The Germs

Living fast and dying young is one of rock's great clichés, but no phrase better describes the reasons for the demise of L.A. punkers The Germs. Capable of creating a firestorm of noisy, confrontational music, they were ultimately undone by their perversely charismatic lead singer. He was a madman named Paul Beahm, better known to the world at-large first as Bobby Pyn, later and more famously as Darby Crash, who died Sid Vicious-style out on the mainline at age 22.



Taking musical cues from The Sex Pistols (and English punk in general), as well as the CBGB's scene, adding the theatricality of Bowie, Iggy, and Lou Reed, Crash was the perfect frontman for The Germs. Backed by guitarist Pat Smear (later of Nirvana and The Foo Fighters), bassist Lorna Doom, and drummer Don Bolles, The Germs kicked up a hellacious racket that strayed from fast/loud punk into art damage and garage grunge. On-stage, their gigs bordered on performance art, with Crash in full Iggy frenzy, diving into the crowd, adorning himself with whatever foodstuffs the audience provided, wearing less-and-less clothing, all done while the band cranked out noisy spasms of simple, but effective, rock noise.