"Endless
adolescence, sticky summer nights,
the smell of packed parties
in dingy basements and the feel
of snakeskin strides. A bit like Porky's
set in Transylvania. The Fuzztones
invent an imaginary era for you to revel in."
- Cathi Unsworth, Sounds (UK) |
|
|
In 1984 Rudi
recruited Vulcan Death Grip/Drive-Ins
drummer Ira Elliot to replace
Michael Philips, and what most fans
regard as the classic Fuzztones line-up
was born. Their first single, "Bad News
Travels Fast," and subsequent mini-LP, "Leave
Your Mind At Home" (recorded in 1983, on their
ONLY U.S. tour), climbed the indie charts,
as an entire "garage" scene formed around
them.
|
The Fuzztones
soon outgrew the scene and began
headlining major NYC nightspots
such as the Ritz, Peppermint Lounge, and
Irving Plaza, where they backed
the legendary Screamin' Jay Hawkins.
|
|
|
|
|
They recorded the classic
"Lysergic Emanations" LP in 1984
(on an 8-track reel to reel, in a basement
studio in Connecticut) which wasn't released
until 1985 (on London's ABC records). A
three month european tour soon followed, supporting
the Damned in England, and headlining in Italy,
Germany, France, and Holland. Notably, the
Fuzztones were the first of the Garage "Revivalists"
to introduce the genre to the european audience.
|
The impetus of their over-the-top live
performances catapulted the new LP
to the top of the indie charts. Highlights of
the tour included a headlining slot at the
original Marquee Club as well as gigs with the
Damned at Hammersmith Palais, where Lords
Of The New Church frontman, Stiv Bators, brought Lemmy
(Motorhead)& Michael Monroe (Hanoi Rocks)
backstage to meet the band.
|
|
The high point
of the tour was a slot on a giant festival
in Brittany, France, where the Fuzztones
subbed for the Ramones on a bill that included
Depeche Mode, Midnight Oil, and the Clash. Rudi
approached opening act Leonard Cohen with a bottle
of whisky and they polished it off together before
Cohen's set. The festival was televised on french TV,
and the press hailed the Fuzztones the "Revelation of the
Festival."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upon their
return to the States, Ira and Elan quit to form the
Headless Horsemen. "Lysergic Emanations" was reissued
in the U.S. by Enigma, as the remaining 'Tones tried desperately
to secure replacements and continue the momentum. Powerhouse
drummer "Mad" Mike Czekaj was inducted, and one show was
played (NYC's Irving Plaza) with Elan guesting. Deb quit soon
after to form Das Furlines with Wendy Wyld. The remaining three Fuzztones
auditioned potential candidates for one year before Rudi and
Mike decided to move to L.A. to reform the band.
|
ELAN |
DEB |
RUDI |
MICHAEL |
IRA |