Darby CrashJan Paul Beahm (better known by his stage name Darby Crash, formerly Bobby Pyn; September 26, 1958 – December 7, 1980) was an American singer who, along with longtime friend Pat Smear (born Georg Albert Ruthenberg), co-founded the punk rock band the Germs and was best known as their lead vocalist. In 1980, he committed suicide by deliberately overdosing on heroin. Early lifeJan Paul had a troubled childhood.
Pat SmearGeorg Albert Ruthenberg (born August 5, 1959), better known by his stage name Pat Smear, is an American musician who plays guitar for Foo Fighters. He was the lead guitarist and co-founder of the Los Angeles–based punk band Germs and a touring guitarist for Nirvana. He joined Foo Fighters in 1994 and left the band in 1997, before rejoining as a touring guitarist in 2005 and once again becoming a full-time member in 2010.
GI (album)GI, stylized in parentheses as (GI), is the only studio album by American punk rock band the Germs. Often considered the first full-length hardcore punk album, it was released in the United States in October 1979 on Slash Records with catalog number SR 103. The album was later released in Italy in 1982 by Expanded Music with the catalog EX 11.
Joan JettJoan Jett (born Joan Marie Larkin; September 22, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, businesswoman, and actress. Often referred to as the "Godmother of Punk" and "Queen of Rock and Roll", she is regarded as a rock icon and an influential figure in popular rock music. Jett co-founded and performed with rock band the Runaways from 1975 to 1979, with whom she released four studio albums.
Don Bolles (musician)Jimmy Michael Giorsetti (born July 30, 1956), also known by the moniker Don Bolles, is an American drummer. He was involved in the 1970s and 1980s punk scene in Los Angeles, California, performing with Germs, Nervous Gender, 45 Grave and Celebrity Skin. Prior to relocating to LA in February 1978, Bolles had played in several Phoenix punk bands, including Heavy Metal Frogs, Kray-Zee Homicide, Liars and the Exterminators.
Nirvana (band)Nirvana was an American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. Founded by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, the band went through a succession of drummers, most notably Chad Channing, before recruiting Dave Grohl in 1990. Nirvana's success popularized alternative rock, and they were often referenced as the flagship band of Generation X. Their music maintains a popular following and continues to influence rock culture.
Lorna DoomLorna Doom (born Teresa Marie Ryan, January 4, 1958 – January 16, 2019) was an American musician best known as the bass guitarist for the punk rock band the Germs from 1976 to 1980, and again after they got back together from 2005 to 2009. Early lifeDoom grew up in Thousand Oaks, California, and attended Newbury Park High School, where she met Belinda Carlisle.What We Do Is Secret (film)What We Do Is Secret is a 2007 American biographical film about Darby Crash, singer of the late-1970s Los Angeles punk rock band the Germs. It was directed by Rodger Grossman, who wrote the screenplay based on a story he had written with Michelle Baer Ghaffari, a friend of Crash's and co-producer of the film. Shane West stars as Crash, while Rick Gonzalez, Bijou Phillips, and Noah Segan respectively portray Germs members Pat Smear, Lorna Doom, and Don Bolles.
Foo FightersAmerican rock bandThe Foo Fighters are an American rock band formed in Seattle in 1994. Initially founded as a one-man project by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, the band comprises vocalist/guitarist Grohl, bassist Nate Mendel, guitarists Pat Smear and Chris Shiflett, keyboardist Rami Jaffee and drummer Ilan Rubin. Guitarist Franz Stahl and drummers William Goldsmith, Taylor Hawkins, and Josh Freese are former members.
Shane WestShannon Bruce Snaith (born June 10, 1978), better known as Shane West, is an American actor, singer and songwriter. He is known for his portrayal of Eli Sammler in the ABC family drama Once and Again, Landon Carter in A Walk to Remember, Dr. Ray Barnett in the NBC medical drama ER, Michael Bishop in The CW spy drama Nikita and in the WGN fantasy adventure historical drama Salem as John Alden.The Decline of Western CivilizationThe Decline of Western Civilization is a 1981 American documentary filmed through 1979 and 1980. The movie is about the Los Angeles punk rock scene and was directed by Penelope Spheeris. In 1981, the Los Angeles Police Department chief Daryl Gates wrote a letter demanding the film not be shown again in the city. The film is the opening act of a trilogy by Spheeris, depicting music scenes in Los Angeles in the late 20th century.
Penelope SpheerisPenelope Spheeris (born December 2, 1945) is an American filmmaker. Her best-known works include The Decline of Western Civilization trilogy of music documentaries (1981–98), each covering an aspect of Los Angeles underground culture, and has been referred to as a "rock 'n roll anthropologist". She is also known for directing the comedy films Wayne's World (1992, her highest-grossing film), Dudes (1987) and The Beverly Hillbillies (1993).
Punk rockMusic genrePunk rock (or simply punk) is a genre of rock music that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the overproduction and corporate nature of mainstream arena rock. They typically produce short, fast-paced songs with rough, stripped-down vocals and instrumentation, and anti-establishment themes.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.