The Dream Syndicate’s first EP
In July 1982, when the Dream Syndicate gave this instore performance at a Tower Records in Orange County, they hadn’t even recorded The Days of Wine and Roses yet; the record Steve Wynn (vocals, guitar) plugs at the beginning is their self-released EP. The camera picks up about five people who are actually watching the band, and a lot more shoppers hurrying across the store to escape the deafening racket. Unfortunately, we don’t see much of original bassist Kendra Smith, whose presence (along with that of original lead guitarist Karl Precoda) is one of the selling points of this footage, but that’s the only bad thing I have to say about it.
It’s not clear why Karl Precoda runs offstage in the middle of their first number, “Until Lately,” and grabs another guitar—did he break a string? Was he already bored? Not every guitarist would run an errand during the first number of the set, and fewer yet would leave their guitars plugged in and their amps turned on so as to blanket the song with feedback. No, sir—that’s pretty much a Karl Precoda move. One of the pleasures of this video is getting to see what a wild man Precoda was onstage. It’s a shame he doesn’t play anymore.
Early in “Sure Thing,” a young man blithely steps in front of the camera, temporarily blocking our view of Steve Wynn. His bandana, equal parts casual headgear and martial arts accessory, is very much of the time and place. I’d love to know what record he catches with his head at the 45-second mark.
The Dream Syndicate reunited a few years ago, and the L.A. show I caught last year was outstanding.
The Dream Syndicate “Until Lately”
The Dream Syndicate “Sure Thing”
The Dream Syndicate “Definitely Clean”
The Dream Syndicate “Then She Remembers”
The Dream Syndicate “When You Smile”