Lost Notes: Groupies

Arizona’s Meat Puppets returned to SNAP in 1988 as a tighter, brighter unit, beaming into the studio on the long tail of 1987’s “Huevos” album.

As usual, the trio’s surreal, desert-fried inter-song banter only adds to the psychedelic effect.

LA’s Dream Syndicate were one of the foundational bands in the so-called Paisley Underground movement of the early ‘80s. Led by songwriter/guitarist Steve Wynn, they returned in 1988 on Deirdre’s birthday for their second SNAP performance.

The local legends played a fiery set in anticipation of their “Ghost Stories” album, which would be released the following month.

The Mighty Lemon Drops made their SNAP debut in May 1988, on the cusp of their American success with “Inside Out.”

The English quartet plays a rough and raucous mix of originals and covers that hearkens back to their earlier indie recordings.

More: BBN Ep. 3 – "Inside Out" (with The Mighty Lemon Drops' David Newton) SNAP archival interview: The Mighty Lemon Drops (3/18/87)

The Church visited SNAP in March 1988 for an all-acoustic set focused on material from their future US breakthrough, “Starfish.” Along with gorgeous renditions of now-classic songs, the band are in great humor, sparring verbally with Deirdre and improvising extensively.

Austin’s The Reivers (formerly Zeitgeist) stormed into SNAP for a seething set of crunchy power-pop in support of their 1988 Capitol Records debut, “Saturday.”

With a vibe reminiscent of their Northern neighbors in Toronto, The Pursuit of Happiness, the band harnesses delicious boy/girl harmonies to a hard-edged sound.

Several years before his “official” solo debut, 1990’s “Kerosene Man,” the Dream Syndicate’s Steve Wynn steps out with a few good friends for his first acoustic SNAP set.

Recorded in December 1987, Wynn and co. roll out a full set of new and unreleased songs.

In December 1987, fresh from an opening stint on R.E.M.’s “Document” tour and the release of their album "The Sound of Music,: the Peter Holsapple-led incarnation of the dB’s dropped in on Deirdre.

Making their official debut with second guitarist Eric Peterson, the dB’s put on a SNAP-style roadshow, featuring cuts from throughout the band’s career and a generous helping of odds and sods.

Hailing from Newcastle upon Tyne, Hurrah! were one of the earliest signees to the UK’s influential Kitchenware Records label (Prefab Sprout, Editors).

Long a favorite of Deirdre’s even before their full-length debut, the band stopped by SNAP on their first US jaunt to play a brief but lovely acoustic set with new drummer Steve Price.

Glass Eye represented the very best of what Austin, TX had to offer, which at the time also included “SNAP” staples like the Reivers, the Wild Seeds, and Poi Dog Pondering.

And whenever Glass Eye came to L.A., Deirdre welcomed them with open arms and a sincere appreciation of their own bent nature.

Tom Waits joins Deirdre for a wide-ranging conversation and performance on the occasion of his 1987 album and stage play, “Frank’s Wild Years.”

In addition to performing and guest DJing, Waits discusses the differences between the play and the album; the use of bullhorn in his vocal style; the graphic design of his ‘80s albums; and so much more.