Archive for Songlist Special

West Coast Punk Songlist 3

June 14, 2026 at 7:53 am · Filed under Music, Punk, Songlist Special ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today I fill in some of the gaps in my previous offerings of West Coast Punk. There is really a rich “songbook” of music out there from ’77-’80, and after that “hardcore” became the norm, being born in Orange County CA by a younger and much more violent youth, called “surf punk” right at the dawn of the decade. It’s more or less where I lost interest but there are veterans of this genre who wrote some classics – that will be for another time – meanwhile, enjoy!

Count Vertico = I’m a Mutant: A Spin-off (basically the whole band but the drummer singing) of the incredible, what I call, “Sci Fi” band ICE 9 with the brilliant Dan Demiankow on guitar – they were outta Mt. Hood Community College, but Dan has roots back to the early seventies. His depth and talent shine. Overlook the staccato beginning and behold the tortuous lead solo at 2:00 – a classic for Dan! Other ICE 9 to follow in subsequent columns.

Red Kross – Annette’s Got The Hits: A latecomer Hollywood band (pre-surf punk) they had a 12 year old bass player we used to say looked like a young Benny Hill. I saw them live at the legendary Hong Kong Cafe – and they were amazing – very primitive but clever lyrics and imagery of the surfing life.

Middle Class – Out of Vogue: Probably the first speed punk single, but it precedes the genre by a couple of years. Super fast, super brief, as it should be. I saw them live at the legendary Fleetwood gig with the Germs and Mau Maus. They were like Black Flag at the time – dressed like the man on the street with zero punk affectation. Clocking in at one minute flat.

Agent Orange – Blood Stains: Again, I saw them at the Hong Kong Cafe,opening for the Germs – COMPLETE chaos! This song is clever with sarcastic observations of the world around them and the risk of living life in the fast lane. It sounds as good now as it did 47 years ago! GREAT Indian-style solo.

Rik L Rik – Meathouse: Rich Elrich hailed from Pomona – and friends of mine at Harvey Mudd College where I was a freshman knew him in high school – he had a 240 Z back then! He was one of the many rotating members of Negative Trend – but this single (on white vinyl, at least my copy is) has a clever arrangement, and once again a sanguine oboservation of the claustrophic nature of these insular music / personal scenes.

The Germs – Media Blitz: Whereas No God/Lexicon Devil , their 1st single, sounded like a trash can rolling downhill, this first song off of GI (the enigmatic blue circle on a black background) is absolutely a monster! Cohesive, thick, yet clean production, great wall of sound guitar by Pat Smear (later of Nirvana and the Foo Fighters) and the great, dynamic drumming of the crazy man himself, Don Bolles. How they ever tied Darby Crash down long enough to deliver a standout performance is beyond me. Purportedly produced by Joan Jett (her contribution has been the subject of debate). I love the TV/radio talking on the outro. PS I saw them live 2x w/Darby, once w/Shane West.

The Dickies – Manny Moe And Jack: They were somewhat of a comedy band and signed early on to A&M records, but this is my favorite single of theirs (and there are several great ones!) as I like the flowing sound and fantastic long sustained guitar chords. Their comedic approach to an auto parts store continues the tongue in check nature of LA / West Coast punk. And did I mention? a KILLER guitar tone!.

The Dead Kennedys – California Uber Alles: Great musicianship on this their debut single. Their tongue in cheek dig at the then California governor Jerry Brown portrays a dark future combining hippy/liberal ideals and Nazi-ism – too bad they abandoned their oppo to said governor in later years, but oh well, there ya go! Their 1st album hit the T40 in the UK – certainly not in the US! Enjoy.

By Jeff Williams

Click on links for West Coast Punk One and Two

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West Coast Punk Songlist 2

June 2, 2026 at 8:23 am · Filed under Music, Punk, Songlist Special ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

In this second installment some more first wave West Coast punk, visiting LA, Portland, Bellingham, and Vancouver BC! From Bellingham Washington, it’s “Kill The Bee Gees” by The Accident – Fantastic musicianship and very entertaining video made at the time..capitalizing on the “Disco Sucks” movement fashionable at the time. On the vinyl 45 the opening line is “Is everybody around here REALLY a bunch of WIMPS??” Subreference listed in the youtube comments.

Nazi Training Camp by DOA Like the Dils and Wipers, a quality power trio – from way up north in Vancouver CA. Incredibly dynamic power trio with Chuck Biscuits killin’ it on the drums! Yeah.. they did “Disco Sucks” and had the preamble, “Is everybody around here a bunch of wimps?” Inside jokes, tongue in cheek and all that. From the live 12″ EP Triumph of the Ignoroids.

Messed Up Mixed Up by Sado Nation – Off of their debut album. With punk luminary Mish Bondaj on vocals. They did have an earlier single with an earlier singer which I’ll review later, and yet an ever earlier singer, John Shirley (look ‘im up!). More greatness from Portland, Oregon!

Square City – Flyboys. Their best known song, and a great single, very catchy – from LA – not hard core punk but super original and one of my favorite LA punk singles.

Alleycats – Too Much Junk. Super catchy single from an iconic 1st wave LA punk band. I saw them several times (another power trio!) and they were super nice people.

TAQN = The Eyes. Long form title is Take A Quaalude Now. Great very original sound. Incredibly catchy with lyrics that are both disturbing and humorous at the same time – that’s the LA think in the late 7Os: Be serious and have a sense of humor at the same time. These guys exemplify that ethic. On Dangerhouse – who else?

We Don’t Need The English – The Bags: A genuine diss on English first wave punk bands – but make no mistake about it – they ADORED their UK contemporaries. Really good musicianship. I saw them live and they were intense yet good players! On Dangerhouse of course!

Don’t Be Afraid To Pogo – The Gears: Again, are they serious or just poking fun at stuff? Yes! I sing this song often, in a lounge lizard fashion. Again, really good musicians – listen to their album Rocking At Ground Zero. These guys were a proto-surf-punk band.. but not the super hard core flavor yet.

By Jeff Williams

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West Coast Punk 1977–78 Songlist

May 23, 2026 at 12:38 pm · Filed under Music, Punk, Songlist Special ·Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

A young woman with long, wavy hair is smiling and wearing sunglasses while holding a smartphone, with headphones around her neck. The background features the text 'West Coast Punk 1977-78 - Special' and a colorful logo for 'Counter Culture'.

This Counter Culture special dives into a genre close to my heart — West Coast punk in its first explosive wave. I was 17 or 18 at the time, seeing many of these bands in tiny rooms, basements, and makeshift art spaces. What struck me then, and still does now, is how the West Coast scene managed to embrace and reject the wider punk movement simultaneously.

The sound often echoed the English bands of the era, but the attitude, the humour, the musicianship — and the sheer weirdness — were uniquely Californian. Much of this music came out on the legendary Dangerhouse label, whose compilation Yes L.A. was a cheeky counterpunch to No New York. Other small labels played their part too, but Dangerhouse was the beating heart.

Here’s the first batch — all from 1977–78, all foundational, all brilliant.

1. The Zeros – Wild Weekend

Their best single by far — a blazing Ramones‑inspired rush, but with their own Latin punk swagger. I saw them in September ’78 in a tiny Portland basement. One hour of thunderous rock that rivalled The Who for sheer physical impact. Sweat literally dripped from the walls.

2. The Avengers – Car Crash

I caught them in Portland in late ’78 at The New Arts Center. A great set from a band best known for opening the Sex Pistols’ final show at Winterland. A San Francisco staple who later reformed many times — always worth seeing. The guitar tone on this Dangerhouse single is phenomenal.

3. Black Flag – Nervous Breakdown

Saw them in ’79 at the Hong Kong Café in LA during my first year of engineering school. Keith Morris — later of Circle Jerks and OFF! — was at his absolute peak here. No punk fashion, no posing, just raw South Bay attitude. This SST single (’78) is pure 4/4 punk before speedcore existed. The vocal fade‑out is a killer touch.

4. The Weirdos – Life of Crime

Their first single on Bomp! Records — genius from the start. Bomp! once claimed they were more exciting live than the Pistols. Not quite, but the Denney brothers created something uniquely their own. I saw them at The New Arts Center in early autumn ’78.

5. X – Adult Books

Before the slick Ray Manzarek‑produced debut album (complete with the obligatory Doors cover), X released this quirky, brilliant Dangerhouse single. Off‑kilter intro, tight harmonies, and a beat that snaps into place. I saw them in LA around ’79–80 and many times after, but this first single remains my favourite.

6. The Dils – Class War

Another Dangerhouse classic. My band, The Ziplocs, opened for them in May ’79. This was their second single (’77/’78), with a guitar solo that hangs back half a measure — a perfect punk‑rock tension. They later formed Rank and File, but the early material is where the magic lives.

7. The Deadbeats – Kill the Hippies

A one‑off masterpiece from Geza X Gideon — a true renaissance figure of early LA punk. His “Ask Geza X” column in Slash magazine was legendary. The lyrics here are priceless, and the Dangerhouse production captures the chaos perfectly.

8. The Wipers – Better Off Dead

Portland’s most luminous, luminary band. This single predates their astonishing debut album. I saw their first show and their last with the original lineup two years later. My band opened for them a few times, and Greg Sage once pogoed to one of our sets — something he’d never done before or since. Nirvana later covered “D‑7” and “Return of the Rat,” but this first single is the true beginning.

By Jeff Williams

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