Punk Rock Colleague & Historian and Professional Consultant
Hudley Flipside
GBH’s first album Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne was released on September 1, 1981.
Over the past 44 years, I have been playing Lycanthropy on the first full moon of August, embracing the magic and allure of this mystical tradition. Each year, as the moon rises in the night sky, I gather with friends and fellow enthusiasts, sharing stories and experiences that have shaped our understanding of this fascinating game.
The anticipation builds as we prepare for the night’s adventures, bringing to life the legends and lore that surround lycanthropes. It is a celebration of camaraderie and creativity, where imagination knows no bounds, and the thrill of the hunt awakens our primal instincts under the silvery glow of the full moon.
“Godzilla’s was a bowling alley/nightclub-cum-gig-space in the San Fernando valley. In late 1981 and early 1982 it booked a number of punk gigs under the auspices of the BYO, and the organization managed every aspect of the music angle–the security, the booking, the promotion. When the club was shut down by fire Marshall for not having a live entertainment permit, BYO organized several benefit gigs to pay for the legal fees.
BYO’s relationship with Godzilla soured when the owner spent the money on redecorating, rather than permits, and the last straw came when the owner became involved with the people who ran the Starwood ballroom…BYO pulled out and returned to promoting shows at whatever halls they could rent for the night.”
https://www.dementlieu.com/users/obik/arc/ybca/int_godzillas.html
Excerpt from THE SEMINARY OF PRAYING MANTIS MY PUNKALULLABY
The first place I saw “Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne” it was spray painted on the wall in Godzilla’s. I had an epiphany. Standing there in the club a small group of fans parted, and the sound of the music suspended, and I read the writing on the wall.
Soon enough distributing our fanzine issues at Zed records, I purchased my copy of the album.
CHAPTER NINE: THE NICE BITCH LADY AT THE FLIPSIDE P.O. BOX 363
Flipside had the same P.O. box address for the ten years I was there. Over the years there was one woman I remember who worked at the post office. I forgot her name. She was a full-figured woman with a round face, and she wore glasses. When we first met, she didn’t like me very much, I could tell. I was bitchy to her as well.
Yet, something happened, and we grew to like each other. Every year she would put a little Christmas present for me in the P.O. box. She was always a nice bitch lady to me, but we understood each other. Often, we had to wait in line to pick up piles and piles of mail of letters, records, and advertisements for the magazine.
I always held in my joy when seeing her expression each day, as I am sure she thought,
“What the hell are they doing to get so much damn mail.”
I loved riding my black beach cruiser to pick up the mail. In my mind, the Song “Lycanthropy” by Charged GBH usually went through my imagination!
The song was loud and I rode fast!
“Lycanthropy is in his blood,
And spreads to those he slays,
Uncontrolled metamorphosis,
Undetectable by day,
But when the moon is waxing,
And the entire worlds asleep.
Through woods and fields,
The werewolf he will creep.
Even a man who is pure at heart,
And says his prayers at night can become.
A werewolf when the wolfbane blooms,
And the autumn moon is bright.”
