Rock City Angels
Encyclopedia
The Rock City Angels started out in the early 1980s as the punk rock band "The Abusers", the product of singer Bobby Bondage and original bassist Andy Panik's chance meeting at a late night showing of the movie "The Decline of Western Civilization" .
, 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 became fixtures into the 90's. Bobby St. Valentine changed his name to Bobby Durango, and actor Johnny Depp
, also from So. Florida, joined the band and played guitar 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 contract. Eventually Young Man's Blues Produced by Joe Hardy, was released in 1988. The band toured in support of the album with such acts as Joan Jett
, and the Georgia Satellites
, and recorded some material for a second album. At one point they recorded with Thin Lizzy
guitarist Brian Robertson
. The band’s second album never materialized and 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-blues roots. The album remained unfinished for several years, but was finally completed in 2007 and released in November 2008.
In 2010 FNA Records released a compilation of songs meant for the second record called "Midnight Confessions".
After releasing "Use Once & Destroy," Bobby Durango put a new version of the band together. The 2009 version of Rock City Angels have been playing live since June 2009 in the South East.
, Ringo Jukes, Greg Larsen, Taz Rudd, Len Fagen, Doug Banx, Mike Barnes, Steven Norton, James Cooper, Stuart Casson, Jeff Johnson, Brian Robertson, Chris Spencer, Jason Blenner, Adam G, Larry Poccia, Mark Binko, Mike Dover and Adam Keller.
Toured with: Joan Jett
Played with: L.A. Guns, Jetboy,Jimmy Page, The Zeroes,Flies on Fire and Junkyard.
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 first became popular in South Florida, opening for out of town bands like T.S.O.L., Tex & the HorseheadsTex & the Horseheads
Tex & the Horseheads is an American punk rock band, which emerged in the Los Angeles punk subculture of the early-1980s. Their original run was from 1980 to 1986, and during this time they enjoyed a sizeable cult following...
, 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
Ann Boleyn (singer)
Ann Boleyn is a recording artist and performer from the United States. Arguably she is responsible for coining the term speed metal. She also is credited for developing the careers of many international recording artists through New Renaissance Records, the record label she founded.-Career:Boleyn...
of New Renaissance Records
New Renaissance Records
New Renaissance Records is an American record label founded in 1984 by Ann Boleyn, who also is the lead singer of the group Hellion and is credited for coining the term speed metal.-History:...
offered the act a recording contract. The band then relocated to Los Angeles where they became fixtures into the 90's. Bobby St. Valentine changed his name to Bobby Durango, and actor Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
, also from So. Florida, joined the band and played guitar with them before getting a part on 21 Jump Street
21 Jump Street
21 Jump Street is an American police procedural crime drama television series that aired on the Fox Network from April 12, 1987, to April 27, 1991, with a total of 103 episodes. The series focused on a squad of youthful-looking undercover police officers investigating crimes in high schools,...
.
After signing with Worldwide Media, and under former manager Grace Reinbold, Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
took notice and bought their contract from New Renaissance Records
New Renaissance Records
New Renaissance Records is an American record label founded in 1984 by Ann Boleyn, who also is the lead singer of the group Hellion and is credited for coining the term speed metal.-History:...
in 1986. Geffen offered The Rock City Angels a contract. Eventually Young Man's Blues Produced by Joe Hardy, was released in 1988. The band toured in support of the album with such acts as Joan Jett
Joan Jett
Joan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
, and the Georgia Satellites
Georgia Satellites
The Georgia Satellites are a Southern rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, USA. They are best known for their 1986 top five hit single "Keep Your Hands to Yourself", and draw inspiration from Chuck Berry, Little Feat, and AC/DC, among others.- History :...
, and recorded some material for a second album. At one point they recorded with Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
guitarist Brian Robertson
Brian Robertson
Brian "Robbo" David Robertson is a Scottish rock guitarist, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy and Motörhead.-Early life:...
. The band’s second album never materialized and 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
New Renaissance Records
New Renaissance Records is an American record label founded in 1984 by Ann Boleyn, who also is the lead singer of the group Hellion and is credited for coining the term speed metal.-History:...
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-blues roots. The album remained unfinished for several years, but was finally completed in 2007 and released in November 2008.
In 2010 FNA Records released a compilation of songs meant for the second record called "Midnight Confessions".
After releasing "Use Once & Destroy," Bobby Durango put a new version of the band together. The 2009 version of Rock City Angels have been playing live since June 2009 in the South East.
Members
Bobby Durango, Andy Panik, Dirty Dave Johns, Taggart 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 DeppJohnny Depp
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
, Ringo Jukes, Greg Larsen, Taz Rudd, Len Fagen, Doug Banx, Mike Barnes, Steven Norton, James Cooper, Stuart Casson, Jeff Johnson, Brian Robertson, Chris Spencer, Jason Blenner, Adam G, Larry Poccia, Mark Binko, Mike Dover and Adam Keller.
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
- "Use Once & Destroy" - CD Baby - 2008
- Lost Generation – Geffen Records – Unreleased
- 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
- Midnight Confessions - FNA Records - Released 2010
Video
- MTV Video of "Deep Inside My Heart"
Toured with: Joan Jett
Played with: L.A. Guns, Jetboy,Jimmy Page, The Zeroes,Flies on Fire and Junkyard.