The Weirdos

The Weirdos formed in Los Angeles in 1975, with John Denney on vocals, his brother Dix on guitar, Cliff Roman on bass, and Dave Hidalgo on drums. They were part of that city's early punk scene, playing shows at places like the Masque. Their first single, 'Life of Crime,' came out in 1977 and became a local staple, its title track a fast, sneering snapshot of disaffection that felt right for the time.

They put out a few albums, including 'Weird World' and 'Action Now!,' and songs like 'We Got The Neutron Bomb' and 'Solitary Confinement' kept their sound rooted in sharp, driving guitar work and lyrics that didn't shy away from darker themes. The lineup shifted over time; Hidalgo left to join Los Lobos, and John Denney departed in 1979, with Dave Alvin stepping in on vocals for a period.

The band called it quits in the mid-80s, but their early singles and albums have been reissued periodically, finding new listeners who appreciate that first wave of L.A. punk. Their music, especially those early cuts, still sounds like a specific moment when things were raw and just starting to get loud.