Tour our Music Archives

(posted 10/15/03)
Questions for Tuscaloosa musicians … answers from Jeff Buckley, Sweat Bee
These musicians have answered our local music questionairre about the closing of the Chukker.
If you'd like to submit your comments, click here.

Sweat Bee rocked the Chukker during the mid 1990s.

Druid City Online ... What was your first experience with the Chukker as a patron? ... as a musician?

Jeff Buckley, guitars and vocals, Sweat Bee ... As a patron, in the "Mr. Bill Era", it was the only place that would let me in underaged. It was also one of the first, and only, places in town where a freaky looking skate punk could go and just blend in.

As a musician, the Chukker was a great place because it featured original music. The first show I played there was with Kilgore Trout. It was our second gig ever, and we were the first band at Wonka Fest. We started at 1:00 p.m. and there were only a couple of people listening but I had a great time. That night I got a chance to see the Chukker at its finest. It was a wildly interesting scene.

Who is the first band you saw at the Chukker and what do you remember about that night?

I really don't remember the first band I saw there. Some of my earliest memories are of Opus Dopus, the Woggles, the Penetrators, the Cunning Runts, Victor Dog and the DTs. I mainly remeber that people there had a great time, until all hours of the night. People danced and really cut loose. I haven't been anywhere where people enjoyed and appreciated live music like that in a long time, if ever.

Who is the best and worst band you've seen at the Chukker and what do you remember?

I didn't usually go to the more upscale shows, but I did see the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and that was really incredible. My favorite shows were definitely those of local bands.

I think the worse band I saw was called GNP. I think they were from Birmingham. They were a punk band and sounded like hell, which was their objective. I guess the fact that I remember them, though, means that they were better than many of the boring bands I can't remember.

Name as some of the best local bands you saw at the Chukker. Include any information you can remember about those bands.

I think the best shows I saw were various Opus Dopus shows, Club Wig reunion, the Irascibles, the Woggles, the Penetrators, the Cunning Runts, Man or Astroman, Hooper and lots of bands I'd never heard of but who put on great, inspiring shows. I know I've forgotten countless people/bands who I should acknowledge.

Opus Dopus had such a cool sound with keyboards and all-star line up. Club Wig and other early Greg Staggs bands had inspired me to play music. They had a great sound that I've always loved. I've loved every musical thing Greg Staggs has done. He gave me my first bass guitar lessons back in high school. I particularly loved the DT's who did not typically play the Chukker but did at least one time, and I remember it because they are up there with the Woggles as one of the all time funnest bands. The Woggles were the best garage-rock band around and they truly rocked the house all night. The most fun I've ever had listening to music was at Woggles shows. The Penetrators were another T-town first, and are still my favorite surf band of all time. GREAT melodies, flawless execution, great stage show antics and the first T-town band to make an impact on the web. The Cunning Runts were great because no one else in T-town played the stuff they played. They inspired me to play music and always delivered hard rocking tunes. Victor Dog was great. I love that band so much and I still listen to their tape. They're the first band I ever sang with and they sort of started me on the way to playing guitar and singing in addition to playing bass. Hooper, the Burt Reynolds concept band, is one of a kind. More than just a band, it's a show with great songs and great musicians. The Irascibles were a great band, playing great songs. They always attracted a HUGE crowd.

Where will you go to see music once the Chukker is closed?

I don't live in Tuscaloosa anymore, but I don't go see live music much anyway. I think I've put in enough late night hours in loud, smoky bars. That it's not something I do anymore on a regular basis.

What's the strangest sight or experience you can recall from the Chukker?

I think the most interesting thing I saw was the guy who could balance a pool stick, cigarette, or chair on his nose. That was truly amazing.

How would you describe the Chukker under its current ownership?

I haven't been there but one time recently, so I really don't have much to say about that. I've been good friends with Will Harris since middle school though, and I really like him a lot.

When you hear the name Ludovic Goubet, what comes to mind?

I don't have anything good to say about Ludovic's managerial skills, but he was a good musician. I remember playing in the Copacetics with him, and that was fun for a while, but mainly because of Robert Huffman and Dan Hall. I don't think he did a good job running the Chukker, but somebody had to do it.

What will Tuscaloosa lose when the Chukker closes on Halloween?

The Chukker was like a secret hide out for the counter culture, and a place that always supported local, original music. I remember the great musical community based there and still have many good friends with whom I'll discuss the Chukker for the rest of my life. I don't really know what the Chukker was like when it opened, a long time ago, but I will miss it. It honestly breaks my heart to think of all the great times I've had there.

What do you plan on doing on the Chukker’s final night?

I'll be there with my great friends Brett and Steve playing Sweat Bee songs for the first time in years. I hope to see some other folks from the good ole days too and hang out.

Jeff Buckley is/was a member of these Tuscaloosa bands ...
Sweat Bee, The Ohms, Kilgore Trout, The Copesetics, The High Llamas

The Chukker closed forever Halloween weekend 2003. Music for the Last Stand of the Chukker was provided by the Woggles, Club Wig, Model Citizen, Sweat Bee, DC Moon and his Atomic Supermen, and The Last Gunslinger. Click here to read more about the history of the Chukker.

Tour our Music Archives

Find Something to Do in Tuscaloosa