Liner notes of the reissue by Pat Thomas

Of all the various artists I've worked with over the years, Chris Cacavas holds a special place in my heart. First of all, the man is truly ego less. Never once in 10 years have we had an argument or a disagreement about my handling of his career or the release of his records on Heyday or Normal Records. Never once has Chris said "no" to any idea or concept I've thrown his way. If it makes sense, Chris is always the first in line - ready and willing to go to bat for me or the label. He's an A&R man's dream......

This CD, the self titled debut album; Chris Cacavas And Junk Yard Love, put Heyday Records on the map. I've often said that I started Heyday to release Barbara Manning's Scissors LP (which is true). But it was Chris' record that made the music business stand up and take notice of what I was trying to do and what Heyday Records was all about.

I still remember the day this record was released - it was in October 1989, the day of the big San Francisco earthquake - Sonya Hunter drove over to my office in late afternoon (minutes after the earthquake hit) and we loaded up 500 promotional copies of the LP into her little blue Fiat and drove them over to her house and carried them into her bedroom in near darkness (the power was out). A few days later we gathered a bunch of people together and had a "mailing party", stuffing the LPs into cardboard boxes and addressing them to journalists and radio stations. Those were the "good old days" (when there was no paid Heyday staff - just volunteers and other artists helping each other out).

I first met Chris through Steve Wynn and it was Steve that made sure this record got finished......I had sent Chris some money to start recording and about 6 months had gone by and nothing was happening. Chris had spent the money on "important" things such as paying the rent and feeding his family and I was still waiting for some tapes.... Finally I suggested to Chris that he just record an acoustic album to get it done quickly and cheaply. Chris assured me that was not a good idea, that a "band" record needed to get made. I kept waiting.......

A few more months went by and I was telling Steve about the lack of progress on this album. Steve kindly offered to produce the record for free (a bottle of Jim Beam he said, would do the trick). Steve set up some rehearsal time and booked the studio, I sent down some more cash and the party began. Within weeks I was the proud owner of the great album you hold in your hands today.

Because the first version of Junk Yard Love drew together members of Green On Red, Opal, the Rain Parade, and the Long Ryders - I described them in an early Heyday press release as a Derek And The Dominoes "super group" for the 80's........

When I played a pre-release cassette of the album for the editor of CMJ (a weekly college radio tip sheet), he said they sounded like the Buffalo Springfield jamming with Steppenwolf. (while listening to the song "Angel On A Mattress Spring"). We both smiled - I knew I had something hot. A few months later, the album was featured on the cover of CMJ as "best record of the week".

I love Chris Cacavas and frankly - who doesn't? When I travel through Europe touring with my own band - at each club I meet plenty of fans, club owners, and journalists that ask me; "Where's Chris?", "How's Chris?" or tell me stories of his legend and greatness; "He's played here 5 times and always puts on a great show", "The last time he was here - he played for 3 hours", "We consider him the house band"........the praise goes on and on.

A few weeks before I recorded my album Fresh, I was telling Chris about the project; Steve Wynn was flying in from New York, Quintus Kannegiesser was coming from Frankfurt, my old songwriting partner Bill Groome was climbing out his cave to make an appearance.....Chris listened for awhile and said "What about me?". I replied "well, you're busy working on the New Improved Pain album, I didn't think you had any time". Besides writing the song "I Ain't Your Mother" for me to sing, Chris put his own album on hold and drove up from Los Angeles to join in. He's the man.

There's been so many nights, so many times, in concert halls and clubs from San Francisco to Berlin to Salzburg to Santa Rosa that Chris has made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. The pure passion that this man holds is incredible. I've often discussed it with others - if Chris knew the power he held over people, he'd be dangerous.

We've taken the time to remaster the original tapes and give it a little more balls and warmth than the first pressing of the CD had. A lot has changed with digital mastering in the last 10 years. With Chris' help, I also located the original 5 song demo that made me sign Chris in the first place. And there's a few other surprises on the CD too.

Thank you Chris for 10 great years of music.

And a special message to journalists:
you can stop referring to Chris as "ex-Green On Red". I think he's his own man now....

Pat Thomas
San Francisco, September 1997