MKNZ Ilirska Bistrica, Saturday, 10.06.2000:

ADAM WEST (USA)

"You wanted the best and you got it, the hottest band in the land….Adam West! Take two parts Stooges, one part MC5, one part Misfits, and pepper it with the best 60s garage punk and you've got Adam West!

Adam West was formed in December 1991, when singer/songwriter Jake Starr and guitarist Bill Crandall decided to form a 60s garage band. While sitting around in Jake's living room and seeing an autographed picture to Jake from actor Adam West, Bill thought to name the band Adam West. After hooking up with Tom Barrick (drums), Ray Wiley (guitar), and Phil Munds (bass), Adam West started gigging around Washington, D.C. and soon built up a local following.

We've done some touring on the East Coast. We've received excellent reviews in popular periodicals (i.e. the Washington Post, Washington City Paper, Scene Magazine, etc.) for our recordings and live performances.

We recorded the songs "I Get A Sensation" and "Little Sister," which were released in June 1993, as our first 7" single on our own label, Fandango Records, and distributed by Get Hip Distribution in Pittsburgh. Right before we recorded this session, Andy Rapoport (ex-King Face) replaced Phil Munds on bass.

In September 1993, we released a special fan-club-only 7" single of the Misfits song "Cough/Cool."

In June 1994, Messiah Complex Records in Australia released the four-song 7" Dance Session EP, and distributed it worldwide. We appeared on the cable TV show "Slumber Party" where we did three songs. Soon after the "Slumber Party" broadcast, Ray Wiley left the group.

At the end of 1994, Bill Crandall and Andy Rapoport decided to quit Adam West. Steve joined as bass player and Johnny Epiphone joined as guitar player.

With this line-up, we appeared on the TV show "The Attic" where we performed "Beauty." We've also gotten frequent play on WHFS-99.1 FM, WMUC 88.1 FM, and DC-101 FM. Our tune "Love Like A Stone" appears on the D.C.-band compilation, "Capitol Crisis" CD, released by Cyclops Records in 1995.

At the end of 1995, Johnny Epiphone left the band and was replaced by James Marlowe (from Bubblegum Christ) on guitar. A split 7" single with our song "Beauty" and two songs on the flip by DC band Bubblegum Christ was released in April 1996.

Fan club single #2 covered the Misfits tunes "Halloween/She" with a cover of the Stooges' "Search & Destroy" and was released in July 1996.

Our new CD "Mondo Royale" containing 14 all-new tracks was released in April 1997 on Fandango Records with help from Object Recordings. It is distributed by Get Hip Distribution at (412) 231-4766.

In September 1997, two of our songs were featured on compilation CDs. "Upside Down" appeared on "Settling the DC Score," the second compilation CD from local label DCide Records. "Beauty" was released on "Fuzzy Logic," a garage compilation on RPM USA Records in Baltimore.

At the end of 1997, James Marlowe left the band and was replaced by Derrick Baranowsky on guitar.

In April 1998, we released fan club single #3, a split 7" EP with Reanimator Records, an Ann Arbor, Mich.,-based label. Our side has "Platinum" and "Speedbump" recorded live at CBGBs in NYC in May 1997. The Reanimator side feature two unreleased tunes by Mazinga.

Also in April, "Speedbump" was released on the compilation CD "Back to Rockaway Beach 1" on Amp Records in Hamilton, Ontario.

During the summer, Adam West was interviewed by Microsoft's Sidewalk.com and a trip to New York was featured on the Washington City Paper's Tour Diary online. Check the Reviews page. Our tunes "Haunted" and "Speedbump" were featured in the independent movie "Eat Me!." A movie soundtrack is forthcoming.

In October 1998, Fandango released the tune "Vanilla" on a split 7" single with the Candy Snatchers (from Virginia Beach).

On November 18, 1998, the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) voted Adam West the 1998 Best Hard Rock Group and Jake Starr 1998 Best Hard Rock Vocalist. Thanks, WAMA!

In January 1999, Fandango Records and Vital Gesture Records in Los Angeles co-released an Adam West/The BellRays split 7" limited to 1000 copies. The new Adam West full-length CD "13 de luxe" was released in March 1999 to glowing reviews.

In July 1999, Safety Pin Records released a 7" of two new, exclusive songs "Yr Days Are Numbered, Motherfucker" and "Have Your Way With Me" limited to 1,000 copies. Velvet Lounge Records and DCide Records included Adam West tracks on their CD compilations respectively.

Upcoming stuff includes an Adam West 7" on Glazed Records, a possible Adam West 7" on Sub Pop Records, a split 7" with Swedish rockers Puffball on Glazed Records, an Adam West 10" EP on Bang! Records in Spain, an Adam West/The Hellacopters split 7" on Fandango/Psychout Records, and numerous CD compilation appearances.