THE REATARDS at the Rock House, Reno 1999 (1 of 3)

Jay Reatard R.I.P (1980-2010) I've been meaning to post these videos for a few years now. I wish something besides my desire to pay tribute to Jay was finally giving me the kick in the ass to do it. Here you have what has turned out to be one of the most memorable gigs I've been involved in. The young REATARDS hit Reno for three days in November 1999. On the first night (Monday), they devastated the basement of my house (see video); on Tuesday, we hit the Deux Gros Nez coffee house, where the boys did an acoustic set (with buckets for the drums) between trenchcoated and ponytailed poets; and on Wednesday, a lastminute gig at the Redrum bar. Jay's antics angered some members of the crowd, and after a flying chair nearly took his head off, he ducked behind a speaker and backed out of the bar. We split! For the record, Jay did clean up the mess in my basement. With the vacuum cleaner and all. Not because anyone was angry with him -- quite the contrary. I personally loved every fucking minute of the destruction. We salute you, Jay. So long. Peter Menchetti