The classic late-period Esoterics publicity shot.
From left: Jody Friscia, Mike Revell, John Loken (top), Ed Goldfarb (bottom), David W. Fauvre

 

Jody came up with the name The Esoterics first for a band we were in during high school, which started as a result of my being fired from John and Ed's band. This didn't last long, as Ed soon left that band to join the first Esoterics line-up.

When a new band was started around Christmastime of John's, Ed's, and my Freshman year in college (1984-5), the name The Esoterics was again used, this time for a new line up with the addition of Mike Revell (drums) and John Loken (vocals and stage antics).

This photo has several interesting points about it. Aside from getting a lot of praise as one of the best band photos around, even from Kevin Gilbert, the picture boasts three generations of Fauvre jackets—I am wearing my father's overcoat from his college days, John is wearing my leather jacket from my college days, and Mike is wearing my grandfather's jacket. The photo was taken at a studio in Santa Rosa. We all had our hair done prior to the shoot and goofed around and had a blast. It's interesting that Jody is the only one actually wearing his sunglasses. A premonition? The phone number... I am not sure whose it was. Does anyone recall? An early booking agent?

My favorite memories of The Esoterics were probably the rehearsals and how hard we all laughed and how hard we all worked, both to play the parts Ed wrote for us and to make the band happen. We didn't get famous, but I am very proud to have been a member of The Esoterics. Those were some of the most special days of my life. And they most certainly would have been less so without Jody. When that boy wasn't smiling, cracking a one liner, or jumpin' in a pool, he sure could play bass!

David W. Fauvre, guitar, The Esoterics