1978 OG LA Punk Rock

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

Mau Maus LA Punk RockMau Maus LA Punk Rock

 

 

 

 

 

 

“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”…