Rock City Angels

The Rock City Angels started out in the early 1980s as the punk band "The Abusers", the product of singer Bobby Bondage and bassist Andy Panik's chance meeting at a late night showing of the movie "The Decline of Western Civilization".

Evolution

Later evolving into the Angels, their hair got longer, "Bobby Bondage" became "Bobby St. Valentine," and the band began wearing eyeliner, lipstick and nail polish. It was during this time that they developed what would become their signature "glam" sound. The music was an aggressive mixture of punk and glam rock, which spoke of rebellion, failed relationships, and the underground culture that they epitomized. Songs such as "Cinderella in Black", "Hush Child", "Dark Angels" and "Teenage Lipstick Boys" were power chord driven and defiant, yet also hook centered and melodic. However, the band regularly suffered setbacks in their pursuit of becoming a known quantity, as they developed a reputation of having a revolving door when it came to membership. According to Bobby, "The true Rock City Angels that became popular in South Florida, opening for out of town bands like T.S.O.L., Tex & the Horseheads, and finally headlining our own shows, was me, Andy Panik, Davy Lightning, Brad Shaw and Billy Starr."

Although the band developed a large local following in South Florida, they were ready to call it quits by the mid-80's. At what was to be their farewell show, Ann Boleyn of New Renaissance Records offered the act a recording contract. The band then relocated to Los Angeles where they quickly rebuilt the kind of loyal fan base they had enjoyed in Florida. Bobby St. Valentine changed his name to Bobby Durango, and actor Johnny Depp, also from So. Florida, joined the band and played with them before getting a part on "21 Jump Street".

After signing with Worldwide Media, and under former manager Grace Reinbold, Geffen Records took notice and bought their contract from New Renaissance Records in 1986. Geffen offered The Rock City Angels a 6.2 million dollar contract and sent the band to Memphis where they spent the next two years in seclusion.

Stories about this time period vary depending on the source. Journalists in publications such as The Cutting Edge, Hit Parader, and RIP have theorized that the Rock City Angels were signed by Geffen to thwart potential competition with Guns 'N Roses.

Eventually "Young Man's Blues" was released in 1988. The band toured in support of the album with such acts as Jimmy Page, Joan Jett, and the Georgia Satellites, and recorded a wealth of material for a second album. At one point they recorded with Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson. The band’s second album never saw the light of day as Geffen decided to drop the band. Many theories abound as to why they were dropped including drug use, a desire to keep Johnny Depp in acting, as well as fear of lawsuits concerning wrongly credited songs. According to the band's own web site, the song "Hush Child", which allegedly got them their deal with Geffen, was written by former lead guitarist Davy Lightning (Gregg), but was not so credited on the album.

New Renaissance Records released "Rock City Angels" (often referred to as “the glam cd”) in 2000. This would have been the Angels’ first release if Geffen had not bought out their contract. In 2001 the band reunited and recorded a third CD titled "Use Once & Destroy", which is said to be a return to the band’s more punk roots. The album remained unfinished for several years, but was finally completed in 2007.

Members

Bobby Durango, Andy Panik, Dirty Dave Johns, Taggert Reid, John Patrick Mahoney, Matt Cloutier, Billy Blaze, Glenn Stock Miller, Billy Starr, Brad Shaw, Davy Lightning, Steve Knight, Punky Stevens, Greg Sparxx, Jimmy James, Wade, Jack Smack, Jimmy Blitz, Mike Barnett, Johnny Depp, Ringo Jukes, Greg Larsen, Taz Rudd, Len Fagen, Doug Banx, Mike Barnes, Steven Norton, James Cooper, Stuart Casson, Jeff Johnson, Brian Robertson, Chris Spencer, and Jason Blenner.

Discography

*"Young Man's Blues" – Geffen Records – Released 1988
*"Rock City Angels" – New Renaissance Records – 2000
*"Young Man's Blues" - Gott Discs (re-release) - 2005
*"The Florida Explosion" (compilation)
*"The Sweet Sound of Rock N Roll" (compilation)
*"Scream" - a Geffen compilation (as The Delta Rebels)
*"Hollywood Rocks" - a four disc compilation

Video

* MTV Video of "Deep Inside My Heart"

Toured with: Jimmy Page, Joan Jett, Joe Walsh, The Georgia Satellites Played with: L.A. Guns, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jetboy, The Zeroes, Guns & Roses, Jane’s Addiction, and Junkyard.

External links

* [http://www.rockcityangels.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/rockcityangelsmusic Myspace site]
* [http://www.zoneboards.com/forum/index.php Gossip board]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0DkrApDSMs "Deep inside my heart" on YouTube]