The Mau-Mau's
Encyclopedia
were started in 1978 by Rick Wilder (formerly the singer of the Berlin Brats) after returning from a trip to London
in 1977.
The original line-up from Hollywood,California was Greg Salva on guitar, Roderick Donahue on bass, and Rick Sherman on drums. They started out playing at The Masque
in Hollywood. Greg was replaced by Mike R. Livingston in 1979 after Greg moved to New York
and Rod was replaced first by Oscar Harvey and then by Scott Franklin
(onetime bassist in The Cramps
). Rick had been chosen to be MC of the Penelope Spheeris
movie The Decline of Western Civilization
but was dumped after he insisted he be able to say what he really thought of every act before their clip (it was probably not going to be too complimentary).
The Mau-Mau's are probably the only one of the original bands from The Masque
era that do not appear in The Decline. Wilder’s somewhat eccentric attitude toward the record industry and the generally extreme lifestyle of the band members contributed towards a long period of obscurity despite being well known by most in the early Los Angeles
punk rock
scene. The Mau-Mau's can be seen briefly in the movie Rock 'n' Roll High School
, have appeared the movie "Cocaine and Blue Eyes" starring OJ Simpson and were included in the compilation Hell Comes to Your House II.
The Mau Mau’s also recorded an original song called Psychotic that featured Robby Krieger
from The Doors
playing lead guitar.
.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1977.
The original line-up from Hollywood,California was Greg Salva on guitar, Roderick Donahue on bass, and Rick Sherman on drums. They started out playing at The Masque
The Masque
The Masque was a small punk rock club in central Hollywood, California which existed intermittently from 1977 to 1979. It is remembered as a key part of the early L.A. punk scene.-History:...
in Hollywood. Greg was replaced by Mike R. Livingston in 1979 after Greg moved to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Rod was replaced first by Oscar Harvey and then by Scott Franklin
Scott Franklin
Scott Franklin , is a Canadian rugby union player who plays rugby for the Prairie Wolf Pack in Canada, and for the Canadian national team. Franklin is a prop.- Career :...
(onetime bassist in 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...
). Rick had been chosen to be MC of the Penelope Spheeris
Penelope Spheeris
Penelope Spheeris is an American director, producer and screenwriter. She is best known as a documentary film director whose works include the trilogy titled The Decline of Western Civilization...
movie The Decline of Western Civilization
The Decline of Western Civilization
The soundtrack was released in December 1980 by Slash Records on LP. In the late 1990s it was released on CD as well. It is currently out of print. Germs singer Darby Crash appears on the soundtrack album cover. He died shortly before the film was released, though the promotional images for the...
but was dumped after he insisted he be able to say what he really thought of every act before their clip (it was probably not going to be too complimentary).
The Mau-Mau's are probably the only one of the original bands from The Masque
The Masque
The Masque was a small punk rock club in central Hollywood, California which existed intermittently from 1977 to 1979. It is remembered as a key part of the early L.A. punk scene.-History:...
era that do not appear in The Decline. Wilder’s somewhat eccentric attitude toward the record industry and the generally extreme lifestyle of the band members contributed towards a long period of obscurity despite being well known by most in the early Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
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...
scene. The Mau-Mau's can be seen briefly in the movie Rock 'n' Roll High School
Rock 'n' Roll High School
Rock 'n' Roll High School is a 1979 musical comedy film produced by Roger Corman, directed by Allan Arkush, and featuring the Ramones.The film starred P. J. Soles, Vince Van Patten, and Clint Howard...
, have appeared the movie "Cocaine and Blue Eyes" starring OJ Simpson and were included in the compilation Hell Comes to Your House II.
The Mau Mau’s also recorded an original song called Psychotic that featured Robby Krieger
Robby Krieger
Robert Alan "Robby" Krieger is an American rock guitarist and songwriter. He was the guitarist in The Doors, and wrote some of the band's best known songs, including "Light My Fire," "Love Me Two Times," "Touch Me," and "Love Her Madly."...
from The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
playing lead guitar.
.