1990s: A Decade in Progress - Indie Rock

Beatnik Termites

While this poppy punk trio has proven to be one of the more proficient local groups in the '90s, the band has also had some unlikely supporters and detractors. Formed in 1990 by singer-guitarist Pat Kim (ex-Mice, Terrible Parade), bassist Brian McCafferty (ex-Reactions, Rainy Day Saints) and drummer Reggie Silvestri (ex-Offbeats), the band released their self-titled debut two years later on St. Valentine Records (a cooperative label started in the mid-'80s). They also released a single, the first of countless 45s and compilation tracks released on domestic and European labels the Termites would record.

In '95, Beatnik Termites released their follow up LP, Taste the Sand, on a New Jersey-based label run by the punk band the Fiendz. The record included a song called "Denise,"an ode to local newscaster Denise Dufala.

"I saw Denise singing in a church choir and so the song popped into my head," say McCafferty. "So we always sent her fliers for our shows and one time she came to see us. I explained that I wasn't a stalker."

But what did she think of the music?

"She liked it so she came up to us and we talked for awhile--and then she took off," says McCafferty.

That same year the band opened up for Green Day at Blossom. But troubled followed when they played the Grog Shop.

"We were playing and all of a sudden these cops walk in, head to the stage and give us these tickets," says McCafferty. "They said we were disturbing the peace and dignity of Cleveland Heights."

In '96, McCafferty quit the band to join the Unknown, while Kim and Sylvestri entered into the studio to record, Bubblecore, a new LP due out in '97.