- Darby Crash
-
Darby Crash 
Background information Birth name Jan Paul Beahm Also known as Bobby Pyn, Darby Crash Born September 26, 1958 Died December 7, 1980 (aged 22) Genres Punk rock Occupations Singer-songwriter Instruments Vocals Associated acts The Germs, Darby Crash Band Darby Crash (born Jan Paul Beahm) (September 26, 1958 – December 7, 1980)[1][2] was an American[3] punk musician who, along with long time friend Pat Smear (born Georg Ruthenberg), co-founded The Germs. He died of an intentional heroin overdose.[4]
Contents
Early life
Beahm had a troubled childhood; he grew up believing that his biological father left the family and his older brother died of a drug overdose. When in his teens, his sister revealed in an argument that his biological father was really a Swedish sailor named William Björklund.
Beahm attended IPS (Innovative Program School), a school within University High School in Los Angeles. The IPS program combined elements of est large group awareness training and Scientology.[5]
Before the Germs, Beahm and Pat Smear called themselves "Sophistifuck and the Revlon Spam Queens", but had to shorten this name because they didn't have enough money to put the full name on a t-shirt.[6] After a short stint under the name Bobby Pyn, Beahm changed his name to Darby Crash. The Germs can be seen in the 1981 film The Decline of Western Civilization, directed by Penelope Spheeris. Crash discussed taking drugs onstage to avoid feeling injuries from fan violence and "creeps out there with grudges".
Later life and suicide
Shortly after the Germs split, Darby went on to form the short-lived Darby Crash Band. Circle Jerks drummer Lucky Lehrer joined the band on the eve of their first (sold-out) live performance, when during soundcheck, Darby kicked out the drummer they'd rehearsed with and convinced Pat Smear to help out on guitar. The band, described by Smear as "like the Germs, but with worse players", played only a few gigs before splitting up.
On December 3, 1980, an over-sold Starwood hosted a final live show of the reunited band, including drummer Don Bolles.
Crash committed suicide by drug overdose on December 7, 1980.[7]
What We Do Is Secret
Crash and The Germs are the subject of the 2007 biopic film What We Do Is Secret which stars Shane West as Crash, Bijou Phillips as Lorna Doom, Rick Gonzalez as Pat Smear, and Noah Segan as Bolles. The theatrical release was dated for August 8, 2008. There is also a book by the same name, by Kief Hilsbury, a novelization of a young contemporary of Darby Crash who is consumed by his memories of the singer.
References
- ^ State of California. California Birth Index, 1905-1995. Sacramento, CA, USA: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics.
- ^ State of California. California Death Index, 1940-1997. Sacramento, CA, USA: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics.
- ^ Duralde, Alonso; Anne Stockwell (2002-07-09). "Biographies - Wild reads: waves, winds, and a good book you can take while you bake—isn't that what summer's all about?". The Advocate. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2002_July_9/ai_88583433.
- ^ Alternative rock By Dave Thompson. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 391
- ^ Mullen, Brendan (2000-12-27). "Annihilation Man; How Darby Crash lost control. Of the Germs. Of Circle One. Everything". LA Weekly. http://www.laweekly.com/general/features/annihilation-man/5159/?page=1. Retrieved 2007-05-23.
- ^ Alternative rock By Dave Thompson p. 391
- ^ The tombstone tourist: musicians By Scott Stanton p. 306
External links
Categories:- 1958 births
- 1980 deaths
- University High School (Los Angeles, California) alumni
- American punk rock singers
- Deaths by heroin overdose in California
- Drug-related suicides in California
- The Germs members
- LGBT musicians from the United States
- Musicians who committed suicide
- American musicians of Swedish descent
- Burials at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
