HERE COMES THE SUMMER

  In the mid to late spring Motleys record store moved to Allentown on Hamilton street between 12th and 13th streets.I Got a job helping Ed the owner move .after the move was complete he let me work at the store. He Liked me and my punk attitude and I was a show piece a poser ,I colored my hair wore make up, looked like a freak,like a real human PUNK !!People took pictures of me ,I once was mistaken for Adam Ant,I'll Get to that one another day.I liked the Job it didn't pay good though. We didn't make the money at first , the Move was rough on Ed. and the store, It took a while till things got moving.I would get paid in pins and records and other things.This is where I met Jackie Hardener,I came to work one day and Ed  told me he hired a new person she was coming to work soon. When she Jackie Got there Eddie Gave me a small bag of coke and told me to go in the basement with Jackie and put the LP's in alphabetical order.Yea we started the alphabet y and I and hole and pole It was real nice Jackie was a great looking Girl with a hell of a body.She was 18 and she always dressed to kill in retro 80's 1 piece vinyl and leather suits ,she was hot !! We started Going out from time to time,Once when she was staying over my dad opened the door on us and caught a good look at Jackie.When we were done she went in the shower and I went down stairs,when I walked past my dad he put his hand up and hi-dived me as I went by. Later I let Him give her a ride home he liked that and he never said no any time she needed one in the Future HA HA !! Jackie was a great friend and a lot of fun We never had any strings  attached . which was very cool,Once At the Undertones show she wasn't old enough to get in so I snuck her in to see the show.In between early and late shows her and I and Damion O'Neill  from the Undertones Took a walk for a bite to eat,We saw a horrific accident and watched the rescue. the next day the undertones played at 6 flags Great Adventure To support Joe Jackson we were on the guest list. We were going on rides with the Undertones and hanging around in the park with them. the next day they Played the Fast Lane in Asury Park NJ. with a band called colors also with Clem Burk  from Blondie on drums,Filling in for his brother.Jackie went along on this one with me after the show she asked if she could go with Damion on the rest of the tour I said I didn't mind and she went off with him. We met up later down the line,I'll Always love that Girl..A few years ago the Undertones played Allentown The Sterling Hotel Damion Myself and Jackie had a toast and a laugh as we reminisced in the Past,It was a great Night a great past,what memories!
     In The summer of 1980 We played a score of shows at the north Catasauqua Park and the Fire Fighters Carnival . They Both Payed Good and were a lot of fun. It was the only way to play to a young audience .We always played bars and there were no hall shows or all age shows back then and west Catty was a few years away.The First Time we played the Fire fighters carnival it was the opening night.There were so many people there and young kids screaming,It was crazy.We played 3 sets to a very wild crowd I remember looking out and there were so many people it stretched all the way to the property on the other side of the street. At the end the organizers told us they had to stock up more food for the rest of the week because they sold almost all of it.The next year we played there we got double !!We played these shows for the next 3 years,all with there own story to tell.
    The best part of the band in the beginning was the girls, I mean what did you think I wanted to be in a band in the first place was.I Got lay ed on a regular basis you could say.One day at this ox roast at the catasauqua Playground.I was hanging out with an acoustic guitar ans some girls came over and I was singing some songs to them. This one I'll Call her Karen got a little star struck and started making it with me.Then she invited me to her house that night for a party so I obliged . I got up to her house that night and it had a for sale sign in front of it,and no curtins in the windows.Her family didn't live there any more and they were just sleeping there, a bunch of her friends were with her. they were playing spin the bottle and when it landed on Karen they Dared her to go in the next room with me,how childish I thought. But when I got back there with her she was no child,Just in age. she grabbed my unit and stuck it in her honey bun and wam bang I got  her cherry.It was early in the night so I hit the seen and went out to hang out with the gang later I went back for seconds and a place to crash.Yes sir wild summer nights !
   There was another Girl I was stuck on for a while back then Her name was Erin She was a prissy thing never had a hair out of line Till you got her in the sac.She was really good looking but she was prissy I called her Queenie .She was alright to hang out with but I just wanted to Fuck,so If I got bored with her I would split and see what else I could find.Or maybe Go Find Jackie , That summer was just one big party.

( these Photo's were taken at a playgroung in Catasauqua pA. 1980)

   the Next big show the band played was the 1980 July 4 th celebration.We Played in our managers back yard on 7th st. North Catasauqua PA'.This show was packed ! we drew people from up the street at the celebration.They streached  and blocked a main road, the police had to come down to clear people off the street.then they argued with my mom and another lady because they wanted to close us down.We bashed out a set to the biggest show to date .The next thing left was to record our material and release our first single.

The CLUB

     In the beginning we were so green behind the ears about the music industry  and how it worked.We would be lead around by the nose literally .It started with the manager Dave and Mottley,the shows stopped at the 4TH st.saloon and they hooked up with this big lehigh valley lawyer Todd Miller .He had bought this big building on 8TH  st. in Allentown Pa., and renovated the first 3 floors,The CLUB was on the 3RD floor. It Had a huge wooden dance floor,with 8 bass speakers covered with black plush carpeting so you could sit on them.The DJ booth Looked like an alter for some dark ritual,it was also covered in black carpet.there were all these couches and love seats and mirrors covered the walls.There were these other rooms with futons and couches that were dimly lit. the second floor was an arcade with pool tables ,air hockey and other pinball machines and a make shift pizza shop with this fag that wanted to always suck our dicks.Robbie and the Rodie were always fucking with him and not paying for there food.One day he went to moon dog to get him to pay for a slice and he smacked the dude in the head with the slice.

   All in all the CLUB was a really great venue it had a lot of potential . the bands that played there were : the SPEEDIES,DIRTY LOOKS,999,the HUMANS,Athletic o  SPIZ 80,Single Bullet Theory,the STRANGLERS,The Undertones,the Necessaries  and a few others I can't remember.The shows were fun there was no security and you didn't need it. Everyone was so cool there was never a fight. there was no  slam dancing back then either,just POGO dancing and SKA.
    The show I remember the most was the UNDERTONES ! there was an early and a late show they were both filled to capacity .The Late show was a wilder show being the drunk people from the first show came to the second show as well.They were POGOING so hard the floor was moving 5 inches in either direction. I went down to the second floor and saw a crack in the ceiling go from closed to 2 inches open.The Band had to be told to tell the people to calm down a bit being it was unsafe.That Didn't work so I just got the band and my family and friends to stand by the wall or a support beam The Place was Just crazy..At the end the Floor made it,but there was never another show up there,they moved to the first floor and changed the name to Niko's Not long after that it fell into oblivion.

   The Clap only played at the CLUB 2 times Once by our selves and as the support for Dirty Looks. They Had a hit out at the time, the show was all right but they were into themselves they were cunts.The only reason we liked the club was because we were let in free to hang out posing with coloreds hair and punk clothes Just looking fucking punk and cool.It also landed me a job at Mottley's Record store when it moved to Hamilton st. Allentown..This is also where I met Kathy Boyer,It Was at one of the shows I think Dirty Looks?I was really drunk and we were dancing. I loved to Punk Dance And create my own dances and she asked me to dance.Well that Night I went home with her. Her Parents were away for the weekend so I was I n.We fucked for a while Then I passed out When I woke up there was a rat on me and I was painted from head to toe,all different colors.This was the type of Girl this Kathy was. she was weird I always had a weird feeling about her.It also was the Place I met Jackie and I'll Get to her another post another day so for now I am signing out till another day till then Good Day.

PUNK SHOW

PRE NEW YEARS EVE SHOW !!

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The Lighthouse

    The Lighthouse was a steady Gig For us,We would play there once a month as the headliner and a few times opening up for bands that were booked by Clap unlimited productions.This was run by our manager,my brother Mike and Ed Mottley . They Booked a lot of bands Chris Spedding and the Fast were the Best and the biggest crowds.A Guy named Bernie was the owner he was cool he would smoke a joint with us every once in a while.We were always put up stairs ,up this spiral stair case in a room like caged monkeys. So we would go outside to the van a lot to get hi and smoke cigarettes . It was also our only way to talk to people who came to see us. One time me and Robbie were outside and we were talking to this girl for a while.I went in to see when we were going on and left Robbie with this chick.It was time to go on so I went out to call him and he got out of this car pulling up his pants and running up to me and this Girl got out of the care and Yelled oh!by the way my name is Marcy! We got on stage and were laughing so hard I new That he Just pumped a load in her .There were a lot of nights someone got laid in that parking lot It was surrounded by corn fields.Hell I fucked My First wife there in between sets in some van, Punk Rock !!

   There were so many crazy nights at the Light house too many to write about and I don't remember the Details of every night but I will write of the ones I do remember. One time in the winter it snowed about 2 feet the night before we played and the roads would drift shut a lot in the night.Remember the Lighthouse was about 4 miles north of the lehigh valley airport and was surrounded by corn fields,Dutch Country as my one time room mate refers to it as .The shows would go till 1:30 and by the time we left the bar the roads were drifted shut.Our friends left before us and got stuck in this drift,so we all worked to get them out ,it took a while . we were all drunk and horsing around .Then we wanted to get home and it didn't seem like a plow was going to save us .By this time my sister got rid of the van and traded it for this 57 Chevy, The van was becoming a money pit anyway.So we got in the car It was a boat we got a good head start and barreled ass through the snow all the way home .No stopping that tank of a car we plowed through every drift, Just pounding through them it was fun.

     The shows at the Light house were so many and so monotones they started to loose luster, we also lost our manager. He ran off with our artist to start another life, left us high and dry and boy did we get high then !! We started sneaking  beer and smoking pot before we went on we started to loose direction.I remember shows walking out of our dressing room and some one telling me to hold out the back of my hand and they would poured a pile of coke on it and I snorted it up.I would gag during the first 2 songs from the drip we would just get fucked up, really there are a lot of these shows, I don't Remember a lot of them. After Dave Left the bands stopped  getting booked  at the club and things Just Died out. We didn't even want to play there any more.It Was time to Move on and change the name of the production co.Get a fresh start.

The First Road show

  I t Didn't take long  before we got our first road show,Clarion state collage.I set it up with this Girl Kathy Boyer I was dating at the time.She was a fresh man at the school and got right in with the entertainment committee  Like I asked her to do.She was a nice girl she Just wanted too much to fast and I was Just starting my Rock And Roll carrier .The show was for $1000.00 we had to play 3 sets with no support act.Robbie and Mike Had to have permission slips signed by there parents because the show was on a Friday night and they were under 18 .We also Received a full rider of perks, Food and drink and a place to stay for the night..
   The trip to the show was long and mostly uneventful ,We drove in this Big Lime Green Van My sister bought to Rhodie for us. She Liked the Band and always wanted to be a singer so this was her way to be in the business .The only thing that would happen is the usual stare or laugh , because we looked punk with dyed hair and makeup.Freaks they would call us,but we didn't care.We were on a rode show ,Rock and roll stars hell we made front page of the Clarion news Paper.
    WE Arrived Early and set up for  sound check, we were playing in the basement of this church. It was a big Hall with a stage 4 feet high and a full light rack and a spot light this was cool.We sound checked and headed to the cafeteria to eat.we had some time to kill we had a radio interview in the afternoon at the collage station.Some people in the cafe came up to talk to us and ask for autographs while we were eating We were feeling right at home.The campus was old and secluded there is nothing around clarion and nothing to do. this was a good thing, we were told we would have a good turnout because of this.I mean it when I say there was nothing to do.We stopped into this punk Frat house and it looked like the 411 in Bethlehem Pa. It had all the appeal  of animal house the only thing to do was the collage past time which is Drink and then drink some more.I had a feeling this was going to be a very good night I was getting pumped and DRUNK!!
    The Radio Interview was pretty funny we had this dick head dis jockey who kept calling us the CLASH I kept correcting him and was getting pissed He didn't get it until I said WE ARE NOT THE FUCKING CLASH, we are the CLAP AND WE AIN'T NOTHING TILL YOU CATCH US !! After that we got  serous about the interview and he played a few live recordings of our songs and some demo's we had.We Did not record any material yet for a record.After The Interview we rested in this dorm room they had with 4 beds in it for bands ,students what ever,It was just nice of them. they really made us feel welcome the best I ever had and that was the truth. We never got this treatment again close but never this good ..
    The Show Was a huge success ,.when we got there our manager put us back stage we had our own room with a makeup table with the lights around it and everything.We Were anxious to play they kept telling us there were a fey people out there the early crowd. Well when the curtains opened I almost shit myself the room was packed as far back as the eye could see.We started with VD"s no Laughing Matter and the people started to bop and sway. There were no mosh pits back then just pogo dancing  and bopping about everyone seemed to like us.Even this one punk he was up front and was beating his leather jacket on stage to the songs, Everyone kept there distance from that cat he looked a little loose. At the end of the show for the last an chore our manager played guitar and Mike Rex took my Bass and we would cover sonic reducer by the dead boys. I was singing the end lyrics, I was rolling on the stage and rolled right off the edge and smashed my face and busted open my lip. Blood was flowing out onto my shirt and every where ,when I got back up on stage the crowd went wild. I guess For my blood sacrifice or my rendition of stiv bators any way we had to play V.D."s No Laughing matter again to please the crowd. What a show we felt real good about it.After we would Play we would  have a meeting and talk about the show This time we didn't have anything to say about it,It was all good so we were let loose to party !!!

    There was a party Just For Us On the 4th Floor of the Girls Dorm ,Chicks Booze and Drugs we were having a good time! I slipped off to the Girls Shower with Kathy for a shower and a piece of pussy A perfect way to top off a good show. When we were done two other girls came in and started to shower Like I wasn't there. Then the won came over to me and started asking me if I was In the band,I was thinking wow bonus but Kathy kind of  got upset so I Went to her room and banged her one more time then went to the party.I was talking to the manager then and he wanted someone to go and checkout the van and notify security that it was ours. I said I would do it on the way back this Guy asked me if I was in the band .I said yea then I said they were having a party for us on the 4th floor.I said he could come along he said OK and he had some liquor in his room So He got it. Well when we got off the elevator the place went quiet and everyone stared at me.I was Like what the fuck, then Kathy came over to me and asked why I brought him up there. I said I didn't Know ,then she told me they called him friendly Eric,then she told me the deal about friendly Eric. He was a Strange Fuck who always wanted to touch people He was very insecure and had a lot of mental issues.I told Kathy I was sorry and didn't know she said it was OK she should have warned me he always ruins party's.Well he did his friendly Eric thing around the party annoying every one, then he tried to be friendly with the wrong person.Our rhodie Gary Moondog (rest in peace) , He asked him if he could touch him and he said to him no but feel this and wham !!! Down went friendly Eric . Moondog would have pounded that guy like a worm, So we got out of there and ended the night. we had a long ride in the morning and had shows to do back home.Any way what a show I will always remember this one the most It was one of the best.

   Check out the caption under the picture in the clarion news paper, they Make us out to be a bunch of scary thugs.

Our First Photo Shoot

    Our First Photo Shoot was at Scheckler  Elementary School. I knew the Principal His son Eddie Bruchack Is a good friend of the band.We were aloud in the class rooms and on the grounds really any place we wanted. My friend 's Wife Tammy Mizgerd took the photo's she also did the art work for the cover of Don't say no our first single.She also did our manager Dave,they eventually ran off together to start a new life.My Brother Mike took over the management Job and later married our managers x-wife.What a fucked up story ,If you have an hour or two I'll tell you..Any way I knew you needed a good photo to make a 9x7 glossy Photo for a press kit.A press kit is what you use to get booked to inform the purchaser about the band and there music.The better the press kit is the more professional you look.The photo's are in black and white That is the industry standard .I loved doing photo shoots they were fun Robbie was a riot . We did several photo shoots a few in the studio. These pictures were used on fliers more than anything Then later on in the first web site.We always chose decent places not the usual ruins or an old dirty alley with spay painted graffiti  all over the place.I wanted to do one the hospital  with a stretcher and a lot of hot nurse's.It was important to do photo shoots,Big bands did them and we wanted to be a big band.