Rod Barker

Started playing bass in my brother-in-law's BEATLES, STONES, CREEDENCE cover band—BLUE ASH—in 8th grade. After a couple of years, played with other cover bands 'til getting exposed to L.A.'s late 70's live music scene. Punk, Rockabilly, Surf, whatever. It all stung me. Possibilities. Shortly after playing in 4-song-1-gig-2-week existence trio VOMIT POPPIES joined surf band TEN FOOT FACES. Took back my down payment on a Richenbacker and bought a Mosrite. Cool time, back then. Got to play shows with the likes of the BANGLES, CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN, MEAT PUPPETS, FLAMING LIPS, REDD KROSS, fIREHOSE, GREEN ON RED, DREAM SYNDICATE, STEVE JONES, and just tons o' good bands. Lotsa gigs around LA/OC/SF. Toured. Released one full-length LP "Daze of Corndogs & YoYos" (Pitch-a-Tent/Rough Trade), a 7" EP (Independent Projects Records) and a couple of comps. After that played in CHROME-MOLY VIOLETS from '92–'96. Cool bands/bills to play on, including HAWKWIND, BEAT FARMERS, AGENT ORANGE, POPDEFECT, et al. Released a 7", a full-length CD and live comp with Flipside Records and a comp on Monkeyland. In '99 I joined the re-formed URINALS and got to rock on some more cool shows with X, DEVO, MIKE WATT, NELS CLINE, WEIRDOS, ADOLESCENTS, the NETWORK, et al. Released one full-length CD on Warning Label Records. Some of my last shows with 'em was in '05 — in BEIJING. Also played with HUMAN HANDS for a couple of years ('99-'01) during the URINALS. Feel fortunate to have had those experiences and adventures. And now, besides indulging in quirky, poppy, thematic, experimental, or whatnot while blindly apprenticing m'self with recording it, I occasionally play with the GET WELL CARDS. So, what's up? More experiments—and the occasional gig. Someday a blog or two. Maybe.