Germs (band) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Germs
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The Germs in 1979 on a Flipside calendar. Clockwise from top left: Lorna Doom, Pat Smear, Darby Crash and Don Bolles.
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Sophistifuck and the Revlon Spam Queens, GI |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Years active |
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| Labels | Slash |
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The Germs were an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California. They were active from 1976 to 1980. The band's main members were singer Darby Crash, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom, and drummer Don Bolles.
They released only one album, (GI), in 1979. This album was produced by the famous musician Joan Jett. The Germs were also shown in a well-known documentary film called The Decline of Western Civilization. This film was about the punk music scene in Los Angeles.
The band broke up after Darby Crash passed away in 1980. Their music had a big impact on many rock bands that came later. Pat Smear became even more famous by playing with bands like Nirvana and Foo Fighters.
In 2005, an actor named Shane West played Darby Crash in a movie about the band, called What We Do Is Secret. After the movie was finished, Shane West performed with Pat Smear, Lorna Doom, and Don Bolles. The band then reunited with West as their new singer. This new lineup toured around the world, including at the Warped Tour in 2006 and 2008.
Contents
How the Band Started
Darby Crash (born Jan Paul Beahm) and Pat Smear (born Georg Ruthenberg) decided to form a band. They had been kicked out of University High School for causing trouble.
Their first idea for a band name was "Sophistifuck and the Revlon Spam Queens." But they changed it because it was too long and expensive to print on T-shirts! The very first group of members included Darby Crash (then called Bobby Pyn) on vocals, Pat Smear on guitar, Dinky (Diana Grant) on bass, and Michelle Baer on drums. This early group never played a live show.
In April 1976, Lorna Doom (born Teresa Ryan) joined as the bassist. Belinda Carlisle of the Go-Go's was supposed to be the drummer. But she got sick and couldn't play. Her friend Donna Rhia (Becky Barton) took her place. Donna played three shows and was on their first song. Belinda Carlisle stayed friends with the band and helped them out.
The Germs' first live show was at the Orpheum Theater in West Hollywood, California. Pat Smear remembered it as very noisy. Darby Crash put the microphone in a jar of peanut butter. Lorna Doom wore her pants inside out, and Darby covered himself in red licorice. They made noise for about five minutes before being stopped!
The Germs were inspired by bands like Iggy Pop, Ramones, and Sex Pistols. At first, Pat Smear was the only one with much musical experience. Lorna Doom just moved her finger on the bass. Donna Rhia mostly kept a simple beat on the drums.
Their early shows were often wild. They were known for being very rowdy and sometimes almost like a riot.
Making Music
The Germs' first song, "Forming", was recorded in Pat Smear's garage. When the records came back from the factory, they had a strange note. It said, "Warning: This record causes ear cancer." The band was not happy about this. The song was released in July 1977.
Even though they were known for being chaotic, the Germs developed a sound that was very important to other bands. Pat Smear turned out to be a very skilled guitarist. After Darby Crash's death, people realized his song lyrics were like poetry. The band's final sound was also influenced by Zolar X, a glam rock band.
The Germs recorded two singles, some demo songs, and one full album, (GI). Each recording became more focused and powerful. Darby Crash was seen as a brilliant lyricist, even with his unpredictable behavior. The band's last lineup of Smear, Doom, and Bolles became a top-notch rock group. Their album (GI) is considered one of the first hardcore punk records. It is very important to punk rock fans. Joan Jett from the Runaways produced the album.
The Germs were also featured in the documentary film The Decline of Western Civilization. Other bands in the film included X and Black Flag.
After (GI) was released, the Germs recorded six more songs. These were for the soundtrack of the movie Cruising, which starred Al Pacino. Lorna Doom wrote one of these songs. Only one song, "Lions Share," made it onto the movie's soundtrack album. The other songs were released later on a collection called (MIA): The Complete Anthology.
What Happened Next
After the Germs broke up, Don Bolles played with several other bands in Los Angeles. These included Nervous Gender and 45 Grave.
In 1993, an album called (MIA): The Complete Anthology was released. It collected many of the Germs' songs.
Pat Smear went on to play guitar with Nirvana during their last year. After Kurt Cobain passed away, Pat Smear joined Foo Fighters.
In 1996, a tribute album called A Small Circle of Friends was released. It featured other bands playing Germs songs.
Movie, Reunions, and Lorna Doom's Passing
A movie about the Germs, What We Do Is Secret, came out in 2007. It starred Shane West as Darby Crash.
Pat Smear, Lorna Doom, and Don Bolles started the Germs again with Shane West as the singer. They played on the 2006 and 2008 Warped Tour. They also toured clubs in the US. Some people in the punk rock community did not like that the band reunited with a new singer.
In 2009, Shane West left the Germs.
In December 2013, Charlotte Caffey from the Go-Go's played bass for one show. This was a memorial for a friend, and Lorna Doom could not be there.
On January 16, 2019, Lorna Doom passed away from breast cancer.
Band Members
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Classic lineup
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Other former members
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Discography
Studio albums
- (GI) (1979, Slash Records)
Singles and EPs
- "Forming"/"***boy (live)" 7" (1977, What? Records)
- Lexicon Devil 7" EP (1978, Slash Records)
- What We Do Is Secret 12" EP (1981, Slash Records)
- (DCC) 7" EP (1992, Rockville/Gasatanka Records)
Live albums
- Germicide (also known as Live at the Whisky, First Show Ever) (1981, Mohawk/Bomp! Records/ROIR)
- Rock 'N' Rule (1986, XEX Records)
- “Live at the Starwood 12/3/80” (double LP), (2019 Rhino Entertainment Company, Run Out Groove) ROGV-080
Compilation albums
- (MIA): The Complete Anthology (1993, Slash/Rhino Records)
- Media Blitz (1993, Cleopatra Records)
Compilation album appearances
- Tooth and Nail (1979, Upsetter Records)
- Yes L.A. 12" EP (1979, Dangerhouse Records)
- Life Is Beautiful So Why Not Eat Health Foods (1981, New Underground Records)
- We're Desperate: The L.A. Scene (1976-79) (1993, Rhino) - "Forming", "Lexicon Devil"
Soundtrack appearances
- Cruising (1980, Lorimar Records)
- The Decline of Western Civilization (1980, Slash Records)
See also
In Spanish: Germs para niños
