Featured below are several photos from this period taken by Naomi Petersen, courtesy Chris Petersen.
Leaving Trains “Fuck” lineup L-R: Sam Merrick, Bruce Gunnell, Inger Lorre of the Nymphs on guest vocals, Falling James Moreland, Eric Stringer. Sam Merrick: “This photo features my prized ‘61 Gretsch Silver Jet. Prior to me owning it, it belonged to Jane Wiedlen. She uses that very guitar in the Head Over Heels video.” Photo at Bogarts in Long Beach, circa 1986 by Naomi Petersen.
Leaving Trains, November 11th 1986 in Eric Singer’s bedroom in West Los Angeles. This was taken during their second photo shoot with Naomi Petersen and is the short lived James/Eric/Bruce lineup, right before Sam joined.
This Naomi Petersen photo was taken mid 1986, just prior to the “Kill Tunes” tour. Pictured are Falling James, Hunter Crowley and Eric Stringer. Eric Stringer: “The reflection in the mirror is Manfred Hofer’s replacement Mike Barnett, who lasted only four dates on the tour. Hunter Crowley didn’t go on the tour. Photo taken outside of Hunter’s pool house home. That was the first time I met Naomi. Her hair was fire engine red.”
Sam/Bruce/James/Eric lineup circa 1986, photo by Naomi Petersen. Eric Stringer: “The world famous Palomino. Not sure why we’re all wearing ties. Probably some kind of protest James cooked up. We had been warned to be cool there. They turned us off because evidently we didn’t turn down low enough. Another interesting booking by Global Network.”
Eric Stringer: “Looks like the Variety Arts Center, downtown Los Angeles, late ‘87, at home between the US and Euro tours. We opened for fIREHOSE and killed it that night! I can’t explain why Sam is playing a Les Paul.” Photo by Naomi Petersen.
Eric Stringer: “Naomi met us at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys during a cram session to get ready for Europe. I was sick as a dog. James was exceptionally hard to deal with. A lame situation for a photographer. Like many at SST, I considered her a friend.” Photo by Naomi Petersen.
Eric Stringer: “Same poolside session with Hunter, mid ‘86. This photo is also featured in the colored bedroom mirror shot, mid right.” Photo by Naomi Petersen.
Backtracks Volume 1 w/ Eric Stringer