Hot Food to Go!

ADRENALINE DRUM BY HOT FOOD TO GO! IS: KROQ of the 80's style Techno-pop, full of layered Synths, Simmons Drums, Great Bass Lines, Hot Sax and Guitar. Features the androgynous vocals of Laura Pickle, the muscular rhythm section of Don Wittsten and Bob Ernest, multi-instrumentalist Debbie Roemhildt, and the unique production and instrumental talents of John "Chris" Christensen. ************************************************************ **************THE MIDDLE YEARS: In 1981-83 things were looking good for Long Beach “Avant-Pop/Punk” group Hot Food To Go! KROQ’s Raechel Donahue, nationally syndicated legend Dr. Demento, and Jimmy Christopher at KNAC, were all beginning to champion the band. Attendance at gigs was up, good venues were actually calling the band to play, and they were filmed for a TV show. At that point HFTG had two indie releases under their belt; the infamous “Fries” picture disc, and a cut on Mystic Records' “The Sound of Hollywood Girls.” They had done a Dr. Demento concert with Weird Al Yankovic, and a major label was expressing interest in the group. With all of that going on, the unthinkable happened; Ruth Less left the band just as things were about to jump to the next level! ************************************************************ *************** BACK TO THE BEGINNING: The band originally started in 1979 because John “Chris” Christensen had mentioned to Michael Ely of Hey Taxi and Red Wedding, that he was looking for a lyricist; Michael suggested Laura Pickle. To Chris the chemistry was immediate. Songs were written easily and quickly, and then the duo decided to demo the tunes. Chris turned to local pros and lifelong friends, bassist Don Wittsten, and drummer Bob Ernest to complete the rhythm section. After a few rehearsals, demo recordings were started, and it seemed to be a very good fit. Noises were being made about actually doing some gigs, and it was felt by all the participants that some keyboards would add atmosphere and texture. Auditions were held, but no one really clicked. Out of the blue, Chris remembered a concert he had done in the 60’s with The Town Criers, opening for Gary Lewis and The Playboys. There had been this remarkable sound coming from the accordionist in The Playboys. Chris thought that might be really cool, and something radically different for the time. Bob Ernest said he knew someone perfect for the gig, and suggested Ruth (Nix) Less. Again, the chemistry was immediate, and the sound was just enough off of the ‘acceptable’ radar that the band loved it. During a rehearsal Chris suggested the name “Food To Go,” a phrase he had seen on buildings everywhere, to which Don responded “Hot.” So, “Hot Food To Go!” it was. This HFTG (mach I) lineup only played one or two gigs. Just as the basic tracks were being completed, Laura left to become the singer with a Journey-style, Guitar-Hero rock band. ************************************************************ ***************WHAT TO DO: Left with what they felt were some really great songs, HFTG (mach II) decided to move forward, finishing the demos with Chris, Don, and eventually Ruth, taking over the lead vocal chores. At this point the sound really began to evolve. The guitar got more distorted, the tempos got faster, the time signatures got weirder, the subject matter a little more twisted, and a stage show began to develop using props (including E.T. heads and plastic lawn mowers), sound effects, tape loops, percussion of all types, and an exotic dancer named Karen More. The music got a whole lot tighter as the band began to flex their muscles and stretch out. Just as it was getting good, Ruth Less departed! ************************************************************ ***************THE RETURN OF LAURA PICKLE: Intrigued by the promos she had heard for HFTG on the Raechel Donahue Show on KROQ, Laura expressed interest in “returning” to HFTG. Part of the “return” package would be the inclusion of her friend, multi-instrumentalist Debbie Roemhildt. A few rehearsals took place, and again the chemistry was good, and new tunes were written. This time the direction was completely different. Chris decided to put the guitar in the back seat, opted to use synths and keys, and pledged that they would write an album full of hit songs. Around this same time he started working at Rocshire Record’s Recording Studio. A side benefit of this job was that he could use the studio down time for his own projects. Some songs were built up completely in the studio. There are many late nights, sleeping on the studio floor, only to begin working again early in the morning. The “Adrenaline Drum” CD begins to take shape. At this point things in the band are beginning to get tense; there are personal problems that begin to interfere with the musical dynamics. Certain members becoming uncooperative. The ‘pro’ side of the band is really unhappy with the attitude of the ‘talented amateurs’ live performance delivery. While HFTG (mach III) is great with ‘direction’ in the studio, “live” is interesting but uneven. As the bad vibes come to a head, Rocshire Studios is sold and Chris has only 24 hours to mix the entire Adrenaline Drum album. ************************************************************ ***************ENTER THE BENEFACTOR: Colin Gillis is a talented stand-up guy. He likes the mixes and sets out to get HFTG a record deal. Chris also makes the rounds and gets the usual music biz crap where the only thing any one knows how to do is follow what’s already been done: “put burning guitar all over the album” - “Change that name!” - “The image is all wrong” - “what you should do is...” etc, etc, etc. Colin decides that they are all full of s@t and decides to put up the money for an EP himself, using three of the songs from “Adrenaline Drum.” Records are pressed, promotional performances are set up, and then Debbie quits/is fired/leaves the band. A new keyboardist comes in, and Laura Pickle leaves just as the record is released. Without the band following through on the agreed promotion, the record dies, and then HFTG sadly, ceases to exist. ************************************************************ **************THE FUNNY THING: People are still interested in the music. Many people have expressed interest in all phases of the band’s repertoire over the years, and because of it “Adrenaline Drum” is seeing it’s first complete release 23 years after the 24 hour marathon mixing session that finalized it. ************************************************************ **************THE FUTURE: There are two to three more releases planned of Hot Food To Go’s recordings, depending on the actual success of Adrenaline Drum. Let’s hope it’s not another 23 years before we all finally get to hear the rest of the output of this amazing little band’s juggernaut. ************************************************************ ***************