NOTES
If you thought that the Big Boys were only a memory, you're in for a surprise.
because the Boys and wildman producer Spot (of Black Flag/SST fame)
are putting out a compilation of the Big Boys' greatest hits. Also, ex-Big Boys
and Poison 13 guitar monster Tim Kerr is back in action with a new combo
that is hotter than well, excrement. They're called Bad Mutha Goose and
the Brothers Grimm. This crazy, fuzzed-out funk 'n rap group rolled into
San Francisco recently. Apparently, King Injun, M.Fo, christened their set
with guest vocals on the opening number, "Fight the Power" by the Isley
Brothers. Mardi Gras in New Orleans was a scream this year Screamin'
Siren Laura Bennett was in attendance, with a male harem that included
Mojo Nixon, Keith Morris of the Circle Jerks. Steve Heck of S.F's Phoenix
Iron Works, every member of Dash Riprock, and ex-Rockpile guitar man
Billy Bremner. Dash Riprock's show at Jimmy's was packed to the ratters
Billy Bremner's show at Howlin' Wolf Lounge was a big, drunken success,
too, with members of the Saints (the team, not the band!) making fools of
themselves, Keith Morris standing on a barstool screaming, and a bartender
who had apparently been slipped some LSD. The Blasters are back
together, and not only that, drummer Bill Bateman now has a sideline band
called The Blue Shadows, with Blasters guitarist Smokey and D.I.'s man-
about-town Johnny Ray on bass. They've been playing their version of the
blues around L.A. Ex-TSOL member Ron Emory has just joined the
band Lunchbox, a wild thrashy Hendrixian combo, who have linked with
Capitol Records. They're slated to begin recording this spring. Dionysus
Records has just released new albums by Thee Fourgiven and Yard Trauma.
both of which are cool slabs o' vinyl, pretty much on the garage/psychedelic
side. There is some truth to the rumor that Candy Del Mar either left
or was asked to leave the Cramps, but apparently, after the band tried to
do a short East Coast tour without her, she was asked-on bended knee-
to re-join the band. The Pandoras opened the show for Redd Kross
at the Roxy with about half of the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" and
lots of rolling smoke and strobe lights. They sounded okay, but what a sight:
lead Pandora Paula Pierce, wore a vinyl mini-skirt cut below her navel, barely
covering her privates, and a see-through top. More costume news: It
seems that MCM and the Monster scratch-man DJ Pause was spotted at
Butterfield's auction house in San Francisco, bidding heavily for certain gold
encrusted, rhinestone-studded, platinum-plated items in the late Liberace's
wardrobe. Rumors that Pause will be embarking on a solo lounge tour are
as yet unconfirmed. Texacala Jones, of Tex and the Horseheads fame,
has been co-writing a television show that she hopes to sell to cable. Filmed
entirely at her house on Las Palmas Ave. in Hollywood, the show, called
"Viva, Las Palmas," is a cross between David Letterman and Roseanne,
with a good dose of Salvador Dali thrown in. Her guests have been insanely
diverse: GBH, filmed playing in her garage and getting haircuts. The Hickoids
racing around in women's clothes consuming mass amounts of beer, all-girl
thrash-rockers L 7 getting interviewed by Top Jimmy and Rat's Ass (formerly
of Tales of Terror). Tex just go might down in history as the next Andy Warhol.
Speaking of rock films, a crazy one will be coming out soon. Called
"Rockula," it features Thomas Dolby, Toni Basil. The Mimes (formerly the
Antjamimes). The Screamin' Sirens and Bo Diddley. Look for it at a theater
near you. Mad Monster Party is in the studio finishing an album.....
The Hangmen and Junkyard both finished their albums. Hangmen's for
Capitol, Junkyard's for Geffen.. CBS is apparently interested in Boston
rockers the Cave Dogs. Ramone's producer Ed Stasium is working on their
first album. Guns 'n' Roses went on a house buying spree in Laurel
Canyon. Duff, Axl and Slash allbought new pads in the space of one
weekend-Slash's was supposed to have been the best score. Also, the air
86
is thick with rumors that the band will head out
on tour soon. Will they be supporting a Rolling
Stones tour or headlining with the likes of
Danzig. Junkyard or any of umpteen million
bands supporting? Only the shadow (and maybe
Axl's bike mechanic) knows. In Effect Records
will release a CD. version of the Bad Brains
original ROIR cassette entitled "Attitude" It will
be a re-mastered version of the original record-
ing, containing previously unseen photos of the group. The Madball
(Freddie Miret) 7, entitled "Ball of Destruction" should be hitting the stores
any day. The band will be doing a mini-tour to support the disc. This
summer Agnostic Front will go a-ramblin' with Murphy's Law. The tour will
be called the "New York's Finest" tour. New Jersey's Buy Our Records
will release the long-awaited second Lp by Flag Of Democracy entitled "23"
People who have heard rough cuts claim it will prove them speed-kings of
thrash. (Just what we need, more speed-kings of thrash.) Naked Raygun
should have a new album out any minute now on Caroline. Also on Caroline
the Pixies, Sonic Youth, Bongwater. Dinosaur Junior and Soul Asylum
are but a few of the groups on the upcoming compilation, "The Bridge."
The record will contain all Neil Young covers, so start saving now, kids
American Standard's new Lp will be out this month on Wishing Weil
records. They will tour the US this summer and Europe in the fall, possibly
with Soulside. Vocalist Bill Dolan requests photos of your pets. And
speaking of Soulside, they will embark on a major US tour soon, then follow
it up with eleven weeks in Europe. Their new 7" (possibly entitled "Bass")
is fresh off the presses on Dischord records. They're also scheduled to do
a Peel Session... SNFU have recently returned from a whirlwind tour of
Europe-35 shows in 42 days. Their third Lp, "Better Than A Stick In The
Eye," on Cargo records, is out in Canada, but the band is still looking for
an American distributor... Long-time DOA guitarist, Dave Gregg, has parted
ways with Joey Shithead and company. He's been replaced by ex-Dayglo
Abortion, Chris Humble Voi-Vod is in the studio cranking out album
number four, "The Nothing Face." This effort, which takes Piggy. Blacky.
Away and Snake to even stranger extremes, should be out before summer
on Mechanic/MCA records. Motorhead is burning up the studio cutting
their new album, due out in the fall. No titles or info yet, but stay tuned
Ex-Articles of Faith man Vic Bondi's new Boston-based outfit is called
Very and features ex-members of Grin and Apology. DC's Swiz are
currently out of comission as guitarist Jason Farrell nurses a broken hand.
It seems the injury was a result of a Swiz/Soulside cage match. There's no
confirmation as to whether "foreign objects" or jello can also be named as
causal factors. Yes, it's true, Circus of Power will be featured in neo-
journalist/bombastic despot Morton Downey Jr.'s segment on rock and roll.
Old Faction fans will definitely be stoked to learn that Steve Caballero.
Jeff Kendall and Gavin O'Brien came together under said name and played
a gig with Race Train Schizo and Goodbye Gemini at the Eagles Hall in
Sacto
San Francisco metal maniacs, Mordred will be releasing their
debut Lp on Noise records soon. Look for it, these guys will rock your entire
world. Whoops! Guess we somehow forgot to credit the photographers
for the "Blow Up" article in the March issue. Here goes: page 74, Frank
White; page 75, Ken Salerno; page 76. Ken Salerno (spread), Frank White
(inset). Sorry guys. Also, congrats to Mike Clark of Sacramento, CA, winner
of Skate Rock contest number one (Notes. March issue). He was the first
to tell us what was special about the crowd shot (it was all dudes, dudes).
Look for another contest soon.
VISION
STREET
Previous Page: Bad Mutha Goose unleash the
mega-blast. This Page. Clockwise from Top Right:
Oldies but sleazies, Keith Richards and
Aerosmith. Dave of MDC, channelling for the spirit
of Elvis. Fillmore strut, Stray Cat style. NYHC glit
terati (L to R) Petey of the Cro-Mags, Zowie of
Circus of Power, Chuck of Murphy's Law, and
Craig of Agnostic Front.