Rattlecans still Rock 'n Rolling in the Richmond

By George McConnell

Richard Thomas, drummer for the popular Richmond District band, the Rattlecans, bought his first drum set in 1964 when he was just 16. A year later, he left his home in San Francisco to work for a band in Chicago. Eventually, Thomas became homesick and returned to the City, where he has been playing in bands ever since.

Thomas became part of the explosive Haight Ashbury music scene in the late '60s. He used to listen to emerging rock stars, like Janis Joplin and the Jefferson Airplane, playing at Golden Gate Park and at the Avalon Ballroom on Sutter Street and Van Ness Avenue. He also attended the nascent rock shows run by Bill Graham at the Fillmore Auditorium on Geary Boulevard.

"After midnight, I could get in for only a dollar," Thomas said.

In time, he became friends with Graham and rock legend Jimi Hendrix. The spontaneity and originality of the era was lost, according to Thomas, with the influx of the mass media in the early '70s. In 1993, he joined the Rattlecans, a band formed by vocalist Guy Spanile, along with veteran musicians Mark Dunwoody (piano), George Whitsell (guitar) and Tyrone Rivero (bassist).

Spanile wanted to start a new band following the death of his brother.

"I've known most of these guys for over 20 years," said Spanile. "We're all from San Francisco."

The name Rattlecan refers to a part used in customizing cars.

"I found it in a custom car magazine," said Spanile, "and I thought it was cool."

Spanile began singing with bands more than 20 years ago. He started with a punk band called Murray Face and the Bloody Surgeon. More recently, he was with Bob and the Newharts.

Dunwoody has been a keyboardist for Kid Courage and Masters of Style.

Whitsell started in a San Francisco club on Broadway with the Sharps. He has also played with the Rockets and Neil Young's band, Crazy Horse.

Except for Rivero, who lives in Daly City, they all live in the Richmond District.

"I grew up in the Richmond at 23rd and Cabrillo," Thomas said. "I always liked the people and the music. I have been around the world and the neighborhoods in San Francisco are unique. There is nothing else in the world like them."

Thomas owns a home in the Richmond District. He is active with Pop Warner football and he enjoys playing basketball with his kids.

During the day, Dunwoody, 48, works in a law firm and Whitsell, 56, drives a school bus. Thomas, 55, owns and operates a parking garage on Hemlock Alley at Polk Street, and Spanile, 38, is a butcher who works at Swan Oyster Depot on Polk Street. The band rehearses regularly in a garage on Fifth Avenue near Geary Boulevard, but the neighbors nearby do not seem to mind.

"One of the ladies upstairs complimented us and said we made her housework go faster," laughed Spanile. "But once, someone got angry about the noise and called the police. When the cops arrived, we broke into Johnny River's "Secret Agent Man" and they just smiled and left us alone."
Over the years, the Rattlecans have performed at nearly every club in San Francisco, including Bimbos 365, Grant Avenue Saloon, Foley's Irish House and the Purple Onion. They have performed at the Noe Valley Music Festival and the Polk Street Blues Festival. They also play for private parties and occasionally they go out of town for engagements in Santa Cruz, Oakland and Pittsburg.

In the Richmond District, they play regularly at Pat O'Shea's Mad Hatter on Geary Boulevard, where they have a loyal neighborhood following.

"We are a blues and rock band," Thomas said, "but our music incorporates different styles. I like Charlie and the Nightcaps, Booker T and the MGs and Al Jackson. The music scene today is very commercialized, the music too computerized and perfect. It doesn't reflect any feeling."

The Rattlecans are working on their first CD, which they hope to release early next year. It will feature some of their favorite songs, like "Route 66" and "Five Long Years," as well as some of their original songs, like "I Love You Baby" and "San Francisco Fog."

"We use comedy and interact with the audience. There are a lot of bands out there. We like to have a good time," Spanile said.