Chris Ashford of What Records? discusses releasing the first LA punk single "Forming" by the Germs, rarities, tapes, memories of Darby Crash and early punk scene stories. Topics Include: <ul> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Chris Ashford founded What Records? and knew Germs members George (Pat Smear) and Paul (Darby Crash)</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">He worked in record stores through high school and was fascinated by record labels</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Chris decided to start a label while his friends formed the Germs band</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">He had no formal education about making records, learned from Richard Fuse at Rhino</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">"Forming" was recorded in a garage with two-track deck and two microphones</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">The single had multiple takes but most were erased years ago</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">B-side used cassette recording from Germs' Cheech & Chong "Up in Smoke" audition</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Master tape for "Forming" is missing, possibly in Canada, but Chris owns rights</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Cheech & Chong footage shows Germs performing "Sexboy" - same version as B-side</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">They kept the cassette source secret initially to avoid potential lawsuits</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Lou Adler excluded Germs from movie because audiences wouldn't believe they were real</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Chris missed the "Up in Smoke" taping because he had to work his day job</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">He financed all What Records releases including "Forming" himself</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Black rectangle on sleeve was intentionally ambiguous, meant as tongue-in-cheek band photo</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Address on record was Chris's parents' house where he lived</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">He quickly moved to P.O. Box and removed address to protect his mother</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">First pressing had wrong labels on wrong sides due to Monarch pressing plant error</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">About 1,000 copies were made, most of original pressing was destroyed</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">600-700 defective records were thrown down hill as frisbees for fun</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">None of them expected anything significant to happen with the record</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">"Forming" was technically the first independent DIY punk single from Los Angeles</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">The record served as legitimizing calling card for the Germs</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Darby Crash was gifted lyricist despite his troubled background and demons</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Chris received Germs burn from Michelle Ghaffari at the Whiskey without warning</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Germs burns became insider thing in summer 1977, wider trend came later</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Darby never fully matured, died at 22 before becoming complete person</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Germs often performed as chaotic train wreck, unlike disciplined bands like Stooges</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Darby had difficult childhood and family problems that created his demons</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">David Bowie was Darby's favorite outlet, influenced his dreamy/nihilistic worldview</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Chris saw potential for Darby to become writer beyond just being lyricist</li> </ul> Extended and high resolution version of this podcast is available at: <a href= "http://www.patreon.com/VinylGuide">www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide</a> Listen on Apple: <a href= "http://apple.co/2Y6ORU0">https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0</a> Listen on Spotify: <a href= "https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8">https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8</a>

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Ep508: Forming The Germs - Chris Ashford of What Records

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

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