Not exactly boasting, but I’ve been in a few fake bands in my time.

I’m not talking about the ones that collapsed after a few rehearsals and a fight over the name (“October Workshop? Are you nuts? How about Hungry Toys”). I’m talking about make-believe combos created for the purpose of telling stories on the screen.

I’ll tell you about Lenny and the Squigtones another time, but I recently came across these shots from a different project and thought I’d put them on display. Some were taken by myself, others by others (obviously) and it’s photographic proof that the Barbusters existed outside of Paul Schrader’s  film Light of Day, and what’s more, that I played in a band with Joan Jett and Michael J. Fox!

While rehearsing for the movie by day, we played a few gigs to warm up for the shoot. Couldn’t give you the name of the venue. I realize that telling you it was “a bar in Chicago” wouldn’t do much to narrow it down.

BbustersFridge
Our lead guitarist chills on the backstage fridge
BBPaulJoan
Drummer Paul J. Harkins with the one and only Joan Jett
MJF:NH
Michael with musical coordinator and band wrangler Nigel Harrison
BBMike
Michael Dolan, keyboards and wisecracks
BBJoan
Bad reputation, and proud of it
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“Just around the corner….
Bbusters
…to the Light of Day”: MJM, director Paul Schrader, Dolan, Jett, Fox, Harkins
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At the after-party: new-2-you (in 1986) Tom Cruise and Mimi Rogers
Bbusters3
Nobody out-sweats the bass player. Nobody.

 

 

 

 

5 thoughts

  1. I started playing guitar in 1987 after seeing this movie driving my family nuts with the soundtrack. The Barbusters were the band I wanted to be in when I grew up. I’m still trying to track down (or make) a replica of that Strat Michael J. Fox played! So good. Long live the Barbusters!

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  3. I had a feeling MJF could make it thru a few tunes in real life.
    I just reviewed Light of Day for a local radio station, and got to share the stuff about Springsteen’s early involvement.
    I would’ve loved to have been at one of those Chicago gigs.
    Keep Rockin’ !!!

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    1. Jamie? I WAS! Funny. I was just retelling my story to someone. I have been looking for a site like this. It’s ok, Michael I don’t remember the name of the bar either(or even what town or street it was on). I was with the sound engineers (my brother-in-law was your monitor engineer from db sound) so I knew what was happening that night. All the suits from CBS were there in the balcony and crowding the sound table. You may vaguely remember the woman that came right up to your van limo while you and Joan had just slid into your getaway seats when I approached to talk to you. You invited me to sit and we had a great conversation (none of which I can remember now but I probably told you how much I liked Lenny) I had no idea who or what a Joan Jett was so I only talked to you. You were gracious and cordial and even gave me an autograph for my then thirteen-year-old son who had recently had two brain surgeries. Had I known about Spinal Tap at the time I might have said more. Probably a meeting of no longer than fifteen minutes, but to this day I still believe you are a genuine person and a really nice guy in spite of all our amazing talents.

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