Mau Maus

The Mau-Mau's, with singer Rick Wilder, were one of the first 2 bands to rehearse at what became the center of L A's music explosion, the Masque. Located in the basement of the Pussycat theater on Hollywood blvd. The band has had many personnel changes, but the line-up today is the same as New Year's Eve for '81. The band, (then) was joined by Paul Black, on drums, who just happened to have the house where The Mau-Mau's threw a New Year's Eve Party & as if spontaneously, hordes of Punk Rockers invaded the house to see the band w/ 'the street creds', you couldn't buy...& the more incredible considering it was 'word of mouth', not the the cold technology of today; no internet or fliers. This cult had such a rabid following, & violent 'pit' they were banned for 2 years during the '80's. They are credited, by some as giving birth to 'Hardcore', as seen in the book, 'California Hardcore'. Wilder along w/artist-photographer Paul Picasso, invented the 'Youth Party', which immediately ran two Mau-Mau's private parties @ the (orig.) Masque, & opened 'WAR'(Wilder's initials backward.), The 1st REAl (operated for, & run by 'punks', w/ outcast, & custom clothing (etc) store. . . brought 'Punk' to The Roosevelt Hotel, & w/the Masque & the 'scene' in trouble, 'talked' Hollywood Blvd pimp bar, the King's Palace, into becoming a showcase for the new bands. It later became 'Raji's'. Youth Party also became a fanzine and developed a stable of bands including UXA, Black Flag (on most all the Mau-Mau's' early Shows) Castration Squad, Black Randy & the Metro Squad etc; & The cult band, who never sold out, being true to form, releases their premier full length disk, aptly titled "SCORCHED EARTH POLICIES" on an independent company. This Circle remains unbroken so that in mid Spring, the 'Best kept Secret in town" will be blowing your house down. by Johhny Feral