The Germs 25th Anniversary Show

Rewind to December 3, 1980…The Starwood Club in Hollywood. This would ultimately be the last and final show that The Germs would ever play as a functioning unit with Darby Crash as their lead vocalist and principle lyricist. Fast forward to the evening of December 3, 2005. The Key Club in Hollywood. Yes, this was a very special evening, as it was the one and only night that the original remaining members of The Germs would regroup for a musical performance to celebrate on the exact date of the 25^th anniversary of their final show at The Starwood. For decoration, The Key Club displayed video images of the now famous and easily recognizable “Blue Circle” on the upper walls of the building. In addition, a large “Blue Circle” was prominently displayed high above the stage for all to see.

Germs armbands and special limited edition silver commemorative shirts were sold especially for this one-time event. The shirts displayed the date and venue (right above the famous Shawn Kerry Starwood flyer on the front of the shirt). The backside was beautifully printed with a souvenir replica of the set list that was used for their final performance at The Starwood. Several people in the audience (including myself) were wearing Germs armbands in tribute.

The first group, Orange was a young pop band from England who was adorned in very colorful stage outfits. Next up were The Muffs, who have been on the scene since the early 90’s featuring founding member and singer-guitarist Kim Shattuck, bassist Ronnie Barnett and former Redd Kross drummer Roy McDonald (no relation to Jeff or Steve McDonald) on drums.

Last but not least, it was time for Mike Watt and The Secondmen to take the stage. Mike Watt (former Minutemen bass player extraordinaire) and company played 70’s style rock music that featured a keyboard player. Mike Watt played bass along with original Minutemen member George Hurley on drums. The band played a blistering cover of Blue Oyster Cult’s classic “Red and Black”. Midway through the set, Mike Watt gave us a taste of his talent by playing a mind boggling bass solo. Mike Watt is one of the most amazing musicians I have ever witnessed on a stage. If you ever get a chance, go out and see him sometime. I guarantee you won’t be sorry that you did.

After what seemed like an eternity, the lights finally dimmed and to everybody’s surprise, the shocked and cheering sold out crowd was greeted by none other than the legendary Rodney Bingenheimer. The evening’s master of ceremonies and Honorary Mayor of The Sunset Strip was dressed entirely in black and wore a Germs armband especially for the occasion. Rodney introduced himself to the audience, and then announced to the crowd that December 3rd 2005 was the 25 year anniversary of the Germs’ 1980 Starwood show. As he walked off the stage he was soon replaced by the original members of The Germs. Pat Smear came out grinning from ear to ear, wearing a big white cowboy hat; Lorna Doom was dressed elegantly from head to toe in black, and Don Bolles was wearing skin tight leather pants and boots. You could tell they were happy to be there as they greeted their screaming fans with cheerful smiles, waves and hellos. After the appearance of the three original members, Shane West joined the group on stage to a now ecstatic audience of screaming Germs fans.

For song number 1, The Germs ripped into “Circle One” and the crowd immediately turned the pit into a slam dance free for all. Much to my surprise, for their second number they launched straight into the now classic “Manimal”. The pit was a mass of moving bodies as Shane taunted and teased the audience while he sang. As The Germs performed, old and young punks mixed it up in the swirling sea of bodies to familiar songs such as “Caught in My Eye”, and “Lion’s Share” (from the Cruising soundtrack). Pat Smear stood center stage and assaulted his guitar with a shredding riff that soon segued right into the classic “No God”. The fans were in total bliss when they played this one. The assault didn’t let up, when next came “Our Way”, “Strange Notes” and “What We Do Is Secret”, which fueled even more energy into the already chaotic slam pit.

“Ritchie Dagger’s Crime” was played at a furious pace as the entire audience thrust their fists into the air and sang in joyous unison. It was absolute chaos as fans stage dived and rushed the stage to kiss Lorna on the cheek or shake hands and give an approving hug to Shane, Pat and Don. “Land Of Treason” was pulled out and ripped at breakneck speed. After this, The Germs slowed down (just a tiny bit) with the song “My Tunnel”. At the introduction to one song, the power went out on Pat’s amplifier. Pat just laughed it off and threw his guitar to the stage. The stage technicians soon got the amp up and running and we were off to the next round of high energy tunes.

Sometime during the performance, Shane West introduced his mother to the audience, who was right in the front row with the other fans. A true fan she was, standing right there in the pit and dancing to every song. I give her much credit and respect. “Media Blitz” started the pit in motion with punks singing along to every lyric. After this number, the Germs then launched into “Communist Eyes” and “The Other Newest One”. Shane gazed up and gained the balcony’s attention by saying “Come on down, these people in the front are the ones that are having all the fun”. Somebody in the front row handed Shane a jar of peanut butter. Next thing you know, a bag of sugar was thrown up to Shane who began pouring it all over the audience at the front of the stage. I actually believed and hoped that The Germs were going to play “Sugar, Sugar”. Unfortunately for me, my wish didn’t come true.

“Let’s Pretend” was next. After this, the fans in The Key Club were treated to “Forming”, the first single ever released by a Los Angeles punk band. In my opinion, one of the best songs they ever did. At one point during the set, Shane walked out on stage wearing red licorice whips wrapped around his upper torso. To add to the fun, Shane slumped down center stage and made an unsuccessful attempt to light the set list on fire. He had a difficult time with the lighter and gave up after burning about 1/3 of the paper that the songs were written on. They weren’t finished yet. The fans wanted more and they got it. “Lexicon Devil” was played as Lorna Doom smiled in appreciation to her adoring fans while the people at the front of the stage reached out for Shane’s hands. Soon the heavy wallop of Lorna’s pounding bass played the introduction to the now familiar classic “Shut Down”. Much to the appreciation of the fans in the audience, Don Bolles, Lorna and Pat viciously delivered a devastating version of the song which reverberated throughout the foundation of the club.

During what I thought was a very touching moment in the show, Lorna and Pat each sat down on the drum riser and took a well deserved cigarette break while the P.A. sounded out The Posies’ version of “Ritchie Dagger’s Crime” (from the Small Circle of Friends tribute album). They both just sat their enjoying themselves while smiling and waving to the audience. After this, The Germs took the stage once again to play the GI classic “Dragon Lady”. For song number 20 (which is probably the fastest Germs song ever laid down on vinyl), they unleashed my all time favorite…“The Slave”. The show finally wound down with “American Leather” and “We Must Bleed”. Towards the end of the show, some guy came out onstage wearing a shirt with a swastika emblazoned on the front. He had what looked like blood smeared on his face and shirt. He told Shane that he was just beaten up at a Germs show. No need to worry, as it was all a goof of course.

The entire group took the front of the stage and said their goodbyes while shaking hands with their fans. Shane made one final announcement to the audience. “See you all at Fatburger”. The Fatburger on Santa Monica Boulevard is now located at the very spot where the original Oki Dog once stood. This was a favorite spot for The Germs and their fans to eat and hang out after a show at the Starwood. Darby used to announce at the end of a Germs show “Let’s all go to Oki Dog”.

After the show, we spoke with Pat and Shane for a short while. My wife, who attended high school with Darby and Pat, spent the most time with Pat Smear as they exchanged hugs and talked about the old days at University High School. After this, we went backstage and enjoyed the company of Lorna Doom, Don Bolles, Pat Fear and my good friend Jeff. This was a concert that will forever be burned in my memory as one of the most exciting celebrations I ever witnessed. And yes, it was not just another concert, but a beautiful celebration of The Germs, their music and the legions of fans who support them. It was a party that I will never forget. If Darby were there, he would have been smiling. Thank you for the celebration Lorna, Pat, Don, Shane… and Darby.