOTE: The photos I took at this concert were not great. In 1987 I saw them again and took better photos which are included here also.

J O U R N A L

Like, "WOW, WIPEOUT !!!!!! Tidal wave me baby !”

The Hoodoo Gurus were "Turn[-ing me] on” at their Saturday performance. They were supposed to play October 11th, a night before Skriekback’s Concert (which was also very, very GREAT !). Anyway, they played to the max !

The bass player was out of it; he looked like he was gonna drop any second and missed a couple strings, but otherwise, he held together tremendously, especially for this L O N G perform [performance].

They at least played 11 songs that I can remember – 6 songs I listened to at home may have been performed, but I can’t be sure (a lot of their songs sound alike, but do have their individual unique sound [too]). And I think they started their show off with a cut from the, "Mars Needs Guitars” new release called, "Death Defying" (lyrics talking about friends dying or dead too soon). They also played a song off the B side of an EP and another LP not released (Can't remember the cut). Half the songs sounded as they had sounded on the LPs.

Besides broken guitar strings, falling Cymbals, unplugged guitars and either a weak or faulty tape or the singer loosing his voice, every member played heartily, especially the lead singer. There was a bit of distortion and the instruments buried the lyrics somewhat and so David Faulkner, the lead singer, had to increase his volume which was pushing it a bit, but he retained that unique singing style in many of the songs. Now and then you'd hear a "blitch”, “zap” or “botch” and this is to be expected when an energetic band pounces along with their music, bumping over mikes and unplugging plugs by fast & fancy foot work, etc.

Except for the drummer (yet I really couldn't see what he had on), they all wore 60’s paisley shirts, hippie head bands and [had] shoulder-length kinked hair.

Just before they went on, I was near the side stage door and noticed through the crack of it the ‘big man’ himself (which in literal truth is overestimated) – David Faulkner with his red head band. He was talking with some bouncer and then the door was shut. With butterfly excitement, I jawed at Elaine’s arm [my best friend] like a young pup tugging on a toy. I said, “I can't believe it ! I'm freaking ! I'm so excited !" and I was as though my dream come true was about to waken me.

The warm up band was the Chesterfield Kings (first time playing at St. Andrew's) – they were also a great psychedelic band. I cruised to their speedy songs too and they also played at least 10 songs. Took shots of them and the Hoodoos.

Chesterfield Kings 1985 photo by Julie Meitz

The Hoodoos played about four other songs from older bands besides the ones I mentioned. I cant remember what they were, but I remember they said a song that’s chorus goes “Hey, hey, hey”, was a Gary Glitter song [Hey Song]. It was a ‘call and response’ song and the audience responded alright.

Everyone was really gettin’ high (like me) off this band and the place, like the Skriekback concert, was sardine-packed. I was jumping up and down and waving my supportive fist and rustling on the dance floor like the leaves on a wind blown tree – I was sure rattling and soaking with sweat, but I didn’t care, I was having such a cool time – I was so high and inspired that I tended to close my eyes and float with the band.

I hardly ever took my eyes off the lead singer – he was FAB ! So much output and a lot of spit (ha !). Like Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, he sung for several seconds with his eyes closed on all the songs. He put so much work into his songs and you could see him soaking in the heat.

PHOTOS BELOW from March 11, 1987 concert, Nectarine Ballroom, Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Concert Database (Michigan) is a great website where you can find bands and where they played : Hoodoo Gurus

Hoodoo Gurus Playlist Ann Arbor Michigan

At one point he almost stumbled backwards, but caught himself, as if he was dizzy and just had spun around. His one guitar string broke and after temporarily pushing it aside, he continued to play his five stringed guitar. He kept on going and the problem was barely noticeable. They did a nice job keeping a steady pulse. There was one song, however, that sounded off on timing (I have to listen to the album and find out which one).

The biggest thrill about the live show was that I really, really liked them and had bought their 1984 LP awhile back, enjoyed it tremendously and was very impressed with their sound. The first song I heard by them was, “I want you back” taped off of the Canadian radio show NightLines (Thanks to DJ Ron !) and then "Kamikaze Pilot" (Thanx again Ron !).

After hearing those 2 songs, I was sold on their “Stoneage Romeo” 1984 LP and I swept it off the shelf at CCC [Car City Classics record store, Michigan] at full Price $6.73- I would [have] payed $8.99 or $10.99 or $12.99 for it and after listening to it just once, I knew I had found a band I'd really love seeing live.

His voice, besides the bands pulsating beat, captured me and drew me more & more into his music. Even after buying his new 85 LP, I stilled loved them because of his voice. The 85 LP is good, but my fave is their 84 LP (and probably will always be). Speak about being old, but sooo refreshingly alive and new - that's the HOODOO's for ya !

I don't care what others think about their age or appearance, I think they're outta this World !!!!!!!!!!!! And this has been the best concert I've seen ever ! Even better than the Police concert (but I may have been out of it then since I was way up in the balcony and my musical infatuations had only begun). Before I forget, there were many older (non-punk) people @ the concert, then [mainly] 60’s-70's psychedelia teens.

In the middle of the Hoodoo's perform [performance], a guy (hung out on drugs) fell dead flat on the floor near the stage and everyone just freaked. His eyes, deep brown, stayed open and he didn't move. Elaine and I thought he croaked, but then two guys from the side rushed in and picked him up.

The funny thing is [an American idiom], well, not really funny, but sad, was that everyone who saw him fall didn’t do a damn thing to help him, including me and Elaine. I was so shocked over the sight of him and thought he was epileptic, that I didn’t help – I was sure he was dead.

After he was helped up, he looked around at the people bewilderingly as though he hadn’t recollected his fall (pass out). And I made eye-to-eye contact with him and felt bad about starring at him as though he was inhuman. It’s so sad to actually see this happen and not do a damn thing about it. I wished I had helped him, but it was like I was in a state of shock too and by the time he was helped, I was still just mentally getting the picture – I was definitely stunned.

Only saw one Mohawk tonight and a few Punks.

The only dance music DJ Dianna was spinning was psychedelic which is not always easy to dance to since the timing is extremely fast-paced and hard to keep up with. I love it, though, and always will.

I started dancing alone [to Hoodoo’s music?] without Elaine hesitantly and at first felt so damn out of place and I’m sure I was mocked and stared at – so what. I’m gonna do what I feel like doin’ regardless what others think. Pooh on them, they can live a hermit life if they want to. I was smiling the whole time (well, maybe not the whole time, but I felt the smile continuously in me even if not apparent on outside).

The band smiled back too and I’m not sure, but I thought I made eye contact with David and when he saw my smile he smiled back ! Maybe Elaine was right and he did smile to the crowd and not just me. But I like to think he smiled at me, so I will – it’s a warm thought to remember especially on cold nights.

They really inspired me and I will see them again if I can, find out where they’re playing next on this tour – hopefully in Flint or Ann Arbor – hopefully ! I’m gonna look for that unreleased album too and look up some articles on them.

Boy it’s been a while since I’ve been hooked on a band again. I still love Bill Nelson and Gary Numan along with my other LPs [bands, musicians, DJs, many!], but seeing the Hoodoo’s live is an inspiration by itself besides their LP’s. I felt like I was up on stage and playing in the band and had forgotten about the crowd. I lost myself within the band, not the crowd. What an experience !!!!!!!!!

Oh, god, I’m almost forgetting, they came back not once, but twice for encores ! I was hoping a third time, but was satisfied with their all around perform [performance] and their encore appearances. Two reappearances was loosely [?] maddening !!! I was Impressed ! The crowd loved them and they deserved a hundred or more encores – they were sensational !!!!

[Side note:] Hoodoo Gurus are said to sound like the Cramps & the Rascals

After leaving (wishing to stay longer to to see them personally and say, "I like your grove, man !"), we ran into DJ Rock from CJAM. I shook his hand as I peered through his blue shaded Lennon spectacles and he said he had showed up on my advice and that he really liked the first band, Chesterfield Kings. We both agreed that it was a fine show [with both bands]. A show I'll never forget.

Another thing that popped in my head is that there was this punk girl dressed in a black-stripped dress with black hair (reminded me of Sioux from the Banshees) who approached me and complimented me on my old fashion bland silver broach. She Was dancing wildly too and after I smiled mildly and thanked her, she stood next to me and as I looked at her again smiling a bit, she looked at me like she knew who I was or that I was weird or something, a different look, I'll say.

Anyway the Hoodoo Gurus were magnificent ! Good night.