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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