These days, seeing the word “fuck” on an album cover is about as exciting as watching Taylor Swift date a Kennedy, but back in 1969, it could send a band straight up shit creek without a paddle. That’s exactly what happened to ’60s San Francisco band Sons of Champlin and their double album Loosen Up Naturally. According to a Champlin roadie, the offending word was surreptitiously written into the album art proof by a scorned woman looking for revenge. When Capitol Records discovered the hidden “fuck,” it was too late—Loosen Up Naturally had already returned from the printer. Legend has it that the job of scratching out each and every fuck fell on two lowly temps, paid for by the band. Let’s assume Sons of Champlin have recovered when they play on Friday, Dec. 7, at the Uptown Theatre. 1350 Third St., Napa. $35. 8pm. 707.259.0123.
—Leilani Clark
