When the “Special People Under Doctors Supervision” band played in the 1980s, the first set started at 10:17 p.m.

Fans could listen to live music from the SPUDS at Moondog’s Pub in Blawnox, the former Bloomfield Bridge Tavern in Bloomfield and the former Electric Banana music venue in Oakland. “We would perform until 1 or 2 a.m.,” said SPUDS lead vocalist Mark Lewandowski. “That was in the old days.”

The SPUDS are going back to the days of the past — well, sort of. The band will perform Friday — at an earlier time — for “Old School Cool,” an outdoor event at The Terminal on Smallman Street in the Strip District, in partnership with the Pittsburgh punk archive ElectricBananaClub.net.

“With the timing of this show, we can now be home by 10:17,” Lewandowski said.

The band members are his brother Hank Lewandowski on guitar and keyboards, drummer Dave Klug, Tim Pollock on saxophone and keyboards, Paul Zyglowicz on guitar and Joe Ziolkowski on bass. They haven’t played much this year because of the pandemic, and they don’t perform as many times as they used to. The show is a good reason to warm up the vocal cords, Mark Lewandowski said.

“It’s for a great cause and we were always treated so well at the Electric Banana,” said Mark Lewandowski. “It’s a nice opportunity for us. It’s for a good cause and we are honored to be invited to play. With it being outside, we feel it will be safe for everyone. Performing at the Electric Banana gave us the freedom to play, back in day, all of our originals and everyone was always so supportive. It will be fun to reminisce.”

The SPUDS got their start at the Electric Banana, said then-owner Johnny Zarra, aka “Johnny Banana,” of Brentwood. (The space is now the restaurant Zarra’s, which he opened as a quieter alternative.)

The SPUDS and ATS musicians were kids when they started at the Electric Banana, which hosted its final show Jan. 15, 2000. Over the years, many musical acts that went on to greater fame played there, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Meatloaf, Cyndi Lauper and Green Day. The venue was also known for punk rock and slam dancing.

“We had bands from everywhere, from Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Australia,” said Zarra. “We had a shot at U2, but I sent them to the Decade [in Oakland]. Thousands of bands played there. Sometimes four bands a night.”

Judy Zarra, Johnny’s wife, booked the bands, ranging from disco to rock and roll, and the musicians became like her children. She cared about every one, Johnny Zarra said.

“It was a nice ride,” he said.

The event benefits Life’s Work of Western Pennsylvania, a nonprofit organization on Pittsburgh’s South Side that helps people with disabilities and other challenges with job opportunities and everyday necessities from teaching training skills for a work interview to diaper donations for their babies.

Babs Sefiane, director of corporate development for Life’sWork, is thankful for the help, as their annual fundraising gala fell victim to the pandemic. They are hosting an online event on Wednesday.

“This means so much,” said Sefiane. “There are so many people in crisis. There is more domestic violence and opioid use and mental health issues than ever before.”

The show is from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are donation-based from $10-$20. Each entitles two people to a socially-distanced spot.

Purchase them here.

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