Ep508: Forming The Germs - Chris Ashford of What Records

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

Chris Ashford of What Records? discusses releasing the first LA punk single "Forming" by the Germs, rarities, tapes, memories of Darby Crash and early punk scene stories.

Topics Include:

• Chris Ashford founded What Records? and knew Germs members George (Pat Smear) and Paul (Darby Crash)
• He worked in record stores through high school and was fascinated by record labels
• Chris decided to start a label while his friends formed the Germs band
• He had no formal education about making records, learned from Richard Fuse at Rhino
• "Forming" was recorded in a garage with two-track deck and two microphones
• The single had multiple takes but most were erased years ago
• B-side used cassette recording from Germs' Cheech & Chong "Up in Smoke" audition
• Master tape for "Forming" is missing, possibly in Canada, but Chris owns rights
• Cheech & Chong footage shows Germs performing "Sexboy" - same version as B-side
• They kept the cassette source secret initially to avoid potential lawsuits
• Lou Adler excluded Germs from movie because audiences wouldn't believe they were real
• Chris missed the "Up in Smoke" taping because he had to work his day job
• He financed all What Records releases including "Forming" himself
• Black rectangle on sleeve was intentionally ambiguous, meant as tongue-in-cheek band photo
• Address on record was Chris's parents' house where he lived
• He quickly moved to P.O. Box and removed address to protect his mother
• First pressing had wrong labels on wrong sides due to Monarch pressing plant error
• About 1,000 copies were made, most of original pressing was destroyed
• 600-700 defective records were thrown down hill as frisbees for fun
• None of them expected anything significant to happen with the record
• "Forming" was technically the first independent DIY punk single from Los Angeles
• The record served as legitimizing calling card for the Germs
• Darby Crash was gifted lyricist despite his troubled background and demons
• Chris received Germs burn from Michelle Ghaffari at the Whiskey without warning
• Germs burns became insider thing in summer 1977, wider trend came later
• Darby never fully matured, died at 22 before becoming complete person
• Germs often performed as chaotic train wreck, unlike disciplined bands like Stooges
• Darby had difficult childhood and family problems that created his demons
• David Bowie was Darby's favorite outlet, influenced his dreamy/nihilistic worldview
• Chris saw potential for Darby to become writer beyond just being lyricist

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