Other ArtistsDesperation Squad(1984-1995) Mr. P, Jeff Hayes, 'Papa' Bob Jones, Becky Hamm, Ian Carlson (replacing Alan Waddington 1985), Dave Carpenter (replacing Laura Kovach 1988-1991), Mark (1985-1989), Caroline (1985-1988)(1998-) Mr. P, Jeff Hayes (-2004), 'Papa' Bob Jones, Ian Carlson, Laura Kovach
From the ashes of the legendary Nixon's Revenge came this seminal Diamond Bar band. Led by wacky frontman Mr. P, this band crafted some beautiful pop gems: "(I Need A Girl) With a Car", "Mr. Fireworks", "You Look Stupid", and "Great Big Boogers (Of Love)" were just a few of the many remarkably energetic crowd-pleasers. A stranger group of people was never seen on the same stage at the same time. The slick Jeff Hayes and his clean guitar on one end, the left-handed 'Papa' Bob Jones with his upside-down mess of a guitar on the other, animated and flailing Alan Waddington on drums (Alan left to play with the Warner Brothers act The Unforgiven and his ex-student Ian, who shared his flailing characteristics, replaced him), the beautiful Laura, the cutest thing you'd ever see on the nastiest bass you'd ever hear, and the gorgeous Becky banging on anything within her reach and belting out backing vocals (and, for a while, Caroline joined her in all her beautiful glory). Mark played keyboards and sat in the corner while Mr. P. stood right in the middle of it all, hitting himself in the head with a lunch box, dancing like a madman, scaring people with his "props", and singing one helluva song after another helluva song.
D Squad (as they were known) was a great inspiration to Wckr Spgt in addition to being good friends, and the two bands played together on a number of occasions, that number being seven. The Squad (as they were also known) occasionally reformed between 1995 and 1998 to play a benefit here or reunion show there. During this time, Mr P also ran for Mayor of Pomona. Squad (the smallest truncation of their name) reformed in 1998 and continue to rock Los Angeles and the Inland Valley, recently completing a successful stint on the Vans "Warped Tour". For more information, and to follow the Desperation Squad lineage, see the Desperation Squad site. Nothing Painted BlueFranklin Bruno, Kyle Brodie, Peter Hughes (replacing Joey Burns 1993), Mike Neelon (on-again/off-again)
The Inland Empire's most popular Pop Band. Led by the verbose and elegant wordsmith Franklin Bruno, powered by the unstoppable rhythms of Kyle Brodie, and kicked in the ass by bassist Peter Hughes, Nothing Painted Blue rocks like a pop band rocking. Their releases include:
For more information, please see one of the many Nothing Painted Blue Home Pages. Franklin also leads a successful solo career and his recordings are numerous. For details, see The Franklin Bruno Page on iMusic. Peter Hughes heads a brilliant group called Diskothi-Q. Kyle works for the District Attorney in Los Angeles. The Mountain GoatsJohn Darnielle
At various and sordid times, John has been joined by Rachel, Rosanne, Sarah, and Amy (under the name The Bright Mountain Choir or listed as members) but the focus has always been on John. A brilliant songwriter and a very close friend of Wckr Spgt, John Darnielle attacks the acoustic guitar with vim and belts out a tune like a vicar. Recognized worldwide as a leader in the Bi-Fi revolution, his stunning song writing led to extensive touring throughout the nineties and earned him a reputation as a vibrant and prolific performer. His extensive list of recordings include: For more information, lyrics, and a complete discography, please see The Mountain Goats Home Page. Begining in 2001, John Darnielle has been joined by Peter Hughes and they are really doing wonders in the world of rock and roll. Watch for them on tour in a town near you.Savage RepublicIndependent Projects produced some of the most attractive album covers and packages ever. A strange but "ground-breaking" Los Angeles band in the mid-eighties, Savage Republic contained members who also ran Independent Projects. Thom Fuhrmann, one of said members, was an early supporter of Wckr Spgt and, with his friend Val Haller, a member of Electric B'Jesus and the Livin' Bass Band. The Angry SamoansGregg Turner, leader of The Mistaken, and 'Metal Mike' Saunders formed this punk rock band in 1978 and didn't stop until 1994. Hailed as insane by some and inane by others, The Angry Samoans have many recordings to complement their lengthy career. The UnforgivenWhen Alan Waddington left Desperation Squad in 1985 he joined this Old Western-themed "guitar army" with Steve Jones (from The Stepmothers and calling himself John Henry Jones), John Hickman (later of Cracker), and Todd Ross (older brother of Kurt) among others. Signed to Warner Brothers in 1986, their self-titled debut album caused small ripples in the industry and their hit single "I Hear The Call" crept down from the charts. Not the rousing success that was anticipated, the industry hype killed them, but still, they were a great live band and a whole lot of fun. For more information on The Stepmothers and The Unforgiven, see Roverpack.com Music facked: Johnny Hickman & Davey Faragher appeared in an episode of WKRP in Cincinnati as a rock band called Rape and Pillage.
Kurt RossKurt Ross' many bands have included Red Brigade, Kent State, 10,000 Heartaches, and The Flamethrowers. His greatest success was achieved with The Honky Tonk Angels, a bar band with a strong rock and roll edge. He is a singer with a powerful stage presence and great legs. He's also very tall.
Jim BanwellJim owns a machine shop. He makes crazy-ass sculptures and wild machines. He also builds things for large corporations. He is not a band but should be considered one. Be careful. |
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