Mo and Steve's Punk Years 1980-1985

Monica's Tiki Lounge Music Blog

This punk music blog is dedicated to my then boyfriend, now husband Steve and younger sister Carla. They helped me experience and discover this very exciting time period in music in L.A., also know as punk rock. If it weren't for them I would still be listening to Supertramp or other 70's bands.

"Los Angeles" by X - The first time I ever listened to this song it seemed so fast and furious, so different from the type of music I was used to. That's why I liked it so much and because my boyfriend back then, Steve, said it was the new cool music called punk. I liked the way the two voices of John Doe and Exene intertwined so smoothly. The lyrics were way out of control like talking about controversial topics like stereotypes and sex.

"Marriage" by The Descendants - This band had the punk thing down. I have to give credit to my younger sister Carla for discovering this band for me. She was really into them big time. This particular song was like a punk rock ballad because it was about love and marriage. It's actually pretty sweet. Quoting one of the final lines in the song, "I know I want you to be my wife and be with me the rest of your life." The other sweet part of this song is that Carla requested this song on my wedding day on the famous Loyola Marymount college radio station KXLU (her alma mater). Thanks sis! How cool is that?

"Ever Fallen in Love" by The Buzzcocks - This is a very poppy punk song with very melodic vocals. You can hardly tell you're listening to punk rock (like The Sex Pistols). The other interesting thing about this song is that it's not a love song. By reading the title you would think differently. To quote the lyrics, "Have you ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn't have?" Much to my surprise I never realized those parts of the lyrics. It's still is a cool song!

"Holiday in Cambodia" by the Dead Kennedy's - This hardcore punk band meant business with the topics they wrote about and they were not lightweight! This was the cleanest song I could quote of theirs. Here's a sampling, "With a gun in your back, for a bowl of rice a day, slave for soldiers, till you starve." A holiday in Cambodia sure doesn't feel like a holiday at all. However, musically they had a semi-surf sounding guitar to go with their rough lyrics. The lead singer Jello Biafra was so political, he even ran for office in California as President of the Green Party in 2000.

"Brand New Cadillac" performed by The Clash but written by Vince Taylor - This Clash song has a very punk memory associated with it. Steve and I always used to take my younger sister Carla to a lot of punk gigs. So, it was not unusual for her to want to see The Clash or the members of the Clash in their various solo projects with us. Joe Strummer filled in for Shane MacGowan in the for the Pogues singer Shane for this tour. Apparently, she told Steve that if Joe sang her favorite song, she would jump on stage and kiss him. Sure enough, as soon as she heard the first few bars of this song, she did her thing and planted a big kiss on super sweaty Joe. I learned a few things. One, I did not know this was her favorite Clash song (great choice by the way), and two I was impressed that she had the punk attitude to jump on stage. Fortunately, it was near the end of the set so when they escorted her to the side door; she had to only wait about 10 minutes in the rain for us to go home. She couldn't leave until we got out of the theater because her keys were still inside. I'll never forgot this punk rock moment; my sister kissed a punk rock icon, Joe Strummer!!

"Rise Above" by Black Flag - This hardcore punk band is punk rock at it's best. Henry Rollins, the lead singer has a perfect raspy voice to go with the crazy, intense, fast guitar sound. The music has a lot of angst going on too. Here's a sampling of the lyrics, "We are tired of your abuse, try to stop us it's no use." Again I have to thank my sister Carla for turning me on to this angst-driven punk music.

"Suburban Home" by The Descendants - Here we go again, another song by this great punk band. The Descendants have such an accessibility to their version of punk rock music. That's why I liked them so much. In this song, they are making fun of suburbia. Punkers don't want to be stereotyped, mainstreamed or have a suburban home which would definitely be out for them but the lyrics jokingly claim that they would. Their crunchy punk rock definitely rules for me!

"London Calling" by The Clash - What would the punk era be like without The Clash? I have to credit my husband Steve to hipping me on to this very cool band. It's one of his all time favorites in the 80's. They also had an accessibility to them with the great vocals and reggae beat on some of the songs that is hard to miss. Joe Strummer was such a passionate lead singer/songwriter/guitarist. This song and album helped them hit the big time in the early 80's as punk rock icons.

"Beat on the Brat" by The Ramones - These mop top punkers were punk rock royalty, with the same last names but no relation, had everyone in the 80's pogo-ing in the audience in their shows. Their poppy version of punk was fun and fast! Their lyrics were easy to sing-a-long to as well. I remember hearing this song while dating Steve when he was attending UCLA.

"Story of My Life" by Social Distortion - This band has a lot of Rockabilly undertones, for a punk band, that's why I liked them so much. This was unique for a punk band, this band coming from Orange County. But that's what made them so cool too. Here's a sampling of their lyrics, "Life goes by so fast, you only want to do what you think is right, close your eyes and then it's past, story of my life." Pretty great stuff!

PHAZE's Playlist

My brother's Jr. High/High School Band PHAZE's Playlist: 1977

"Ballroom Blitz" by Sweet - The intro names off names one of Sweet's band which one name happens to be Steve. Which is one of the band members of PHAZE then they replace their own PHAZE band members names for the ones in the song. Pretty cool!

"Jailbreak" by Thin Lizzy - Another Mario induced memory here too. He had a band called PHAZE, they played a lot of 70's cover songs including this song by Thin Lizzy. I probably remember the siren in the song the most. Maybe because my brother played keyboards/synthesizer on that part. Plus this was a huge hit in 1976 for this Irish band.

"Can't Get Enough" by Bad Co.

"Boys are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy

"Fool for the City" by Foghat

"We're an American Band" by Grand Funk Railroad

"Rebel, Rebel" by David Bowie

"Communication Breakdown" by Led Zeppelin

"Good Times, Bad Times" by Led Zeppelin

"All Right Now" by Free

Sample set list

Songs That Really Matter A Lot to Me!!

Monica's Tiki Lounge Music Blog

This is actually the first music playlist I wrote earlier this year, but had never thought of turning it into a blog. Now I have, and it has inspired me to create more of these with different genres, topics or chronological years. See how you like this one!!

"Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" by Paul McCartney - This 45 played over and over in our back house. Just recently hearing this song after not hearing it for a very long time, gave me the chills. I turned into a 10 year old all over again. Music really is a time traveller. I remember dancing around the room when hearing this back then. I think my brother played it til the 45 turned white. I'll need to ask him why he played/liked this song so much. This is probably my earliest Beatles' memory.

"End of the Innocence" by Don Henley - Anytime something BIG happens in my life and I've been changed forever, I usually hear this song. It's the end of my innocence, graduating, getting married, moving away, the death of my father, family illnesses and the births of my nieces. This song makes me look at the rites of passage that I'm going through.

"Changes" by David Bowie - This song is similar to "End of the Innocence" but the difference is that its not as life changing. It's more like going through a personal change and learning a lesson: how to handle a situation in a different way, with new eyes.

"All I want Is You" by U2 - This hauntingly beautiful song makes me think of finding my husband/soulmate/best friend Steve. Everything that I had with him then and all that I have with him now. "From the cradle to the grave," all I want is him!

"Silver Wings" by Merle Haggard - I'd like to have this song played when I pass away. It's a beautiful song and I adore/admire the singer/songwriter, John Doe, who performs this version. I got to meet him once. I was lucky enough to do that, meet one of my musical idols.

"Summertime Thing" by Chuck Prophet - This smooth and relaxed-sounding song with a great hook, reminds me of a very retro summer vibe. I love Chuck's deep voice and the slide guitar.

"Summer Breeze" by Seals and Crofts - This song brings be back me to 1975, eighth grade and my lazy days of summer. The lyrics say it all, "Summer breeze makes me feel fine, blowin' through the jasmine in my mind." Those days going to Redondo Beach and pier with my family, especially memories with my dad. He loved that place! Or going to either Manhattan or Hermosa Beach with my mom and younger sister Carla. Those were the days!!

"Boys of Summer" by Don Henley - First of all, I will always remember this 198 very high rotation MTV video that shows a bunch of volleyball players diving for balls. To quote one line from the song, "I can tell you my love for you will still be strong after the boys of summer have gone." I like that part. It's another summer song that reminds me how so 80's this was in L.A.

"Surfer Girl" by the Beach Boys - I travel back into the summer of my high school years in the late 70's. My main memories involve my brother who relentlessly teased me about wanting to be a "little surfer girl" with me wearing my favorite Hawaiian shirt to high school all the time.

"Everlong" by the Foo Fighters - This song is a current favorite that makes me think about the lyrics, "If anything could ever be this good again." It makes me think of very special moments where you feel wonderful and almost high. But there are other moments that can be this good again. So the answer is "yes." I remember a lot of these great moments.

Music From My High School Years 1977-80

Monica's Tiki Lounge Music Blog

I've always enjoyed listening to music, even when I was in my pre-teen years. I was so drawn to listening to the radio at night before bedtime. I
even loved radio shows like Dr. Demento and countdown shows to the top 100 hits of the year too. So it's fun to compile 10 or so songs that are categorized by a theme, genre, year or a special time period in my life. Hope you enjoy reading about my musical journeys with these late 70's songs.


"Baby I Love Your Ways" by Peter Frampton - Peter Frampton was an international chick magnet back in the day in the year of 1976 with his curvy,long, blonde hair, high-rise bell bottom white pants and shirts opened up to his belly button. Even my cousin from Brazil who was visiting at the time knew who he was. She was lucky enough to go to his 1976 concert with one of my best friend's super cute, surfer, older brother.

"Walk This Way" by Aerosmith - Back in the day before the days of iPods and the Internet, it was a lot of work to get the lyrics of a favorite song. I had to wait to hear it every time it was played on the radio. Maybe that's why I love this song so much. I did finally get it all down on paper in my special three-ring binder with my other favorite 70's songs. My childhood friend named Fernando, loved this band so much, he's to blame for me liking them so much. Thanks buddy!! This is a very sexy song, lyrics wise. Okay, for you hardcore music fans, this song came out in 1974, but was reissued and made it as a big hit in 1976.

"I Want You to Want Me" by Cheap Trick - Besides the fact that the blonde hottie lead singer Robin Zander was totally good looking, this band had the 70's pop sound down with this 1977 mega hit. Every teen girl probably thought that she wanted to be wanted by the lead singer Robin. This song later was used as a commerical, not my favorite thing for such a great song.

"Come Sail Away" by Styx - This song, from 1977 sets me free in a 70's breeze. The lyrics were really cool "Free to face the life that's ahead of me." I feel like sailing back into the 70's when I hear this song.

"Life in the Fast Lane" by The Eagles - This 1977 song makes me think of life in L.A. in the late 70's all the money, alcohol and drugs, and running your life too fast and hard. Sometimes when I'm on the freeway in the fast lane rushing to be somewhere, I think of this song.

"Jamie's Cryin'" by Van Halen - This 1978 song had to be included in my high school playlist soley for its popularity, poppy vocals and crazy guitar riff/solos which is the part that's now more memorable for me now since that little guitar riff was later sampled in a song my brother Mario worked on called "Wild Thing" by a rapper Tone Loc.

"Magic Man" by Heart - This 1976 song has a very 70's sound, but with a twist. These are women singing and playing lead guitar. They are sisters Ann (on vocals) and Nancy Wilson (on guitar and back-up vocals). This song has a magical and moody sound because of the guitar and synthesizer used in it. I was so happy for women to finally lead a band, among all the male- dominated bands of the 70's.

"More Than a Feeling" by Boston - This was a number 1 album in 1976, so you know it was played constantly. I remember trying to draw or trace the logo of the band's name on all my folders. How Junior High of me, but a lot of kids were doing it too. This song was a very catchy rock power ballad.

"Long Way Home" Super Tramp - This band started out as a progressive rock band , but they got their greatest success when they released their poppier more commerical "Breakfast in America" album, where this great song appears. I love the way this song is fresh and uplifting and now when I hear it. It brings me right back to 1977. But now it usually hear this song on my way back home from driving somewhere, helping me bring myself back home.

"Aja" by Steely Dan - This jazzy sounding 70's band set the mood at a certain beach house party I went to in Hermosa Beach. To my delight, this whole album also called Aja was being played throughout the party. And to top it off, I got my first beer buzz in 1977, at 16 when I was a sophomore in high school. I hope mom isn't reading this.

Bonus Track:
"Space Truckin'" by Deep Purple - This song was not from my high school years for it came out in 1972. Who would have guessed that I liked heavy metal rock before I knew what it really was in the 80's. Of course, my music influencer in the 70's, my brother Mario, got me into this song. In high school, he owned a tricked-out black pickup truck with, get this with an 8-track player. So I clearly remember when we hit bumps in the road and our heads hit the cab of the truck listening and singing along to "Space Truckin" at full volume.