The Strand - Live- 1988

Arizona Classic Trio consiting of Bruce Connole from the Jetzons and the Reverants and Billy Clone and the Same from joelsamuelpresents classics entertainment

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[allnyermind]

I too was at Merlins and loved the Jetzons. The fact that they didn't make it with the raw talent they had testifies to the reality that it's management and drive for commercial success as much as cre

ative expertise that leads achievement in the music business.

[allnyermind]

I too thought the Jetzons would make it on the national music scene. Perhaps their talent for producing incredibly diverse music wasn't matched by a drive to succumb to the conventions of the mid-80's record label scene..

[oubla]

this one is for my bud Phil, but think many of my friends will enjoy, used to go see this local band in the late 80's. Bruce can pick and dance partners were plentiful ;-)

[anitaclaussen]

Exceptional. The jar held so many treasures, but the Strand were beyond their time. Very pre-Chris Isaak. I loved The Jetzons, The OutCrowd, Gentlemen, etc....but the Strand reached a new level. Too bad they were not the band that made it out of downtown Phoenix and Tempe.

[waketheoblivious]

Yep. Around 1980ish the band was called Billy Clone and the Same. They played in an old shopping center North of Mkellips Rd that was later demolished for a Hughes Helicopter Facility. They had started opening for bands in California and had just released their album Theory X & Y. The album did not do justice to the songs, but at least they were recorded. The lead singer od'd on stronger black heroine after one of the best performances they ever did. Was great to see them revive as the Jetzons.

[CrowleysGhost]

Yeah, they were great. I was 16 at the time, and no one carded me. I remember the black interior of Merlins and the white drawings of things like TV sets on the walls. Merlins was at the back side of Danielle Plaza at Southern and Mill, I believe.

[stevemackx]

Holy Crap! A friend invited me to to go Merlins back in 1981, and I was blown away by the Jetzons. They became our weekend thing. No matter where they were playing, we were there. It didn't matter that Merlins was on the other end of the valley. I always would find time to see the Jetzons. And, of course,the Devil House gigs were great fun. What a shame that they didn't amount to more than an EP. Loved Damons Talking Heads covers.

[crackout88]

I too still have the Jetzons album with the inner jacket signed by all four members (Bruce, Brad, Damon, & Steve). I used to watch them jam out to "4-3-1 Tonight" at The Devil House in 1982-83. And watching Billy Clone & the Same do their version of The End (by the Doors) with the helicopter sound pulsating really kicked ass!

[patwellis]

These guys rocked. I was in Air Force pilot training at Williams AFB from 88-89 and they were my favorite band.

Standing gig at Edsel's Attic (Thursdays?)--kicked ass. Bruce's version of '8 miles high' is still the best I've ever heard.

Maybe two other bands worthy of fame from Phoenix at the time--the Gin Blossoms and the Sidewinders (a Tucson band, but we'll count them). It's unfortunate that the Strand never got that chance, but Bruce has managed to stay alive and still make good music.

[wdjaz]

Merlins...yeah the best club ever...remember those stubid 'bleacher seats'...Jetzons owned that club...i still got their Album and even the Bill Clone one!! So happy someone else remembers these guys, i was sure they'd breakout of Tempe...but oh well...thx to whoever posted this.