"Saw you in a mag. Smoking a fag"
Just in time for black history month, I watched the documentary "Afro-Punk" by James Spooner the other night. It was interesting, but not what I expected. I was interested in hearing about the historical contributions of black musicians to punk rock. It's more of a series of interviews with average kids or members of average bands. So a lot of the music is not great and the interviews are hit or miss. The movie feels more like a student film. What it mainly did was get me thinking about what a small number of black performers there actually were in a pretty white, suburban scene. Here's some:
Emil Johnson: Drums - Black Flag
Emil was the bridge between Robo and Chuck Biscuits, making him the third Flag drummer in all (Brian Migdol was the first). Emil's tenure lasted only a few months and his only appearance on a record is the "TV Party," 7" EP. His recorded output does beat Biscuits, who would appear on a total of zero official albums. He was by all accounts a great drummer and 17 years old to boot. He left on bad terms, later stealing some master tapes and holding them for ransom.
Earl Liberty: Bass - Saccharine Trust, Circle Jerks
Earl played with Saccharine Trust and appears on their debut 12" EP "Paganicions,"and some tracks on the "Past Lives," comp. He joined The Circle Jerks from 1983-1984 filling the gap between Roger Rogerson and Zander Schloss. Appears with the "Jerks" only on the Repo Man soundtrack
There's a story in the book "Get In The Van," about Earl running from the cops and getting caught by the leg jumping over a wall and breaking his leg and front teeth in spectacular fashion.
Skeeter Thompson: Bass - Scream
Founding member of DC's Scream, he played on their entire recorded output from 1981-1990
His former drummer, Drave Grohl, wrote the song "Just Another Story About Skeeter Thompson," which was later covered by King Buzzo of the Melvins on his solo album (as just "Skeeter").
Founding member of DC's Scream, he played on their entire recorded output from 1981-1990
His former drummer, Drave Grohl, wrote the song "Just Another Story About Skeeter Thompson," which was later covered by King Buzzo of the Melvins on his solo album (as just "Skeeter").
Shawn Brown: Vocals - Dag Nasty
Fronted Dag Nasty for the first few months of their existence and appears on their demo tape.
Later formed the bands Swiz and Jesuseater.
Later formed the bands Swiz and Jesuseater.
Jean Beauvoir: Bass - Plasmatics
Played bass for the Plasmatics on their first 2 albums; "New Hope For The Wretched," and "Beyond The Valley of 1984". Also produced the Ramones "Animal Boy," album and co-wrote "Bonzo Goes To Bitburg," and "Something To Believe In" and played bass un-credited on a couple of KISS albums, while Gene Simmons was busy making movies.
Pat Smear: Guitar - The Germs
Founding member of L.A.s legendary Germs. Smear is African American and Navajo on one side of his family and German/Jewish on the other. Smear kept a low profile until resurfacing as a touring member of Nirvana in 1993 but appeared only on live recordings, such as their MTV Unplugged, before Kurt Cobain committed suicide. He then joined the Foo Fighters and appears on one album.
Poly Styrene: Vocals - X-Ray Spex
Singer and creative force behind one of the first female fronted band punk bands.
She made 5 singles and 1 album with X-Ray Spex from 1976 until their break-up in 1979.
She made 5 singles and 1 album with X-Ray Spex from 1976 until their break-up in 1979.
Rocky George: Guitar - Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies shredder handled the lead duties for the band from 1984 to 1995
Rocky handled lead guitar duties from 1984-1995 and can be heard on every record from "Join The Army," until "Suicidal For Life". Later went on to join Fishbone.
DH Peligro: Drums - Dead Kennedys
DH was the DK's longest serving and, few would argue, best drummer. 1981-1986. He appears on every release from "In God We Trust Inc," to "Bedtime For Democracy." Briefly played with Nailbomb and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Is the guitarist and vocalist in his own solo project, Peligro. 
Bad Brains
It is a given that any list of African American punk rock musicians or bands would have Bad Brains at the very top. To even qualify them as the best of a certain ... is ridiculous. They are one of the best punk bands ever; period. At least top 5 for me. A hardcore punk band comprised of black Rastafarians is still one of the wildest concepts I can imagine. What could have been a curiosity, simply slayed everyone on the scene. Insane hardcore, then shifting seamlessly into straight up reggae/dub and absolutely killing it. Their live DVD from CBGBs is amazing.
Ironically, the Brains were heavily criticized for discriminating against gay punk rockers later in their career (MDC, Big Boys). Members of the band have publicly denounced their past "ignorant," comments, made when they were young and overzealous about their new-found religious beliefs.
