Lexicon Devil (EP)
Encyclopedia
Lexicon Devil is a three-song, seven-inch EP
by The Germs
, released strictly through mail-order by Slash Records
in 1978.
The Germs were already gaining notoriety ever since the release of their first single, "Forming
", and their early live performances. However, their increasing success was not without some roadblocks. They did not have a permanent drummer at the time, Donna Rhia having long left the band. X drummer DJ Bonebrake filled in at a few gigs, but Weirdos
drummer Nicky Beat ended up being the band's first semi-permanent drummer (The Weirdos were still a going concern at the time). Also, Pat Smear
owned a Rickenbacker electric guitar at the time, but did not own an amplifier.
The band's second single came about when Slash Magazine made an offer to the Germs to release a record on their newly formed label. The group agreed.
Smear's non-ownership of an amplifier at the time actually led to the unique guitar sound on the record. Producer/engineer/musician Geza X
was supposed to lend Smear an amp for the session, but had forgotten; instead Smear strung together some effect pedals and plugged directly into the studio's mixing board.
A few days before the session, drummer Don Bolles came down to Los Angeles from Phoenix, Arizona to audition for the group. He got the job, but it was too late for him to learn the songs in time to go into the studio. Instead, Nicky Beat kept the drum seat warm for the session. Bolles still participated in the session, however, helping chant "Non deus, non deus, non deus" and clapped his hands along with the rest of the band on "No God".
The song "Circle One" is where Darby Crash's stage name originated; originally, he had taken the stage name Bobby Pyn.
Nicky Beat told the authors of the Germs biography Lexicon Devil that he had stolen the opening drum beat on "Circle One" from the Allman Brothers song "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
".
The EP is long out of print in its original form, but later appeared as part of the posthumous 12" EP What We Do Is Secret and on the CD anthology (MIA): The Complete Anthology.
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
by The Germs
The Germs
The Germs are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, originally active from 1977 to 1980. The band's early lineup consisted of singer Darby Crash, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom, and their most consistent drummer Don Bolles. Germs have since reformed in 2005 with Shane...
, released strictly through mail-order by Slash Records
Slash Records
Slash Records is a record label in Los Angeles, originally specializing in local and punk rock bands.The label was formed in 1978 by Bob Biggs as an outgrowth of the Los Angeles-based fanzine, Slash. Biggs, a painter, initiated the label with a seven-inch single from The Germs in 1978. A full album...
in 1978.
The Germs were already gaining notoriety ever since the release of their first single, "Forming
Forming (song)
"Forming" is the debut single by American punk rock band The Germs. Released on What?, an independent start-up label, in July 1977, it is regarded as the first true Los Angeles punk record....
", and their early live performances. However, their increasing success was not without some roadblocks. They did not have a permanent drummer at the time, Donna Rhia having long left the band. X drummer DJ Bonebrake filled in at a few gigs, but Weirdos
The Weirdos
The Weirdos were an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California. They formed in 1976 and broke up in 1981, were occasionally active in the 1980s, and recorded new material in the 1990s...
drummer Nicky Beat ended up being the band's first semi-permanent drummer (The Weirdos were still a going concern at the time). Also, Pat Smear
Pat Smear
Pat Smear is a rock musician who has been a guitarist in several well-known bands including The Germs and Nirvana. He is currently a guitarist for the Foo Fighters...
owned a Rickenbacker electric guitar at the time, but did not own an amplifier.
The band's second single came about when Slash Magazine made an offer to the Germs to release a record on their newly formed label. The group agreed.
Smear's non-ownership of an amplifier at the time actually led to the unique guitar sound on the record. Producer/engineer/musician Geza X
Geza X
Geza Gedeon, professionally known as Geza X was a personality in the Los Angeles punk scene in the late 1970s. Geza produced records for a number of early California punk bands including the Dead Kennedys, The Germs, Black Flag, The Avengers and The Weirdos...
was supposed to lend Smear an amp for the session, but had forgotten; instead Smear strung together some effect pedals and plugged directly into the studio's mixing board.
A few days before the session, drummer Don Bolles came down to Los Angeles from Phoenix, Arizona to audition for the group. He got the job, but it was too late for him to learn the songs in time to go into the studio. Instead, Nicky Beat kept the drum seat warm for the session. Bolles still participated in the session, however, helping chant "Non deus, non deus, non deus" and clapped his hands along with the rest of the band on "No God".
The song "Circle One" is where Darby Crash's stage name originated; originally, he had taken the stage name Bobby Pyn.
Nicky Beat told the authors of the Germs biography Lexicon Devil that he had stolen the opening drum beat on "Circle One" from the Allman Brothers song "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
"In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" is a jazz-influenced instrumental composed by Dickey Betts that became one of the best-known works ever recorded by The Allman Brothers Band, especially the version on their 1971 live album At Fillmore East.-Overview:...
".
The EP is long out of print in its original form, but later appeared as part of the posthumous 12" EP What We Do Is Secret and on the CD anthology (MIA): The Complete Anthology.