gwynnega: (coffee poisoninjest)
[personal profile] gwynnega
I fell in love with the Alley Cats the first time I heard the opening guitar riff to their song "Too Much Junk" (which appeared on Yes L.A., the 1979 compilation LP that also included tracks by the Germs, X, and the Bags). I saw the Alley Cats every chance I got in 1980-81. Randy Stodola (who looked like a skinny young Martin Sheen) was my favorite guitarist in the whole Los Angeles scene.



The band never really made it outside LA the way X and the Go Go's did, though they did have a song in the film Urgh! A Music War (1982).

I was thrilled to have a chance to see Stodola play with his new band yesterday at Liquid Kitty, on a bill with my friends The Last. The years have clearly been hard on Stodola, who I've heard has been homeless. But the guy can still play. Wow, can he play! When he launched into the old Alley Cats songs, it was magical.

I do wonder what happened to the Alley Cats' bassist/singer Dianne Chai. She was awesome...

Date: 2012-08-20 08:33 pm (UTC)
kore: (Default)
From: [personal profile] kore
Aww, fantastic!

Date: 2012-08-20 07:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] marshallpayne1.livejournal.com
I haven't thought about the Alley Cats in years. When I was living in Wichita, KS in the 80s they played at the Foundry Downtown on a week night. Never heard of them before. Small intimate club, remember I chatted a bit with the band. They were friendly. Long time ago, but yeah, the Alley Cats! :-)

Glad you had a blast yesterday.

Date: 2012-08-20 07:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] marshallpayne1.livejournal.com
Yes, he was. They got to the club just in time to play their one set. I played roadie as I remember and helped him carry his amp. I'm sure they weren't overly thrilled to play for 30-something people, but they still put on a good show.

Date: 2012-08-20 08:01 pm (UTC)
usedtobeljs: (Anya we persevere knowing)
From: [personal profile] usedtobeljs
yay for music and you. :-)

[hugs]

Date: 2012-08-20 09:47 pm (UTC)
ext_840: john and rodney, paperwork (3 questions)
From: [identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/tesserae_/
I think I saw them back in '78 - seems to me they played at my university, or something. THey were in fact awesome, even with the crappy sound in the student center!

Date: 2012-08-21 05:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stevie-carroll.livejournal.com
What fun! I miss being somewhere with an active music scene.

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