Mau Maus LP & CD eBay Bundle
Ratchet Blade Records has put up a killer deal on a Mau Maus Lp and Cd ebay bundle, to get both the Mau Maus lp and cd (w/ a 20 page full color booklet on the Mau Maus notorious history) and 3 free fliers from the collection of lead singer Rick Wilder for one low price. Take advantage now and get this vital piece of Los Angeles punk rock history. Click HERE to check it out.
Here is an excerpt from the CD booklet biography:
“The Mau Maus have a reputation as one of the baddest of Hollywood’s bad-boy bands- and it’s no hype. Leader Rick Wilder, a local underground legend sings (and looks) like a Mick Jagger-Johnny Rotten clone created by some mad punk scientist. And like the New York Dolls (another Mau Maus influence), the band has a reputation for showing up in dubious playing condition, arriving late on stage and sometimes falling apart during it’s sets.
So it came as no surprise that the quartet, headlining a four-band bill at the Cathay De Grande Tuesday, had to wait on stage about 15 minutes before Wilder appeared. But once the band unleashed its classic raunch ‘n’ roll, the only question about the Mau Maus was why it isn’t a bigger success.” Craig Lee, Los Angeles Times 1/20/1983
Why indeed. The Mau Maus were the most notorious of the original 1970’s Hollywood punk rock bands, and there was no shortage of praise for their hellacious sound & fury. But they were also the band that had a street hustler’s stubborn suspicion of every opportunity, not looking but kicking the gift horse in the mouth, thus resisting management, agents and even record labels. And they rode that fuck-‘em-all locomotive right off the tracks and into the woods.
Volatile as a den of thieves, with members being fired and rehired at the blink of a bloodshot eye, you never knew if they would show up, but goddamn it, you knew when they showed up.
New Mau Maus Merch Store
There is a new Mau Maus merch store where you can preview and purchase the historical LA Punk Rock release Scorched Earth Policies: Then & Now, along with other Mau Maus merchandise. Click HERE to visit the store.
“The ones that impressed us in look had bad attitudes, like the Mau Maus. They were great. They were really hard… and that totally impressed me. And I thought, “That’s a great way to look.” So I always tried to look like one of those guys.” Spit Stix – FEAR
“Can we just tell the world what incredible groundbreakers the Mau Maus were?! I first saw them in the late 70’s and I’ve been a fan ever since. Back in the day when everyone was trying to be “cool,” the Mau Maus had everybody beat, hands down. No question, they were the absolute coolest. Rick Wilder is always the strongest force in the room. There’s something unique and beautiful about him… I’m hoping in another life we can hook up.” – Penelope Spheeris
“Everybody knows the Mau Maus. Whether it’s some story of a chaotic back-alley Hollywood show, or dark tales of crimes real or imagined, the Los Angeles punk scene wouldn’t have been the same without Rick Wilder and the nefarious group. Reveled AND reviled, and taking the raw energy of Iggy & the Stooges and infusing an unhealthy dose of James Brown jive, the original Mau Maus (Wilder, Greg Salva, Rod Donahue & Earl Washington) sprang upon the emerging Hollywood scene in 1978. After tearing through the Masque and one-time pimp-hang the King’s Palace (as well as tearing through some member changes), a new line up of Wilder, Michael Livingston, Scott Franklin and Paul Mars shanghaied the Hong Kong Café, pounded down the Whiskey and uprooted the Mabuhay Gardens. They then proceeded to record the incendiary Robby Krieger-produced Mad Dog sessions, the little-heard, after-hour Paramount tapes and two songs for Hell Comes To Your House Vol. 2. A scene-stealing performance in the OJ Simpson detective movie “Cocaine and Blue Eyes” accented this “Joyride to the End of the World”…
“Scorched Earth Policies” Reviewed on Rock Over America
Artist: The Mau Maus
Album: Scorched Earth Policies: Then & Now
Label: Rachet Blade Records
Reviewer: Cassandra Young
Date: Oct 21, 2012
Established in 1977, resulting from the breakup of their former band the Berlin Brats, the Mau Maus have a notorious reputation as trouble makers. With the release of their first legitimate recorded album ‘Scorched Earth Policies: Then and Now’, the band has given their fans something tangible, as they have been craving for almost forty years.
With the legendary Rick Wilder filling the position of front man; Robbie Krieger, Michael Livingston, and Greg Salva on guitar; Scott “Chopper” Franklin on bass; and Paul “Black” Mars on drums, the band has become an icon in the Punk scene. Though Wilder is the only original member still standing, all have a chemistry that is undeniably powerful. Their drive and ability to create a lasting sound has made them a permanent staple in the music industry.
With a history like The Mau Maus, there is no escaping their reputation. Band members changing like the days of the week, cops appearing at their doorstep about five times a night, and starting uncountable riots, the band hasn’t just made their mark on music, they’ve made it on society. Incorporating both songs from their past as well as recently written and recorded songs from today, they have pieced together a compelling album that will be played for many decades to come.
Kicking of their album with “(I’m) Psychotic”, they already paint a picture of just who they really are. The dominant bass line, sweet guitar solos, extremely fun chorus, and just about as much china as you can handle introduces The Mau Maus in the best way possible. “Warbaby” is the perfect song for one who’s looking for the angst expected from angry rockers. With impressive guitar riffs and a single amazing guitar solo the song has become a fan favorite. “Joyride (to the End of the World)”, written by Wilder, is one of the slower (however, not slow at all), and more powerful songs. “Doomsdaze”, one of the most enjoyable songs on the album, opens with the group yelling, “Yeah, yeah, yeah” which continues throughout the song, giving off the loud, rambunctious vibe loved by all Punk listeners.
Though they’re what would be considered veterans of the scene, The Mau Maus plan on releasing another album in the future. With talent like theirs, there is no reason not to. The Mau Maus have been an influential band throughout the entire Punk industry since 1977 and are continuing to influence bands in today’s music scene.
The New Mau Maus Album Official Street Date is June 12th but….
…various southern California record stores now have them in stock, you can get lps and cds at:
Amoeba Records
6400 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 245-6400
Headline Records
7706 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 655-2125
Vacation Vinyl (lps only)
3815 West Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 666-2111
TKO Records
18948 Brookhurst Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 962-0500
If your local store doesn’t have them, tell them to hit up Ratchet Blade Records or order from our STORE.
