1/8: Troubadour, Hollywood : Sister and the Clique
Sister (led by Blackie Goozeman/future W.A.S.P. singer) cleared the place after he pulled out his "Live Bait" box and started hurling huge, wet worms at the audience (the ones he wasn't eating.) The Clique were a Runaway's clone with Dyan Diamond, who later released a good solo LP. Review of the show here.
1/20: Marquee West, Arcadia : Sister & Deuce
The Marquee West was a Vons Market converted into a rock club. It was the easily the biggest and best club since the Golden West Ballroom closed up. Blackie brought his then girlfriend Star Stowe, who was previously a Centerfold in Playboy. We were seriously impressed.
Dave Roth was in a joint circle with us backstage, and being over the top stoned, waved off on his turn. When the joint came around again, I didn't want to be rude & not offer, so I did, and he perked up like a sober person and said, "Aah... More dope!!"
2/7-8: The Whiskey, Hollywood : The Plugz
Monsoon weather hit both nights. Absolutely poured. Tito Larriva of the Plugz (later of the Cruzados) was the most charming person we'd ever met. Their drummer didn't speak a word of English & smiled at everyone a lot. We loaned him a carpet the second night since no one told him the first night that his kit would glide all over the stage without one (it did.) Tito went on to be cast in Quentin Tarentino flicks and had a part on Pee Wee's Playhouse. Cool guy, deserves everything good that's happened to him.
2/25: Christy Lantz's, Fullerton
From original bassist Brett Alexander! :
"That's where we setup and played in Christy's garage. It opened up to an alley with everyone hanging out in front of the garage along the
alley way, the
lightweights were in the house doing lines and drinking
girly cocktails. The swing-up garage door had saggy springs and kept
falling down because Scott was jumping around hitting it with his head
and my Cerwin-Vega bass cabinet rumbled so causing the stick holding it
up to fall out and the door come crashing down. We kept blowing the main
breaker and had to stop and start a few times until we got the circuit
flow worked out. Christy got real pissed that we were blowing the
breaker and that we were so goddamn loud. She wanted a band for her
party but got a little more than she bargained for! Also, a very young
Mike Ness and Dennis Danell were sitting right up front with their jaws
on the ground. They hit us up later that night and wanted to talk about
music n shit, saying they had been learning how to play their
instruments and were starting a band. Mike was enamored with Tim's
writing and playing and was asking him about all the octave shit he and
Dennis were doing. He was funny and goofy, we liked him."
4/11: Rock Corporation, Van Nuys : Lace & Jester
4/18: Troubadour, Hollywood : Lace and Freestone
Everyone was excited to meet Freestone who had the indie single, "Bummer Bitch", which is one of the great party records ever. They hung one of their members on a cross during the single's 'B' side, "Church." My Mom was in the audience & thought everyone was on drugs. Go figure.
4/22: Brea Community Center, Brea : Berlin
Berlin (Pre-Terri Nunn hell) were a decent Pistols-like pop band and we all played with each other at some point (John Crawford was in the Brats with Dennis, Sandy & Scott, and Ty, Arfie & Dan were in the Toys with Tim.)
5/19: Merrilark Roller Rink, Fullerton : The Strand & Brian McKay
The Strand were the band we went to see when we were learning our instruments. They had cool songs & cool hair (ducktails in the back, short on top.) They were doing Iggy covers before anyone else in the area. Brian McKay wore a suit & had his Penthouse Pet girlfriend mix drinks for him while he danced to 50's Saxophone music. Did I mention this was his stage act?
6/4: Santa Ana Studio Ripped Off
Lost 2 Marshalls, drums, & beloved Flying V. Rick Agnew lost a cool Hagstrom bass. Turned out to be Santa Ana junkies. They started a band that went on to become White Lion and are now famous. Kidding.
7/15: Andy Epstein's House, Somewhere in the Valley
Showcase for Manager Andy's money connections with our new bassist Tim Maag. Scott wrestled Andy's wealthy women friends on his sofa which we thought was fairly nifty.
9/12: Cuckoo's Nest, Costa Mesa : Suite 19
Suite 19 were a hair band that had Tommy Lee (then Tommy Bass) as their drummer. They swiped our P.A. head & we had to drive to La Cresenta to get it back. They left it with their guitarists grandparents in case we had plans to kick their butts (we did :-)
10/22: Starwood, Hollywood : Skin & Killerwatt
Skin was a Dean Chamberlin (Motels-Code Blue) led band. Scott & Dennis kept belching the word "Skin" out loud during their soundcheck. Classy.
10/28: Bryan McKay's, Fullerton
11/19: Starwood, Hollywood : Prophesy and Radio Child
Prophesy were a decent metal band whose drummer was Matt Sorum, later of The Cult and Guns & Roses!
12/12: Starwood, Hollywood : Switchblade
There was a line 7 men deep for some girl in a Starwood bathroom stall. Scott's coating the audience with a box of Cocoa Puff's during "Breakfast Cereal Bonzanza" totally paled in comparison.
On to 1979 »
