Erie Music History Podcast · Chip Schell

053: Jeff "Tune" Klahr

·1 hr·5 clips

A weird neighbor gave Jeff Clare the nickname 'Toon' after listening to his junior high band rehearsals.

This episode of the Erie Music History Podcast features host Chip Schell interviewing local drummer Jeff "Tune" Klahr. Klahr is a journeyman musician who has played in numerous Erie bands since the 1960s. His nickname "Tune" originated in junior high from a neighbor who gave nicknames to his bandmates. Klahr's first band, The Beachcombers, performed on the local TV show "Teens and Talent" in 1966 when the members were just twelve years old. His extensive career includes stints with bands like Happy Scab, Kelly Seller, Hefty, Eddie C and the Bees, and The Cows. He recounts a story where Happy Scab was banned from the Hullabaloo club after a stage incident involving fake plastic dog poop. Klahr also filled in for an injured Joey Salerino with The Cows, playing Sunday nights at the Surf Club in Bemus Point. A notable period was his time with the punk-leaning band The Swingers in Chicago, where they once shared a bill with the B-52s before the band was famous. He received a call from Bob Berger to return to Erie and join The Pulse, which prompted his departure from Chicago. With The Pulse, Klahr opened for national acts like Robert Palmer and Cyndi Lauper. The band prepared for a Florida tour by rehearsing new rock material in a Holiday Inn lounge at 2 a.m. after their regular sets. One surprising claim is that a club bouncer once refused Pistol Whip entry, allegedly due to rumors about the band's members. An interesting insight is how Klahr transitioned from a punk band in Chicago back to a top-40 lounge act that evolved into the successful rock band The Pulse. He notes that hearing The Pulse's songs like "You Want to Know Why" on local radio was a validating experience. The conversation is casual and nostalgic, driven by Klahr's personal scrapbooks and setlists. The style is conversational and anecdotal, focusing on personal memories and local music lore. This episode is ideal for listeners interested in the history of Erie's 1970s and 80s rock and club scene. Those seeking a focused narrative on a single band or musical genre might find the rapid tour through many groups less engaging.

As heard by us

A textured look at Erie band history, from a junior-high nickname to club gigs and changing lineups.

This review follows Jeff "Toon" Klahr as he moves through a small Erie web of names, places, and remembered bands. It keeps its footing in the local detail, from the junior-high nickname in Gridley to Bob Berger's house, and lets the story unfold without forcing it into a tidy…

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Why you'd press play

If you want the story behind Toon and the band trail that followed, start here.

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