May 15, 2025

Wrecking Wall

The Peppermint Beach Club in Virginia Beach hosted a legendary slew of artists from about 1960 until they turned it into a parking lot after the last show in 1994. Fats Domino, B.B. King, and Ray Charles played what the locals simply called “the Peppermint.” The likes of Motorhead, Dave Matthews, Corrosion of Conformity, Weezer, NIN, Fugazi, and even Bob Seger followed. Bill Deal and the Rhondels served up blue-eyed soul and beach music as the house band back in the day, and if you’ve never heard their “What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am,” give it a listen.

We only played there twice.

Once was the result of a last-minute call to open for Material Issue. It was a huge leap for us, getting to open for a nationally touring band. If you’re unfamiliar, add “Valerie Loves Me” or “Kim the Waitress” to that listen list. Material Issue was a blistering pop “alternative” outfit, and the records still stand up.

The only other time we played the Peppermint was for a “battle of the bands.” It wasn’t nearly as cool as the one in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, but the winner got some recording time at Rumble Studios.

Where am I going here? Well, a few months ago, while rummaging through all the 2-inch tape I have in storage, I stumbled upon a reel with “Wrecking Wall” scrawled in Sharpie. What in the world was this? I couldn’t place it.

Turns out, we won that battle of the bands. And this was the tape.

On May 30^th, the band will reissue Churn with a few additional songs I’d forgotten were in the can. “Wrecking Wall” is one. Another is the very first recording of “MY, MY.” The last is a tune called “Over Nothing”—think early version of “Margarette” with different lyrics, but still Casey’s tell-tale bass line. Give Wrecking Wall a listen and feel free to pre-save the Churn release.

What I hear in these recordings is the hint of what began to transpire months later, when I graduated from college and the whirlwind began. It sounds to me like four guys in a studio just going for it, a little directionless but with a whole lot of heart.

Here’s to forever going for it.

Yours,

JR

Mike Moran at the board at Rumble during the recording of the 3 songs.

Photo from Virginia Beach historic marker