Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Logo #87: The Screamers

A face as iconic as any minted for Roman coins, this image was drawn for the Los Angeles synth-punk unit by Gary Panter in late '77 or early 1978. Panter would later design everything the sets on "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" to the playroom in the Paramount Hotel in New York City. Various pundits have pegged Lisa Simpson on "The Simpsons" as the logical extension of this mascot's aesthetic. Various pundits have a lot of free time on their hands. Conversely, there may be more than one set of pundits active at any time. The Screamers, led by mascot model Tomata du Plenty (born David Xavier Harrigan, May 28, 1948 – August 21, 2000) were one of the most influential bands that never released any records. Plenty of bootlegs out there, though - oddly, however, their original plan to release records as VHS tapes instead of vinyl has now come to fruition with the advent of YouTube. Tracks like "122 Hours of Fear", "Eva Braun" and "I'm Going Steady With Twiggy" now appear in the proper aspect in which the band originally intended. Royalties notwithstanding! Screamers synth mangler Paul Roessler is big brother to Black Flag bassist Kira Roessler. Presumably there's a lost L.A. punk band called The Moaners out there someplace.

Some interesting birthdays today.

"Johnny" William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005)
William "Sonny" Criss (October 23, 1927 - November 19, 1977)
Harald Grosskopf (Ash Ra Tempel; October 23, 1949)
"Baby" Jane Holzer (Warhol superstar; October 23, 1940)
Tristan Honsinger (October 23, 1949)
Misty Martinez (To Live and Shave in L.A.; October 23, 1977)
Milton Marx (Gummo; October 23, 1892 - April 21, 1977)
Pierre Moerlen (Gong; October 23, 1952 - May 3, 2005)
Graeme Revell (SPK; October 23, 1955)
Ned Rorem (October 23, 1923)
Jordan G. Wood (Deathwish; October 23, 1969 - June 7, 1994)

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