The Beserkley Story
Published October 04, 2003
As owner and chief producer at Beserkley Records from the mid-'70s through the mid-'80s, Matthew King Kaufman created one of the coolest indie labels, and helped create some of the finest power pop of all time.
On a shoestring he produced or co-produced enduring albums by Earth Quake (Rocking the World, 8.5), Jonathan Richman - with and without the Modern Lovers - (Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, Rock and Roll With the Modern Lovers, Modern Lovers Live), The Rubinoos (The Rubinoos, Back To the Drawing Board), and most popularly, Greg Kihn (Greg Kihn Again, Rockihnroll, Kihnspiracy).
Born in 1946 and raised in Baltimore, Kaufman graduated from law school but never took the bar. Instead, convinced they were to be the next Beatles, Kaufman went to California to co-manage the San Francisco rock band Earth Quake. Kaufman helped the band get a two-record deal with A&M in '70, and hung around the label picking up production tips from some of the greats, including Lou Adler and Glyn Johns.
After a few years Kaufman became frustrated with what he felt was A&M's ineptitude at marketing a hard rock band. There was one small problem: money. "I was watching TV late one night in '73, and Reverend Ike came on and said, 'A guy drives by in a Cadillac and you can either love him or curse at him. If you curse at him, you're never going to get a Cadillac.' I loved it - this power of positive thinking line - and I wanted to encourage it, so I sent the man $10.
"A little later, I got back in the mail this cheap red cloth cut out with pinking shears, which was supposed to be a prayer cloth. The note with it said, 'Put this in your mailbox and money will show up.' I figured 'what the hell' and put it in my mailbox.
"That night I was staring at Alcatraz and it turned into the 'Beserkley Records' logo; a line from a Gene McDaniels song - 'I'm at the point of no return/And for me there'll be no turning back' - popped into my brain, and I knew I had to start my own label and call it 'Beserkley.'
"As it turned out, a snippet of an Earth Quake song had been used in the movie The Getaway. The snippet was vital because they used it to show that two different scenes were going on at the same time. The film's music director, Quincy Jones, hadn't cleared the rights with us. He sent me four-or-five times what this little snippet was worth just to shut me up. This check for $1,100 showed up three days after I put the prayer cloth in my mailbox. I had no idea that this money was on its way," he said.
- The Beserkley Story
- Published: October 04, 2003
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Pop, Music: Rock
- Writer: Eric Olsen
- Eric Olsen's BC Writer page
- Eric Olsen's personal site
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Thanks JR - it about killed me that no one had commented on this post yet. You have saved the day.
And I know what you mean about "Friday On My Mind" - once you know the Earth Quake version the original and the Bowie remake sound anemic.
I was never very hip to indie rock; but I grew up in "Silicon Valley" when it still had trees, and my dad had the radio permanently tuned to KSAN. This one was bound to resonate with me.
Besides the music, I think the guy is quite a personality as well.
I was wondering why none of the groups- Earth Quake, Greg Kihn, Rubinoos, Jonathan Richmon- were not recorded live at the Long Branch club in Berkeley where they all got their early start. Perhaps there are some old tapes that still exist that could be released so that fans could hear their original raw sound of the early 1970's. Maybe the club's owner (Malcolm ?) at that time has some audio tapes you could get. Let's hope! Thanks for the wonderful records over the years. I love all the boys! Danielle Williams
thanks Denise, have passed your ideas on.
Anyone know how I can reach Matthew King Kaufman? I would like to give him details about his high school reunion, Class of 1963, that is coming up in a few months. If you have any information please contact [eMail address edited out]. Thanks, D.
forward it to me Duke and I can get it to him
Hi I am looking to get in touch with Matthew King Kaufman as I want to make a radio documentary about Beserkley 30 years on from Chart Busters being released. I am based in London, England and want to show people here how great the music is and the stories behind it. If you can help contact me on [eMail address edited out].
Earthquake was the first band I saw at the Long Branch opening for Eddie Money. What a show! The place was jumping. Some girl stepped on my toe with high heels, and my toe has never been the same since. All in all those days at the Branch were some of the best I've ever had. Thanks for all the great music! What ever happened to Earthquake?
Weekends were what weekends should be. Tearing up the dance floor at the Longbranch or Keystone to the music of Earthquake.
Please tell Matthew that we need to have a Longbranch reunion. Is he still in touch with Malcolm (the owner of the club)?
Nice article.
I just saw Malcome last month and will
see him again in August.
I'd like to get in touch with Kaufman too.
How do I forward a request to you Eric?
Memories...
I was the original bass player in The Rubinoos.
I found your site while trying to figure out the exact date of our gig with Earthquake, Link Wray and Jefferson Starship at Winterland (opening night of the "Sounds of the City" series).
Does anyone know?
Jonathan Richman sat in with us on 'Sugar Sugar' on that gig and got pelted with bananas from the crowd...
Yes, many memories of Longbranch Saloon. I may even have some tapes somewhere.
- Greg
wow, great to hear from you guys - my email is lsited at the top of the front page of the site - I can get a message to Matthew - thanks!
Earthquake the best band ever to not become a supergroup. Live WoW. Jon Doukas was amazing. Anyone here of a reunion? Let us prey brothers...
Thanks for the great overview of the Beserkeley/Earthquake/Greg Kihn era. I was there, going to school at Berkeley at the time. I too thought Earthquake was a great band and deserved more national recognition. The had a great live show also. Greg Kihn's Again album is a classic. Too bad Kihn himself is such a jerk!
Does anybody know anyhting about posters? I have a Star and Garter poster from June of 75 advertising a concert at Pauley Ballroom with Earthquake headlining and the Rockets, the Neckelettes, Freaky Ralph and Hoo Doo. if you could get back to me witn any info you have id appreciate it.
Last I heard, Robbie is playing guitar with Larry Lynch from the Kihn band and John is living in England
Hi, I am looking for information concerning one of the Berserkely releases from 1978: The Spitballs. I don't own the record but there is an excellent version of Smokey Robinson's "Way Over There" on it, which I've got on a Berserkley Compilation. I know that several members of the Berserkely stable of artists contributed to that album, but I'm not sure who is actually doing the playing/singing on this amazing song(it sounds kind of like Jonathan Richman but I can't be sure). Please help and thanks in advance.
Berserkeley records put out an EP recorded by Earthquake at the same time they recorded Monday I Got Friday On My Mind. The EP was titled Yukon Pete and the band name was listed as "Son of Pete and the Muffdivers". The EP was accompanied by a booklet of the lyrics illustrated by underground cartoonist S. Clay Wilson.
One side of the EP was the instrumental version of Yukon Pete. (The version with vocals was too obscene for radio play.) The instrumental version received quite a bit of airplay on KSAN. The musical saw part is played by me. (I also recorded a jews-harp track for Monday I Got Friday On My Mind, but it's mixed so low that you can't hear it.) I did both tracks in one take each, both on the same day -- Berserkeley didn't have much money for studio time...
I am named on the Berserkeley Chartbuster's liner notes but no reason is given. And Matthew Kaufman still owes me $20. But I'm happy to be part of a historical footnote.
-Bill
I'm a 61-yo man, and if I ever made a list of my Top 10 all-time favorite rock songs, Earthquake's "Friday on My Mind" would definitely be on it. I played it so much I wore the grooves off my old Beserkely vinyl 45. Younger folks who've never heard it don't know what they're missing!
Love this article and all the comments. I remember Char! Agree about their version of 'Friday'. Used to play it all the time in the car, great drive music.
I gave up rock and roll for racehorses and have lived in England now for many many years but remember those days in the Bay Area fondly.
I did both tracks in one take each, both on the same day -- Berserkeley didn't have much money for studio time...
I am named on the Berserkeley Chartbuster's liner notes but no reason is given. And Matthew Kaufman still owes me $20. But I'm happy to be part of a historical footnote.
-Bill
That's nothing, Bill. He owes me $2500. I was an engineer at CBS in San Francisco where most of the Berserkeley stuff was cut. I seconded on some sessions and mastered most of the records. Matthew is a real character. And Egyptian Reggae wasn't cut in the echo chambers, which were small and tucked between the 1st and 2nd floors of the building, but in the men's room.
Phil Brown
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Thanks for this post! Now I know which version of "Friday On My Mind" I grew up hearing. In later years I would hear the Easybeats version on the radio and it just didn't sound right.