Celebrity Skin (band)
Encyclopedia
Celebrity Skin is a band
eventually formed the band Vagina Dentata with former Crash girlfriend Michelle Bell on vocals, bassist Tim Ferris, and drummer Gary Jacoby. Vagina Dentata recorded a version of the song "Golden Boys", reputedly one of the last songs co-written by Darby Crash before his death, and a number that would become a Celebrity Skin staple for many years.
Following the breakup of Vagina Dentata in 1985, Ferris and Jacoby recruited guitarist Robert Haas (formerly of the band Endless Banana) to form Celebrity Skin. Their first gig was reputedly a backyard performance for some graduating Caltech students, and was characterized by multiple costume changes and drum solos to flesh out their 15-minute set. At this point, Celebrity Skin did not have a regular drummer, and instead went through a number of drummers (supposedly 27); jazz fusion guitarist John Goodsall
of the progressive rock bands Atomic Rooster
and Brand X
was also briefly a member. Due to their raucous, prop- and costume-filled live shows, they were eventually banned from every club in Hollywood, and subsequently relocated to San Francisco, at which point former Verbal Abuse (band) guitarist Jason Shapiro joined as second lead guitarist. After a similar negative experience in San Francisco, where they again were banned from a number of clubs due to their outrageous stage shows (which included reindeer heads, smoke machines, and torn open feather pillows), they returned to Los Angeles. At this point they united with another Germs alumnus, drummer Don Bolles, who had also played with Vox Pop and 45 Grave
following the breakup of the Germs. At this point, Celebrity Skin focused on the music and costumes, toned down the more sensational aspects of their stage act and quickly developed a rabidly loyal and growing following. In 1988 they recorded their cover of “SOS
” by ABBA
for the SST Records
compilation The Melting Plot. By 1989 they were one of LA’s top live acts, and stories about the band appeared in the Los Angeles Times
and in the hardcore magazine Flipside
.
In 1989 the band began negotiations with the German record label LSD Records, which had recently signed the LA retro-alternative bands Thee Fourgiven and the Miracle Workers, to go to Berlin and record an album. Negotiations fell through, however, when the band discovered that the record label had only purchased them one-way plane tickets. At the same time, they were evicted from their apartments and forced to live in “The Celebrity Suites”, a suite of offices above a dance studio overlooking Hollywood Boulevard. However, in April 1989 they were soon evicted from these as well and forced to find other accommodations.
In late 1989–early 1990, Celebrity Skin signed with LA-based record company Triple X Records
. Triple X Records, founded in 1986 by Dean Naleway and Peter Heur, had developed a reputation for signing first wave hardcore bands like D.I.
and Rhino 39
, and had recently achieved much success by releasing Jane's Addiction
’s first album. It was hoped that Triple X could do for Celebrity Skin what had been done for Jane's Addiction, i.e., to take a highly popular local band and record a debut album that would allow them to reach a larger following, resulting in a major label deal. Celebrity Skin joined a stable of other popular LA live acts, including Liquid Jesus, Inland Empires Funky Junkies, Pigmy Love Circus
, the Ultras (formerly the Ultraviolets), on the Triple X label and would do many shows with these other bands.
In early 1990 Celebrity Skin recorded a four-song self-titled EP which was produced by producer and former Sparks guitarist Earle Mankey
, who had previously produced albums by The Runaways
, The Dickies
, and The Three O'Clock
. The EP was recorded in Mankey’s Thousand Oaks house and was released in April 1990. Throughout 1990 the band played a number of gigs at LA clubs the Roxy Theatre (West Hollywood) and the Whisky a Go Go
with such other acts as Liquid Jesus, L.A.P.D. (aka KORN), the Ultraviolets, Haunted Garage, Tender Fury, the Miracle Workers, Thelonious Monster
, Steel Pole Bath Tub
, and Babes In Toyland (band)
. Celebrity Skin toured the US in 1990 as the opening band for Psychic TV.
In early 1991, the band recorded their first long-playing album, entitled Good Clean Fun, in Hollywood, which was released in April 1991. The album was produced by long-time punk producer Geza X
(who had produced albums by Germs (band), the Weirdos
, Black Flag (band)
and the Dead Kennedys). The album showcased the band’s progressively greater pop direction but didn’t sell well.
, and the Roxy in Los Angeles; the Kennel Club in San Francisco; and Bogart’s in Long Beach, with such supporting acts as Tad (band)
, L7 (band)
, Helmet (band)
, Tiny Tim (musician)
, Green Jello, the Dickies
, Theater Carnivale, Ethyl Meatplow
, Shonen Knife
, Permanent Green Light, the Muffs
, and the Ultras. On August 24, 1991 they played the Splattering of Tribes Festival in the desert outside Indio, California, with such acts as Lead Corpse, the Rails, Liquid Jesus, Sort of Quartet, Pigmy Love Circus, Haunted Garage, the Stains, DC3, Suplex Slam, Porno Sponges, and Dead Corpse. In October 1991, Celebrity Skin did a tour of the United States opening for the glam metal
band L.A. Guns
.
On December 4, 1991 Celebrity Skin played a show at the Shark Club in Hollywood with Pigmy Love Circus
and the Saddletramps, 10 days after the death of Queen (band)
vocalist Freddie Mercury
. The gig would turn out to be their final one, and the next week the band’s breakup due to internal tensions was announced in the LA Weekly
.
Despite their enormous popularity on the Los Angeles club scene, Celebrity Skin never achieved mainstream success. Their glam, 70s-influenced look, melodic hooks, and feel-good lyrics set them apart from the then-popular grunge
movement, which emphasized stripped-down attire (typically jeans and flannel shirts), heavy and frequently atonal music, and angry lyrics. In addition, because of their glam look and sound, they were frequently lumped in with 80s glam metal
bands such as Poison (band)
and Warrant
despite having little musically in common with these acts. A description of their travails can be found on the web site Sleazegrinder:
Following the breakup of Celebrity Skin, the various members moved on to other music-related pursuits. According to Allmusic, guitarist Jason Shapiro formed the band Threeway (still in existence as of late 2011), and bassist Tim Ferris formed Big Baby, and later reputedly joined the Cramps
. Lead singer Gary Jacoby released a second CD as a member of the Death Folk with former Germ Pat Smear
, and a solo album under the name of Gary Celebrity, Diary of a Monster, which contained the former Celebrity Skin songs “Fairies To London”, “Golden Boys”, “Gods”, “Hobos”, and “Life’s a Gas”. Drummer Don Bolles was a disc jockey for the Los Angeles radio station KDLD
, where he had a regular and long-running show called The All-Night Truck Driver’s Show and played in the occasional 45 Grave
reunion show. In 2006, in answer to the favorable response to the Germs biopic What We Do Is Secret (film)
, Bolles, guitarist Pat Smear and bassist Lorna Doom reunited the LA hardcore band the Germs with the actor who played deceased singer Darby Crash, Shane West
, taking over on vocals. Bolles currently plays with the group Fancy Space People.
and punk rock
, i.e., it consists of pop hooks and strong melodies played with a rough, loud, feedback-laden edge. Similar to their contemporaries Redd Kross
, Celebrity Skin celebrated 70s musical and fashion styles. Their most relevant musical antecedents were the so-called “glitter” bands of mid-70s pre-punk Los Angeles, including Sparks (band)
, Zolar X
and , as well as the early Los Angeles glitter-influenced punk bands the Germs (band), the Weirdos
, the Skulls (American band), and the Dickies
. Their music also had elements of such first wave glam bands as Slade
, David Bowie
, T. Rex (band)
, and the New York Dolls; an early review by the LA Weekly stated that Celebrity Skin was “the only band in Hollywood to take seriously the music and styles of the original wave of glam rockers like Bowie Sparks, Gary Glitter, T. Rex, etc.” Another obvious musical antecedent was Redd Kross
, one of the first L.A. bands to embrace the sound, themes, and images of 70's trash culture and combine them with the harder edge of punk rock.
Celebrity Skin's sound evolved over their career, with earlier songs like “Long Black Yak” and “Rat Fink” having a rougher, more punk/hardcore quality while later songs like “Evicted” showing off more of their pop side, with lusher harmonies and more melodic guitar. In recorded work, their sound was considerably more polished than their live sound, and was augmented by keyboards,and sound effects. Their lyrics often focused on themes such as glamor, celebrity, stardom, etc.
Written descriptions of their music emphasized their musical range. A 1990 article in BAM
described their sound as having “the quirkiness and strange time signatures of Sparks”, “the multi-lead guitars of Lynyrd Skynyrd
or Wishbone Ash
”, “the sheer punk rock energy/white noise of the Germs”, and “a knack for hooks worthy of ABBA
or KC and the Sunshine Band
”; an article from BAM later in 1990 emphasized their “trademark Sparks
-meet-Dickies
-meet-Oingo Boingo
sound”. An LA Weekly article from 1990 mentioned “distorted sounds of 70’s pop washed over with raw punk and gushes of feedback”, and an article from 1991 describes their sound as “stringing Queen crunch-chords and harmonies and the strip-joint doorman’s come-on of Alice Cooper
”. Finally, a review in the rock trade publication Music Connection from 1989 described Celebrity Skin’s musical style as follows:
Celebrity Skin covered a broad range of songs by other artists. Among their most popular songs was a cover of “SOS
” by Swedish pop group ABBA
, which they recorded twice, once on the “Melting Plot” compilation for SST Records
and once on their eponymous Triple X EP. Their covers of “This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us
” by Sparks and “All the Young Dudes
” by Mott the Hoople
were never recorded but were also extremely popular show closers in their live shows. In addition, they also covered “Celluloid Heroes” by the Kinks
, “Godstar” by Psychic TV
, “Elo Kiddies” by Cheap Trick
, and “To Sir With Love” by Lulu (singer)
.
Celebrity Skin’s live shows were renowned for their raucousness and entertainment value, and mimicked the image and theatrics of 70s glam artists like Alice Cooper
, Gary Glitter
, Ziggy Stardust-era David Bowie
, and Slade
. Moreover, they frequently played shows with other groups, such as Theatre Carnivale, Green Jello, and Gwar
, that had elaborate stage shows and interactive theatrics. The members of Celebrity Skin typically dressed either in female drag or in elaborate costumes such as body paint, platform boot
s, wigs, furs, crowns, lederhosen
, feather boas, glitter, longjohns, cheerleader outfits, spacesuits, or tuxedo
s. Theme shows, where each member dressed as a different member of the cast of The Wizard of Oz, occurred occasionally. Bassist Tim Ferris had long blond (occasionally green) dreadlocks
and singer Gary Jacoby at times sported two different hair colors on either side of his head.
In 1990 Celebrity Skin appeared in an episode of the television drama thirtysomething (TV series) playing at the downtown Los Angeles venue Al’s Bar.
In 1991 the band appeared in the movie Rich Girl but their music did not appear on the soundtrack.
During their heyday, it was not unusual to see many members of other popular LA alternative bands at their shows, including Perry Farrell
of Jane's Addiction
, Steven McDonald of Redd Kross
, Donita Sparks
of L7 (band)
, Bob Forrest of Thelonious Monster
, Dukey Flyswatter of Haunted Garage, and Duchess De Sade.
The end of their song “Evicted” on their album Good Clean Fun contains lyrics from the Who
songs “Substitute” and “Tommy, Can You Hear Me?
”.
The song “Golden Boys” was reputedly written by the late Germs singer Darby Crash
.
Former Adz member Bruce Duff was the president of the Celebrity Skin fan club in 1991.
Celebrity Skin was managed by Rick Van Santen, former co-president of the punk rock promotional company Goldenvoice.
Celebrity Skin opened for a number of older, more established punk and glam acts, including Jayne County
, the Weirdos
, Johnny Thunders
, the Dickies
, Legal Weapon
, and Iggy Pop
. They also played with a number of larger profile contemporary alternative bands such as Jane's Addiction
, Shonen Knife
, L.A. Guns
, and the Muffs
.
Celebrity Skin played gigs with 1970s novelty acts iny Tim and the Cowsills. Celebrity Skin had a huge following of models, actresses, and strippers, many of whom would dress in authentic 70s fashions for their shows.
Formed in Los Angeles; first gig reputedly a backyard party at Caltech
1985-1987
Soon banned from clubs in LA; move to San Francisco
Move back to LA
1988
Spring/Fall 1988 Cooperage, UCLA show with Legal Weapon
December 1988—Probe club show with Ultras/Ultraviolets
12/03/88 Raji’s show with Liquid Jesus and Haircuts That Kill
1989
04/25/89 Article in LA Times by Rob Winfield, mentions gig 04/25/89 at John Anson Ford Theater, Hollywood, opening for Jane’s Addiction; mentions negotiations with “European record company”; mentions UCLA gig previous year
07/13/89—Whisky a go-go show with Pigmy Love Circus and Groovie Ghoulies
07/26/89 Anaheim Convention Center supporting The Damned (midieval fantasy theme)
Mid summer 1989—Cover and article in Flipside Magazine by Sarah Hackett; mentions “recent Raji’s show”
09/04/89 Review of Whisky show in Music Connection
09/04/89—Article in Music Connection Magazine by Eric Niles
10/28/89 Limbo Lounge/Speak No Evil Christmas In Hell show
11/22/89 Whisky a go-go show with the Miracle Workers
11/28/89 Westwood Plaza show, UCLA
12/31/89 Club Lingerie show with L7 and Imperial Butt Wizards
1990
Early 1990—Europe tour
USA tour opening up for Psychic TV
04//09/90 Review in LA Weekly by Johnny Angel of Palace show with Trulio Disgracias and Thelonious Monster
April 1990 Release of EP “Celebrity Skin” on Triple X Records, produced by Earle Mankey 04/09/90 Mention in LA Weekly of episode of “thirtysomething” filming at Al’s Bar
04/13/90 Roxy show with Clyde, Liquid Jesus and the Weirdos
04/27/90 Helter Skelter show with the Warlock Pinchers, Ultraviolets and Fudge Factory
08/10/90 Article in BAM by Scotto Morrow
08/18/90 Whisky a go-go show with Haunted Garage and Pygmy Love Circus
09/01/90 Bogart’s show in Long Beach with Tender Fury
09/07/90 Review of Whisky a go-go show in BAM by Bill Holdship; mention that it is their first appearance “in several months”; mention that it was done in costume as characters from The Wizard of Oz
October 1990 Camarillo State Hospital show
10/27/90 Roxy show with the Miracle Workers, Babes In Toyland and Steel Pole Bathtub
10/30/90 Picture and review of “pre-Halloween party” show at Roxy in the Daily Trojan newspaper by Sean Doles; mention that it is their final performance for next six months
11/02/90 Review of Roxy show in LA Weekly by Lorraine Ali
11/16/90 Review of 10/27/90 review by Johnny Angel in BAM magazine of show at Roxy with Miracle Workers & Babes In Toyland
1991
02/22/91 Article in BAM magazine announcing their record release party April 8
03/01/91 Club Lingerie show with Tad, L7, and Helmet
04/07/91 Article in Los Angeles Times Sunday Calendar Supplement by Steve Appleford.
04/10/91 Kennel Club show in San Francisco with Tiny Tim, Green Jello, the Dickies
04/13/91 Hollywood High show with Tiny Tim, Green Jello, the Dickies
04/22/91 Release date for LP, “Good Clean Fun”
04/23/91 Record Release party at Hong Kong Café
05/18/91 Bogart’s show in Long Beach
07/18/91 Gazarri’s show with Theater Carnivale, Ethyl Meatplow
08/11/91 Roxy show with Shonen Knife, the Cowsills, Psycho Sisters, Permanent Green Light
08/17/91 Bogart’s show in Long Beach, with Muffs and Ultras
08/24/91 Splattering of Tribes Festival with Lead Corpse, The Rails, Liquid Jesus, Sort of Quartet, Pigmy Love Circus, Haunted Garage, The Stains, DC3, Suplex Slam, Porno Sponges, and Dead Corpse, Indio, CA
08/26/91 Club With No Name
10/08/91-10/31/91 U.S. tour opening for L.A. Guns:
10/08/91 Toad’s Palace, New Haven CT
10/09/91 CITI, Boston, MA
10/10/91 Derringers ???
10/12/91 Hammerjack’s, Baltimore, MD
10/13/91 Shirley Acrews, Inwood, WV
10/15/91 Bayou, Washington, D.C.
10/16/91 Character’s, Greenville, SC
10/17/91 Illusions, North Charlston, SC
10/19/91 Cadillacs, Hickory, NC
10/20/91 Masquerade, Atlanta, GA
10/21/91 Beacham Theatre, Orlando FL
10/23/91 Button South, Hallendale, FL
10/25/91 Club Lavela, Panama City, FL
10/26/91 TBA, New Orleans, LA
10/31/91 Universal Amphitheater, Universal City, CA
12/04/91 Shark Club show with Pigmy Love Circus, Saddletramps
12/13/91 Breakup announced in LA Weekly
Personnel
- Don Bolles (drummer)
- Tim Ferris (bassist)
- Robert Haas (guitarist)
- Gary Jacoby (singer)
- Jason Shapiro (guitarist)
Discography
- Celebrity Skin (1990, Triple X Records)
- Good Clean Fun (1991, Triple X Records)
Early history
Celebrity Skin had its roots in Los Angeles hardcore band the Germs (band). Following the death of Darby Crash and subsequent breakup of the Germs in 1980, Germs guitarist Pat SmearPat Smear
Pat Smear is a rock musician who has been a guitarist in several well-known bands including The Germs and Nirvana. He is currently a guitarist for the Foo Fighters...
eventually formed the band Vagina Dentata with former Crash girlfriend Michelle Bell on vocals, bassist Tim Ferris, and drummer Gary Jacoby. Vagina Dentata recorded a version of the song "Golden Boys", reputedly one of the last songs co-written by Darby Crash before his death, and a number that would become a Celebrity Skin staple for many years.
Following the breakup of Vagina Dentata in 1985, Ferris and Jacoby recruited guitarist Robert Haas (formerly of the band Endless Banana) to form Celebrity Skin. Their first gig was reputedly a backyard performance for some graduating Caltech students, and was characterized by multiple costume changes and drum solos to flesh out their 15-minute set. At this point, Celebrity Skin did not have a regular drummer, and instead went through a number of drummers (supposedly 27); jazz fusion guitarist John Goodsall
John Goodsall
John Goodsall is a progressive rock & jazz fusion guitarist most noted for his work with Brand X, Atomic Rooster and Fire Merchants.Goodsall was born in Pennsylvania and has lived in Los Angeles, England, Milan and Minnesota. He began playing guitar at age 7...
of the progressive rock bands Atomic Rooster
Atomic Rooster
Atomic Rooster were an English progressive rock band, composed of former members of the The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Throughout their history, keyboardist Vincent Crane was the only constant member, and wrote the majority of their material. Their history is defined by two periods, in the early...
and Brand X
Brand X
Brand X was a jazz fusion band active between 1975–1980 and 1992-1999. Noted members included Phil Collins , Percy Jones , John Goodsall and Robin Lumley ....
was also briefly a member. Due to their raucous, prop- and costume-filled live shows, they were eventually banned from every club in Hollywood, and subsequently relocated to San Francisco, at which point former Verbal Abuse (band) guitarist Jason Shapiro joined as second lead guitarist. After a similar negative experience in San Francisco, where they again were banned from a number of clubs due to their outrageous stage shows (which included reindeer heads, smoke machines, and torn open feather pillows), they returned to Los Angeles. At this point they united with another Germs alumnus, drummer Don Bolles, who had also played with Vox Pop and 45 Grave
45 Grave
45 Grave are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1979. The original group broke up in 1985 but vocalist Dinah Cancer subsequently revived the band. 45 Grave are noted as one of the first bands to mix punk rock with horror-themed lyrics, thereby positioning them as...
following the breakup of the Germs. At this point, Celebrity Skin focused on the music and costumes, toned down the more sensational aspects of their stage act and quickly developed a rabidly loyal and growing following. In 1988 they recorded their cover of “SOS
SOS (ABBA song)
Agnetha Fältskog's version was the second single from her fifth Swedish solo-album Elva kvinnor i ett hus . It was the only song from this album not to have been composed by Fältskog herself....
” by ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
for the SST Records
SST Records
SST Records is an American independent record label formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California by musician Greg Ginn. The company was initially called Solid State Transmitters through which Ginn sold electronics equipment...
compilation The Melting Plot. By 1989 they were one of LA’s top live acts, and stories about the band appeared in the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
and in the hardcore magazine Flipside
Flipside (fanzine)
Flipside was a punk rock fanzine published in Los Angeles, California from 1977 to 2000.As one of the first and longest running US punk rock fanzines, this publication extensively chronicled the world of independent and underground music during this era. Known for its highly opinionated cast of...
.
In 1989 the band began negotiations with the German record label LSD Records, which had recently signed the LA retro-alternative bands Thee Fourgiven and the Miracle Workers, to go to Berlin and record an album. Negotiations fell through, however, when the band discovered that the record label had only purchased them one-way plane tickets. At the same time, they were evicted from their apartments and forced to live in “The Celebrity Suites”, a suite of offices above a dance studio overlooking Hollywood Boulevard. However, in April 1989 they were soon evicted from these as well and forced to find other accommodations.
In late 1989–early 1990, Celebrity Skin signed with LA-based record company Triple X Records
Triple X Records
Triple X Records is a Los Angeles based record company. They are the label for bands such as Bo Diddley, The Vandals, Jane's Addiction, Social Distortion, Human Drama, Of Cabbages And Kings, Angry Samoans, Bad Manners, Stephen Pearcy, Dr...
. Triple X Records, founded in 1986 by Dean Naleway and Peter Heur, had developed a reputation for signing first wave hardcore bands like D.I.
D.I.
D.I. is a Southern California punk band featuring ex-Adolescents and Social Distortion drummer Casey Royer on vocals. Royer formed the group after he and former Social Distortion original member Rikk Agnew , left the original Mike Ness crew.Since forming in 1982, D.I. has had many line-up changes...
and Rhino 39
Rhino 39
Rhino 39 was among the wave of punk bands originating in the Los Angeles, California area, in the late 1970s. The band was notable for recording an early hardcore punk single: on the Dangerhouse label. +...
, and had recently achieved much success by releasing Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
’s first album. It was hoped that Triple X could do for Celebrity Skin what had been done for Jane's Addiction, i.e., to take a highly popular local band and record a debut album that would allow them to reach a larger following, resulting in a major label deal. Celebrity Skin joined a stable of other popular LA live acts, including Liquid Jesus, Inland Empires Funky Junkies, Pigmy Love Circus
Pigmy Love Circus
Pigmy Love Circus is a Los Angeles rock band that has existed since the late 1980s era of the Hollywood underground rock scene.Pigmy Love Circus originally consisted of Shepherd Stevenson on bass, Mike Savage on vocals, Anthony Martinez on drums, with Rand "Pig" Walters and Peter Fletcher on guitars...
, the Ultras (formerly the Ultraviolets), on the Triple X label and would do many shows with these other bands.
In early 1990 Celebrity Skin recorded a four-song self-titled EP which was produced by producer and former Sparks guitarist Earle Mankey
Earle Mankey
Earle Mankey was a guitarist for the seminal band Halfnelson, later called Sparks...
, who had previously produced albums by The Runaways
The Runaways
The Runaways were an American all-girl rock band that recorded and performed in the second half of the 1970s. The band released four studio albums and one live set during its run. Among its best known songs: "Cherry Bomb", "Queens of Noise", "Neon Angels On the Road to Ruin", "California Paradise"...
, The Dickies
The Dickies
The Dickies are an American punk rock group formed in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California, U.S. in 1977.-History:The Dickies were among the first punk rock bands to emerge from Los Angeles...
, and The Three O'Clock
The Three O'Clock
The Three O'Clock were a United States alternative rock group associated with the Los Angeles 1980s Paisley Underground scene. Lead singer and bassist Michael Quercio is credited with coining the term "Paisley Underground" to describe a subset of the 1980s L.A...
. The EP was recorded in Mankey’s Thousand Oaks house and was released in April 1990. Throughout 1990 the band played a number of gigs at LA clubs the Roxy Theatre (West Hollywood) and the Whisky a Go Go
Whisky a Go Go
The Whisky a Go Go is a nightclub in West Hollywood, California, United States. It is located at 8901 Sunset Boulevard, on the Sunset Strip.-History:...
with such other acts as Liquid Jesus, L.A.P.D. (aka KORN), the Ultraviolets, Haunted Garage, Tender Fury, the Miracle Workers, Thelonious Monster
Thelonious Monster
Thelonious Monster is a post-punk rock band from Los Angeles, led by singer-songwriter Bob Forrest. Active from 1983 to 1994, and again since 2004, the band has released five original studio albums...
, Steel Pole Bath Tub
Steel Pole Bath Tub
Steel Pole Bath Tub was a hardcore punk/noise rock band, formed in 1986 in Bozeman, Montana by Mike Morasky and Dale Flattum .- Band history :...
, and Babes In Toyland (band)
Babes in Toyland (band)
Babes in Toyland was an American alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1987. The band was formed by Oregon native Kat Bjelland , with Lori Barbero and Michelle Leon , who was later replaced by Maureen Herman in 1992...
. Celebrity Skin toured the US in 1990 as the opening band for Psychic TV.
In early 1991, the band recorded their first long-playing album, entitled Good Clean Fun, in Hollywood, which was released in April 1991. The album was produced by long-time punk producer Geza X
Geza X
Geza Gedeon, professionally known as Geza X was a personality in the Los Angeles punk scene in the late 1970s. Geza produced records for a number of early California punk bands including the Dead Kennedys, The Germs, Black Flag, The Avengers and The Weirdos...
(who had produced albums by Germs (band), the Weirdos
The Weirdos
The Weirdos were an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California. They formed in 1976 and broke up in 1981, were occasionally active in the 1980s, and recorded new material in the 1990s...
, Black Flag (band)
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
and the Dead Kennedys). The album showcased the band’s progressively greater pop direction but didn’t sell well.
Breakup
Throughout 1991 Celebrity Skin continued to play local gigs in support of their album, playing at such clubs as Club Lingerie, Gazzarri'sGazzarri's
Gazzarri's was a nightclub on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California, United States. It is most notable as the location where The Doors, and Van Halen were featured house bands for long stretches before being discovered...
, and the Roxy in Los Angeles; the Kennel Club in San Francisco; and Bogart’s in Long Beach, with such supporting acts as Tad (band)
Tad (band)
Tad was an American grunge band from Seattle, Washington led by Tad Doyle. Among the first of the many bands which came out of Seattle in the grunge era, Tad was notable for the fact that its music had a noticeable 1970s metal influence, rather than the punk which influenced most other grunge bands...
, L7 (band)
L7 (band)
L7 was an American rock band from Los Angeles, that was active from 1985 to 2000. Due to their sound and image, they are often associated with the grunge movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s.-History:...
, Helmet (band)
Helmet (band)
Helmet is an alternative metal band from New York City formed in 1989. Founded by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton, Helmet has had numerous lineup changes, and Hamilton has been the only constant member....
, Tiny Tim (musician)
Tiny Tim (musician)
Tiny Tim , , born in Manhattan, was an American singer and ukulele player. He was most famous for his rendition of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" sung in a distinctive high falsetto/vibrato voice.-Rise to fame:Born to Lebanese parents in 1932, Khaury displayed musical talent at a very young age...
, Green Jello, the Dickies
The Dickies
The Dickies are an American punk rock group formed in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California, U.S. in 1977.-History:The Dickies were among the first punk rock bands to emerge from Los Angeles...
, Theater Carnivale, Ethyl Meatplow
Ethyl Meatplow
Ethyl Meatplow was an American alternative/industrial music band best known for their sole album, Happy Days, Sweetheart, released in 1993 by Dali Records, a division of Chameleon Music Group and distributed by Elektra Entertainment...
, Shonen Knife
Shonen Knife
Shonen Knife, written in Japanese characters as 少年ナイフ, which transliterates as Shōnen Naifu, literally "Boy Knife," is an all-female Japanese pop-punk band formed in Osaka, Japan, in 1981...
, Permanent Green Light, the Muffs
The Muffs
The Muffs are a rock band based in Southern California, formed in 1991 and led by Kim Shattuck.-History:The Muffs' leader is singer-songwriter Kim Shattuck...
, and the Ultras. On August 24, 1991 they played the Splattering of Tribes Festival in the desert outside Indio, California, with such acts as Lead Corpse, the Rails, Liquid Jesus, Sort of Quartet, Pigmy Love Circus, Haunted Garage, the Stains, DC3, Suplex Slam, Porno Sponges, and Dead Corpse. In October 1991, Celebrity Skin did a tour of the United States opening for the glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
band L.A. Guns
L.A. Guns
L.A. Guns is the name of a hard rock group formed in Los Angeles, California, of which two rival incarnations currently exist due to numerous line-up changes. The first incarnation of the group was formed, by Tracii Guns, in 1983 but disbanded in 1985 following its merger with fellow Los Angeles...
.
On December 4, 1991 Celebrity Skin played a show at the Shark Club in Hollywood with Pigmy Love Circus
Pigmy Love Circus
Pigmy Love Circus is a Los Angeles rock band that has existed since the late 1980s era of the Hollywood underground rock scene.Pigmy Love Circus originally consisted of Shepherd Stevenson on bass, Mike Savage on vocals, Anthony Martinez on drums, with Rand "Pig" Walters and Peter Fletcher on guitars...
and the Saddletramps, 10 days after the death of Queen (band)
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
vocalist Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
. The gig would turn out to be their final one, and the next week the band’s breakup due to internal tensions was announced in the LA Weekly
LA Weekly
LA Weekly is a free weekly tabloid-sized "alternative weekly" in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1978 by Editor/Publisher Jay Levin and a board of directors that included actor-producer Michael Douglas...
.
Despite their enormous popularity on the Los Angeles club scene, Celebrity Skin never achieved mainstream success. Their glam, 70s-influenced look, melodic hooks, and feel-good lyrics set them apart from the then-popular grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
movement, which emphasized stripped-down attire (typically jeans and flannel shirts), heavy and frequently atonal music, and angry lyrics. In addition, because of their glam look and sound, they were frequently lumped in with 80s glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
bands such as Poison (band)
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
and Warrant
Warrant (American band)
Warrant is an American heavy metal band from Hollywood, California, that experienced success from 1989-1996 with five albums reaching international sales of over 10 million. The band first came into the national spotlight with their debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, and one of its...
despite having little musically in common with these acts. A description of their travails can be found on the web site Sleazegrinder:
The mullets of the fly-over states were manifestly unprepared to cope with the 'Skins. These poor saps automatically all hadda buy every record they saw s'long as the doods on the cover were rank lookin' longhairs with nose rings and they all bought the e.p. only to feel infuriated, ashamed, and ripped-off by how un-macho Celebrity Skin was--and their Geza X-produced full-length on Triple X records confused the heartland's bleached denim-wearers even more. These were the days when Jane's Addiction still elicited violent reactions from the farm towns, and Celebrity Skin's waggish and whimsical art-trash was just well beyond the Def Leppard and Bon Jovi weened, sheltered, programmed, milk-fed frames of reference. The Celebrity's still unforgivable androgyny and bizarre sense of humour was even lost on many of my own stonewashed bros from way out, who just never fully appreciated that whole whacky, zany, west coast silly joke-rock vibe, a la the Dickies. A lot of people don't need their rock to be funny. Especially not rural Metal Church enthusiasts.
Following the breakup of Celebrity Skin, the various members moved on to other music-related pursuits. According to Allmusic, guitarist Jason Shapiro formed the band Threeway (still in existence as of late 2011), and bassist Tim Ferris formed Big Baby, and later reputedly joined the Cramps
The Cramps
The Cramps were an American rock band, formed in 1976 and active until 2009. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior. Their line-up rotated much over their existence, with the husband and wife duo of Interior and lead guitarist Poison Ivy the only permanent members...
. Lead singer Gary Jacoby released a second CD as a member of the Death Folk with former Germ Pat Smear
Pat Smear
Pat Smear is a rock musician who has been a guitarist in several well-known bands including The Germs and Nirvana. He is currently a guitarist for the Foo Fighters...
, and a solo album under the name of Gary Celebrity, Diary of a Monster, which contained the former Celebrity Skin songs “Fairies To London”, “Golden Boys”, “Gods”, “Hobos”, and “Life’s a Gas”. Drummer Don Bolles was a disc jockey for the Los Angeles radio station KDLD
KDLD
KDLD is a commercial radio station in Santa Monica, California, broadcasting to the Los Angeles area on 103.1 FM. KDLE is a commercial radio station in Newport Beach, California, broadcasting to the Orange County area on 103.1 FM....
, where he had a regular and long-running show called The All-Night Truck Driver’s Show and played in the occasional 45 Grave
45 Grave
45 Grave are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1979. The original group broke up in 1985 but vocalist Dinah Cancer subsequently revived the band. 45 Grave are noted as one of the first bands to mix punk rock with horror-themed lyrics, thereby positioning them as...
reunion show. In 2006, in answer to the favorable response to the Germs biopic What We Do Is Secret (film)
What We Do Is Secret (film)
What We Do Is Secret is a 2008 American biographical film about Darby Crash, singer of the late-1970s Los Angeles punk rock band the Germs. Rodger Grossman directed the film and wrote the screenplay, based on a story he had written with Michelle Baer Ghaffari, a friend of Crash's and co-producer of...
, Bolles, guitarist Pat Smear and bassist Lorna Doom reunited the LA hardcore band the Germs with the actor who played deceased singer Darby Crash, Shane West
Shane West
Shane West is an American actor, musician and songwriter. West is best known for portraying Eli Sammler in Once and Again, Landon Carter with Mandy Moore in A Walk to Remember, Darby Crash in What We Do Is Secret, and Dr...
, taking over on vocals. Bolles currently plays with the group Fancy Space People.
Reunion
In August 2005, Celebrity Skin posted a page on the MySpace web site and as of April 2010 had 962 friends. On October 6, 2007, all five members of Celebrity Skin reunited for the second annual LA Weekly Detour Music Festival in downtown Los Angeles and were enthusiastically received by the crowd; a number of videos of this performance (as well as a few from their heyday) are available on YouTube. As of August 2008 they have posted no information regarding future shows.Sound and image
Celebrity Skin’s musical style is a combination of glam rockGlam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
and punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, i.e., it consists of pop hooks and strong melodies played with a rough, loud, feedback-laden edge. Similar to their contemporaries Redd Kross
Redd Kross
Redd Kross, a rock band from Hawthorne, California had their roots in 1978 in a band called The Tourists begun by Jeff and Steve McDonald while the brothers were still in middle school...
, Celebrity Skin celebrated 70s musical and fashion styles. Their most relevant musical antecedents were the so-called “glitter” bands of mid-70s pre-punk Los Angeles, including Sparks (band)
Sparks (band)
Sparks is an American rock and pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1968 by brothers Ron and Russell Mael , initially under the name Halfnelson...
, Zolar X
Zolar X
Zolar X is a proto-punk glam rock band, established in 1973, recently staging a comeback.From 1973 to 1981 Zolar X became legendary on the west coast USA for dressing and acting like space-aliens 24 hours a day. They spoke ceaselessly in an "alien language" of their own invention, which would...
and , as well as the early Los Angeles glitter-influenced punk bands the Germs (band), the Weirdos
The Weirdos
The Weirdos were an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California. They formed in 1976 and broke up in 1981, were occasionally active in the 1980s, and recorded new material in the 1990s...
, the Skulls (American band), and the Dickies
The Dickies
The Dickies are an American punk rock group formed in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California, U.S. in 1977.-History:The Dickies were among the first punk rock bands to emerge from Los Angeles...
. Their music also had elements of such first wave glam bands as Slade
Slade
Slade are an English rock band from Wolverhampton, who rose to prominence during the glam rock era of the early 1970s. With 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and six number ones, the British Hit Singles & Albums names them as the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, T. Rex (band)
T. Rex (band)
T. Rex were a British rock band, formed in 1967 by singer/songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan. The band formed as Tyrannosaurus Rex, releasing four folk albums under the name...
, and the New York Dolls; an early review by the LA Weekly stated that Celebrity Skin was “the only band in Hollywood to take seriously the music and styles of the original wave of glam rockers like Bowie Sparks, Gary Glitter, T. Rex, etc.” Another obvious musical antecedent was Redd Kross
Redd Kross
Redd Kross, a rock band from Hawthorne, California had their roots in 1978 in a band called The Tourists begun by Jeff and Steve McDonald while the brothers were still in middle school...
, one of the first L.A. bands to embrace the sound, themes, and images of 70's trash culture and combine them with the harder edge of punk rock.
Celebrity Skin's sound evolved over their career, with earlier songs like “Long Black Yak” and “Rat Fink” having a rougher, more punk/hardcore quality while later songs like “Evicted” showing off more of their pop side, with lusher harmonies and more melodic guitar. In recorded work, their sound was considerably more polished than their live sound, and was augmented by keyboards,and sound effects. Their lyrics often focused on themes such as glamor, celebrity, stardom, etc.
Written descriptions of their music emphasized their musical range. A 1990 article in BAM
BAM (magazine)
BAM , was a free bi-weekly music magazine founded and published by Dennis Erokan in the San Francisco Bay Area starting in January 1976 and continuing on for 23 years until 1999...
described their sound as having “the quirkiness and strange time signatures of Sparks”, “the multi-lead guitars of Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
or Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular records included Wishbone Ash , Argus , There's the Rub , and New England...
”, “the sheer punk rock energy/white noise of the Germs”, and “a knack for hooks worthy of ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
or KC and the Sunshine Band
KC and the Sunshine Band
KC and the Sunshine Band is an American musical group. Founded in 1973 in Miami, Florida, their style has included funk, R&B, and disco. Their most well known songs include the disco hits "That's the Way ", " Shake Your Booty", "I'm Your Boogie Man", "Keep It Comin' Love", "Get Down Tonight", "Give...
”; an article from BAM later in 1990 emphasized their “trademark Sparks
Sparks (band)
Sparks is an American rock and pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1968 by brothers Ron and Russell Mael , initially under the name Halfnelson...
-meet-Dickies
Dickies
Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company, more commonly referred to as the brand Dickies, is an American company headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas that manufactures and sells work-related clothing and other accessories, including back packs, steel-toe boots, and belts. Its major competitors are...
-meet-Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
sound”. An LA Weekly article from 1990 mentioned “distorted sounds of 70’s pop washed over with raw punk and gushes of feedback”, and an article from 1991 describes their sound as “stringing Queen crunch-chords and harmonies and the strip-joint doorman’s come-on of Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
”. Finally, a review in the rock trade publication Music Connection from 1989 described Celebrity Skin’s musical style as follows:
Celebrity Skin is certainly like nothing you’ve ever heard before or likely will hear again. At times, the band’s songs transport you to a crowded beer hall in Düsseldorf, Germany, with packs of unruly Germans singing drunken anthems. Then they whisk you off to England for an eye and an earful of campy glam humor and drag-rock fashion. And then whoosh, back to the States for a screeching thrash that only emanate from a decidedly American intellect.
Celebrity Skin covered a broad range of songs by other artists. Among their most popular songs was a cover of “SOS
SOS (ABBA song)
Agnetha Fältskog's version was the second single from her fifth Swedish solo-album Elva kvinnor i ett hus . It was the only song from this album not to have been composed by Fältskog herself....
” by Swedish pop group ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
, which they recorded twice, once on the “Melting Plot” compilation for SST Records
SST Records
SST Records is an American independent record label formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California by musician Greg Ginn. The company was initially called Solid State Transmitters through which Ginn sold electronics equipment...
and once on their eponymous Triple X EP. Their covers of “This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us
This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us
"This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us" is a song written by Ron Mael of the American pop group Sparks. It is the opening track on their 1974 album Kimono My House, and was the lead single from the album, reaching number two in the UK singles chart....
” by Sparks and “All the Young Dudes
All the Young Dudes
All the Young Dudes is an album by Mott the Hoople, released in 1972. Their initial album for the CBS Records label , it was a turning point for the then-struggling British band. They were about to break up when David Bowie stepped in and gave them the song "All the Young Dudes"...
” by Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople were a British rock band with strong R&B roots, popular in the glam rock era of the early to mid 1970s. They are popularly known for the song "All the Young Dudes", written for them by David Bowie and appearing on their 1972 album of the same name.-The early years:Mott The Hoople...
were never recorded but were also extremely popular show closers in their live shows. In addition, they also covered “Celluloid Heroes” by the Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
, “Godstar” by Psychic TV
Psychic TV
Psychic TV or PTV, is a video art and music group that primarily performs psychedelic, punk, electronic and experimental music...
, “Elo Kiddies” by Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
, and “To Sir With Love” by Lulu (singer)
Lulu (singer)
Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
.
Celebrity Skin’s live shows were renowned for their raucousness and entertainment value, and mimicked the image and theatrics of 70s glam artists like Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter is an English former glam rock singer-songwriter and musician.Glitter first came to prominence in the glam rock era of the early 1970s...
, Ziggy Stardust-era David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, and Slade
Slade
Slade are an English rock band from Wolverhampton, who rose to prominence during the glam rock era of the early 1970s. With 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and six number ones, the British Hit Singles & Albums names them as the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles...
. Moreover, they frequently played shows with other groups, such as Theatre Carnivale, Green Jello, and Gwar
Gwar
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
, that had elaborate stage shows and interactive theatrics. The members of Celebrity Skin typically dressed either in female drag or in elaborate costumes such as body paint, platform boot
Platform boot
Platform boots are boots with thick wedge soles or a combination of thick soles and high heels that are similar in some respects to the platform shoe. They were seen as the cutting edge of fashion in the United Kingdom during the 1970s and during the British invasion...
s, wigs, furs, crowns, lederhosen
Lederhosen
Lederhosen are breeches made of leather; they may be either short or knee-length. The longer ones are generally called Bundhosen....
, feather boas, glitter, longjohns, cheerleader outfits, spacesuits, or tuxedo
Tuxedo
A tuxedo is a type of semi-formal dress for men.Tuxedo may also refer to:-Places:Canada* Tuxedo, Winnipeg, Manitoba, a city neighborhood** Tuxedo , a provincial electoral district in Manitoba...
s. Theme shows, where each member dressed as a different member of the cast of The Wizard of Oz, occurred occasionally. Bassist Tim Ferris had long blond (occasionally green) dreadlocks
Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks, also called locks, a ras, dreads, "rasta" or Jata , are matted coils of hair. Dreadlocks are usually intentionally formed; because of the variety of different hair textures, various methods are used to encourage the formation of locks such as backcombing...
and singer Gary Jacoby at times sported two different hair colors on either side of his head.
Trivia
Throughout their entire tenure, Don Bolles had a bumper sticker on his drum kit that said, “pure crystal, powered by God”. It is not known what this meant.In 1990 Celebrity Skin appeared in an episode of the television drama thirtysomething (TV series) playing at the downtown Los Angeles venue Al’s Bar.
In 1991 the band appeared in the movie Rich Girl but their music did not appear on the soundtrack.
During their heyday, it was not unusual to see many members of other popular LA alternative bands at their shows, including Perry Farrell
Perry Farrell
Perry Farrell is the frontman for the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction. Farrell created the touring festival Lollapalooza as a farewell tour for Jane's Addiction in 1991; it has since evolved into an annual destination festival. Farrell continues to produce Lollapalooza with partners William...
of Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
, Steven McDonald of Redd Kross
Redd Kross
Redd Kross, a rock band from Hawthorne, California had their roots in 1978 in a band called The Tourists begun by Jeff and Steve McDonald while the brothers were still in middle school...
, Donita Sparks
Donita Sparks
Donita Sparks is a vocalist, guitarist and song-writer in Los Angeles, California. In addition to performing with her most recent band Donita Sparks and The Stellar Moments, she is also the co-founder, along with Suzi Gardner, of grunge band L7...
of L7 (band)
L7 (band)
L7 was an American rock band from Los Angeles, that was active from 1985 to 2000. Due to their sound and image, they are often associated with the grunge movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s.-History:...
, Bob Forrest of Thelonious Monster
Thelonious Monster
Thelonious Monster is a post-punk rock band from Los Angeles, led by singer-songwriter Bob Forrest. Active from 1983 to 1994, and again since 2004, the band has released five original studio albums...
, Dukey Flyswatter of Haunted Garage, and Duchess De Sade.
The end of their song “Evicted” on their album Good Clean Fun contains lyrics from the Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
songs “Substitute” and “Tommy, Can You Hear Me?
Tommy, Can You Hear Me?
"Tommy Can You Hear Me?" is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. It appears as the sixteenth track on the group's first rock opera, Tommy . After the events in "Go to the Mirror!", Tommy is still captivated by the mirror. He remains captivated while his parents try to reach him. The song...
”.
The song “Golden Boys” was reputedly written by the late Germs singer Darby Crash
Darby Crash
Darby Crash was an American punk musician who, along with long time friend Pat Smear , co-founded The Germs...
.
Former Adz member Bruce Duff was the president of the Celebrity Skin fan club in 1991.
Celebrity Skin was managed by Rick Van Santen, former co-president of the punk rock promotional company Goldenvoice.
Celebrity Skin opened for a number of older, more established punk and glam acts, including Jayne County
Jayne County
Jayne County , formerly known as Wayne County, is an American male-to-female transsexual performer, musician and actress whose career has spanned several decades. County would go on to be known as rock's first transsexual singer...
, the Weirdos
The Weirdos
The Weirdos were an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California. They formed in 1976 and broke up in 1981, were occasionally active in the 1980s, and recorded new material in the 1990s...
, Johnny Thunders
Johnny Thunders
Johnny Thunders, born John Anthony Genzale, Jr. , was an American protopunk guitarist, singer and songwriter.He came to prominence in the early '70s as a member of the New York Dolls...
, the Dickies
The Dickies
The Dickies are an American punk rock group formed in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California, U.S. in 1977.-History:The Dickies were among the first punk rock bands to emerge from Los Angeles...
, Legal Weapon
Legal Weapon
Legal Weapon was an early Southern California punk band, initially composed of singer Kat Arthur, guitarist Brian Hansen, drummer Charlie Vartanian, bassist Patricia Morrison and guitarist Mike R. Livingston...
, and Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
. They also played with a number of larger profile contemporary alternative bands such as Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
, Shonen Knife
Shonen Knife
Shonen Knife, written in Japanese characters as 少年ナイフ, which transliterates as Shōnen Naifu, literally "Boy Knife," is an all-female Japanese pop-punk band formed in Osaka, Japan, in 1981...
, L.A. Guns
L.A. Guns
L.A. Guns is the name of a hard rock group formed in Los Angeles, California, of which two rival incarnations currently exist due to numerous line-up changes. The first incarnation of the group was formed, by Tracii Guns, in 1983 but disbanded in 1985 following its merger with fellow Los Angeles...
, and the Muffs
The Muffs
The Muffs are a rock band based in Southern California, formed in 1991 and led by Kim Shattuck.-History:The Muffs' leader is singer-songwriter Kim Shattuck...
.
Celebrity Skin played gigs with 1970s novelty acts iny Tim and the Cowsills. Celebrity Skin had a huge following of models, actresses, and strippers, many of whom would dress in authentic 70s fashions for their shows.
Timeline
1985Formed in Los Angeles; first gig reputedly a backyard party at Caltech
1985-1987
Soon banned from clubs in LA; move to San Francisco
Move back to LA
1988
Spring/Fall 1988 Cooperage, UCLA show with Legal Weapon
December 1988—Probe club show with Ultras/Ultraviolets
12/03/88 Raji’s show with Liquid Jesus and Haircuts That Kill
1989
04/25/89 Article in LA Times by Rob Winfield, mentions gig 04/25/89 at John Anson Ford Theater, Hollywood, opening for Jane’s Addiction; mentions negotiations with “European record company”; mentions UCLA gig previous year
07/13/89—Whisky a go-go show with Pigmy Love Circus and Groovie Ghoulies
07/26/89 Anaheim Convention Center supporting The Damned (midieval fantasy theme)
Mid summer 1989—Cover and article in Flipside Magazine by Sarah Hackett; mentions “recent Raji’s show”
09/04/89 Review of Whisky show in Music Connection
09/04/89—Article in Music Connection Magazine by Eric Niles
10/28/89 Limbo Lounge/Speak No Evil Christmas In Hell show
11/22/89 Whisky a go-go show with the Miracle Workers
11/28/89 Westwood Plaza show, UCLA
12/31/89 Club Lingerie show with L7 and Imperial Butt Wizards
1990
Early 1990—Europe tour
USA tour opening up for Psychic TV
04//09/90 Review in LA Weekly by Johnny Angel of Palace show with Trulio Disgracias and Thelonious Monster
April 1990 Release of EP “Celebrity Skin” on Triple X Records, produced by Earle Mankey 04/09/90 Mention in LA Weekly of episode of “thirtysomething” filming at Al’s Bar
04/13/90 Roxy show with Clyde, Liquid Jesus and the Weirdos
04/27/90 Helter Skelter show with the Warlock Pinchers, Ultraviolets and Fudge Factory
08/10/90 Article in BAM by Scotto Morrow
08/18/90 Whisky a go-go show with Haunted Garage and Pygmy Love Circus
09/01/90 Bogart’s show in Long Beach with Tender Fury
09/07/90 Review of Whisky a go-go show in BAM by Bill Holdship; mention that it is their first appearance “in several months”; mention that it was done in costume as characters from The Wizard of Oz
October 1990 Camarillo State Hospital show
10/27/90 Roxy show with the Miracle Workers, Babes In Toyland and Steel Pole Bathtub
10/30/90 Picture and review of “pre-Halloween party” show at Roxy in the Daily Trojan newspaper by Sean Doles; mention that it is their final performance for next six months
11/02/90 Review of Roxy show in LA Weekly by Lorraine Ali
11/16/90 Review of 10/27/90 review by Johnny Angel in BAM magazine of show at Roxy with Miracle Workers & Babes In Toyland
1991
02/22/91 Article in BAM magazine announcing their record release party April 8
03/01/91 Club Lingerie show with Tad, L7, and Helmet
04/07/91 Article in Los Angeles Times Sunday Calendar Supplement by Steve Appleford.
04/10/91 Kennel Club show in San Francisco with Tiny Tim, Green Jello, the Dickies
04/13/91 Hollywood High show with Tiny Tim, Green Jello, the Dickies
04/22/91 Release date for LP, “Good Clean Fun”
04/23/91 Record Release party at Hong Kong Café
05/18/91 Bogart’s show in Long Beach
07/18/91 Gazarri’s show with Theater Carnivale, Ethyl Meatplow
08/11/91 Roxy show with Shonen Knife, the Cowsills, Psycho Sisters, Permanent Green Light
08/17/91 Bogart’s show in Long Beach, with Muffs and Ultras
08/24/91 Splattering of Tribes Festival with Lead Corpse, The Rails, Liquid Jesus, Sort of Quartet, Pigmy Love Circus, Haunted Garage, The Stains, DC3, Suplex Slam, Porno Sponges, and Dead Corpse, Indio, CA
08/26/91 Club With No Name
10/08/91-10/31/91 U.S. tour opening for L.A. Guns:
10/08/91 Toad’s Palace, New Haven CT
10/09/91 CITI, Boston, MA
10/10/91 Derringers ???
10/12/91 Hammerjack’s, Baltimore, MD
10/13/91 Shirley Acrews, Inwood, WV
10/15/91 Bayou, Washington, D.C.
10/16/91 Character’s, Greenville, SC
10/17/91 Illusions, North Charlston, SC
10/19/91 Cadillacs, Hickory, NC
10/20/91 Masquerade, Atlanta, GA
10/21/91 Beacham Theatre, Orlando FL
10/23/91 Button South, Hallendale, FL
10/25/91 Club Lavela, Panama City, FL
10/26/91 TBA, New Orleans, LA
10/31/91 Universal Amphitheater, Universal City, CA
12/04/91 Shark Club show with Pigmy Love Circus, Saddletramps
12/13/91 Breakup announced in LA Weekly
External links
- Celebrity Skin entry on AMG []
- Review of Celebrity Skin EP on AMG []
- Review of Good Clean Fun on AMG []
- Celebrity Skin MySpace page http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=26884167
- Sleazegrinder entry for Celebrity Skin http://www.sleazegrinder.com/flashmetalCelebritySkingood.htm
- Flipside commentary on an early Celebrity Skin show http://www.operationphoenixrecords.com/flipsideissue56_12ShaneshitandEastLASceneReportandKirksReviews.pdf