An unusual situation. Nerves released only one recording reference during their short career.To make matters worse, the four-song epé of the same name (1976) was self-released. But it’s such an extraordinary piece that it was enough and left to turn the trio into sacred rock and roll history. Jack Lee, the guitarist, singer and songwriter of a band that included many singers and songwriters and paved the way for power pop in the punk rebellion, has died of colon cancer at the age of 71.
Born in Alaska on March 25, 1952, Lee founded The Nerves in San Francisco in 1974. Peter’s Case (bassist) and Paul Collins (battery). The group performed the aforementioned epé on their own, with two of Lee’s songs (“Hanging on the phone” and “Give me a time time”), one by Case (“When you find”) and one by Collins (“Working too hard”). self-published. ‘ ). Four Garage Pop Ore. The album, electric and melody fan-driven independent Los Angeles label Bomp! Distributed by Greg Shaw. The group moved to Los Angeles in 1977. He founded the Hollywood Punk Palace club in the basement of Sunset Gower Studios, where the film and television industries were fallow at the time. In addition to The Nerves, he has voiced The Weirdos, The Dils, The Zippers, The Zeros and The Screamers. It’s the best place to be to form the birthplace of the Los Angeles punk scene.
‘Do It Yourself’ tour
In the same DIY spirit, in 1977 The Nerves toured the United States and Canada, where they came to share the stage. Ramones and Mink DeVille. The group disbanded in an uncertain moment in 1978. From the ashes would rise two great names in guitar pop, plimsouls (situation) and The Beat or Paul Collins’ Beat (Collins).
And Lee, who seems to be the most talented of the trio, a concentrate of talent? jeffrey lee drillfanzín ‘Slash’ journalist, fan club president blonde and the future founder of The Gun Club, Debbie sent Harry a copy of The Nerves epé, possibly with “Hanging on the phone” exclamation marks on it. Lee’s (unnecessary but always good) blessing and Mike Chapman’s shimmering and energetic version of Blondie became the second single of ‘Parallellines’ (1978), the pinnacle of modern popular music. From there to planetary infinity, which will report to Lee. copyright a fortune. Def Leppard, L7 and Cat Power would also record ‘Hanging on the phone’ versions, the last of which was for a commercial.
Not so much
suzi four It included the song “You are my love” from Lee’s album “Suzi… and other four letter words” (1979). “Come back and stay” had a much greater commercial impact, a song that became the “hit” of Lee’s first LP, “No parlez” (1983). paul young. Lee, ‘Jack Lee’s greatest hits vol. 1’ (1983) and “Bigger Than Life” (1985).
in 1986 French stamp Offense released the full-length ‘Nerves’. Jack Lee, Paul Collins, Peter Case’, four songs from the epé in question, another track from ‘When you find out’ and five unreleased songs. Two of these, “Paper dolls” (Lee) and “One way ticket” (Lee and Case), would be the second 45 spins from The Nerves, Bomp! I never have to edit. Again, two garage pop gems. This record of The Nerves cult, the true source of power pop as we know it, was the awesome Rosetta stone. ‘Long live France’.