Some FEATURED ARTISTS on this week’s Stronger Than Dirt (Saturday, August 21, 8-10pm) include the Bonniwell Music Machine, Gorillas (Jesse Hector), Saints, Richard Hell and the Voidoids, Salvation Army, Kim Wilde, Prisoners, Young Fresh Fellows, Clinic, and the Mallard, new music by Algara (Barcelona), Spllit (Baton Rouge), Germ House (Rhode Island), Krimis (Germany), Smirk (LA), and Leopardo (Switzerland), as well as the weekly Dusty Diamond.
PICTURE SLEEVE OF THE WEEK: The Salvation Army were part of LA’s Paisley Underground music scene of the 80s that included bands such as the Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, and the Bangles among others. Due to legal issues with the real Salvation Army, they changed their name in 1982 to the Three O’Clock. Before the name change, however, they released a self-titled debut LP on Frontier Records. The 60s influenced day-glo cover was done by Frontier’s art director, Diane Zincavage, who also did extensive design work for Voxx, Bomp!, Posh Boy, and other labels. The band photo on the back was taken by Ed Colver. Frontier reissued the album in 1985 and 1992 under the name Befour Three O’Clock.
LAST WEEK’S DUSTY DIAMOND (a forgotten gem from the STD vaults): Hailing from Palo Alto CA, the Donnas started out in 1993 (originally as Ragady Anne, then the Electrocutes) as a garage punk band channeling bands like the Ramones and Runaways. Their sound soon evolved into beefier rock and roll more in line with Kiss and AC/DC. They had several releases as the Donnas between 1995 and 2007, and became big enough to sign with Atlantic in 2001. “Get Rid of That Girl” is a fun adolescent romp typical of their early years (my favorite Donnas). It appeared on their 1997 self-titled debut album on the Super*Teem! label. Check out a cool video for it here:
Promo art from the Prisoners’ 1983 “There’s a Time” single on Skydog International Records. Photo is uncredited.