That’s me on drums with my high school metal band, Road Frisbee, in 1987.
When my first high school band, Motion Sickness, split up (seriously, if anyone remembers why, hit reply all and let me know), Alex, the bassist and I started playing with a guitar virtuoso named Richie who was 21 years old and played through an amp that was larger than any I’d ever seen up close. I was 15 and Alex was 18, so suddenly, I was in a band with adults.
While Motion Sickness was a punk band, the new band was decidedly metal. Richie used to pick me up in an old green station wagon that had a low, cushy seat and a killer stereo with more low-end than I’d ever heard or felt in a car. We’d drive around Salt Lake City blasting Iron Maiden and Yngwie Malmsteen. Then, at practice, Richie would tear through riffs and solos that sounded exactly like the bands we listened to. It was my first experience playing with a musician that really knew how to play, and those sounds are etched in my memory forever.
Sadly, Alex left the band early on, but not before naming it Road Frisbee. That’s right, Road Frisbee. Despite the name, I loved playing with Richie, and we soon added a second guitarist, Charlie, and a new bassist, Tom, both of whom were Richie’s age. Soon we started playing shows. In Salt Lake City in the late ‘80s, that meant high school and college parties, and at least two shows which were my first in a proper venue called The Word on Salt Lake’s then slightly sketchy west side.
Recently, Tom resurfaced on the underrated and surprisingly connective platform that is LinkedIn, sharing snapshots from those two shows at The Word circa 1987/1988. In the faded photos, I spot a younger version of myself, hidden behind a fortress of cymbals. Looking back, I wonder if those cymbals were my shield, protecting me from the reality of playing alongside adults in a world I was just beginning to navigate. Most importantly, I’m glad I kept my shirt on.
I haven’t heard Road Frisbee since those days, but the photos caused a flood of musical memories to return. I remember my bass drum being too big to fit inside my mother’s Toyota sedan, so I’d strap it with bungee cables to the roof and drive very slowly to our practice space, which was in the basement of a downtown fabric store. Road Frisbee was supposed to record a demo in a real recording studio in American Fork, UT, but a snowstorm that night caused my mother to prohibit the teenager in the band from making such a long trip. Instead, we spent a late night recording in some guy’s basement 8-track studio in town.
My uncle Alan recently sent me a box of cassette tapes that he found in his basement. I’ve been slowly going through the collection, having a wonderful time listening to incredible recordings of Alan in various jazz formations from the ‘70s and ‘80s (also, BBC debuted Alan’s new song yesterday). One tape, however, contains no jazz whatsoever. This post would be anticlimactic if I didn’t include a scratchy digitization of Salt Lake City’s finest instru-metal band, Road Frisbee. I’m 99% sure that this is not the studio demo, rather, it’s a cassette 4-track recording of us practicing as a three-piece in 1987.
This happened ten years ago today:
I was lucky enough to be in the room when Future Islands performed “Seasons (Waiting On You)” on Letterman on March 3, 2014. It’s hard to believe that it’s been a decade since that transformative performance, which people still reference and shre. If you’ve never seen this video, it’s not too late.
My memoir is called My Life in the Sunshine. You can order it here, or listen to the audiobook on Spotify.
I hope to see you somewhere soon. Upcoming events are always listed here, and stay tuned for a big 2024 project.
Nabil Ayers / Brooklyn
I'm the guy in the red bandana - Charlie then, Charles now... WOW! What great times those were in our rented practice place, and dragging all the gear around in Rich's green station wagon - I've been wishing I had these pictures for years. As you noted, Rich was the leader of the band and ripped so hard - I was just happy to be there and try to keep up. You were amazing on the drums Nabil - especially at your age.
As for a reunion - I haven't practiced in years, and couldn't even begin to play those songs anymore. I have that guitar handing in my closet, but wish I still had my Seymour Duncan amp though.
Thank you so much, Nabil.
Hi Nabil:
I hope you are doing well and have a successful & happy life.
I am glad you have positive & constructive experiences from playing in bands with myself and others back in the "day" in Salt Lake City, UT. With the recent death of Jonathan Clark, and connected with old friends and band members and those in the Salt Lake music scene during the 1980-1990's motivated me to share others the music I and others created with the world, better or worse, but unapologetic.
If you are others are interested, you can listen and view live performances on my Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@RichardGlaser-yp2hr
This includes later Road Frisbee studio recordings (1989 & 1990), with former Potato Heads & Box Car Kids, Jonathan Clark (Drummer) and John Morris (Vocal), Colorblind and Pocket Change bands. And live performances at local venues like the Pompadour.
Sorry, I don't have any music or video with you Nabil, but if you do please share with me.
Richard Glaser