Urinals (band)
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| Urinals | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | 100 Flowers Chairs of Perception |
| Origin | Los Angeles, CA, USA |
| Genre(s) | Punk rock |
| Years active | 1978-present |
| Label(s) | Happy Squid Records |
| Website | [2] |
| Members | |
| Kevin Barrett Kjehl Johansen John Talley-Jones |
|
| Former members | |
| Delia Frankel Steve Willard |
|
The Urinals are a punk rock band from Southern California. Known for their minimalist approach to songwriting and recording--their lyrics have been called "punk haiku"--the band influenced other punk rockers of the 1970's and 1980's including the Minutemen.
Contents |
[edit] History
The band's first performance, in 1978, was a parody of punk rock performed for a talent show at their UCLA dorm. Though none could play their instruments, three of the original members continued to perform in on-campus venues. Their songs were usually short, and seldom utilized more than two chords--if that.
The band’s first off-campus show was at Raul’s in Austin, Texas. Returning to L.A., they appeared with such groups as The Go-Go's and Black Flag. A roughly-recorded, four-song EP followed. After developing a somewhat more sophisticated sound, the band changed its name to 100 Flowers (inspired by Chairman Mao's famous quote), but disbanded in 1983.
In 1996, the band reformed as the Urinals, releasing a CD of new material in 2003. In 2005, they performed at the Chaoyang International Pop Festival in Beijing, in what is believed to be the first punk rock performance in China[1]. They later took the name Chairs of Perception (presumably a parody of Huxley's The Doors of Perception) before again becoming the Urinals in 2008.
[edit] Discography
- Urinals (7" EP, 1978, Happy Squid Records)
- Negative Capability...Check It Out! (CD, 1997, Amphetamine Reptile Records)
- What Is Real and What Is Not (CD, 2003, Warning Label)
As 100 Flowers:
- 100 Years of Pulchritude (CD, 1990, Rhino Records)
[edit] Compilation appearances
- Life is Ugly So Why Not Kill Yourself (1982)
- Includes "Sensible Virgin" and "She's a Drone"
[edit] Covers
The Minutemen covered "Ack Ack Ack Ack" (calling it "Ack Ack Ack") on the albums The Politics of Time and 3-Way Tie (For Last). A video of the song, directed by Talley-Jones, would be the Minutemen's last video due to the death of D. Boon.
