Live at the Cricket On The Hill, Denver, Colorado 1988. Sadly, the Cricket closed on March 15th, 2008 after more than 30 years in business.
"Quest For Girls" is a song by original member Scott Shaw, which was on our second single (b/w "Rock Advocates Theme") on our own label, Simpletone Records, in 1981. It was often performed at Walabi's, 22 Broadway, in Denver during 1980 and 1981. Bob remembers being thought sexist singing the song until it was pointed out to him (legend has it) that an enterprising woman had placed the single into a jukebox in a lesbian bar).......this was even more ambitious due to the fact that all but the initial test pressings of the song were released on 45 with a small (33 1/3 style) hole. The record remains a rare collectable.
The Rock Advocates were originally formed in 1980 with Scott Shaw - guitar, Jim Swanson - guitar, Bob Swanson - bass, and Dale Van Lewen - drums.
From 1982 to 1984 Jim and Bob were joined by Leonard Ferenz (originally of the Aviators) on keyboards and Dale Van Lewen on drums....Mark - guitar, and Rhonda - keys also lent a hand.
In 1985 the band consisted of Sam Collins - guitar, Jim Swanson - guitar, Bob Swanson - bass, and Grant Hall - drums. They began playing the world famous Cricket On The Hill in Denver, Colorado every Monday night.
This 1988 performance features Jim and Bob along with Tim Mainwaring on drums, and Kenny Vaughan (Jonny III, Marty Stuart, Patty Loveless, Lucinda Williams, etc).
Also in 1988, Westword magazine awarded The Rock Advocates "Best Longevity In A Local Band" saying "The Rock Advocates don't have a gimmick and they couldn't care less. If there were a rock commission out patrolling the streets, arresting bands with excess pretension, the Rock Advocates would have unlimited immunity. That's why we still love them after all these years."
After 1989 the band took a hiatus with Bob forming the Beatdiggers in 1990 with fellow Rock Advocates Sam Collins and Dale Van Lewen, and adding Vic Debauche (now of the Hammerin' Hanks) on drums/vocals. Bob also formed the Love Whips with Sam, and guitarist/vocalist Rick Beegle (formerly of the Jetsons, which also included Dale Van Lewen) and Jim Mundy on drums.
In the mid-nineties Bob also had the pleasure of playing with The Tremblers.
In 1995, the Rock Advocates reformed with Bob, Jim, Rick Beegle, and Tim Kaesmacher (The Jinns) on drums. A cassette album was produced in that year, "Good Taste".
In 1997 the Rock Advocates were honored to be chosen to record a song for the 'Superstars Of The Cricket On The Hill CD. Jim's song, "You and I", was the lead-off track of the compilation.
Jim has done his own projects also, including the Trailer Boys with Rick Beegle, Scotty Augusto (The Pink) and Kevin Meilinger (The Young Weasels), and most recently, The Late Models which included Jerry Lee of Wanker.
The Rock Advocates continued to play off and on and off again through the last decade and reunions or other incarnations are always a possibility.
The Rock Advocates Discography
1980 - "Electric Man"/"Waited Too Long" 45 rpm 7", Simpletone Records, Golden, Colorado
1981 - "Quest For Girls"/"Rock Advocates Theme" 45 rpm 7", Simpletone Records, Golden, Colorado
1985 - "Hey Nonny Nonny"/"Good For You, Good For Me" 45 rpm 7", Simpletone Records, Golden, Colorado
1987 - There was a very limited release of a compilation cassette called "A Little Bit, Everday"
1990 - Bob Swanson cassette "Let's Rock Again" released. Denver, Colorado
1992 - "Good Taste" cassette released. Engineered/Mixed by Broz Rowland at Free Reelin and Time Capsule Studios, Denver, Colorado
1997 - "Superstars Of The Cricket On The Hill" released.
2007 -"Quest For Girls" (The Best of The Rock Advocates 1980-1995) is available for download through ITUNES http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=255576120&... and AMAZON.COM http://www.amazon.com/Quest-Girls-Best-Rock-Advocates/dp/B0010SX78S/ref=pd_bb...
More Jonny 3 music can be found at CD.BABY.COM and ITUNES http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=30584235 There is also a great web site on the Colorado New Wave/Punk scene of the late 1970's early 1980's at http://www.newwave.50megs.com/
Loading...
I saw these guys at Walabi's in the early 80's..I still have the 45 Jim gave me -Rock Advocates Theme/ Quest For girls...They could really rock!
Lorriejude 1 year ago
@sparkygs, hey sparky, this is Courtney the lil toe head that used to come over to your apartment and listen to records with you and my mom (Kimberly). crazy seeing my dad in these videos 20 years later. My mom still talks about you all and the cricket on the hill. keep livin the dream.
Missy22May 1 year ago
I remember that night. Kimberly and Angela got their hair bee-hived around cardboard paper towel tubes.
notelmo1 2 years ago
Kelly ! My ears are a-burnin'
sparkygs 2 years ago
I believe kimberly, patricia,angela and me kelly were rockin that night. We drove to the cricket in my 1963 rambler! we couldn't fit kimberly's beehive in the car, so she had to hang her head out the window. Sparky was with us!
shiney465 2 years ago