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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZGUN CLUBUS new wave band formed in LA '80 by vocalist and Slash (fanzine) writer Jeffrey Lee Pierce, writer Don Snowden (who left before recording) and guitarist Kid Congo (Brian Tristan). Name changed from Creeping Ritual at suggestion of Circle Jerks' Keith Morris. Congo left to join Cramps (but rejoined at intervals later), replaced by ex-Der Stab guitarist Ward Dotson; ex-Bags drummer Terry Graham and bassist Bob Ritter added for Fire Of Love '81 (on Slash's label): sound was a sort of punk/blues fusion, notably Pierce's arr. of Robert Johnson's 'Preaching The Blues' and 'Cool Drink Of Water'; his guitar style infl. by Television's Richard Lloyd. They were still primarily enthusiasts; Pierce had headed Blondie fan club, Congo the Ramones LA club; but signing to Blondie guitarist Chris Stein's Animal Records for Miami '82 forced a more serious approach, incl. cover of Creedence's 'Run Through The Jungle'. Death Party EP '83 also co-prod. by Stein, with new lineup of Pierce, Jim Duckworth on lead guitar, Dee Popp, drums. Pierce also played solo NYC gigs. Second LP The Las Vegas Story '84 on Animal had guest appearance from Blasters' Dave Alvin, but further personnel changes destabilized the band, which broke up Dec. '84. Other members formed Fur Bible; Pierce went solo, cut Wildweed '85, eccentric as ever: prod. by Craig Leon (Ramones, Suicide, Blondie), backed by ex-Cure Andy Anderson, drums; ex-Man John McKenzie, bass; Murray Mitchell, sax, guitar. EP Flamingo same year had this band on one side, new touring group the other. New sessions '86 prod. by Cocteau Twins' producer Robin Guthrie. Gun Club were widely anthologized; posthumous issues incl. Sex Beat '81 on Lolita with first LP lineup, Love Supreme '82 on Offence, 'official' Dance Kalimba Boom '85 on Megadisc with Las Vegas lineup of Pierce, Congo, Graham, Patricia Morrison on bass; also live/studio compilations The Birth The Death And The Ghost '83 on ABC, Two Sides Of The Beast '85 on Dojo. |