“And the sons of Pullman porters And the sons of engineers Ride their fathers’ magic carpets made of steel Mothers with their babes asleep Are rockin’ to the gentle beat And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel”
He heard the traitor, dog breath, hater and had to respond. And after swallowing his whiskey down like a son of a train engineer, he said this.
“I think upon what my anarchist friends told me what a real hostage was.
A person held by one party in a conflict as a pledge pending the fulfillment of an agreement: a person taken by force to secure the taker’s demands. One who is involuntarily controlled by an outside influence.
These Jan. 6 rioters are felons. A felon is someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime.
Donald Jackass Trump has not helped these felons, as sad as it seems. He is only using them to further his lies and disdain for our democracy. He separates and divides. He should be in prison with them. It is a pity for us all that he is not silenced.”
“To a man born without conscience, a soul-stricken man must seem ridiculous. To a criminal, honesty is foolish. You must not forget that a monster is only a variation, and that to a monster the norm is monstrous.”
― John Steinbeck, East of Eden
A free shot of whiskey for a presidential slogan..
Nina Simone, The Animals, The Saints and the lovely Elvis Costello.
Punk Rock Colleague & Historian and Professional Consultant
Songs are amazing and these two songs, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood and (i’m) Misunderstood, alway help me feel familiar with those odd feelings happening in my life.
Today two songs came to mind. Songs that make me feel human. I love both and they have a history.
Funny how today both songs came together and finally hit me. They superimposed on each other in my mind. The 60s and the late 70s and beyond.
Being misunderstood is often an issue and these two songs explain it so well while getting all the emotions together. We are all sorry at times… we all want to be loved.
Well If I get edgy, I want you to know I never mean to take it out on you Life has its problems, I get more than my share But there’s one thing that I would never do ‘Cause I love you Oh
“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” is a song written by Bennie Benjamin, Horace Ott and Sol Marcus for American singer-songwriter and pianist Nina Simone, who recorded the first version in 1964. “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” has been covered by many artists. Two of the covers were transatlantic hits, the first in 1965 by the Animals, which was a blues rock version.”
Nina Simone
The Animals
You’re all talkin’ ’bout better days If I got one I think I’d go insane I’ve been misunderstood for too long
“Eternally Yours is the second album by Australian punk rock band the Saints, released in 1978. Produced by band members Chris Bailey and Ed Kuepper, the album saw the band pursue a bigger, more R&B-driven sound, augmented by a horn section. The album also saw the introduction of bass guitarist Algy Ward, who replaced the band’s previous bass player, Kym Bradshaw in mid-1977.”
The Saints
Elvis Costello
“Rather than scrap the session we cut a slow, violent version of the Animals/Nina Simone song: “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”. The next day we borrowed Michael Blair from Tom Waits‘ band to add a marimba part, and the record was complete. This may seem ironic as I attacked the song with a vocal capacity that Tom might have rejected as being too hoarse.”
Punk Rock Colleague & Historian and Professional Consultant
Hudley Flipside
“Oh don’t lean on me man, ’cause you can’t afford the ticket
I’m back on Suffragette City
Oh don’t lean on me man
‘Cause you ain’t got time to check it
You know my Suffragette City.”
Sitting outside like any other day with the cats I did see a bee fly around close to me. Once a bee even flew to the center of my Dionysian Hollyhock tattoo as if looking for pollen.
Today a bee flew softly around me, the sound of a subtle buzz sound alerted me to him.
Bee lands on the top of my coffee cup. Slowly moving down to the bottom of my cup. There only finding a small amount of coffee and honey left at the very bottom. How did bee know?
I got up and went to get my camera to take a picture, but by the time I got back the honey, coffee and bee were gone. Imagine that?
Wonder if little bee comes back tomorrow?
Last night’s dream was extremely uncomfortable, but it led me on a musical journey. Finding “Akashic records,” song wise.
MY DREAM:
I was finally going to Europe with a friend. Everything was packed and I was in the airport with a lot of tickets for all the places I would go to and the many traveling adventures. Yet then it all fell apart.
I lost my tickets and suitcases and found them again. I could not find where my flight was. I thought I heard,
“Harlequin City” level.
I was to catch my flight at 9 PM where my friend was supposed to meet me.
I was confused and only found myself finally bending over as if David Bowie superimposed on a William Blake painting, The Ancient of Days Setting a Compass to The Earth (1794).
I awoke I heard the “Harlequin City” morph into the song “Suffragette City.”
This song’s “Akashic records” lead me on a journey too. I found out who influenced our friendly Harlequin.
Opening up to me a delightful selection of songs which brought a comfortable closure to a bizarre and terrible nightmarish dream.
Often, I read how we all influence each other as Puck from A Midsummer-night’s Dream who mimicked everything around him. We can’t help it.
Here though we see a glimpse into David Bowie’s mimicked song “Suffrogette City.”
According to Doggett, before “Suffragette City”, the only popular song to contain “suffragette” in its title was “Sister Suffragette,” from the 1964 film Mary Poppins.
He argues the film’s song has more to do with women’s liberation than “Suffragette City” does.”Suffragette City” includes the lyric “Ah droogie, don’t crash here”, a direct reference to the Anthony Burgess’ novel A Clockwork Orange (1962); Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation was a major influence on Ziggy Stardust’s cultural grab-bag, dictating both costumes and pre-show music on tour.
The song was written only a few months after the film’s release in 1971.
The famous, “sexually charged” hook “wham bam, thank you, ma’am!” previously appeared as the title of a song on jazz bassist Charles Mingus’s 1961 album Oh Yeah, as well as a 1967 song by the Small Faces.
Bowie also uses the “hey man!” backing vocals in the same style as “white light!” from the Velvet Underground’s 1968 song “White Light/White Heat”, a line from the 1970 song “I Found Out” by John Lennon, a Marc Bolan-esque boogie, “some Flamin’ Groovies speed, some Jerry Lee Lewis swagger”, and a “dose of hard rock theatrics” to finish it out.
“Then, brothers, it came. Oh, bliss, bliss and heaven. I lay all nagoy to the ceiling, my gulliver on my rookers on the pillow, glazzies closed, rot open in bliss, slooshying the sluice of lovely sounds. Oh, it was gorgeousness and gorgeosity made flesh.”
~ Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange
Charles Mingus Jr. (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz upright bassist, composer, bandleader, pianist, and author.
Small Faces were an English rock band from London, founded in 1965. The group originally consisted of Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones and Jimmy Winston, with Ian McLagan replacing Winston as the band’s keyboardist in 1966.
“White Light/White Heat” is a song recorded by the American rock band the Velvet Underground. It was released as a single in late November 1967 with the B-side “Here She Comes Now”. The following year it appeared as the title track on their second studio album of the same name.
“I Found Out” is a song by the English musician John Lennon from his 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.
Marc Bolan born Mark Feld; (30 September 1947 – 16 September 1977) was an English guitarist, singer-songwriter and poet. He was a pioneer of the glam rock movement in the early 1970s with his band T. Rex. Bolan strongly influenced artists of many genres, including glam rock, punk, post-punk, new wave, indie rock, Britpop and alternative rock. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 as a member of T. Rex.
Flamin’ Groovies is an American rockband that formed in San Francisco in 1965, originally co-led by Roy Loney and Cyril Jordan.[5][6] After the Groovies released three albums, on Epic (Supersnazz) and Kama Sutra (Flamingo and Teenage Head), Loney left the band in 1971. He was replaced as co-leader by Chris Wilson, and the band’s emphasis shifted more toward British Invasionpower pop.
Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935 – October 28, 2022) was an American pianist, singer and songwriter. Nicknamed “The Killer”, he was described as “rock ‘n’ roll’s first great wild man”. A pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly music, Lewis made his first recordings in 1952 at Cosimo Matassa’s J&M Studio in New Orleans, Louisiana, and early recordings in 1956 at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee.
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.
I had a dream once where I was in a small house with a hallway leading to doors. I assumed small bedrooms and such. I opened one of the doors to look in and was amazed to find a large theater with a stage. It was filled with people cheering, crying, and laughing.
I walked up the side aisle and found behind the stage a rough, rocky hole that led down into the underworld. It held all those creative feelings of the theater. Mystery, ahh and wonder. This is the world I entered with FilmFreeway.
The 4theatre’s logo symbolizes and fuels those same creative feelings of the theater. My documentary received the best documentary award for the 25th edition. It is a thrill to share in this newfound world! Thank you for acknowledging my work, grounding it, and making it real and sharing my work as well.
I am happy this is a time in my life that continuing with what I have a passion for, my creativity and the love of a scene and fanzine calls for some good acknowledgement.
I guess it is better than I think. I know I can, I know I can…
Punk Rock Colleague & Historian and Professional Consultant
Hudley Flipside
“Nilsson was concerned about letting the flat to Moon, believing it was cursed. Townshend disagreed, assuring him that “lightning wouldn’t strike the same place twice.”
Viewing an episode of Carol Bennett at bedtime as part of my humorous dissent into the world of dreamland. I saw one with Mama Cass. I always love seeing her cameos. It dawned on me of how she died. Or so I was told years ago that made me sad.
Was told she died while eating a chicken [ham] sandwich. She choked to death.
That haunted me many a night. Yet I felt a strange awareness to look it up on my hand-held device of vast knowledge, or at least a place to find original sources.
And so, this triangular story emerged to my strange delight. A relationship between three talented artists that ran over a few generations, but which music still fills me with joy.
As those who grew up as a Generation Jones type of character within our moving along culture, these three artists have made an impact on us personally and or collectively.
When all we had were a few radio or TV channels to engage us. Or the local record store head shop, where we could spend our pennies.
I was easier then and we kind of were all on the same wavelength. Hidden and curious of what was going on around us. In tune with the songs often easy to hear everywhere.
I am touched by the intimacy which Harry Nilsson shared with both Keith Moon and Mama Cass. Like many popular and successful artists who get to travel the world but seem to navigate in the same hubs.
The narrative is well-documented and frankly it is something I just found out about a few days ago out of a flash of insight now backed up by the facts.
So, this Thanksgiving I am remembering and saying thank you to Mama Cass, Harry Nilsson, and Keith Moon. Three ghosts that came to visit who inspired generations with their songs. They are continuing on.
I am surprised to find out that Harry Nilsson ended up living in Agoura Hills California. Right down the 101 Hwy from my home town of West Hills. Which makes this story a little more special to me.
“Elliot retired to an apartment in Mayfair at Curzon Place at which singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson allowed her to stay. Several hours after Elliot left Jack Martin’s cocktail party, she died in her sleep at age 32.
According to Keith Simpson, who conducted her autopsy, she died of a heart attack, and there were no drugs in her system. Elliot died in Flat 12, 9 Curzon Place (later Curzon Square), Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London, owned by Harry Nilsson.
Four years later, The Who’s drummer Keith Moon died in the same bedroom, also aged 32 years.”
Mama Cass, The Queen of Laurel Canyon
(Passed away at aged 32) Mama Cass, July 29, 1974 Mayfair,London, England
“But you gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along.”
~ Make Your Own Kind of Music, Cass Elliot
Keith Moon
(Passed awayaged 32) Keith Moon, 7 September 1978, Mayfair, London, England
“I know there’s a place you walked
Where love falls from the trees
My heart is like a broken cup
I only feel right on my knees
I spit out like a sewer hole
Yet still receive your kiss
How can I measure up to anyone now
After such a love as this?”
~ Peter Townshend / The Who
Harry Nilsson
(Passed awayaged 52)Harry Nilsson, January 15, 1994 Agoura Hills, California, U.S.
“Me and my Arrow
(Doodle-dee-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo)
Straighter than narrow
Wherever we go
Everyone knows
It’s me and my Arrow.”
~ Harry Nilsson
I was age 16. I grew up with her voice on the radio.
I was 20 years old just entering the punk scene.
34 with a two-year-old son when Nilsson passed away. Here is a fun LP that he did with John Lennon.
Original source.
[1] “‘There Was No Doubt Gertrude Stein Had Come Back to Life.'”. Amontheradio.com. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
[35] Baker, Rob (January 4, 2020). “The Death of Cass Elliot and Keith Moon at Harry Nilsson’s Macabre Mayfair Flat”. Flashbak.com. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
[38][39][40] Elliot-Kugell, Owen. “Biography”. The Official Cass Elliot Website. Richard Barton Campbell & Owen Elliot-Kugell. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
“Cass Elliot, Pop Singer, Dies; Star of the Mamas and Papas”. The New York Times. July 30, 1974. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
“Cass Elliot’s Death Linked to Heart Attack”. The New York Times. August 6, 1974. Archived from the original (paid archive) on December 9, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
[41][42][43] Wilkes, Roger (February 17, 2001). “Inside story: 9 Curzon Place”. The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
“Shepherd Market History”. Shepherdmarket.co.uk. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
West, Rachel (July 29, 2020). “Mama Cass Of The Mamas & The Papas Did Not Die By Choking On A Ham Sandwich, According To Obit Writer”. ET Canada. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
Punk Rock Colleague & Historian and Professional Consultant
Hudley Flipside
Revealing Art form The netherworld… captured by Hudley.
“Netherworld” most commonly refers to the underworld, a supernatural realm of the dead in mythology and religion, often located below the earth.
“What is underway is a Plutonian process of change at a cellular level. Kali, the Great Dark Mother, demands that here and now we have the strength to be with what is. To learn radical receptivity to darkness.
Pluto brings to the surface ideas and attitudes that are past their expiration date in order for them to be let go- that is the matrix of transformation and regeneration.”
Punk Rock Colleague & Historian and Professional Consultant
Hudley Flipside
Watercolor by Hudley
“Ring of Fire” is a song made popular by Johnny Cash when it appeared on his 1963 album Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash. Written by Cash’s eventual second wife, June Carter Cash, and Merle Kilgore, it was originally recorded as “(Love’s) Ring of Fire” by June’s sister, Anita Carter, on her 1963 album Folk Songs Old and New.
It is interesting and endearing when you hear how Johnny Cash pronounces fire differently than Mike Ness… Johnny pronounces the “re” in fire, and Mike pronounces fire with an “a” sound… as “fia”… the orange country way.
The taste of love is sweet When hearts like ours meet I fell for you like a child Oh, but the fire went wild
I fell into a burning ring of fire Went down, down, down And the flames went higher And it burns, burns, burns The ring of fire The ring of fire.
A couple days ago while moving from the garage to the house while setting up Halloween decorations husband announced,
“Watch out see the small lizard?”
I looked down and saw a very small one with a very long tail. It had a reddish orange line on its back and knew I was seeing a salamander.
Symbolically bringing up the mythology of fire. Then I thought about the Eclipse. Well, that is a nice synchronicity.
I don’t know about you reader, but yes, I have been very emotionally fiery the last few weeks. Wars and politics on the world stage can fire us all up.
Ring of Fire
This song came up into my brain today that brings in an element we all need to focus on when we look at the Solar ring of fire annular eclipse, this electric element is the “world is love.”
Fire, love and electricity and the foresight and continuity of life.
Maybe have a beer or shot of Hudson Baby Bourbon Whiskey.
Lynn is here. At the front door of my parents home. 1977
It was at the time I entered the punk scene. I lost Lynn and only saw her once in awhile.
I was becoming one with my punkalullaby. I coined the word punkalullaby. It means that the whole time I was in the punk rock scene, from beginning to end, it was all about a song. One song to the next pulled me throughout the scene. Once that loud music got into my blood there was nothing like it. I was socially awkward, wild, and morally uncultivated. I was a perfect product for the Los Angeles punk rock scene because I was someone that the normal culture had completely abandoned. Yet, here I was, welcomed into an underground counterculture.
Excerpt from My Punkalullaby by Hudley Flipside
currently AT 65
A SONG SPANS OVER 6 GENERATIONS BEFORE AND UNBOUND…
JUST HOW IT GOES FOR ME NOW.
Like the star above me
I know
Because when the sky is bright
Everything’s all right
1967 We were 9.
“Brown Eyed Girl” is a song by Northern Irish singer and songwriter Van Morrison. Written by Morrison and recorded in March 1967 for Bang Records owner and producer Bert Berns, it was released as a single in June of the same year on the Bang label, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song spent a total of sixteen weeks on the chart. It featured the Sweet Inspirations singing back-up vocals and is considered to be Van Morrison’s signature song.[3]
1975 We were 17.
“Daisy Jane” is a song written by Gerry Beckley of the group America included on the 1975 America album Hearts. Issued as that album’s second single — following up the #1 hit “Sister Golden Hair” — “Daisy Jane” reached #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the final Top 20 hit by the original three-member incarnation of America. On the Easy Listening chart, the track reached #4.[1] In Canada the chart peak of “Daisy Jane” was #16 on the Pop singles chart and #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Our parents met at the Canoga drive-in theater in Southern California. Lynn and I were crying like babies usually do. We were both born in 1958. Her in August and I in May.
Lynn lived down the hill. We became best friends and often confronted each other as girls do. Boys, drugs and growing up were usually our issues. She was my nemesis so to say. She had brown eyes, lite brown skin and long dark hair. I was just the opposite with green eyes, white, pink skin and long white, blond hair.
From The Ouija board to underground scary films, we were as wild as the wind together. Like the madly climbing scented eucalyptus and uncontrollable pepper trees that embraced us or sliding down green grass hills on cardboard or riding our bikes to school we were always doing something together.
I went shopping today and two songs came up for reflection.
Both are songs that we loved. It was two generations of growing, playing, and learning about life. I was driving to Ralph’s supermarket and remembered Lynn because it was a day like this in August that I found out about her demise.
Her x-husband was there and was holding tightly the shopping cart. He was holding a cart full of ‘Lynn and his babies.’ Three through artificial insemination and a girl to follow later the natural way. Funny how that works sometimes. I asked how Lynn was. Did he know how she was?
“Didn’t you know?”
“Know what?”
“She died from a drug overdose.”
The whole of Ralph’s supermarket went black, and I caught myself falling.
“Are you OK.” He spoke.
“No, I did not know she passed.”
“I guess the kids and I weren’t enough for her?”
I walked away at that point because the kids were a big handful. I know the story about how it did not work out for them, but I did not know Lynn went back to taking drugs.
It was August 2008. She was so wild and had a challenging time growing up. She was an unusually beautiful woman and as her beauty faded it was hard on her.
She just was about to turn 50 years old.
Romance and babies are not an easy thing to manage for any woman. It really does suck sometimes. I can understand her need to break loose a little, but she went too far. She always kind of did.
Though I have pulled back on entering Film Festivals, it got too expensive, this was one of my favorites so far. It was so exciting to be acknowledged and get the Los Angeles Flipside Narrative out into the world.
I am proud of what I have accomplished for Flipside Fanzine’s narrative. Books, documentaries, pages, and sites.
My goal is very much completed and many of the items have been released into the world. Even T-shirts and other things as fun merchandising as DIY as I can be.
The intimacy I share is for me the best part of punk rock. A scene, music and a bunch of youths growing up into something that has inverted back into what we rebelled against in the first place.
So, my projects hold-up a time when being seen was a good thing, getting lost in a crowd was a sad thing. When bands and fans were one yet all unique at the same time. We all had a voice too.
How much has changed? Small shows can still be found. But the three-band deal are kind of gone.
Anyway, no projects on the back burner now… I am just drifting.
“TOO DRUNK TO WATCH” Punkfilmfest Berlin has updated the Judging Status of your submission Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine the Narrative Documentary / Film. to Selected.
In the belly of summer is not my favorite place to be. Yet a sparkle of accomplishment shines and I am happy for this acknowledgement.
I worked hard on telling the creation story of Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine. It holds a nutshell of honesty and how it was once. Fanzines helped the growing punk scene. The players who did it are just as important in the scheme of things.
A waiting game and it feels great. Berlin … wow.
#punkfilmfestberlin
A few years ago, I went to a local synagogue for an art event. An artist was giving a lecture on creation stories and art. I was amazed at the insight and reflection in his presentation, but it was how he finished his talk with our own personal creation story. He said,
“We can all render our own creation story as a painting, a poem… there are endless ways to tell a narrative of your life.”
I thought about my tenure as publisher, owner, editor of Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine. I was vague on the actual creation story for this fanzine.
Then it hit me hard to tell this narrative. So, I gathered the original staff, as many as could address the issue. X-8 declined which was sad to me for he was the actual creator of this fanzine. Al is not interested and seems he has fallen off the edge of the world. Pooch and Pete gave me a run around.
Al and I came up with a system that worked for us. You can ask someone once or twice to do something but never a third time…
“Just ain’t going to happen,”
We did it ourselves or someone else would jump in. That is how it was done.
This is how it was still done. Larry, Tory, and Mr. Tony were there to do it. Even Mike Ness was up for an interview. As we are old time buddies. Yet he did not pass the test… so I had to move forward.
I am very happy with what came forward with three honest great storytellers of the highest order in my mind. How grateful I am for a solid Los Angeles Flipside Creation Story.
I did a little research while in the process of achieving these interviews and how I presented them.
A little advice from my protagonist Michael Moore and even a tidbit from my nemesis the Rollins of Henry.
I read that Michael said you begin with what you have around you and Henry said, once in a documentary, that a lot of us did not keep or preserve our stuff and that upset him.
I started this narrative creation story with Michale’s advice, and I was happy to disappoint Henry with a positive to his negative. I have a lot of preserved stuff from my days as a fanatical fanzine journalist.
Hallelujah.
The details are not as important but I worked with Zoom, Adobe Premier Pro, and the many other little willy-nilly of doing it DIY and learning as you go.
As I say it not the best or the worst, creation narrative or Epeisodion yet it does tell a story…. Flipside Fanzine is all in the voice of a punk, band member or artist or the old dame sitting at the edge of the pub surfing her stool, like me!
Mission complete.
— with Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine Narrative Documentary Film.
My memory of Day of the dead symbolic once was. November 1, 2025
Punk COLLEAGUE, historian & Professional Consultant
Hudley Flipside
MIA is a Flipside Records Band too! After the Fact (LP, 1987, Flipside Records) and Flipside Vinyl Fanzine Vol. 2 (1985) includes “Just A Dream” 😸
I am not a fanatic who goes to all the shows like I once did. I stay a foot online watching the vast array of shows and festivals that explode especially this time of the year. I am in recovery and could not even go to one right now. I do get some level of enjoyment viewing posts and pictures. I am not very ‘love- lost’ as I think I would have been in the 1980s.
Like when The Specials played at the Whisky A GO GO where earlier I did follow their tour and interviewed them. They got so big that we couldn’t get on the list or in the show. I cried like a baby outside, yet we found another show to go to that night.
I felt an obligation to attend my favorite bands.
Also, it was a tight scene back then, the bands and the fans had a tight connection. I will not go into the symbiotic relationship we all had once…those days are long gone.
This Friday the 16th has been a blur in my eye. I know I was invited to two shows and smaller venues in the middle of June. Then it came to a clear view today. Someone reminded me of the date and then it became clear.
I can’t think of the last time I was stared down and asked to be on a guest list, or two for that matter, but on the same day, which is simply happy weird. I admit I was once very spoiled! Free shows, records galore endlessly!
Just what I needed to raise my spirits which have been low due to recovering from melanoma cancer surgery. Yet as an old’ punker band gal I am very thrilled to feel this need again, like I felt back in the day.
That value we all shared. Those that did things for a punk scene and all kinds of bands in general. Promoting and sharing in friendship that still endures after all these years.
Even though I can’t go to either I am feeling my good oats today. I like how so many generations of bands are crossing over and playing. It is wild. A musical smorgasbord. Thanks to Flipside Fanzine, a fanzine that made its mark in the scheme of things. I am lucky for that rag.
Montclair is a city in the Pomona Valley
The Canyon Club
Pure Prairie League
Opening Sets by Chris Timbers & Eileen Carey
Thanks, Joey Alkes, for inviting me.
Corbin Bowl
M.I.A. (LV/OC punk), Roman’s Weirdos, Public Nuisance, The Mormons
“Amie” is a song by the American country rock group Pure Prairie League. The song initially appeared on the band’s 1972 album, Bustin’ Out. It was subsequently released as a single in 1975, after it gained popularity as an album cut.
I was young and this song hit me as i moved from middle school to high school. Always was a song of movement to me and about all those guys along the way (lots of them). Yet now it is a dancing in my square room song. So good.
1984 Punk anthem songs..
How many times did I go to see MIA play these songs live… well bunches of times pure bliss.
I was thinking about what is left over from work done or from one’s own experience. This reflection often leads me to reminisce about a vivid scene from the Musical Film Paint Your Wagon, where a clever scheme is devised to gather all the gold that inevitably falls beneath the bars and saloons.
In this bustling world of miners, many suffer the unfortunate fate of losing their precious gold dust in the hustle and bustle of their daily lives. The image of them unknowingly parting with their hard-earned riches is striking, emphasizing how easy it is to overlook valuable aspects of our own experiences and endeavors.
It raises intriguing questions about the opportunities we may be missing, the hidden gold beneath the surface that we often disregard or take for granted. This clever scheme not only serves as a means to accumulate wealth but also a reminder that sometimes prosperity is found in the forgotten corners of our lives, a smart way to get rich or collect from what is unknowingly or unsparingly left behind.
That is what it is like for me now as I gather my Flipside Fanzine gold that is dissected all over the place. I know I will never get rich from my gossamer shining memories or documentation of a scene during my youthful rebellion, but it seems to go on shimmering everywhere. It has a real story and narrative that I still gather.
I cannot put back together the vein of gold enduring as a solid experience that was documented but I can try and show my story, the Flipside Fanzine story, as it happened, and this is important to me. I can be a magnet pulling the gold of Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine towards me and alchemize the authentic narrative to share. A richness like gold that will endure.
Robert Dean Stockwell (March 5, 1936 – November 7, 2021)
Punk rock Debunked …I remember hearing Darby Crash say his father was the kid with green hair who was in the film The Boy with Green hair.
I thought it was funny, Yet I heard the gossip spread around as things tend to. Well currently while I was studying a particular actor that I like, not only did I find that he was an environmental activist, but that he was in fact the boy who played the part.
Dean Stockwell was the kid with green hair who played the boy in the film The Boy with Green Hair. He played a lot of acting parts as a kid. I think he is so fun to see through his years of films and TV series. He was the best of character actors.
1968… wow I remember this like yesterday… at 10 years old. I remember all the flower children. Topanga Canyon to the PCH. We would hang out and watch them… endlessly on the streets. It was so real… more than a film …. but it does bring back memories. I have nothing against flower children or hippies… they were pretty cool. Which is why I am a pacifist to this day. One of my brothers was a flower child for as long as the scene lasted.
Going to San Francisco in the early 1980s hippies would still walk up and ask if you wanted some acid. Also taking the subway in San Jose old hippies still were living the life. They smelled bad and were not too curious about the young punks around them. Sometimes you could start up a conversation.
Punk Rock Historian & colleague and Professional Consultant
Hudley Flipside
Maybe a cliché or fuck up, or glitch will be found… my burning tears… always found in an honest Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine project or on a vinyl record played too many times….
My celebration today…
A Hudley Flipside Editorial
Rodney on the ROQ vinyl band compilation. Vol. 1-3
Issue 21
Flipside Fanzine 21
December 1980
Brooke Shields – Introduction
Agent Orange – Bloodstains
Adolescents – Amoeba
Circle Jerks – Wild In The Streets
U.X.A. – Tragedies
Klan – Pushin’ Too Hard
Black Flag – No Values
Rik L Rik – The Outback
Crowd – Right Time
David Microwave – I Don’t Want To Hold You
The Nuns – Wild
Fender Buddies – Furry Friend
Vidiots – Laurie’s Lament
Simpletones – T.V. Love
New York, Surprise! – Is That All There Is?
Issue 28
Flipside Fanzine 28
November 1981
Target 13 – Rodney on the ROQ
Social Distortion – 1945
Shattered Faith – Right Is Right
Black Flag – Rise Above
Minutemen – Search
Redd Kross – Burn Out
CH3 – You Lie
Agent Orange – Mr. Moto
Red Rockers – Dead Heroes
Unit 3 + Venus – B.O.Y.S.
The Stepmothers – Where Is the Dream
Gleaming Spires – Are You Ready For the Sex Girls
The Little Girls – The Earthquake Song
Levi and The Rockats- Ready to Rock
Twisted Roots – Snaked
Geza X – We Need More Power
Issue 35
Flipside Fanzine 35
November 1982
Kent State – Radio Moscow
Ill Repute – Clean Cut American Kid
J.F.A. – Preppy
Channel 3 – Seperate Peace
Catch 22 – Stop The Cycle
Pariah – Up To Us
Red Scare – Streetlife
No Crisis – She’s Into The Scene
Rudi – Crimson
Unit 3 with Venus – Pajama Party
Bangles – Bitchen Summer (Speedway)
Action Now – Try
Signals – Gotta Let Go
Gayle Welch – Day Of Age
Radio Music – Johnny Angel / New Dance
David Hines – Land Of 1,000 Dances
Rodney On The ROQ Volume One, Two and Three.
Rodney On the ROQ Volume One, Two and Three. (1980s)
Flipside Fanzine Inserts.
Looking back on the covers of these three compilations brings a smile to my face. Picture this: “Young girls on the covers” – it was definitely an uncomfortable experience for me! However, I am excited to say that we experienced a wonderful evolution with the arrival of Flipside and Gasatanka Records.
Flipside / Gasatanka Records and just Flipside Records in the vibrant 1980s era, we witnessed a creative surge that was both exciting and transformative. The label, which was eventually formed later, resonated deeply with all of us at Gasatanka and Flipside, capturing the essence of the underground music scene. This connection fostered a sense of community and innovation, allowing us to explore eclectic sounds and foster talent that challenged the norms of the time. Through collaboration and a shared vision, we aimed to elevate music that truly embodied the spirit of artistic freedom and expression that defined that remarkable decade.
That crazy Godzilla Punk Rock Night Club in Sun Valley is where I first saw GBH’s – Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne spray painted on the wall.
I was then in search and found the vinyl and became a fanatic. 44 years now for me.
The album City Babys Revenge is one of the best sounds of punk rock! The band and songs are phenomenal. A forty-year celebration. I got the vinyl from Zed Records of Long Beach and played it loads. Yet seeing (Charged) GBH live was just the best experience I had as a young punk bird. They still thrill me as an old crone owl.
A hardy band that still tours around the world and I think they are indestructible. I really do!
Colin Abrahall
A bit of history in front of Perkins Palace Pasadena mid 1980s.
On Fallbrook and Victory in the San Fernando Valley
Punk Rock Historian and Professional Consultant
Hudley Flipside
Life is so contrary and beginning and ending all the time. The stars seem stable, as they dance their astrological dance. The moon and sun and seasons are very dependable but not the storms or the opposite whispers of joy and enlightenment we may find. This earth will always be a contrary place sweetened with continuity and music.
Yesterday before the rain, Sara and oldest son walked over from their apartment. They are counting their steps. Later they left and we decided to join them halfway on their journey home. A longer walk than my usual mile per day.
It was easy all the way until we said goodbye and then we walked slowly onward, and we headed home, husband, youngest son, and I.
Would we get something to eat?
“No, it is past 6 PM and I don’t like eating much after then.”
That is what they get for always asking what MAMA wants.
On the way with Sara and oldest son I noticed a broken book on the ground. The pages danced below our feet for a long while.
I picked up three of the pages as a focused random moment of finding something wandering and enlightening me from the dirty street of trash. On this dark cold evening of winter.
A man was covered with such trash in the middle of the sidewalk next to the shopping mall and restaurants. He was pretending to sleep as cars raced by and we walked around him.
I sadly declared.
“He is going to get mighty wet when the rain hits?”
Husband quickly responded,
“He is most likely waiting for the shopping mall to close down. I am sure he has a safe place there.”
My feet got sore, and my back ached and howled as we headed home.
Now today I read the book pages tossed on the ground like leaves in a storm.
One thing that stood out were the lyrics for a song.
The pages are filled with words about music, slavery, finding a voice and hope. Someone was looking for their roots, history, and family.
I thought about my own family history. I think this is a push to get going with my own pages filled with words about music, slavery, finding a voice and hope. Hope from lyrics. A song inspiring us to dance to the hopeful dream of music.
Image from Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine Photo by Hudley Flipside
Night at the Whisky A Go Go.
First On The list…
“Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else’s.”
— Billy Wilder
Look at Amazon in your country and most likely you have direct publishing and / or arrangements that make ordering, printing, and shipping so easy. For a global community it is pretty cool.
46 years ago, Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine first published this little annoying punk rock rag. By a bunch of guys who caused considerable trouble.
It has been an odd mission of mine to keep the light shining on its memory for those out there who want to share in the Flipside Fanzine narrative. I prefer this to the darkness of an archive or virtual nowhere land. Or even the dissection of everything all the Flipside material on the internet and other places.
Four plus six equals ten.
So, 2023 is a number that goes well with 1977. Forty-six years ago, the Los Angeles Punk scene had a creation story that countless authors have written about. Many now want to document that time through different means. Flipside Fanzine documented that original punk scene in real time. The Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine Issue # 54 Ten Year Anniversary Issue did document the punk scene. 1977 to 1987.
In celebration of this The Seminary of Praying Mantis Publishing is planning to print a hardcover special edition of Flipside issue # 54.
Turning 65 next year means I am over the hill and on my way, very close, to grandmother’s house. All the social security and Medicare to figure out. As my husband says,
“The government designs it to make you fail, they want you to fail.”
Maybe so but like most things in my life it takes effort to get things done and done right. The end of 2022 I was delighted to complete the Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine Creation story narrative documentary / film. Shinning the light on Larry, Tory, and Tony.
Epeisodion One, Two and Three… thanks Larry, Tory and Tony…
Give him a pair of eyes with a “come-hither” gleam
Give him a lonely heart like Pagliacci
And lots of wavy hair like Liberace.”
Silver dollars are on my mind. The magic as I view them from my memory or imagination. Mom went to Las Vegas and would play the slot machines with these babies. She would bring home many buckets full to take home to her kids. She kept them in her back bedroom closet for years.
She would pull them out every now and then as we admired the coins. Large hold in my small hands.
After her death oldest brother Greg stole them. I don’t know who has them now. He died a year back, so they are with some unknown person.
I miss mom’s large bedroom with a big window that looked over the Verdugo Mountains. The San Fernando Valley was a deep chasm of hills and homes and the Woodland Hills Golf Course.
Often, she had her radio program on that played music from the 1940s and 1950s as she sewed up dresses or clothes for herself, my sister or myself. A sewing machine on a table that had everything you could imagine for creating fine clothing.
Laying out the patterns, pinning the material and cutting were all something I watched closely.
Then a song would come on and she would start to hum it. I would sometimes dance. This was one of the songs I remember, and the song holds the memory of my mom as we danced around her bedroom.
Mr. Sandman
Sandman” (or “Mister Sandman”) is a popular song written by Pat Ballard and published in 1954. It was first recorded in May of that year by Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra and later that year by the Chordettes and the Four Aces.
I love watching Perry Mason on TV before I go to bed. It is part of my routine to relax and watch a time before technology, big technology, took over. Phones, telephone booths and stylish clothing are comforting to watch. Yet what I do endure are the commercials in between.
A new one this season is Walgreens commercial. I try not to pay attention, which has a little logo saying, “It is not magic it’s Walgreens,” Here we find all the magic and wonder of the holidays and then the terrible quote. It is kind of negative propaganda as the company is an evangelical organization most likely. The war on magic and our imagination is horrid.
When I see the commercial, I quickly reflect on the song Pure Imagination from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
“Pure Imagination” is a song from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. It was written by British composers Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley specifically for the movie. It was sung by Gene Wilder who played the character of Willy Wonka. Bricusse has stated that the song was written over the phone in one day. The song has a spoken introduction.
The old crone sitting in the bar burped, drinking a pint of beer, then explained,
“The simplified difference between an art gallery and a museum is that a museum is a place of entertainment; it’s an activity to visit a museum.”
Then thoroughly engaged she added,
“However, an art gallery is a business that displays and sells goods.”
“I see,” said the youngster!
The old one with love in her heart went on,
“Beware of the term “Punk Museum.” It is an oxymoronic term. It is not an institution devoted to the procurement, care, study, and display of objects of lasting interest or value to punk rock but an exploitative suck job or place of profit.
To sell a business name or ideal based on a lie, not one ounce of good intent but greed! Beware of this abomination.”
At that moment the knowing DJ turned a new song. The boy with green hair got to look at the albums cover. He came to understand there was more to punk rock than a place of profit, green hair and selling out to a sheep in wolves clothing.
He must be a good punk of high discernment.
The funny DJ with a long face added,
“One can run a business and sell things. One can have a museum for things of value to enjoy. But to say you are a museum that is really masquerading as a place for profit just like an art gallery… damn something is off big time.”
The boy with green hair quickly added (with eyes crossed),
“Sounds like the oily, dishonest local salesman who originally sold Oliver the Green Acres Farm, Mr. Eustace Haney.”
The crone punk rolled her eyes, finished her beer and walked out of the pub… having paid the youngster’s beers.
(without his knowing… a surprise.)
Until Next time… convince me otherwise 👽✌️
Or if you see my stuff there in a Punk Museum {or my name} please rip it up.
