Punk Rock Colleague & Historian and Professional Consultant
Hudley Flipside
“The Hollywood Stars were the first “conceptual band” that Kim Fowley assembled, predating Fowley’s many other groups.”
Jeff Jourard
December 16, 2023
Hollywood Stars 50th Anniversary with The Slamdinstas & Drool Brothers.
1973–1974: Formation
Loren Molinare and Pooch (Patrick DiPuccio).
A couple of Pooch’s buddies came up to say hello. Loren Molinare is most famously known from the ‘proto-punk rock band “The DOGS,” and songwriter and guitarist Jeff Jourard from the new wave band The Motels.
Pooch is one of the original creators of Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine (1977- 2002)
The opportunity to meet up with Pooch, original Flipside creator and my mentor, again was a big yes. He is out to visit California for personal reasons, and we met up at Maui Sugar Mill Saloon in Tarzana. I am amazed how my destiny is somehow merged with guys who play their instruments and write their songs. Tonight, I participated in an indirect continuity of the San Fernando Valley, Glam Rock, and Kim Fowley.
Three bands Hollywood Stars, The Slamdinstas & Drool Brothers are the perfect triangular number for bands at any club or event in my not so humble belief system. A larger break between bands with loud music and socializing is a plus to any music scene to get all the juices flowing and keep them flowing until the last song is played by the last band on stage.
I also enjoy watching the sound man set up the bands and break them down. It all happened last night. I walked in as a reasonable incognito stranger and walked out with that inclusive feeling. I am happy in my soul.
The drive to the venue was a familiar one that took me along Ventura Blvd. Every important aspect of my life has happened here. SO, as I passed my hometown, schools, and restaurants every inch held a secret memory, some bright and some very dark indeed. West Hills, Canoga Park Woodland Hills, Tarzana.
I remember until I was about 14 years old Ventura Blvd. was a place where “All the kids on the street” ruled. Hitchhikers, cheap cars, and every block is where a hub of teenagers gathered.
When driving down Fallbrook heading towards Ventura Blvd the moon had just set and the night was dark at 8:30 PM. As I was driving a strange phenomenon happened where a dark fog embraced me the street and cars.
It was like I was falling asleep or fainting then everything was normal again. At that moment, a black sedan with black windows raced by from behind. The car was going about one hundred miles per hour and caused a loud rumble of noise and smoke. I watched as the dark sedan raced and disappeared up a street.
Then when I was almost ready to make a right turn to the parking lot where this venue is located a big black truck pulled out in front of me with a similar disposition as the black sedan. I put on my brakes, drove around the truck, and honked.
As I was walking up to the club sound man extraordinaire Nubs Gutmacher (Nubs) was there to greet me with a question about the Punk Swap Meet on Strathern St. in Canoga Park, CA 91304, a few years back.
“So, I was wondering did you ever get compensated for all your merchandise that was destroyed at the Punk Rock Swap Meet?”
I told him no I was not.
“I had to let it go the promoter did not care. It was awful what I witnessed that night. It was not wimpy slam violence it was like watching prison rape. All the guys fell on my stuff and destroyed the stand I paid for. No one helped me. The bands were clueless too. My life was verbally threatened. A terrible place of drugs and gangs.”
My first beer was an 805 and I was given a chipped glass. So, I asked for a new pint and refill of beer. I got a “cheers” from an unruly young man. I knew I was in love with this place.
The sense of people clustering together over the celebration of a 50th Anniversary for a band and or Glam scene made me happy.
In high school I saw the Glam kids. They were louder than most and dressed funny. I was drawn to them and got to know some of them in my drama courses. Which was my slow initiation to what followed later in the punk rock world.
Meeting up with Pooch was a whirlwind of talk that went on through the whole show. The songs filled the bar, and we were now a living musical organism in the San Fernando Valley where it all originated.
Jeff Jourard and Pooch (Patrick DiPuccio).
The Hollywood Stars exploded the bar with the popular song “All the kids on the street.” All the songs that night had a youthful panacea. I loved every second.
Pooch told me that the song “All the kids on the street” is a song originally written by “K. Fowley” [and M. Anthony.].
I usually don’t go wondering out in the dark on my own anymore but last night will be an “amber moment” of my life.
