| The Secret Syde | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Long Branch, New Jersey, United States |
| Genres | Punk Psychedelic rock Post-punk |
| Years active | 1983–1985, 2000, 2002, 2009 |
| Labels | Mutha Records Hosehead Records |
| Website | http://www.thesecretsyde.com/ |
| Members | |
| Jon Davies Steve DeVito Dave DeSantis Rob Angello |
|
| Past members | |
| Wayne Larsen Lou Mazza |
|
The Secret Syde was a moderately popular American punk rock band from the 1980s. Formed in New Jersey, they achieved the most success in the Netherlands, where their music was aired on the BBC. They were also popular in the southern portion of the United States, namely New Orleans. The band was known for their onstage antics, which included light shows, go-go dancers, and Steve DeVito playing the guitar with his tongue. At the height of their popularity, the band opened for Aerosmith's Joe Perry, the Dead Kennedys, and Black Flag.
Contents |
Their first album Hidden Secrets was widely overlooked upon its release, but has since become a popular collector’s item. The second album, Erebus went unreleased, but some tracks gained airtime on the BBC in the Netherlands. They also opened for several national acts and they were an opening act for Joe Perry, as well as Black Flag in 1983. Due to creative differences they disbanded in 1985.
Another incarnation of the band, a five piece consisting of all the original members and Laughing Soup Dish guitarist Wayne Larsen, opened for The Dead Kennedys in 1986. Around that same time Davies fronted Laughing Soup Dish for a few performances, and the band was billed as Jon Davies & The Secret Syde. Wayne Larsen and Jon Davies continued to perform into the 1990s. In the 1980s they often performed on music related TV shows.
The band reunited in 2000 to record a new album. It was never released. In 2002 the remaining trio of Steve, Dave, and Rob did a special performance in their hometown of Long Branch.
In 2009, the band announced they had regrouped, and would be performing a twenty-fifth anniversary show, during which Erebus and Hidden Secrets would be released on CD. oRBIT Magazine called the band "one of the greatest bands of all time!"[1] Jon Davies said the reunion occurred after: "Greg Gory said that instead of wasting my time cleaning toilets and rock tossing I should reform the Secret Syde and do something with my life."
Rob Angello reportedly did not want to partake in the reunion, saying:
"I said, ‘Go Fuck yourself, last time we did this you flaked out on us after three weeks of rehearsal.’ He assured me that he would behave, so how could I say no? It’s just like the old days except we stop to take Geritol and oxygen breaks. Steve doesn’t have to leave rehearsal as frequently to urinate anymore, but Jon did have an erection that lasted through out our four-hour rehearsal, I can tell he’s really excited about the band this time around."[2]
The band's reunion show was well attended, and they are currently working on their third album. During the show, Jon Davies dedicated a performance of the song "Versailles" to Germany, where he lived in the 1980s.