Immune System

Immune System was one of the earliest participants in the Chicago alternative music scene of the mid-1970s to early 1980s along with musicians and bands such as Skafish, TuTu & the Pirates and B.B. Spin. Immune System was Chicago's "art school" band and formed around jam sessions begun in 1975-76 in the basment of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago which involved students, faculty and staff members of the School.

Bob Cormack (guitar/vocals, sax/drums) and Jaime Gardiner (bass/vocals) had begun playing together in the mid-70s as had Fred Endsley (guitar/vocals)and George Siede (guitar/vocals). The group coalesced with the addition of Rochelle Goldberg on vocals and Larry Miller on drums/vocals. The band began rehearsals in 1977 at Miller's loft on Milwaukee Avenue across from the Paulina Building becoming the first band to emerge from the nascent Wicker Park scene.

The band's sound was an angular pop-rock and included influences of reggae and film noir as well as sixties pop. Along with the bands mentioned, Immune System had the so-called "new wave" scene to themselves for a period of time and venues were so sparse that the band frequently played at loft parties and benefits in support of the arts. The band expanded their base by playing suburban and out-of-town gigs, playing memorably at Pirates Cove in Cleveland co-billed with Ohio's Pagans. But the public was slow to take to the newer music styles and the band had to sometimes stage their own events.

After their initial gigs, Fred Endsley left the band and formed The Dadistics with Michael Hernandez de Luna among others. The band recorded and released one single on their own label, "Ambivalence & Spark Plugs (Siede/Goldberg) b/w "Submerged" (Gardiner) recorded by Andy Watermann at Shadetree Studios in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The single was successful enough to warrant a second pressing.

In early 1979, Cormack and Gardiner split to form the trio, Poison Squirrel. Cormack was replaced for a period of months by Al Jourgensen, later of Special Affect and Ministry. After replacing these key members, Immune System continued on for several years, toured the East Coast and played New York at Hurrah's and the Mudd Club. Rochelle Goldberg billed as "Rochelle Jones" went on to play in the Nicholas Tremulis band in the later 1980s.

They were profiled in Gabba Gabba Gazette #9 (Nov/Dec. 78), which also contained a contest to "Win a Date with the Immune of your choice". (It was a joke contest, no one actually won.

Personnel

• Bob Cormack - Guitar, vocals
• Jaime Gardner - bass, vocals
• Ro Goldberg - vocals
• Larry Miller - drums
• George Siede - guitar
• Tom Arndt - Bass