Rubber City Rebels | |
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Origin | Akron, Ohio, United States |
Genres | Proto-punk, punk rock |
Years active | 1977–present |
Labels | Clone Records, Flaming Orange Records, Capitol Records, White Noise Records, Munster Records, Wizzard in Vinyl |
Associated acts | King Cobra, the Hammer Damage Band, the Sunset Bombers, the Firetones, the Lewd |
Website | http://www.rubbercityrebels.com |
Members | Rod Firestone Buzz Clic Bob Clic Mike Hammer |
Past members | Donny Damage Stix Pelton Pete Sake Johnny Bethesda Brandon Matheson |
Rubber City Rebels are an American proto-punk band from Akron, Ohio that formed in 1976.
The original lineup of the band consisted of Rod Firestone (vocals), Buzz Clic (guitar), Donny Damage (bass), Stix Pelton (drums) and Pete Sake (keyboards). Firestone was previously known as "Rod Bent" when he was performing in the band King Cobra at a bar called The Crypt. When he and Clic began playing originals there, the band became the Rubber City Rebels.
In their early years, the Rebels were fans (and friends) of fellow Greater Cleveland-area bands the Dead Boys and Devo. Their breakout show was opening for the Dead Boys at legendary New York City rock club CBGB in 1977. This led to a split album with the Bizarros, titled From Akron, which was released that year and received praise from Robert Christgau. Firestone and Clic would go on to open The Crypt in Akron, at the time, the only punk rock club in the Midwest. Bands including the Dead Boys, Devo, Pere Ubu and the Bizarros played at this club.
The Rebels moved to Los Angeles in 1978, minus Pelton (who was replaced on drums by Mike Hammer) and Sake (keyboards were deemed unnecessary for the band's change to a heavier sound), and gained considerable fame on the Sunset Strip. They frequently headlined at the famous Whisky a Go-Go for bands such as the Knack, Fear, the Kats, the Nu Kats, the Dickies and the Plimsouls. The band was signed to Sire Records; however, a clash between band and record label ensued and the recording contract was terminated before the Rebels could record their debut album.