NEWARK (pronounced NOO…ARK) is a small college town in Delaware and nestled about twenty-five miles south of Philadelphia. For music aficionados, Newark may always be remembered as the unlikely launch pad for two legendary performers- George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers in the late 1970’s and Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers in the early 1980’s.  Skateboarder Jim Tesnar and photographer John Hagan remember their formative youth in Newark plus their attraction to the Young Rumblers. “Newark was insane! I remember the “TV Smash” at all the Skid Row parties. Kids would actually throw televisions out of the second- story window. It was crazy!” recalls Jim Tesnar. 

John with Paul Slivka at Stone Balloon

Jim
I went to University of Delaware around 1984. Dave Gardner and I put out a local magazine called “Spunk Skate Zine.” The magazine was inspired by skateboarding, punk rock, and hardcore. We “advertised” by putting cheap stickers everywhere on campus like stop signs and elevators. I recall handing the magazine to Tommy Conwell, who was lounging on campus one afternoon, and he said, “I like how you guys do things the hard way!” I always remembered his quote. 

All TCYR photos by John Hagan

I wish that I could say that I was on a “mission” to photograph Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers. However, I was attending photography school in ’84 and I desperately needed photos for my assignments. I was drawn to the idea of photographing a live band and using musical soundtrack from my presentations. When I first started photographing Tommy’s gigs, I was quite cautious. I was underage going into bars! It seemed like a stupid idea having a camera and drawing attention to myself. However, after seeing the Rumblers play live, I got hooked. 

The three-piece Young Rumblers sounded like the marriage of Chuck Berry and the Sex Pistols. 

Jim
Back in ’84, I remember Newark bands like Rude Awakening, Euthenasia, Honour Society, Christian Snipers, Men in Black, Beat Clinic, Maytags, and Jones Purcell. A lot of the punk bands would play a little dive called Sam’s that was supportive of live music and underage drinking! Here is a list of hardcore punk bands I listen to- 

Radio Birdman  
Professionals
SSD 
Black Flag  
Fear
Meatmen 
Gang Green

John
It would not be unusual for me to travel to see the Young Rumblers for FOUR nights in a row at clubs like the Stone Balloon, Mingles, the Crab Shack, Sweetwaters, Bottle and Cork, Greene Turtle, Rusty Rudder, CJ Chips, Buddy’s on the Bay, Libby’s, and Hammerjacks. I got to know the Rumbler’s roadies and road manager, who always gave me full access to photograph the band. That was cool!

Jim
I always heard the Young Rumblers rehearse in the afternoons at the State Theatre on Main Street in Newark. I loved their sound……..sort of a unique blend of punk and rock.

John
The Young Rumblers played a half hour show on the sidewalk outside the State Theatre on Saturday afternoons to promote their late night gig after the Rocky Horror Picture Show.  I remember seeing (and photographing) the sidewalk show.



Jim
My favorite songs are “Satisfaction Guaranteed,” (I listen to that song before I skate. It gets me amped!), “Cruisin’ Slow,” “If We Never Meet Again” (Reminds me of girls I dated), and “My Mae Mae.” I was recently cranking "Rumble" and it brought out many fond memories!


John
“Yeah Daddy,” “I’ll Get By,” and “Living Room.” I loved the guitar riff to “I’ll Get By.” I remember a 30-second punk rock version of “King of the Road” the Rumblers would rarely play. I would love to get a bootleg!


Jim
As I look back, I guess there was a certain “rebelliousness” that attracted me to punk rock, rockabilly, and the Young Rumblers. 


John
I was always impressed by how much Tommy Conwell knew about music. He seemed to be knowledgeable about blues, punk, country, rock, and even jazz.