|
|
|
The Nerves, SIR "Punk
Rock Invasion," April 2, 1977, page 1
SIR "Punk Rock Invasion,"
April 2, 1977, page 1
Bomp Record Store and the Orpheum, April 9. 1977, page 2
Whiskey, June or July, 1977 and Masque, January 17, 1977, page
3
The Nerves photo session, January 29, 1978, pages 4
and 5
|
[77-04-02-1-19 NervesSIRRodn]
SIR recording studio, on the corner of
Sunset and Gower in Hollywood, was formerly a movie studio
known for early westerns, hence its nickname: Gower Gulch.
At one time it was home to Columbia Studios, of Rita Hayworth
and Kim Novack fame. It's now a mall anchored by a restaurant.
|
[77-04-02-1-20 NervesSIRRodn]
Lack of audience is not a reflection of
the Nerves. It's proof only a few people were tuned into the
local scene the first week of April, 1977. But the scene was
about to explode, with the Damned, Weirdos, Germs, Zeros,
Nerves, Quick, Blondie and Iggy all playing between April
15 and 17. The calm before the storm. As always, the MC leading
the pack is ever-present Rodney in these two shots, still
wearing his bell-bottomed velvet glam suits. Lots of changes
around the corner!
|
[77-04-02-1-26 NervesBillySt]
Probably the first shot of future X guitarist
Billy Zoom, with his pal Steve Allen. Steve came from Tulsa,
joining fellow Oakies KK (Screamers) and Rand McNally (Dangerhouse
Records and Randoms).
|
[77-04-02-1-58 NervesSIRPaul]
Drummer Paul Collins
|
[77-04-02-1-15 NervesSIRPeter]
Bassist Peter Case, later of the Plimsouls
and successful solo career.
|
[77-04-02-1-68 NervesSIRPeter]
|
[77-04-02-1-60 NervesSIRPaul]
|
[77-04-02-1-72 NervesSIRJack]
Guitarist Jack Lee, songwriter whose hit,
"Hanging on the Telephone" became an early Blondie
hit and still heard on various TV commercials.
|
[77-04-02-1-37 NervesSIRJack]
|
|
The Nerves were one of the first bands
to put on their own shows. They enlisted the Weirdos, Dils,
Zippers and Short Eyes to play at SIR studios on April 2, 1977
for their "Punk Rock Invasion" show. I shot the Nerves,
but haven't come across shots of other bands from that night
yet. The Nerves rented the Orpheum on April 8 and 9, and again
invited the drummer-less Weirdos. They shared the bill the following
April 16 when the Germs
made their legendary debut and and the Damned's bassist Capt.
Sensible jammed with the Weirdos.
The Nerves couldn't capitalize
on that show because they went out on the road with another
punk band, the Ramones! They played the last official night
of the Masque, January 17, 1978 and broke up by February. Bassist
Peter Case went onto form the beloved power pop band, The Plimsouls.
Guitarist Jack Lee wrote "Hanging on the Telephone,"
which became a huge hit for Blondie and can still be heard on
TV commercials. Peter has a successful solo career and the Plimsouls
are playing with X this summer. More stories as Peter relates
them to me. Enjoy these true punk pioneers!
from Peter:
"Hey Jenny,
Thanks a lot for showing me these shots
the other day...they're really great!...I'm impressed by your
archives.
One note on the Nerves: Paul Collins also
went on to front a well-known group " The Beat," which
made records on Columbia, and had a lot of fans.
Thanks again for the shots, showing 'em,
shootin' em! It really is a piece of history you've got there.
best Peter"
When Peter came over to select
photos for upcoming Nerves projects, he said he'd never seen
any of my Nerves photos. That's true, I was so busy shooting,
printing, and sending photos out I rarely made time to show
performers. Plus I was really shy.
Peter said he never thanked
me. That if I hadn't taken [and kept] all these photos, this
history would not exist. I told him if more people had thanked
me then, I would have done things differently.
I also said I wish I had
a better camera and proper film. I hand-rolled crap film and
my camera rarely exposed correctly. I didn't realize how much
work I was creating to fix photos and how many amazing and rare
shots were ruined. If only I had a working camera and good film.
He said he wished they could have recorded in a good studio.
And that's what punk is
about: using whatever you have. It's not about the best equipment,
the most money, having time. It's giving all you've got and
never giving up. Technically my photos have a ton of problems,
but they have heart and soul and captured rare moments in time.
I work hard not to let my regrets tear me apart.
|
| |
|
|
TOP
OF PAGE
BUY/LICENSE PHOTOS HERE!!
©
Jenny Lens Punk Archive, Photos and Stories retains copyrights and all rights pertaining therein, except text/graphics where otherwise noted. That means you cannot make t-shirts and sell them, for example! Or if you refer to my photos and stories in a documentary, movie/narrative/docudrama, or writings online or published in any media. Credit your source with a live link! Like footnotes and bibliography. Pul-ese!
Yes, you can post on your site/blog ONLY if you include a direct link to my website and/or blog!
Write me and let's collaborate. Maybe link if good fit!
Written authorization is required for ANY use of this copyrighted material from Jenny
Lens.
ASK first, you might make a friend. Use my photos so I benefit too. These are MY photos.
Got a cool site or blog? Maybe we can link up. Better to ask than get angry letter/email from people who will stop you.
ANY usage, especially commercial or editorial, of any purchased, licensed, or otherwise obtained print(s)/scans, etc is strictly prohibited. Violates STATE and FEDERAL laws. That means if you use my photos on something (t-shirt, mag, print, etc) and make money, you robbed me. You robbed everyone, including yourself, of money needed for my archive. How does that make you feel?? That's not how punks treat other punks, especially us pioneers!
That includes, but is not limited to, scanning, reproduction, distribution in any manner, publishing, merchandise, posting, broadcasting, transmitting (podcasts, online, existing or future technology), etc.
Play nice and we can play together. Using without linking, notifying me, etc is bad karma.
© 1976-2007 Site designed & maintained by Jenny Lens |
|
