Who is he? John Doe Disco
Seattle, WA

In June 2017, I found an unlabled cassette tape at the Goodwill Outlet on 1765 6th Ave S in Seattle, WA. It contained 7 spirited disco-era home-studio recordings, and I set out on finding out who made them.

The Story

Hello. My name is Tom. I am an artist in Seattle. The original purpose of this page was to find the identiy of John Doe Disco. Who is he? I created the moniker as a temporary ID for a collection of 7 disco style recordings found in 2017 on an unlabeled cassette tape. I had been making cassette recordings for creative purposes and was interested in collecting tapes to use as blank tapes. My buddy Tim Manthey was a frequenter of Goodwill outlet and invited me in June 2017 to go hunting. The place was filled with these giant blue bins containing.. garbage for the most part. There was one bin filled to the brim titled "media." It was mostly filled with infomercial VHS tapes and occasional record label released cassette tapes of the boring variety. I figured there had to be some interesting stuff at the bottom, so I started digging. I remember a gross smell of dusty mildew smell in the air.

After creating a large mountain of discarded media, I leaned over and inspected the bottom of the bin. Amonst clumps of dust and unknown material I saw an unusual looking orange cassette tape. A lot of tapes look the same, so it stuck out to me immediately. The orange logo "Cinema Sound Corporation" sparked my interest and there was a local address on the tape. Maybe it was used for movie sound recordings on set? I couldn't wait to see what was on it. I think the tape literally cost me less than a cent, as they charge by the pound there.

I got home and rewinded a side and pressed play. Silence. Fast-forwad silence. Fast forward more. Silence... so I re-winded it again and decided to just start using that side as a blank tape and would check the other side once it was full. I spent that summer recording bizarre moments with friends on the tape. Improvised characters, weird songs, whatever. I had made a habit of bringing the tape recorder with me when I went out in the world as a little anolog companion.

In the beginning of September 2017, I was on the bus on my way to a dentist visit. I had my tape player and was sampling sounds on the bus when the tape clicked. The first side was filled, so I flipped it over and pushed play to check that side. After a few seconds of hiss, a driving beat appeared with a synthy string section over it and whispers yells of "Fast Friends!" My eyes widened and I immediately started googling the lyrics on my phone and found nothing definitively connected. For the rest of the bus ride, I was glued to the tape, hearing song after song of these mysteriously funky recordings.

I knew instantly I needed to digitize the songs, so I could share the music and try to ID them. My wife Jessica helped transcribe the lyrics. The relavent search result we were finding was a 1979 vinyl release "Fast Friends" that had matching lyrics, but it was released in the UK, and the other music didn't seem to match the vibe of the producers involved. I started to assume that this musician had covered the song, and created other original songs to accompany it as some sort of demo tape for promoting themselves. I also had the wild idea that made this tape was the original demo of the official release, but that seemed far-fetched.

I worked on digitizing the music, and made a terrible terrible mistake while transfering the 2nd track "Cruisin'." I had digitized a little of the intro to test the levels, then rewound to do the final transfer take, but accidentally pressed the record button. For about 12 seconds, I was wondering why nothing was happening, when in reality I was erasing the tape. Thankfully, since I had captured a little bit of the intro already, and the song itself has a pretty repetetive structure, I was able to reconstruct the hole I created, and it's undetectable. I decided to make a youtube video with all the songs together and show the tape itself, so that all the clues were in one place at once. I also built this website as a hub to consolidate updates on progress.

Reddit posts were created, I went on the local radio station KNKX for an interview, I reached out to countless people who lived in Seattle in that era. I had a hunch that the tape was created here, since it was literally manufactured here and I found it here. Jess did some detective work and found a phone number for the former president of Cinema Sound Corporation: George Woodley. I decided to call George and ask some questions. His wife answered the phone "I'm sorry, it's hard to hear you. We're on a boat." I told her I wanted to ask questions about CSC and she handed the phone to George. We talked for about 20 minutes and George informed me that the tape was just one of thousands they sold as blank tapes, so there was no way to trace who's music it was. He was also very confused about why I cared so much about things from 40 years ago.

I joined a Facebook Group related to TUGS Belltown, a local gay bar in Seattle and shared the music on there. They appreciated the music, but no one could recognize it. Occasionally I met people who lived in that era, and would show them. No one recognized this music, but a lot of people enjoyed the music. My wife and I knew the songs by heart. Thinking I had exhausted all possibly clues, the search faded for a time, and years passed with occasional spikes in curiosity as people discovered his music through the youtube video.

About 3 years later, I decided to start sharing John Doe Disco's music on my Twitch livestream. Twitch streams are policed by DMCA (music protection) and having some obscure old disco music was a treat to liberally share on-stream. Viewers loved the music and curiosity increased to share the music and find out who Joh Doe Disco was. One of my moderators from my livestream, Herve, created a fresh Reddit post on a mysteries channel. The post was upvoted and the view count on the youtube video was increasing. I created a soundcloud account to house individual tracks.

Within weeks of the new Reddit post, I received an email from Andy Phipps, a fraud investigator for Cash App. He explained that the Discogs website listed a songs credit to an "R. Bruneau." He was doing a deep search on "Bruneau" and found a northwest band from the matching time era called "A New Day" that featured a band member named Bob Bruneau. It was him! Right? John Doe Disco is Bob Bruneau! I think?! I hope!

But who is Bob Bruneau?

Bob is performing at Hotel Sorrento in Seattle on July 22nd at 6pm!
Here's the details from Facebook:


The Tape:


tomthinks · Disco Palace

*All the grey text is archived information that was current leading up to John Doe Disco's identity being discovered:

Original Header:

In June 2017, I bought what I assumed was a blank cassette tape at Goodwill Outlet at 1765 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA. I was delighted to discover 7 original songs on it, but the tape was unlabeled. I'm trying to find out who made this music. The company that made the tape knows nothing about who recorded this tape.

His name is John Doe Disco until we find out who he is. Can you help me find John Doe Disco?

-Tom D.

The Clues So Far (updated 11-07-2020):

  1. The tape was found during summer 2017 inside Goodwill Outlet in Seattle, at the bottom of their media bin.
  2. The tape had no markings or labels apart from the orange and white CSC label. I created the John Doe Disco moniker.
  3. I was able to contact George Woodley (past president of CSC) and he mentioned the tape was a mass produced blank tape, so Cinema Sound Corporation knows nothing about who made the recordings.I wasn't able to show him the music.
  4. Mr. Woodley mentioned that Cinema Sound Corporation did have a recording studio(s).
  5. Shelly's Leg was a popular disco scene during the period this music was made and folks who went there might know something about John Doe Disco.Music was produced after this era.
  6. The opening track "Fast Friends" appears to be a cover of El Derado's Fast Friends (1979) (youtube link) (discography info). It's difficult to find out any information about El Derado, since that's a popular name. This clue pushes the possible recording era for John Doe's music into the early 1980s, instead of the late '70s as previously thought.
  7. The album has been shared with Mike Batt on Twitter. Mike was a co-producer on the vynil releases of Fast Friends in 1979, which he said was a failure. Why did John Doe Disco decide to cover it?
  8. There was a venue in Seattle in the '80s and '90s called T.U.G.S. that would play local musician's demo tapes for people to dance to. Perhaps this tape was played there? I've been trying to ask folks who were involved there. I joined a FB group and showed music to that community, no hits.
  9. I reached out and messaged a few DJs from Seatte who were around in 1980ish, and none of them recognized the music.
  10. I reached out to webmaster of pnwbands.com and showed music, but they didn't recognize it, which was very sad, as his website is a major resource for past musicians in the area.

Speculations:

Questions:

  1. Who recorded this music?
  2. Is the artist still alive?
  3. Was this music recorded in a home studio or professional studio?
  4. Are the non-keyboard sounds sampled audio or did he record live instruments for drums/bass/piano?
  5. If he was a part of the 1970s Seattle gay disco scene, is there a chance other people may have heard these songs?
  6. Was this music ever played at a club or radio station?
  7. Some of the lyrics are hard to decipher, do you understand the gaps in the lyrics below?
  8. Even if they are alive today, would they wantto be known/connected to this album?

Social Media Threads:

The Lyrics:

Fast Friends
Cruisin'
Doin' It Together
Trust Me
Disco Palace
Going Through the Motions
Don't Hold Your Body Back

Fast Friends

((fast friends))

((fast friends))

You look so sad and shy all by yourself
((fast friends))
Leanin’ against the bar with no one else
I took a chance and asked you to the floor
((fast friends))
You said “ok” and smiled — I hope for more

We danced all night and both liked what we saw
((fast friends))
You held me close and the ice began to thaw
Then they gave last call and the lights came on
((fast friends))
I knew we’d stay together n’ get it on

We’re fast, fast friends
We only have a little bit of time to spend
We’re fast fast friends
We don’t have much time, we can’t pretend
We don’t have much time before it will end
Oh no

I told you “Come with me back to my place. ”
((fast friends))
We held each other hard in a long embrace
We made friends fast, it was all the time we had
((fast friends))
When you need someone so much it can’t be bad

We’re fast, fast friends
We only have a little bit of time to spend
We’re fast fast friends
We don’t have much time, we can’t pretend
We don’t have much time before it will end
Oh no

((fast friends))

(sexy noises)

((fast friends))

((fast friends))

Before the morning light, you left for home
((fast friends))
Had someone waiting there, she was all alone
I never will forget the time we shared
((fast friends))
It was only for one night, but you really cared

We’re fast, fast friends
We only have a little bit of time to spend
We’re fast fast friends
We don’t have much time, we can’t pretend

We’re fast, fast friends
We only have a little bit of time to spend
We’re fast fast friends
We don’t have much time, we can’t pretend
We don’t have much time before it will end
Oh no

Oh no no no
Oh no-no
Oh no no no no no n’ no oh oh -ye -yeah yeah YEAH

Just a little bit of time
Just a little bit of time to spend
Oh we only have a little bit of time to spend
We can’t pretend
Before it will end

Just a little bit of time
Just a little bit of time to spend
A little bit of time
A little bit
Just a little bit of time to spend with you

(FADE OUT)

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Cruisin’

Cruisin’ me, I’m cruisin’ you, yeah
We see each other across the room
Cruisin’ me, I’m cruisin’ you — oh yeah
Who’ll be the first to make a move?

Now we’re gonna stand in our corners
Gazing long and hard the whole night through
Must be something better for us loners
Than standing by ourselves and feeling blue

Who will be the first to come on over?
(come on over)
We don’t have a single thing to lose
Let’s forget our pride and drop our false pretensions
‘Cause we’re both here standing in the same old shoes

CHORUS X2

My stomach’s in a knot, I just can’t stand it
(can’t stand it!)
To see you there while I’m still standing here
(I’m still here!)
I can’t take this long suspense forever
(forever!)

Hope something happens soon to stop this fear
(this fear!)
I caught you smiling, ya know, I’m feeling braver
(braver!)
Look at me, hey, I’m smilin’ too
(I’m smilin’!)
My feet are moving now, I’m coming over
(look out!)
Looks like now I’ll finally get to you

CHORUS X3

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Doin’ It Together

Doin’ it together
Together is better
Doin’ it together
Together is better

Doin’ it together is better than doin’ by yourself
Doin’ it alone’s no better than bein’ up on the shelf
Now that we’re together I’m never gonna be all by myself
Doin’ it together is better than doin’ by yourself

Before we met each other, we were doin’ it all alone
Just gettin’ by, putting in our time, the sunshine never shone
’Till the day I saw you, I was doing it on my own
Feelin’ insecure and so unsure was all I’d ever known

Doin’ it together is better than doin’ by yourself
Doin’ it alone’s no better than bein’ up on the shelf
Now that we’re together I’m never gonna be all by myself
Doin’ it together is better than doin’ by yourself

But now we got each other, I’ll never ever let you go
Together constantly, I found security
Just lettin’ our feelings flow
We’re bolted all together whatever might be we’ll see it through
You’re a dream come true, no more solitude, we’re gonna stick together like glue

Doin’ it together is better than doin’ by yourself
Doin’ it alone’s no better than bein’ up on the shelf
Now that we’re together I’m never gonna be all by myself
Doin’ it together is better than doin’ by yourself

Doin’ it together
Together is better
Doin’ it together
Together is better

Doin’ it together
Together is better
Doin’ it together
Together is better

Doin’ it together is better than doin’ by yourself
Doin’ it alone’s no better than bein’ up on the shelf
Now that we’re together I’m never gonna be all by myself
Doin’ it together is better than doin’ by yourself

As we go through life together, I’m always gonna keep you by my side
You’re gonna help me through, I’ll do the same for you, we’re gonna keep each other satisfied
We’ll be doin’ it together forever, nothing’s ever gonna come between
Constantly, eternally, never ever gonna treat you mean

Doin’ it together is better than doin’ by yourself
Doin’ it alone’s no better than bein’ up on the shelf
Now that we’re together I’m never gonna be all by myself
Doin’ it together is better than doin’ by yourself
X4

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Trust Me

Trust me, don’t be afraid, just trust me
There’s no other way, please trust me
Starting right now
Chase all those doubts from your mind

You need somebody, I see in your eyes
Reachin’ for me, boy, but still feeling shy
You got to get over, get over those doubts
Just lean on me now, babe, things will work out

You look so afraid now, unsure of yourself
Try forgetting the past, put it up on the shelf
Let’s start out together, beginning right now
We’ll break down our walls, and make it somehow

Trust me, don’t be afraid just trust me
There’s no other way, please trust me
Starting right now
Chase all those doubts from your mind

I feel what you’re feelin’ I have been where you’ve been
If you can’t trust me, babe, we may as well end
It’s so important, I’m tellin’ it true
You’ve got to trust me, before I’ll trust you

So
Trust me, don’t be afraid please trust me
There’s no other way, hey trust me
Starting right now
Chase all those doubts from your mind

Trust me, don’t be afraid just trust me
There’s no other way, please trust me
Starting right now
Chase all those doubts from your miiiiiiiind

Trust me, don’t be afraid please trust me
There’s no other way, hey trust me
Starting right now
Chase all those doubts from your mind

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Disco Palace

YYYYYYEAH!

Get on down to the Disco Palace
You’ve found yourself a new home
(a new home)
I say movin’ on down to the Disco Palace
You’re never gonna be alone
(never be alone)

The lights are on and movin’ ‘cross the walls and floor
The strobes are flashing time to the beat
(to the beat)
The records keep on spinnin’ the music is nonstop
Even if you tried to leave you can’t stop, can’t stop

Dancin’ all night at the Disco Palace
You’ve found yourself a new home
(a new home)
Dancin’ all night at the Disco Palace
You’re never gonna be alone
(never gonna be alone)

Mixes booming from the speakers so hot
You feel it right on down to your bones
Lost in the sound at the Disco Palace
Everybody feelin’ at [go?] home

When they turn the sound up at the Disco Palace
You’ve found yourself a new home
(a new home)
Turn it up a little more at the Disco Palace
You’re never gonna be alone
(never gonna be alone)

Get on down to the Disco Palace
You’ve found yourself a new home
(a new home)
I say move it on down to the Disco Palace
You’re never gonna be alone
(never gonna be alone)

Stay all night at the Disco Palace
You’ve found yourself a new home
(found yourself a new home)
Come on, stay all night at the Disco Palace
You’re never gonna be alone
(never gonna be alone)

Dancin’ through your funk, c’mon get out on the floor
If you don’t know the steps it’s ok
(it’s ok!)
Keep on movin’ and a groovin’ shake your body to the beat
Everybody get carried away
(carried away!)

When you’re dancin’ all night at the Disco Palace
You’ve found yourself a new home
(found yourself a new hooooooome)
Dancin’ all night at the Disco Palace
You’re never gonna be alone
(never gonna be alone)

Get on down to the Disco Palace
Dancin’ all night at the Disco Palace
Turn the sound up at the Disco Palace
Get down!
Dance!
Shake it!
Make it!

Find the one you want at the Disco Palace
(find the one you want)
You’ve found yourself a new home
(at the Disco Disco Palace)
Find the one you want at the Disco Palace
You’re never gonna be alone
(yeah yeah yeah)

Turn the sound up at the Disco Palace
(turn the sound up)
You’ve found yourself a new home
(found yourself a new home)
Turn it up little more at the Disco Palace
You’re never gonna be alone
(yeah yeah yeah)

Get on down to the Disco Palace
You’ve found yourself a new home
(FADE OUT)

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Going Through The Motions

We built our love upon a crowd
You [kept your?] smoke above the crowd
You took me where no evil shown
And then you left me all alone

Every day since you went away
I’m livin’ day by day
You left with my emotions now I’m going through the motions
Through the motions
I’m going through the motions
Just going through the motions
I’m going through the motions

I looked for you before you came
I heard your sigh and knew your name
Your love was here inside my heart
And then one day it came apart

Every day since you went away
I’m livin’ day by day
You left with my emotions now I’m going through the motions
Through the motions
I’m going through the motions
Just going through the motions
I’m going through the motions

I hold the pillow where you lay
I walk the avenues we played
And through the night I chase the stars
That link the countless smokey bars

Every day since you went away
I’m livin’ day by day
You left with my emotions now I’m going through the motions
Through the motions
I’m going through the motions
Just going through the motions
I’m going through the motions
Just going through the motions

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Don’t Hold Your Body Back

Don’t hold your body back
Don’t hold your body back
Don’t hold your body back
Ooo oo oo oo
X2

(Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh)(CHORUS)

You’ve been givin’ me bits of your lovin’
Come on, boy, give me all or nothin’
Just how long do you think I can wait
’Till our bodies find a way to culminate?

CHORUS

Don’t mean to be rude, but I want you right now
Why hold back, I’m gonna get you some how
Just give me your love, don’t hold nothin’ back
I really need a meal, I don’t want a snack

CHORUS

Friends say you’re shy, I should give you more time
You’re not a young thing, boy--you’re right in your prime
Your body speaks a language that’s easy to hear
I don’t miss a word, let me make myself clear

I know you feel like gettin’ it on
Let your hair all down, let’s yourself re-thaw
I can give you just what you need
Now don’t hold nothin’ on back from me

CHORUS

Contact: tomdeslongchamp [at] gmail

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