The Secret Syde
Encyclopedia
The Secret Syde was a moderately popular American
punk rock band from the 1980s. Formed in New Jersey
, they achieved the most success in the Netherlands
, where their music was aired on the BBC
. They were also popular in the southern portion
of the United States, namely New Orleans. The band was known for their onstage antics, which included light show
s, go-go dancers, and Steve DeVito playing the guitar with his tongue. At the height of their popularity, the band opened for Aerosmith
's Joe Perry
, the Dead Kennedys
, and Black Flag
.
, as well as Black Flag
in 1983. Due to creative differences they disbanded in 1985.
Another incarnation of the band, a five piece consisting of all the original members and Laughing Soup Dish guitarist Wayne Larsen
, opened for The Dead Kennedys in 1986. Around that same time Davies fronted Laughing Soup Dish for a few performances, and the band was billed as Jon Davies & The Secret Syde
. Wayne Larsen
and Jon Davies continued to perform into the 1990s. In the 1980s they often performed on music related TV shows.
In 2009, the band announced they had regrouped, and would be performing a twenty-fifth anniversary show, during which Erebus and Hidden Secrets would be released on CD. oRBIT Magazine called the band "one of the greatest bands of all time!" Jon Davies said the reunion occurred after: "Greg Gory said that instead of wasting my time cleaning toilets and rock tossing I should reform the Secret Syde and do something with my life."
Rob Angello
reportedly did not want to partake in the reunion, saying:
"I said, ‘Go Fuck yourself, last time we did this you flaked out on us after three weeks of rehearsal.’ He assured me that he would behave, so how could I say no? It’s just like the old days except we stop to take Geritol and oxygen breaks. Steve doesn’t have to leave rehearsal as frequently to urinate anymore, but Jon did have an erection that lasted through out our four-hour rehearsal, I can tell he’s really excited about the band this time around."
The band's reunion show was well attended, and they are currently working on their third album. During the show, Jon Davies dedicated a performance of the song "Versailles" to Germany
, where he lived in the 1980s.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
punk rock band from the 1980s. Formed in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, they achieved the most success in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, where their music was aired on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. They were also popular in the southern portion
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
of the United States, namely New Orleans. The band was known for their onstage antics, which included light show
Light show
Light show may refer to:*Aaron Landes* Laser lighting display * Liquid light shows* Christmas lights* Meteor shower* Wizards in Winter Christmas light show...
s, go-go dancers, and Steve DeVito playing the guitar with his tongue. At the height of their popularity, the band opened for Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
's Joe Perry
Joe Perry
Joe Perry may refer to:*Joe Perry *Joe Perry **Joe Perry *Joe Perry...
, the Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys are an American punk rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band became part of the American hardcore punk movement of the early 1980s. They gained a large underground fanbase in the international punk music scene....
, and Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
.
Hidden Secrets
Their first album Hidden Secrets was widely overlooked upon its release, but has since become a popular collector’s item. The second album, Erebus went unreleased, but some tracks gained airtime on the BBC in the Netherlands. They also opened for several national acts and they were an opening act for Joe PerryJoe Perry
Joe Perry may refer to:*Joe Perry *Joe Perry **Joe Perry *Joe Perry...
, as well as Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
in 1983. Due to creative differences they disbanded in 1985.
Another incarnation of the band, a five piece consisting of all the original members and Laughing Soup Dish guitarist Wayne Larsen
Wayne Larsen
Wayne Larsen is a neo-psychedelic rock guitarist best known for being the front man for The Laughing Soup Dish, as well as being a guitarist in The Secret Syde and the Leather Joy Boys.-Laughing Soup Dish:...
, opened for The Dead Kennedys in 1986. Around that same time Davies fronted Laughing Soup Dish for a few performances, and the band was billed as Jon Davies & The Secret Syde
Jon Davies & The Secret Syde
Jon Davies & The Secret Syde was a post-punk-psychedelic band. After the original Secret Syde lineup disbanded, Steve DeVito, Rob Angello and Dave DeSantis tried to continue on without Jon Davies....
. Wayne Larsen
Wayne Larsen
Wayne Larsen is a neo-psychedelic rock guitarist best known for being the front man for The Laughing Soup Dish, as well as being a guitarist in The Secret Syde and the Leather Joy Boys.-Laughing Soup Dish:...
and Jon Davies continued to perform into the 1990s. In the 1980s they often performed on music related TV shows.
Reunions
The band reunited in 2000 to record a new album. It was never released. In 2002 the remaining trio of Steve, Dave, and Rob did a special performance in their hometown of Long Branch.In 2009, the band announced they had regrouped, and would be performing a twenty-fifth anniversary show, during which Erebus and Hidden Secrets would be released on CD. oRBIT Magazine called the band "one of the greatest bands of all time!" Jon Davies said the reunion occurred after: "Greg Gory said that instead of wasting my time cleaning toilets and rock tossing I should reform the Secret Syde and do something with my life."
Rob Angello
Rob Angello
Rob Angello was the drummer for The Secret Syde, as well as Lord John, X-Men, and The Blases....
reportedly did not want to partake in the reunion, saying:
"I said, ‘Go Fuck yourself, last time we did this you flaked out on us after three weeks of rehearsal.’ He assured me that he would behave, so how could I say no? It’s just like the old days except we stop to take Geritol and oxygen breaks. Steve doesn’t have to leave rehearsal as frequently to urinate anymore, but Jon did have an erection that lasted through out our four-hour rehearsal, I can tell he’s really excited about the band this time around."
The band's reunion show was well attended, and they are currently working on their third album. During the show, Jon Davies dedicated a performance of the song "Versailles" to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, where he lived in the 1980s.