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Last Ride Lyrics Page

JFA was formed around March of 1981. Don Redondo and Michael C knew each other from going to shows around Phoenix. Michael was in a band called the Jr. Chemists and Don had just been in a band called the Deez. Michael and Don never really agreed to play together until after a DOA gig during the Hardcore 81 tour—one of the best shows I have ever seen to this day. After that, the hunt was on for the other members…the only criteria being that we wanted to play fast and they had to skate. Don met Bam Bam at an Industrial Dance (early Phoenix punk shows). Talking to a big group of skaters…one of them said, “Hey that guy is really good on drums, skates and lives down the street from that Wallace and Ladmo guy.” It took Bam about three seconds to agree. Michael C met Brian at a Hate House gig (big Phoenix punk rock/artist house) and asked him:

1. Do you skate?
2. Can you scream? (At which point Brian yelled in his ear)
3. And, do you have a place we can rehearse? (Brian’s garage)

First rehearsal was under Brendan deVallance’s house. After that it was always in Brian’s garage (playing with his dog Julie between songs). First show was at another Industrial Dance (Don got the Crowd from HB to headline so that is what got us on the bill). First song we played was “Pipetruck.” First and last time I ever jumped on Bam’s drum set (have a ride cymbal scar on my camouflaged SG to this day from that). Brian and Bam were 14. Don and Michael were 21.

JFA Articles

  • JFA – Ticket to Ride
    JFA is rounding out it’s British Invasion with a cover of The Beatles ‘Ticket to Ride’.
  • Nowhere Blossoms
    This photo of the surviving members of JFA playing ‘Nowhere Blossoms‘ is where things really started to hit home for me during the Celebration of…
  • *UPDATE: SHOW CANCELLED – An Evening of Skateboard Anarchy!
    JFA LIVE! @ Yucca Tap Room August 9 Due to unforeseen circumstances, the JFA/TV Tragedy/Corky’s Leather Jacket gig scheduled for Friday, August 9 had been…
  • A Celebration of Life and Benefit for Mike Sversvold & Family July 20
    The Rhythm Room in Phoenix will host a celebration of life for Michael “Bam-Bam” Sversvold’s on Saturday, July 20. His JFA bandmates will perform acoustically,…
  • Honky Tonkin' JFA
    Honky Tonkin’ JFA
    JFA released a new single, taking it all the way back to 1969 with a cover version of The Rolling Stone’s “Midnight Rambler” from Punk…
  • Mike Sversvold Bam Bam
    Bam
    1966-2024 Some eloquent words from bandmate Michael Cornelius about Mike Sversvold shared from his Medium Blog. Bam wasn’t a good drummer. He was not a…
  • *UPDATE: SHOW CANCELLED – An Evening of Skateboard Anarchy!
    JFA LIVE! @ Yucca Tap Room August 9 Due to unforeseen circumstances, the JFA/TV Tragedy/Corky’s Leather Jacket gig scheduled for Friday, August 9 had been…
  • JFA Covers Pink Floyd
    JFA Covers Pink Floyd?
    JFA Covers Pink Floyd? Yes! Sounds like the dudes in JFA took the brown acid and covered 1970’s arena space rockers Pink Floyd’s classic hit,…
  • JFA Live! @ The Wayfarer, Costa Mesa February 10
    JFA invades Costa Mesa on February 10 with support from Mad Tab, Robber and The Pegs. Going down at TheWayfarer 843 W 19th Costa Mesa,…
More JFA Articles>

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One Comment

  1. Scott Padawer Scott Padawer May 23, 2024

    I started playing drums in 1984 at 15 years old. I was young and didn’t know crap, but even at that age, I could recognize the superiority of Bam Bam’s playing. I mimicked his fills and intensity until his style became part of my drumming DNA. I never met him, but his legacy will live on through all of us he influenced.

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