The Mau Maus will be appearing at the Punk Rock Picnic on Saturday April 13th and will be featuring a new line up consisting of Rick Wilder, Michael Livingston, Danny Kuperson and Alex Gomez. Check the Live Dates for more info.
Latest
“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.
Mau Maus Added To Punk Rock Picnic Line Up
The Mau Maus have been added to the 2013 line up for the Punk Rock Picnic. It takes place April 13th & 14th at the Queen Mary in Long Beach California. To buy tickets and for more info go to http://www.punkrockpicnicmusicfestival.com/
Mau Maus Live Review in Sugarbuzz Magazine
Victoria Joyce has written a great review of the Mau Maus live in the newest Sugarbuzz, it also features photos by Mila Reynaud. Click HERE to read it online.
The Mau Maus
The Redwood Bar and Grill
Downtown Los Angeles
Brixton
South Bay Redondo Beach
By Victoria Joyce
Photography by Mila Reynaud
We took a break from the Sunset Strip Music Festival to head downtown. A very special show by LA Punk Legends, The Mau Maus, were playing a set at the forever funky Redwood Bar with the original 1981 line up. (They was just babies.) Self described as psycho-sexual Punk Death Rock, this show could not be missed.
Check out The Punk Museum being curated by Miss Tacquila Mockingbird for some mind-blowing handbills from some of their seminal shows where the Mau Maus shared stages with Black Flag, The Germs, X, etc.
With some changes to the original, original 70s band, a newer line up of Rick Wilder, Michael Livingston, Scott Franklin and Paul Mars Black formed in 1981 and that is who would be on stage tonight. The last time The Mau Maus went into the studio, they recorded with Robby Krieger (The Doors) on the Mad Dog Studio sessions included 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.”
We were very disappointed Mr. Krieger did not show up at the Redwood. But he was busy at Viper Room, playing a solo show as part of the SSMF. Break on through.
The Redwood is a teensy weensy serious dive bar, five times as long as it is wide, a virtual hall way with a tiny stage in the back. They have been back in business for a few years now reviving the downtown LA Rock to white hot and weird on most weekends. The Redwood features the obscure, the strange and like tonight legendary bands with a capital “L.”
The Tinglers out of Las Vegas opened the evening. Twangy Punk Pop with very strange songs that were just brilliant. Very Garage.
Followed by the Muertones, a trio out of Lincoln Heights with hardcore Dark Surf very Misirlou-Pulp Fiction type stuff. They did a cover of “LA Woman” that was to die for.
Chit-chatting with the Mau Maus pre-set got us some props for the interview Mr. Lucky did with the enigmatic Rick Wilder who may also be doing a book. Paul Mars Black gave us some of the skinny on the earlier Robby Krieger sessions. When the guitar player didn’t show – Robby jumped in and brought out a little bitty Dubose amp to the session. When the bewildered band questioned the size of the box, Krieger informed them this is what was used on all The Doors very own sessions. It’s not the size of the wave, it’s the motion in the ocean.
Taking the stage around 11, The Mau Maus were frightening. The undiluted energy of the original Punk movement was in full flower jogging the memory of a genuine underground scene back in the day-e-ay. You could get hurt if you got too close. And we are not talking about some fake mosh pit full of overweight suburban white boys. More like slam-dancing with scissors and knives kind of thing. It was wonderful to be that scared of a band.
The PA was terrible to the point of being absent if you were squeezed off to the side. (We were.) The enigmatic Rick Wilder’s vocals with his pale white skin and shock of candy apple red hair were more lost than usual. But the musicianship was stellar. The gorgeous Paul Mars Black (also of LA Guns) on drums was sharper than a disposable razor. The classically trained Michael Livingston on guitar was a revelation and one time Cramp, Scott Franklin on bass was a stunner.
We were doubly delighted to learn that another gig was added the following Sunday night, way the hell down in Orange County at the Brixton in Redondo Beach. This time the club was ten times as big and the sound system was 100 times better. The performance was a lot tighter. The contained chaos was crystal clear.
AND HEY KIDS: For a limited time there will be a special deal on the Mau Maus brand new CD, “Scorched Earth Policies” with an eBay bundle including a signed copy of the Mau Maus debut LP (autographed by the 1981 line up), a “Scorched Earth” CD (w/ a 20 page full color booklet with super duper photos by Mila Renaud), a Mau Maus Black Matte Sticker and 3 Mau Maus Posters, all for just $19.78!
Razorcake Review of Mau Maus “Scorched Earth Policies”
Razorcake Review of THE MAU MAUS
Scorched Earth Policies: Then & Now
Formed from the ashes of legendary Los Angeles glam rock band Berlin Brats, the Mau Maus have proven to be one of punk rock’s more tenacious groups, with lineups having existed in five different decades now—and yet despite forming in 1977—prior to this CD, the only legitimate recordings one could find were two tracks featured on the second Hell Comes to Your House compilation. In an effort to both clear the vaults and make up for lost time, this features six tracks recorded in 1983 and produced by Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger (who also lays down a barnburner solo on one track), plus eight tracks of more recent vintage that meld fairly seamlessly with the earlier tunes, making this the definitive showcase for this band’s take on punk rock: one part Dolls, one part Stones, mix in a whole lotta attitude ‘n’ hostility and set the whole fuckin’ thing ablaze. An all-around swell collection complete with extensive liner notes, pics, and some of the finest punk rockin’ you’re likely ever gonna come across.
Jimmy Alvarado
Razorcake Magazine
Mau Maus NYE 1981
As Flipside was going under, Taylor decided that he did not want to cease to write about music. His initial idea was to create a webzine instead of a print zine because of financial restraints.
The name for both editions was chosen while searching for a domain name. Many of the 300 possibilities, such as “Born to Rock” and “Barbed Wire Asshole,” were either taken, too expensive, or thought to be a name that “would trap [them].” “Razorcake” was suggested by Katy (a.k.a. KT), a friend of Taylor and Carswell. The name was chosen since it meant nothing and was economical, and Skinny Dan (a.k.a. Danny) set up the website at www.razorcake.com.
March 2001 saw the first issue of the print edition of Razorcake. The inaugural issue was the only one to bear a newsprint cover. Every issue since the first has had a glossy cover. As opposed to the cover, the focus of the content within Razorcake has never changed. Also, the fanzine’s circulation has more than doubled (to 6,000) since the first issue. August 2021 saw the 123rd issue of Razorcake, making it the longest continually printed DIY punk zine in the United States still in operation.
Mau Maus Live So. Cal. Dates – Don’t Miss It!
Don’t miss the Mau Maus live one week from tonight at the Redwood Bar in Downtown Los Angeles and at the Brixton in Redondo Beach. The new album will be for sale and you can have the 1981 version of the Mau Maus sign your copy!
New Mau Maus Video Debuts Tonight!
Rick Wilder
Here’s the new Mau Maus video for “Warbaby” by Glen Bennett featuring newly declassified secret atomic bomb films, blitzing action and Rick Wilder! From YouTube: Hollywood’s most infamous punk rock n roll band the Mau Maus ripping through “Warbaby”, the first video from “Scorched Earth Policies: Then & Now” out now on Ratchet Blade Records. The video was directed by Glen Bennett and features newly declassified secret atomic bomb films, as well as the 1981 line up of the Mau Maus playing their most notorious song. “Scorched Earth Policies” features 6 songs produced by Doors’ guitarist Robby Krieger in 1983 and 8 songs recorded by the band and producer Geza X in 2011, and you might not be able to tell difference in the sonic frenzy of the two sessions. Check out the album here: https://maumaus.bandcamp.com/album/sc… Taking the raw energy of Iggy and the Stooges and infusing an unhealthy dose of James Brown jive, the Mau Maus were forged at the original punk rock haven the Masque and sprang upon the emerging Hollywood scene in 1978. Listen to samples, see photos and read more about the Mau Maus at https://maumaus.monster Rick Wilder – vocals Michael Livingston – guitar Scott “Chopper” Franklin – bass & guitar Paul “Black” Mars – drums
Glen Bennett works as VFX artist and supervisor at Sea Level VFX. Prior to joining Sea Level, he spent over five years as a senior compositor at Asylum Visual Effects, working primarily on A-List commercials for brands such as Chevy, BMW, Adidas, Skittles, Sprint, Visa, Lexus, Geico, Nike and Toyota, as well as feature films, including National Treasure, Phantom of the Opera, Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Domino and Apocalypto. From 1992 to 1995, Bennett worked at Rushes in his native UK, during which he won an International Monitor Award for Best Visual Effects for the Enigma Guinness commercial helmed by Michael Haussman.
Santa Barbara Live Review
Legendary L.A. punk rock band gives first-ever performance in Santa Barbara
Rick Wilder performs during The Mau Maus concert at Whiskey Richards on Sunday night. Click here for more photos of The Mau Maus and openers Crying 4 Kafka. (L. Paul Mann / Noozhawk photo)
By Jeff Moehlis, Noozhawk Contributing Writer | Published on 07.26.2012 1:25 p.m
When I asked Rick Wilder what we could look forward to at the concert on Sunday night at Whiskey Richards by The Mau Maus, the L.A. punk rock band for which he is the frontman, he declared, “Punk rock insurrection meets nuclear horror show circus.”
And you know what? He was right!
The Mau Maus were a force of shock and awe back in the late 1970s, with wild performances at the Hollywood punk rock club The Masque and elsewhere around Los Angeles, and sometimes beyond. With various lineup changes but always Wilder at the helm, they somehow survived (as individuals and as a band) into the 1980s, ultimately recording a collection of songs in 1983 with ex-Doors guitarist Robby Krieger in the producer’s chair.
However, these tracks went unreleased until a little more than a month ago when the album Scorched Earth Policies: Then and Now came out, an instant classic that also includes new recordings by Wilder and the blazing band/“chaos machine” currently on tour: Michael Livingston on guitar, Scott “Chopper” Franklin on bass guitar, and Paul “Black” Mars on drums. (All except Livingston also played on the 1983 recordings.)
The Mau Maus’ music is old-school punk rock at its finest, with loud guitar, fast rhythms, snarling singing and song titles that would make your mother blush. And, as on the new album, they delivered the sound and fury of old-school punk rock in concert, to the delight of the small but enthusiastic and oft-moshing crowd at Whiskey Richards.
If there is justice in the musical universe, the recent album release and live performances will raise The Mau Maus’ 21st-century profile, bringing them into the punk rock pantheon where they belong, alongside the Sex Pistols, The Ramones, the Dead Kennedys, X, the Buzzcocks, etc.
Thanks to Electric Sex Enterprises for bringing these guys and openers Crying 4 Kafka to Whiskey Richards, and thanks to The Mau Maus for keeping the punk rock flame burning.
Setlist
Doomsdaze
Dead or Alive
Sex & The Single Sniper
Laughtrack
Never Talk to Strangers
Greenlight
Family Jewels
Joyride (To the End of the World)
Sex Girls in Uniform
Rectum of Nefertiti
All Fall Down
Warbaby
Faker
(I’m) Psychotic
— Noozhawk contributing writer Jeff Moehlis is a professor of mechanical engineering at UCSB. Upcoming show recommendations, advice from musicians, interviews and more are available on his Web site, music-illuminati.com.
New Record Review at Strange Reaction
The Mau-Maus
Scorched Earth Policies: Then & Now
Produced: Robbie Krieger, the Mau Maus & Geza X
Ratchet Blade Records
Rick Wilder – Vocals
Michael Livingston – Guitar
Scott ‘Chopper’ Franklin – Bass
Paul ‘Black’ Mars – Drums
1. (I’m) Psychotic
2. Dead or Alive
3. Laughtrack
4. Rectum of Nefertiti
5. Sex & the Single Sniper
6. Puberty
7. Warbaby
8. Faker
9. All Fall Down
10. Never Talk to Strangers
11. Joyride to the End of the World
12. Family Jewels
13. Doomsdaze
14. Greenlight
This album is the first (and only legit) release by the most notorious punk band of the late 1970′s, early 1980’s, it contains six songs from a 1983 session produced by Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger (remixed in 2010), as well as eight songs from their 2011 session produced by the Mau Maus and Geza X.
The CD includes a twenty-page full-color booklet that gives you the complete history of the Mau Maus!
Prior to this release the only recorded evidence that The Mau-Maus existed were the two songs on Hell Comes To Your House 2, Sex Girls in Uniforms, and We All Fall Down. Now, after all these years you can hear why they were one of the most legendary bands in all of Los Angeles.
If I had to sum up the overall Mau-Maus sound on this album, it’d be this: they seem to be the perfect hybrid of The Seeds and The Sex Pistols. The great sound of 1960’s garage guitars, and Mr. Wilder’s kick-ass snarling vocals.
(I’m) Psychotic and Puberty are my favorite cuts from the album.
If you get the chance to get a copy of this, go get it.
Rating: *** Three out of three stars.
Read this review HERE
Mau Maus Interview w/ Ed Colver Slideshow
We’re posting the Mau Maus interview conducted by Stig Stench on June 29th 2012 in two parts, both are to accompanied by a Edward Colver slideshow of never seen before photos of the Mau Maus. The photos were taken between the years of 1980 and 1983 and are direct scans from Ed’s negatives. Here’s Part I, check back for Part II. Thanks to Stig Stench and Edward Colver.
Edward Colver is an American photographer, best known for his early punk photographs. Colver not only created a visual document of the birth of the hardcore punk in suburban Southern California from late 1978 to mid-1984, but also he greatly helped in defining the photography style and graphic identity of the American hardcore punk movement.
Mau Maus 1983 (all photos by Edward Colver)
His early work is an authentic self-portrait of the Southern California hardcore punk scene in its golden years. His work was featured extensively in the book American Hardcore: A Tribal History (2001), written by Steven Blush, and in its documentary film version, American Hardcore (2006), directed by Paul Rachman.
Rick Wilder
Essentially a self-taught photographer, Colver had a brief formal training during night classes at University of California, Los Angeles, where he studied beginning photography with Eileen Cowin. Largely influenced by Dada and Surrealism, Colver was most impressed in his early years by the art of Southern Californian native Edward Kienholz. In the late 1960s, Edward’s perspective on life and art was changed by his exposure to composers such as Edgar Varèse, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Krzysztof Penderecki and John Cage.
Three months after he began taking photographs, Colver had his first photograph published: an image of performance artist Johanna Went, featured in BAM magazine. Since then he has shot photographs for dozens of record labels including EMI, Capitol and Geffen. His pictures have been featured on more than 500 album covers and include some of the most recognizable and iconic covers of the punk era.
LINKS
CLICK THE COVER TO PREVIEW ALBUM!