The Mechanics
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The Mechanics (1977–1981) are considered to be the first punk band to come out of Fullerton, California.
The Mechanics were a fusion of two bands, the L.A. Brats (Scott Hoogland, Brett Alexander, Sandy Hansen and Dennis Catron) and Tim Racca from Head Over Heels. Head Over Heels also featured Danny Furious (O'Brien: pre-Joan Jett) and Greg Scars (Westermark) before they left for San Francisco to form The Avengers.
Since there was no "Punk Metal" classification at the time, The Mechanics shared bills with bands as diverse as Fear and The Runaways, and metal groups featuring future Mötley Crüe members Tommy Lee and Mick Mars. Included among their fan base were Blackie Lawless, Jeff Dahl and members of Van Halen.
They are now remembered mostly by Fullerton musicians who watched them in their teens like Mike Ness, Dennis Danell, and Rikk Agnew (who currently leads the band Poop with Mechanics singer Scott Hoogland). Though they released only one 45 rpm single during their existence, their songs turned up on other's records, namely The Adolescents ('Frustrated' from Balboa Fun Zone) and The Avengers (their Dangerhouse single 'Car Crash' is a reworking of 'Warm Hollywood Welcome', now worth a mint on EBay.)
[edit] Current whereabouts
- Tim Racca - Still residing in Fullerton, California. Has recorded three CDs as 16 Tons (with drummer Randy Carr) and Da Losers, and sporadically plays live.
- Scott Hoogland - Currently lives in Murrieta with his fiancee and their 20 cats. He also sings in Poop with Rikk Agnew and Perry Giordano.
- Tim Maag - Played with The Cramps (renamed 'Touch Hazard' for the 'Can your pussy do the dog?' single), D.I., Social Distortion, and The Swing Set with Alice Bag on vocals. Still residing in Fullerton.
- Brett Alexander - Music writer, now based in Austin, Texas.
- Dennis Catron - Graphic Designer.
- Sandy Hansen - Played with China White, 22 Jacks, Joyride, The Adolescents, and is currently with the blues-based Mama Hagglin'.
- Mike Couden, Scott Koehler and Eric Overman - Unknown.
[edit] Quotations
- "The Mechanics. Hard-rocking, Iggy-esque 1970s godfathers to the whole Fullerton punk scene. They inspired the wee lads who became Social D and Agent Orange, and introduced the harmonized octave guitar sound that The Adolescents emulated on their blue album." — Mike Boehm, L.A. Times
- "There was this band called The Mechanics from Fullerton who never did anything cause they were so far ahead of their time. I think probably out of all the bands, they influenced me the most." — Mike Ness, Social Distortion
- "No Brakes / Drivin' Me Away 7 inch Chateau East, 1981 PS. Hard rock punk crossovers from late 1970s Fullerton. Guitarist Tim's playing style would be copped by fellow locals the Adolescents, whom The Mechanics heavily influenced." — Brian, Grand Theft Audio
- "Steve liked a band called The Mechanics. They were more rock than they were punk and I thought the lead singer sounded like Geddy Lee of Rush. I walked out in the middle of their set at Club 88 and Steve was really pissed at me." — Unknown girl, via the Internet
