The Way Back: A Hardcore Norfolk Love Story

Photos and memories courtesy of Elizabeth Felton

Randy Felton and I have known each other for a long time. Unbeknownst to either one of us, our paths crossed years before we ever met. I remember seeing his band, FOE play at Starz in Virginia Beach in the mid-1980s, but we didn't actually meet and become friends until about 1990 at Vic Demise's house in Norfolk. Even though he grew up in Portsmouth, and I grew up in Virginia Beach, we both had one thing in common - music.

For years, our paths continued to cross; I'd go off to VCU and live in Richmond, he'd move to Austin, Texas and back again. We reunited in 2006 at the Naro to see the movie "American Hardcore," and our friendship developed into a little something more. Our first real date was at a Candysnatchers show at the beach not long after that. We made it official and got married in 2009. Ashley Williamson, of FOE and Buzzoven, was Randy's best man.

Today we're living in Virginia Beach. We have a furbaby named Ella Guru (hello, Captain Beefheart fans?). We don't go out as much as we used to, but are still around! Thanks for checking out our photos!

Love, Randy and Elizabeth Felton

Note: Click thumbnails to view full images and read full captions. On your mobile device, after clicking on photo, click again on little white dot at lower right below photo to read full caption.

Randy at Starz, 1985 (age 16)

All ages show at Dominics, mid-80s

Randy, FOE, 1986, Starz

Randy, Tom Costello, Steve Tusinski, FOE, 1985, Connection Hall

FOE flyer 85 or 86

Randy and a high school friend 1985

Randy one month after his car accident, November 1986. Punk chix are keeping the vigil.

Randy as most HCN people recognize him now. Crutches don't stop him! 1996, Austin, TX

Jermflux: (l to r) Sean Conklin, Bob Lax, Sara Flux, Jimmy Keeter, Randy Felton, 1994

Sara Flux, Jermflux, 1994, Kings Head Inn

Randy, 1990, Norfolk

Jermflux, 1994, NSect Club

Randy and Sean Morales, 1996, Casino el Camino, Austin, TX

Randy, Brian Magoo (The DIcks), Sean Powell (Fuck Emos), 1996

Randy, Jeff Broadnax, Halloween, 1991, Lewis'

Aaron Burkett, Randy, Doug Duncan, Erin Kalvits, Kristen ___, 2001, after a Candysnatchers show at the beach

Randy, Mindy Grainger, with Black Jesus, 1993, Kings Head Inn

John Stabb and me, 1996, Twisters, Richmond

Jeff Broadnax, Randy, 2006, Colley Cantina

Randy, Doug Duncan, Paul Leary (Butthole Surfers), 2008, 9:30 Club

Randy, Tesco Vee (Meatmen), 2008, Trophy's, Austin, TX

Tony Adolescent (Adolescents), Randy, me, 2008, Fun, Fun, Fun Fest, Austin, TX

Neil Hamburger, Randy, 2008, Fun, Fun, Fun Fest, Austin, TX

me, Randy, 2009, Room 710, at Sick Pleasure show, Austin, TX

HR, me, 2008, Fun, Fun, Fun Fest, Austin, TX.

I think just about everyone from HCN is familiar with this photo, since they were at this party! This was the night before we were married, December 26, 2009, at Colley Cantina. What a fun night!